CityLife

Mavericks steer a fresh course

FOR lovers of classic American music, full of exhilarating melodies and driven by one of the most versatile rhythm sections around, all fronted by the husky, honeyed tones of Raul Malo, it was great news that The Mavericks were back recording and touring together.

The reunion seems to have come as a bit of a surprise to bassist Robert Reynolds, too. "There had always been a private part of me that believed we would get back together, but that confidence had begun eroding as time went on," he admits.

"Collectively, I think we were reeling from the square peg aspect of the group.

"There's a blessing and a curse to significant success in country music and the fact that Dance The Night Away became such a big mainstream hit was also a bit like that."

Robert and drummer Paul Deakin took to touring as part of The Road Trippers with Kevin Montgomery, appearing several times with him at one of Manchester's less glitzy venues, the Star And Garter.

They both also appear on Kevin's excellent new album, called 2am. But then Raul, who had released his own excellent solo album, began writing songs that he felt could only be done by The Mavericks.

Raul

"These songs fitted that style, that spirit. And why not? It seemed as good a time as any, so the first move really came from Raul.

"In late January, just after I'd come back to Nashville after a European tour with Kevin, I got a phone call from Raul, we all started meeting up for dinner or whatever and we began recording together in March - it was as quick and straighforward as that."

For the record they were joined by new guitarist Eddie Perez, while old pal Jerry Dale McFadden will also be linking up with them for the tour.

"I feel that we are a mix of all the popular music we've heard as young guys.

"We just don't filter out a lot of that, we include it in the making of these records, so that the Latin/salsa of Dance The Night Away is one part of it. It comes very natural for Raul, who is first generation Cuban American," Robert observes.

"This is going to be a new chapter for The Mavericks, trying to avoid the extensive and exhausting touring we got stuck in before and working more in album cycles. Raul, I know, has some really cool solo plans and I will continue working with Kevin.''

The Mavericks, supported by Kevin Montgomery, play at the Manchester Apollo on Thursday, October 23. 7.30pm. £22.50. Click here to book online.