Only One Moon (Zoo, 1995)

The new release by Canada's Prairie Oyster covers the musical spectrum. The opening cut, "Ancient History," is a cut that would be at home in any Texas honky-tonk. The band moves east to Cajun country with "Lousiette" written by guitarist Keith Glass, who penned five of the 12 songs. The musical journey continues with "Such A Lonely One," a song that could just as easily have been done by Roy Orbison with Duane Eddy on guitar. The band hits a high point with "She Don't Get The Blues" a straight forward country kicker. Prairie Oyster shows it knows how to play it straight and hot on "Your Turn To Cry." The biggest surprise is the Carter Family-influenced "Did You Fall In Love With Me." Mother Maybelle would be proud. "Black-Eyed Susan," one of the most moving pieces heard in a while, is the perfect marriage of melody and lyrics. Co-written by pianist Joan Besen, the song weaves piano beautifully with bass to provide one of the disc's emotional high points. It doesn't take long to understand why Prairie Oyster is so popular in its homeland.