Brewed In Texas Vol 2 (Compadré, 2005)

As the title suggests, this is the second Compadre compilation of drinking songs performed by artists from Texas. The stronger tunes are amongst the 13 previously released of the 20 tracks. Charlie Robison's honky-tonk nursery rhyme "Barlight" and The Derailers' "Bar Exam" use wordplay effectively, while Kevin Fowler's "The Lord Loves A Drinkin' Man" and Flaco Jimenez's "In Heaven There Is No Beer" add a comically spiritual element.

Asleep at the Wheel takes a more serious approach with "The Letter (That Johnny Walker Read)" in which the singer laments the damage drinking has caused his life. Similarly, Billy Joe Shaver reflects on a relationship destroyed by alcohol in "Drinkin' Back."

Other highlights include Guy Clark's "Out In The Parking Lot," Townes Van Zandt's "Talking Thunderbird Blues" and Trish Murphy (the only female featured) with "Scorpio Tequila." The best of the previously unreleased tracks are Ray Wylie Hubbard's haunting "The Way Of The Fallen Is Hard," Honeybrowne's alt.-country "Julie At The Bar" and the traditional country weeper "Another Six Pack Under" by Rick Trevino.

Though there are a few duds here, this is for the most part an entertaining collection.