Whitey Morgan’s New Studio Album “Sonic Ranch” Coming
Fans of Flint, Michigan’s rambunctious throwback wild-eyed honky tonker Whitey Morgan and his backing band The 78’s have been waiting half a decade for a new studio album, and their country music prayers are about to be answered, or at least they will be on May 19th when Whitey Morgan releases his latest record Sonic Ranch.
Named for the spot just outside of El Paso, TX where the project was recorded, Sonic Ranch includes ten new tracks. And like all of Whitey’s records, there’s a few covers given the Whitey Morgan treatment.
“It’s like no other studio I’ve ever been in or even heard about,” Whitey says of the Sonic Ranch. “They have three live rooms and three control rooms, all on a 3,000-acre property. They have accommodations for I think up to 30 or 40 people in different haciendas. They have a staff that does your laundry and cooks every meal for you. My management is friends with the owners. I hate the studio, but I didn’t hate this studio. I didn’t feel like I was in this studio because I could leave and walk out the studio and be forty feet to my front door and it’s just me; I have my own little hotel room right there. Most studios you can’t do that. You’re stuck in there. You can go out to the parking lot and sit in the van.”
“Creativity is squashed by studios that don’t have that kind of environment,” Whitey continues. “I almost don’t want to tell anyone about it because I don’t need any more musicians recording there than there already are. And the equipment is unreal. Not just the recording equipment, they have tele’s galore, amps, and everything. It’s unreal. Anything you want, they have it. And it’s all because a guy that has money is passionate about music and recording. To him, it’s the ultimate dream to have musicians come hang out at his place. He’s a great dude.”
The Sonic Ranch is owned by Tony Rancich and was originally opened in 1989. Centered around an old Spanish hacienda built in the 1930’s, a total of five complete studios can be found on the 1,700-acre pecan orchard right on the Rio Grande.
After a protracted period of no new Whitey Morgan music, Sonic Ranch will mark Whitey’s third release in the last six months. Born, Raised, & LIVE From Flint was released in December via his former label Bloodshot Records, and an acoustic record called Grandpa’s Guitar was released just a few weeks later.
One of the songs included on Sonic Ranch is a Bobby Bare cover called “That’s How I Got To Memphis.”
“We put that one down and I’m really excited about that tune. It’s a little different than my kind of sound. It’s kind of got that early 80’s era sound; it’s got that minor chord in there. It’s slick. I’m trying to move on without moving too far. I know what everybody wants, they want another classic, Waylon-ish sounding album. This one’s going to be a little different, but it’s not going to be that different.”
Some of the other covers from the album include Townes Van Zandt’s “Waitin’ ‘Round To Die” and Scott H. Biram’s “Still Drunk, Still Crazy, Still Blue.”
As for the producer Whitey Morgan worked with, “His name is Ryan Hewitt. He’s one of those guys who’s been in a lot of sessions where he was either mixing or engineering or co-producing. He mixed a lot of the Johnny Cash stuff with Rick Rubin, he did The Avett Brothers last three albums. I’ve only ever produced my shit myself. Maybe five years ago I would have been more stubborn. But now, when he’d open his mouth about something, instead of just automatically being like “No, it’s got to be my way,” I think about it from someone else’s point of view and most of the time he’s right. We worked really well together.”
Some fans who helped with Whitey’s crowd funding campaign have already begun to receive the record. As always, Whitey Morgan & The 78’s are hitting the road hard and heavy, including some upcoming dates with Bob Seger and Cody Jinks.
Tracklist:
- Me and the Whiskey
- Lowdown on the Backstreets
- Waitin’ ‘Round to Die
- Still Drunk, Still Crazy, Still Blue
- Leavin’ Again
- Goin’ Down Rockin’
- Good Timin’
- Drunken Nights in the City
- Ain’t Gonna Take It Anymore
- That’s How I Got to Memphis
Anthony
February 24, 2015 @ 9:34 am
I’ve been waiting on the official word for this one! The acoustic album was very good but nothing like the rockin’ honky tonk sound that the 78’s bring with Whitey. I’m going to see them in a few weeks in Marietta GA and I’m really fired up for it!
JF
February 24, 2015 @ 9:36 am
I love Whitey Morgan — can’t wait for this record. He is one of the most underappreciated artists out there, in my book. Hell, if he changed his image and dressed up like a Portland hipster, I bet he could sell 100,000 copies of this one!!
Dave D.
February 24, 2015 @ 10:26 am
Really looking forward to Sonic Ranch. Whitey had well over 800 people at last Saturday’s show in Detroit. It was really gratifying to hard core honky tonk appreciated by so many people. Here’s hoping that all of his hard work in touring pays off – his music certainly holds up its end of the bargain.
Marco
February 24, 2015 @ 12:13 pm
I was fortunate to have received this album early. It’s one of the best albums I’ve heard in years. Whitey fans will not be disappointed. I’m excited for everyone to hear this.
Mike W.
