Artist: The Mavericks
Album: Play The Hits
Label: Mono Mundo Recordings
Release Date: 11.1.19
It’s been 30 years since The Mavericks first appeared on the Nashville scene and got through the gates while the cookiecutter gatekeepers were out to lunch. Over that time there have been several personal changes, dis-bandings, reunions and as many ups and downs as an old window shade. Although they came from as far south as a country band can get (Miami, and frontman Malo has Cuban roots) I don’t think they ever were a country band, but rather a very competent band with an outstanding vocalist.
Play The Hits is not a package of their best chart showings. Instead it’s 11 songs that were hits for others, and apparently some of the ones in this mix are what first brought them together. Longtime Maverick fans—which are numerous—will most likely want this. The uptempo stuff “Swingin’,” Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way”and “Blame It On Your Heart get the party rolling, but the heavy lifting is done by the ballads. That again falls to the strength and unique sound of Raul Malo’s voice and tunes like “Don’t You Ever Get Tired Of Hurting Me” and“Blue Eyes Cryin’ In The Rain” that fit him like a glove. Without them this set could just be a group of fine musicians playing at a Saturday night VFW Hall
—Ken Spooner
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