Rosie Flores Albums (9)
'Christmasville'
Release Date 8/16/2005
Tracks 11
Label Emergent / 92e
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Rockabilly filly and honky tonk queen Rosie Flores turns down the rhythm just a bit as she hangs up the mistletoe on this solid seasonal disc. Christmasville was Flores' first solo album in four years, and as fits the material, there isn't much spitfire rave-up on these numbers if you were hoping to hear her rock out, but Flores' vocals are in sassy and supple condition, making with the blues on "Blue Christmas," sounding spunky on "Christmas on West Mistletoe," letting her heartache run free on "My Christmas Tree Is Hung with Tears" and rockin' easy on "Run Rudolph Run." She also contributes her usual fine guitar picking to these sessions, and if she doesn't exactly blaze on this set, she and her bandmates give the material a warm and engaging living-room feel which plays up the easy charm of the material without slighting the very real gifts of these players. Flores also contributes some worthy additions to the canon of cool yule tunes with "Secret Santa" and the title cut, and the covers are well chosen (the album even closes with a version of " "Happy Christmas [War Is Over]" that brings something new to John Lennon's venerable broadside). If Shiner Bock and quesadillas are on the menu for your holiday bash, Christmasville is just the thing to be spinning on your stereo; it's fun and well-crafted stuff for hipsters of all ages. ~ Mark Deming, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Rosie Flores reaffirms her rockabilly roots by leading off her fifth studio album, Speed of Sound, with "Rock-a-Bye Boogie," originally heard as the B-side of the Davis Sisters' number one country single of 1953, "I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know," and closing it with Johnny Cash's "Country Boy." But in between, she tries out a number of other musical styles and succeeds mightily with them. The diversity begins with the second track, "Don't Know If I'm Comin' or Goin'," a little-known number from Billie Holiday's catalog. Then it's back to rockabilly for Buck Owen's "Hot Dog." Co-producer Rick Vito's "Devil Love," which follows, may sound like another oldie, with its sinuous samba rhythm, but it is actually a 2001 copyright. Flores puts her three co-compositions, "Don't Take It Away," "Speed of Sound," and "Somebody's Someone," in the middle of the disc. The first uses a Bo Diddley beat to make a romantic plea, while the title track demonstrates that Flores can write a contemporary-sounding song when she wants to. This one would make a good addition to the repertoire of Bonnie Raitt or Emmylou Harris. "Somebody's Someone" is another genre exercise, a relaxed Western swing number Flores might have played on her tour with Asleep at the Wheel in 1997. She takes her own stab at Marshall Crenshaw's "Somewhere Down the Line," having had her duet vocals mysteriously uncredited when she sang the song on Crenshaw's Life's Too Short album, and makes a point of crediting her own harmony partner, Terry McBride. "I Push Right Over" is an attractive two-step and the album's most likely candidate for a country radio single. Add it up, and Speed of Sound is a varied collection that addresses Rosie Flores' traditional strengths and also shows her capable of making good music in many styles. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Cut from the same mold as Rose Maddox and Wanda Jackson, Rosie Flores is a 100-percent-for-real honky tonk gal and this album brings it out every bit as well as her '80s debut, reissued with bonus tracks on Rounder as Honky Tonk Reprise. Partially recorded live at Cibolo Creek Country Club in San Antonio, TX, Flores brings a batch of great originals to the mix with a band featuring Cindy Cashdollar on steel guitar and slide, drummer Donald Lindley, keyboardist Justin Reinhardt, and the estimable Sarah Brown on bass, highlighted by her own spot-on-the-money lead guitar work. This is no retro paint-by-numbers album, although tracks like the opening "Little Bit More," "'59 Tweedle Dee," and "It Came From Memphis" summon up that traditional vibe nicely. But in the main, Flores' well-crafted originals carry the day and her sound right into the new millennium nicely, with "We'll Survive," "From Where I Stand," "Tremolo," and her heartfelt tribute to her father, "Who's Gonna Fix It Now," being every bit as fine as any contemporary country that makes the airwaves. Her duet with Radney Foster on "Bring It On" and her version of Jackson's "Funnel of Love" (the only cover tune on here, by the way) are two more solid reasons to add this one to the collection. As nice of a contemporary traditionalist country album as you'll likely to find. ~ Cub Koda, All Music Guide
'A Little Bit of Heartache'
Release Date 1/21/1997
Tracks 16
Label Watermelon
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
A Little Bit of Heartache, Rosie Flores' duet album with Ray Campi, is an engaging collection of originals written in the style of '50s country, complete with pedal steels, dobros, fiddles and close harmonies. It's a charming, delightful album, filled with lovely songs which are made indelible by Flores and Campi's pure harmonies. ~ Thom Owens, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
As the title indicates, Rockabilly Filly is Rosie Flores' first album that consists entirely of rockabilly tunes. Of course, she has always flirted with the genre, but it is refreshing to hear her take a full-fledged plunge. It's all the more impressive when you consider that it was recorded after she recovered from a wrist-shattering accident -- she plays with the vitality of a wild, young rockabilly cat throughout the album. ~ Sara Sytsma, All Music Guide
'Once More With Feeling'
Release Date 1/1/1993
Tracks 12
Label Hightone
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
While Rosie Flores' music can certainly flirt with country, it's married to the more general sound of Americana. Drawing on rockabilly, '60s garage band pop, and California-style big guitar country-rock, Flores' makes her music her own with her unique voice and spicy guitar leads. Once More With Feeling features a host of Los Angeles session veterans on 12 tracks incorporating each of Flores' tricks and all of her favorite styles. From the memory-laden solo acoustic hum of "Bandera Highway" to "Someday"'s shimmering Cali country sashay, Feeling continues and expands on the sound of 1992's After the Farm. Flores' voice is a mixture of honey and hot sauce and lets her sing with lovelorn longing or honest characterization. The latter trait comes in especially handy on the trailer park juke fantasy "Girl Haggard" and informs the bluesy come-on of "Real Man," which features a typically cutting Flores guitar solo. She never fully takes on any of her numerous influences; instead, Flores plays them off of one another, like when the San Antonio memories of "Bandera Highway" give way to the conjunto-style accordion of "It's Over." Once More With Feeling will appeal to anyone who's a fan of Lone Star beer, rockabilly revivalism, and tumbleweed twang. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
From start to finish, there is something special about this CD. Flores is a great guitarist, backed by Greg Leisz, David Lindley, Duane "DJ" Jarvis, and Dusty Wakeman. They rock, with some real killer slide-guitar work. If you like your country hard, you'll love it. ~ Chip Renner, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Produced by Pete Anderson, Rosie Flores' debut made her out to be the female answer to Dwight Yoakam. Flores probably felt like that image straitjacketed her, but from a musical standpoint, it worked beautifully, incorporating Flores' San Antonio roots into Anderson's California country vision. Songs include "Crying Over You," "Somebody Loses, Somebody Wins," and "Blue Side of Town," which Patty Loveless wouldn't do nearly as well the following year. ~ Brian Mansfield, All Music Guide
