By Brent Thompson

In October 2017, Charley Crockett was included in Rolling Stone’s “10 New Country Artists You Need to Know.” And while such recognition certainly heightens his exposure, it doesn’t begin to capture the scope of his music. Lonesome As A Shadow, Crockett’s fourth full-length album – and first of all-original material – finds him covering a wealth of stylistic ground but in a surprisingly cohesive fashion. Though you hear strains of Hank Williams, Sr. in “I Wanna Cry,” the classic Soul sounds of Arthur Alexander in “How Long Will I Last” and a nod to his fellow Texan Freddy Fender on “Goin’ Back To Texas,” it all somehow makes sense when played through Crockett’s filter. Produced by Matt Ross-Spang (Jason Isbell, Margo Price, Zac Brown), Lonesome As A Shadow was recorded in Memphis at Sam Phillips Recording. Once known for busking in some of the country’s most noted musical cities, Crockett has turned his hardscrabble apprenticeship into a familiar-yet-unique sound that is finding its rewards.