Visions of Dallas (Son of Davy/Thirty Tigers, 2024)

Following closely on the heels of the critically acclaimed "$10 Cowboy," Charley Crockett is back mere months later with another studio collection, "$10 Cowboy Chapter II: Visions of Dallas."

Despite the name, this doesn't feel like a sequel. Although they were recorded during the same sessions, the songs from this new collection are a bit removed stylistically. Sure, this is still Crockett's signature blend of Texas-flavored country and blues, but there was a soul-influenced funkiness that permeated "$10 Cowboy." That distinctive sound is mostly missing here with a few exceptions – most notably, the funky keyboard work on the album-opening title track. That's not to suggest this isn't a quality release, it's just not the album you expect as an extension of "$10 Cowboy."

One thing that remains steadfast between the two albums is Crockett's innate ability to craft an affecting song. The stellar and twangy "Avoiding Mirrors" finds Crockett in an introspective mood – acutely aware of how his life choices impact him, but unwilling to face them directly when singing, "I'm avoiding' mirrors/Talkin' to myself/I've been doin' things/That ain't good for my health."

The previously mentioned "Visions of Dallas" is another standout, one that Crockett co-wrote with his fiancée Taylor Grace. You can see the hold the city has on the artist as he sings, "I was having visions of Dallas/As I passed through Tennessee/Trying to lose familiar feelings/The ones that was all over me/No, I can't shake that city/It's got me in a spin/Having visions of Dallas/All over again."

Crockett also sprinkles a healthy helping of cover songs throughout the 12-track set, and the beauty of the collection is that you'd be hard-pressed to distinguish an original from a classic country cover if you weren't already familiar with the source material. Crockett takes a song like "Crystal Chandeliers and Burgundy," a tune written by Jack Routh that was originally released by Johnny Cash on his 1974 album "The Junkie and the Juicehead Minus Me," and puts his own stamp on it with an up-tempo arrangement and new instrumentation. Conversely, you have "20-20 Vision," a new Crockett song that could easily be confused for a classic electric blues tune,

Another fantastic cover is Crockett's take on Townes Van Zandt's "Loretta." Crockett makes it his own by kicking up the tempo and infusing just a touch of funky organ work.

"$10 Cowboy Chapter II: Visions of Dallas" is a solid set from top to bottom that never quite matches the lofty heights of its slightly older and heralded sibling.