Bruce Delaney | Dancin’ at The Aerie (from Latvia to Romania)

Published: April 17, 2011

Roundup singer/songwriter Bruce Delaney is a romantic at heart, and he proves it on his latest album. As the title suggests, these tunes are for dancin’, and they’re mostly romantic belt-buckle shiners.  

Co-producer Mark Addison assembled a cadre of Austin session players to back Delaney on his 11 original tunes, and the analog recording format makes for excellent sound. Sidemen include Danny Wynn, drums and percussion; “Scrappy” Jud Newcomb, acoustic and electric guitars and mandolin; Kim Deschamps, steel, Dobro, slide and mandolin; and “sidewoman” Harmoni Kelley, bass.

The sleepy chunk of drums and guitar start us off on the opener, “Winds of Change.” A cool chord progression and Delaney’s warbly, catch-in-the-throat vocals infuse “The Easiest Thing,” wherein the vocalist drags out "my lu-u-uv” for that wistful country effect. The Mexican-rhythm-styled “Gypsy Dancer” has growly Delaney vocals; a nice Dobro and cool percussion propel “Television Eyes.”

Hank coulda done “Like Somethin’ the Cat Dragged In,” with its swingy Texas feel and cool instrumentals. Great title, and fun lyrics, too (“Didn’t you say that you needed to find the real kitten in you?").

And the final cut, “New and Different Dance,” finds our protagonist in love once more. Delaney croons “a new leading lady” (pronounced lay-y-y-dee), and spits out "and an old ancient heart.” A goose-bump-raising break from the pedal steel cements the mood.

Delaney says in the liner notes that he was an angry lad for a long time, but now in older age is learning how to enjoy life. Music is helping him achieve that, and he wants to play his tunes, whether in eastern Europe or closer to home.   

– Mariss McTucker