{"id":269,"date":"2014-07-12T20:00:16","date_gmt":"2014-07-12T20:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/216.71.127.204\/wordpress\/?p=269"},"modified":"2015-10-05T20:25:33","modified_gmt":"2015-10-05T20:25:33","slug":"the-mastersons-mcgonigels-mucky-duck-houston-tx","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/2014\/07\/12\/the-mastersons-mcgonigels-mucky-duck-houston-tx\/","title":{"rendered":"The Mastersons – McGonigel’s Mucky Duck – Houston, TX"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n
Written by Eddie Ferranti <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Image\"“Okay would you please make us welcome!” That is the way the Mastersons took the stage at a sold out gig at the venerable McGonigel’s Mucky Duck in Houston, Texas.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rose and I had caught them in January spontaneously, but this time we were booked in advance anticipating the return of this dynamic duo.\u00a0 They kept their promise by stating they would bring a band with them and it was killer indeed.\u00a0 Promoting brand new release, ‘Good Luck Charm’, on both KPFT 90.1FM and Cactus Records earlier in the day they seemed stoked to let it rip and they did not disappoint.\u00a0This married duo who call Austin, Texas their home have been currently touring with Steve Earle as openers and in his backing band.\u00a0 In fact, \u00a0they’ve played hundreds of shows with him since 2006 and that in\u00a0itself speaks volumes.\u00a0 The man himself has stated: “Chris is the best guitar player that’s ever been in this band and Eleanor’s a better musician than any of us.”
\nWhat fired me up was Chris Masterson had ample guitars ready to strap on and most were electric.\u00a0 Of course his pretty red haired wife Eleanor\u00a0can sparkle and shoot sparks off the fiddle like few I’ve ever witnessed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The new album was featured through out and rightfully so. \u00a0Most of the tracks were penned during breaks touring with Mr. Earle and it\u00a0spotlights their explosive harmonies while churning guitar and violin play shine all over it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Denton, Texas born Eleanor and Houston-bred Chris have both been making music for most of their lives.\u00a0 We have seen Bonnie Whitmore (Eleanor’s sister)\u00a0in many bands before, including Hayes Carll, and these two have played with the likes of\u00a0Kelly Willis, Diana Ross, Son Volt, Jack Ingram and Wayne Hancock to name a few.\u00a0 Stout resume indeed.\u00a0\u00a0Stellar openers were “Uniform” and “Anywhere But Here” where EM jolted the crowd to attention on fiddle all the while chewing gum while she sings!\u00a0 \u00a0The experience they’ve gained from being around Earle is obvious and headlining is definitely in their future.\u00a0 “Glad I Found You” was spellbounding good and “Cautionary Tale” about spending time together without distractions like damn cell phones\u00a0hit home big time.\u00a0The twosome even stepped back and played alone on the title cut of first album, “Birds Fly South”, stating sometimes you need to go where the pace is slow-that’s why birds fly south!\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Amen on getting to places where the rat race is left behind for a bit and you can enjoy time together with loved ones.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Image\"This latest\u00a0collaboration definitely shows powerful lyrics and\u00a0an upbeat feel that really explodes on stage up close at a venue like\u00a0the Mucky Duck.\u00a0\u00a0The face-off jams of CM shredding and EM following him while grinning at one another ruled on gems “Nobody Knows” with mouth harp action also, appropriate “Easy By Your Side” and the title cut about needing to make a change in life.\u00a0\u00a0The show had a fitting encore of new one, “Time is Tender”, about never taking anything in your time on earth for granted with the packed house repeating the chorus as they departed.\u00a0 Cannot say enough of how easily these two can trade off lead vocals and keep the instrumentation impecable and efficiently sharp.\u00a0\u00a0 That is twice for\u00a0us to see this band in 2014 and we will not hesitate if there is a third chance before year’s end………..Get out there and watch some LIVE music! \u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Written by Eddie Ferranti “Okay would you please make us welcome!” That is the way the Mastersons took the stage at a sold out gig at the venerable McGonigel’s Mucky Duck in Houston, Texas. Rose and I had caught them in January spontaneously, but this time we were booked in advance anticipating the return of… <\/p>\n

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