27. April 2025
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Media Review

Charley Crockett – Lonesome Drifter

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

Charley Crockett - Lonesome Drifter

Charley Crockett - Lonesome Drifter
4.8

Rating

 4.8/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Lovely, nostalgic 1970's style country with blues elements
  • Excellent songwriting
  • Very good instrumental atmosphere

Charley Crockett is not only one of the busiest country music artists, coming with frequent releases. He is also one of the finest storytellers of the industry. This year, Crockett has been nominated at the Grammy Awards for the first time. His album $10 Cowboy finally did not make it, though, in the Best Americana Album category. On 14th March 2025, he released his n album Lonesome Drifter. Time to have a listen.

 

Charley Crockett – About The Artist

Charley Crockett is a 1984-born artist from San Benito in Texas. He is mixing different Americana genres, typically in a rather traditional style. He is also using the artist name Lil G.L.. Lonesome Drifter is already the fourteenth studio album of Crockett, you find five of them in my review. After $10 Cowboy, he released $10 Cowboy, Chapter II: Visions of Dallas in July 2024.

 

Charley Crockett – Lonesome Drifter – Track by Track

The twelve song album lasts 38 minutes.

1. Lonesome Drifter

The album starts with its title track, which has also been the most popular song of the promotion campaign. Lonesome Drifter is a track with dark country and blues elements. A very atmospheric beginning of Charley Crockett’s album.

2. Game I Can’t Win

The second track of Lonesome Drifter is Game I Can’t Win. The country music vibes are very present, not only due to the intense role of the steel guitar. I like the vibes of this song, which make you move to the song’s rhythm.

3. Jamestown Ferry

Jamestown Ferry has originally been recorded by Tanya Tucker in 1972. It is not the first time Crockett went for a version of that track. His 2017 album Lil G.L.’s Honky Tonk Jubilee featured the song already, there is also a live recording of it. This 2025 version comes with a fresher touch, but is overall still a rather nostalgic listen. If you like traditional country music, this one might be a treat for you. The brass solo in the middle of the song is surprising, but not that bad.

4. Easy Money

Mama’s air-conditioning went out in July
She bought me this guitar, never said why
I hastily moved in with a friend of a friend
Who danced in Silver City late at night

After the first three songs of Lonesome Drifter have already been released, Easy Money is the first new listen. The song is at most in the mid-tempo range and comes with a rather rich instrumentation. Together with Charley’s dark voice, this is the basis for a really nice listen.

5. Under Neon Lights

My mama raised me with two jobs slaving still always saying “Son, live honestly”. The first verses of Under Neon Lights already connect to the predecessor. Again, Charley Crockett is sharing a country melody, which is telling a autobiographical and thus very personal song. I really like its style.

6. This Crazy Life

This Crazy Life comes with a rather sad and almost melancholic touch. I will try to make sense of this crazy life is the key statement of the track. The darker atmosphere also leads to a closer touch towards blues sounds again. No more dancing and enjoying the vibes – but therefore, this one is a really fascinating listen.

7. The Death Of Bill Bailey

I could not find out who Bill Bailey finally has been – there have simply been too many historic people with the same name. In the lyrics, Crockett states Bill Bailey was my friend and The death of Bill Bailey was no surprise to me. Overall, this illustrates the very personal and intimate atmosphere of the song, which is another rather sad listen on this album.

8. Never No More

With Never No More, the mood of the album is changing. The rhythmic elements become more present. Furthermore, there is a stronger presence of other Americana elements, especially of the blues in here. The arrangement feels very interesting and complex, Crockett’s voice is very soulful. I really like that one.

9. Life Of A Country Singer

The life of a country singer
Is the life between right and wrong
Flashing signs never end, you do it over and over again
Living life in a country song

Not too surprising, regarding the lyrics of the chorus quoted above, this song is strongly leaning towards country music again. The whole Lonesome Drifter album, but especially this song could have been a big hit in 1970’s country radio.

10. One Trick Pony

The Western-style One Trick Pony comes with nice, again very nostalgic vibes. The instrumental side of the song is striking, which becomes especially apparent at the closing instrumental solo. Blues feelings are coming up again as well. Really nice one.

11. Night Rider

The eleventh song of the Lonesome Drifter is one of the key tracks of the album. Crockett states I’m a night rider, I ride like the wind in the chorus – and you can easily picture the lyrics in your mind while listening to the track. A lovely piece of songwriting.

12. Amarillo By Morning

Amarillo By Morning closes Charley Crockett’s 2025 album. The song feels very emotional and even has a kitschy touch. Nonetheless, the lovely melody and the fine vocal style makes you leave the album with a smile.

 

Charley Crockett – Lonesome Drifter – Spotify

Here is the album on Spotify:

 

Charley Crockett – Lonesome Drifter – Track by Track

Can Charley Crockett really disappoint you? This guy just comes with so much songwriting excellence, his albums are typically a treat. So does Lonesome Drifter, which does not make you feel that the 1970’s in country music are already five decades ago. The only sad moment is the end of the final song – you just want to have more of these tunes. Great one!

Favorite Song: Night Rider

 

Charley Crockett at Flyctory.com

Here are my postings related to Texas-origin country music artist Charley Crockett:

 

Munich Travel Postings

Here are all Flyctory.com Travel postings related to Munich:

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