The Valley

by Charley Crockett

Overview

Charley Crockett spent the last few years of the 2010s cranking out albums as if he was attempting to outrun a demon. In a sense, that's true. Crockett began his life with a diagnosis of Wolf Parkinson's White Disease, a congenital heart disease that he's lived with his entire life. Not long after he supported a pair of terrific albums in 2018 with a grueling tour schedule, he noticed his heart condition worsening, so a series of surgeries were arranged and just prior to going under the knife, he wrote and recorded the songs that comprise The Valley. Bearing the subtitle "And Other Autobiographical Tunes," The Valley does indeed bear the marks of memoir, containing songs about his hardscrabble childhood and colorful journey. Where some songwriters might stare down death's door with a mournful gaze, Crockett exhibits a considerable sense of warmth and good humor here. In the face of death, Crockett has decided to dig deep within the aspects of music he loves, relying on weathered cowboy ballads, barrel-chested blues, lean rockabilly, and rangy Texas honky tonk. The eclecticism is never forced: it rolls easy, sounding like the juke joint of your dreams. The Valley feels so alive, it's something of a wonder that Crockett made the music while he was unsure of whether he'd see the next year, but that speaks greatly to his gifts as a musician. During his darkest moments, Crockett relies on the instincts that make him a delightfully unpredictable Americana artist and winds up with a record that sums up his word view quite elegantly. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	09/20/2019
Label:	Son Of Davy
UPC:	0644216240166
Rank:	22787

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Charley Crockett   Primary Artist,Banjo,Vocals,Guitar (Rhythm)
Billy Horton   Bass (Upright)
Anthony Farrell   Organ
Brennen Leigh   Vocals (Background)
Nathan Fleming   Pedal Steel
Dave Biller   Guitar (Steel),Guitar (Electric)
Noel McKay   Vocals (Background)
Jay Moeller   Drums,Percussion
Jeff Dazey   Sax (Baritone)
Greg Izor   Harmonica
Kyle Nix   Fiddle
Alexis Sanchez   Guitar,Guitar (Rhythm)
Colin Colby   Bass (Upright)
Kullen Fox   Piano,Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Traditional   Composer
Bobby Bare   Composer
Billy Horton   Engineer,Producer
Harlan Howard   Composer
Buck Owens   Composer
Jay Moeller   Producer
Pat Patterson   Composer
Nico Leophonte   Engineer
Jim Wilson   Mastering
Evan Felker   Composer
Keith Brogdon   Artwork
Charley Crockett   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Kyle Madrigal   Composer
Lyza Renee   Photography
Vincent Neil Emerson   Composer