Stories From The Silver Moon Cafe
by Mickey Newbury

"Stories from the Silver Moon Cafe" is the thirteenth studio album by Mickey Newbury, his second self-produced album following a terminal diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis that would take his life within two years of this album's release in 2000.

Newbury's first self-produced album of new material in more than a decade was the 1996 album "Lulled by the Moonlight," which continued the classic pop Newbury had infused with American roots music. Silver Moon Cafe is a much more rooted in country music, at least at the beginning of the record. "Lie to Me Darlin'" sounds like it could have fit nicely into commerical country radio, and though it may be sickly sentimental, it still maintains some charm. Two tracks later is the album's highlight: "Se Memories Are Better Left Alone." Newbury was a masterful songwriter and performer, and with the opening line about a solitary whipporwill, it's easy to bring to mind Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." The record then turns from country to blues, with a highlight being a bluesy re-work of one of Newbury's most covered songs: "Why You Been Gone So Long." To hear a song so often performed in a rollicky country style, it's incredible how well it transcends genres. The song and Newbury in general is truly and exquisitely American. A last highlight is "A Storm is Coming," which Newbury wrote immediately following his terminal diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis. Newbury would only release one more studio album in his lifetime, "A Long Road Home," before he succumbed to the disease at the age of 62.

Track Pick: Some Memories Are Better Left Alone
Gems: Lie to Me Darlin', Why You Been Gone So Long, A Storm is Comin'