February 24, 2015 @ 1:32 pm
May is shaping up to be a potentially really good month for Country music albums with Morgan and Chris Stapleton both releasing albums that month. Looking forward to it!
Wes
February 24, 2015 @ 1:55 pm
Good news!
dukes
February 24, 2015 @ 5:41 pm
I gladly gave $$ to Whitey’s kickstarter, and I’ve already enjoyed the album. It’s a good one, y’all. I have it on repeat on the iPhone. Diggin’ it!
Doug Murray
February 24, 2015 @ 6:28 pm
I’ve done a few sessions out there myself with some local El Paso folks, awesome studio indeed!
Brian
February 24, 2015 @ 6:42 pm
I didn’t have to read the review to know that this site gave it a glowing review filled with tons of brown nosing and knob bobbing.
Trigger
February 25, 2015 @ 3:30 pm
This wasn’t a review. The album is not out until mid May. Thanks for reading.
JonnyBoy23
February 24, 2015 @ 7:10 pm
Nothing against Bobby Bare but “That’s How I Got To Memphis” is a Tom T. Hall song. Just want the songwriter to get his due. I every version of that song tough.
This album is fantastic though. Only listened through it once but it’ll definitely be in the rotation for a while.
JonnyBoy23
February 24, 2015 @ 7:12 pm
I love every version of that song though*
Stupid phone.
Jake
February 24, 2015 @ 7:24 pm
Johnnyboy beat me to it. Great Tom T. Hall cover indeed!
This album delivers on the hype without question. I love the amount of steel in it. Not sure if Brett is the only player he used, but if he is, Whitey sure showed him off. This record has more polish on it than previous albums, but still has that gritty Waylon thump and tele sound to it. Very well done Whitey (and the boys) and Ryan!
Glad he chose to let his fans be a small part of this through kickstarter. I’ve been anticipating this since I hit the enter key to give him my money. If this album doesn’t put him over the hump, people are just ignorant.
Trigger
February 24, 2015 @ 7:58 pm
I’m a little concerned with so many core Whitey fans receiving their copies here nearly three months before the release date from the crowdfunding campaign that it will create a dual life for the album, and make it hard to gain momentum. Some are talking about it now, and others will be talking about it later, instead of everyone talking about it all together. I’m planning to hold off on my review etc. until it is officially released.
Jake
February 24, 2015 @ 8:16 pm
I may be completely wrong here but I personally think things didn’t go Whitey’s way so to speak on the release of the album. If I was a guessing man, the vinyl threw everything off.
Trigger
February 24, 2015 @ 8:21 pm
It could be. With vinyl in such high demand these days and so few presses, it wouldn’t be the first time. I’m not saying anyone’s to blame. I just want folks to know why aside from this particular article, I’m probably going to ignore the album until it’s available to the masses.
HaydenLane
February 25, 2015 @ 12:48 pm
While I understand this concern, I’m wondering if it will truly have an impact. Less than 700 people backed the project, so it’s not like a ton of people are going to have the album early. That being said, I have no idea what the size of the fan base for an act such as Whitey Morgan is. Maybe a thousand copies going out early will negatively impact it, but it seems like a relatively small number.
Also, many people who pledged will be getting a digital and physical, or vinyl, or all three. How might this affect the album’s numbers?
Vinnie
February 28, 2015 @ 11:02 pm
I just saw them live here last week and they didn’t do any of the new stuff.
Then the next day, I got the digital download of Sonic Ranch. Great album!
I’m going to go easy on it until it warms up and I can roll down the windows and jam out,
It opens with The Damn Quails song Me and the Whiskey. They definitely put their sound to that track.
HaydenLane
February 24, 2015 @ 10:58 pm
Call me selfish, but my concern, as a backer of a project is learning that others have recieved their copies already, yet there was no update posted about copies shipping on the kickstarter page. I had no idea. And if it wasn’t clear, I didn’t get mine yet.
Dave D.
February 25, 2015 @ 10:15 am
My understanding is that there is no CD available yet, just digital downloads. Send a message to the Kickstarter site asking for a link to the download.
Brett
February 25, 2015 @ 11:39 am
As of today, every cd is in the mail. You should have a link for the download in the email you used when you signed up for the kickstarter campaign.
HaydenLane
February 25, 2015 @ 12:39 pm
Thanks guys, found in my junk folder (of course -_-)
Dogit
February 25, 2015 @ 7:40 am
I am pumped for this. I liked the acoustic album. I keep playing “Another Wine” over and over. I know the lyrics are a little predictable, but Whitey’s delivery is awesome. Whitey sounds like he is a little worried he took too many risks or something with this album. Artist have to change it up, evolve.
Mike
March 5, 2015 @ 6:37 pm
So, let me get this straight. He kickstarted an album that is 1/2 covers?
Am I correct in saying that?
Swannanoa
March 6, 2015 @ 6:49 am
I would listen to anybody sing “still drunk” that song is solid gold. Grandpa’s Guitar was an impressive album, I won’t be surprised if they have a breakout single on this album (as breakout as you can get playing honky tonk).