Coyote Moon

Description

Coyote Moon is an album by the American contemporary country duo Mercy River (featuring Harold Wayne and Greg Kellogg), released on Brainstorm Artists International in April 1992, manufactured and distributed by Word. The album was recorded by Terry Taylor and Rob Watson (both of Daniel Amos fame) at Mixing Lab B in Garden Grove, at McCrummy Music Studio in Whittier, and at Neverland Studios in Cerritos, California; with Taylor producing for Stunt Productions.

Terry Taylor wrote “Reasonable Service” (a song as well later recorded by the Lost Dogs on their album The Green Room Serenade), “Can’t Go Around The Cross”, and “Elvis Has Left The Building, Jesus Is Coming Soon”. Taylor also co-wrote “Coyote Moon” and “Shelf Life of Love” with Randy Stonehill and “Dear Companion” with Harold Wayne and Greg Kellogg, the duo behind Mercy River.

To the burgeoning contemporary country field comes Mercy River, a duo made up of Harold Wayne, formerly of the alternative band The Reign, and Greg Kellogg, whose multi-instrumental textures added greatly to dä’s Kalhoun and Lost Dogs’ debut album. Unfortunately, the presence of Terry Talor as producer, songwriter and sideman threatens to overshadow Mercy River’s delightful debut. Taylor co-wrote one song with the band, three on his own and two with Randy Stonehill, who adds his acoustic guitar to the title track. «Shelf Life of Love» (one of the Stonehill/Taylor tunes) has the memorable tile and catchy chorus necessary for a country hit, while Taylor’s biting «Elvis has Left the Building, Jesus is Coming Soon» would not have been out of place on ‘Shotgun Angel‘ or ‘Outdoor Elvis‘. But Kellogg and Wayne pull their weight as writers, as evidenced by the sentimental «Home» and the rollicking «Hearts in Fire», both rich with sweet harmonies. Despite Taylor’s unmistakable stamp, Kellogg’s fine picking and Wayne’s rugged voice make ‘Coyote Moon’ a worthy debut. [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, June 1992]

If like me you’ve long enjoyed Terry Scott Taylor‘s occasional excursions, with or without Daniel Amos, into his country music roots, you’re going to love the debut of Harold Wayne and Greg Kellogg (otherwise known as Mercy River) impeccably produced by the said Mr Taylor who also supplied most of the songs. Having a little of the deft feel of the recent Lost Dogs set, though without that project’s roots music eclecticism, ‘Coyote Moon’ exudes good-time bonhomie. The duo offer a set which ranges from 60s style Daniel Amos during their ‘Shotgun Angel‘ era (catch the wonderfully immediate opener «Reasonable Service»), Southern boogie («Home») and some sonorous country complete with pedal steel and lugubrious harmonies. Never less than good, the set occasionally goes into overdrive as on «Elvis Has Left The Building, Jesus Is Coming Soon», a song showing Terry Taylor at his idiosyncratic best. [Tony Cummings, Cross Rhythms, February 1993]

CD tracklist:

01. Reasonable Service – 4:52
02. Home – 3:57
03. Love’s Getting Closer – 3:41
04. Coyote Moon – 4:59
05. I Believe – 3:49
06. Can’t Go Round The Cross – 2:40
07. Shelf Life Of Love – 3:45
08. Elvis Has Left The Building, Jesus Is Coming Soon – 3:45
09. Cool Water – 2:00
10. Wrong Place At The Right Time – 4:04
11. Hearts On Fire – 4:32
12. Dear Companion – 4:50

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Brainstorm Artists International.

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CREDITS. Produced by Terry Taylor for Stunt Records. Recorded by Terry Taylor and Rob Watson at Mixing Lab B, Garden Grove, CA, at McCrummy Music Studio, Whittier, CA, and at Neverland, Cerritos, CA. Engineered by Rob Watson with occasional help from Terry Taylor, Gene Eugene, Greg Kellogg, and Harold Wayne. Mastered by Steve Hall at Future Disc. Layout and Design by Court Patton and Tom Gulotta. Executive-Producers: Ojo Taylor and Gene Eugene.

Musicians: Harold Wayne (Lead Vocals, Guitar, Backing Vocals), Greg Kellogg (Guitar, Pedal Steel Guitar, Banjo, Backing Vocals), Rob Watson (Keyboards, Backing Vocals), Terry Taylor (Twelve-String Guitar, Backing Vocals), Michael Roe (Guitar), Randy Stonehill (Acoustic Guitar on track 4), James Sitterly (Fiddle on track 8), Tim Chandler (Bass), David Raven (Drums), John Sherlock (Tambourine, Snare on track 4, Backing Vocals). Backing Vocals: Jerry Chamberlain (track 1), Riki Michele (tracks: 4, 12), Sharon McCall (track 1). Child’s Voice: Brennon Wayne Bloemendaal (track 2).