Eclectic Scottish pop/rock band Texas has probably confused more than a few music browsers over the years with its rootsy American name and the implications made by that particular moniker. In fact, the group - fronted confidently by sultry-voiced singer-songwriter Sharleen Spiteri - has explored disparate pop music styles from dance to rock to country to folk through the course of its 20-year existence so far. The band's 1989 debut, Southside, deftly veers from genre to genre, sometimes within the same song ("I Don't Want a Lover," for example). It also introduced a classic female vocalist and sex symbol in then-21-year-old Spiteri, who never quite became a household name in the States despite obvious talent, beauty and charisma.
The single "Everyday Now" and the entire album, however, became a major hit in many parts of Europe, particularly continental nations France and Switzerland. Listening to this tune today, it's hard to imagine how Spiteri's soulful vocals and the ragged, guitar-based punch of the rest of the band could have failed to strike a wider chord. Alas, the history of pop music is full of such unfairly overlooked artists (witness almost everything about the late, great Alex Chilton of Box Tops and Big Star fame), but that's why this feature has always been such a regular, can't-miss part of my week. I can only hope you agree at least a touch.
- Sample or download "Everyday Now" here.
- Compare prices on Texas CDs here.
- Official Website of Sharleen Spiteri
Album Cover Image Courtesy of Decca International/Mercury
Comments
Great song, I wonder how I missed it before. By the way, I thought that Texas was founded some time in 90′s, now I see how wrong I was.