Review of Hayes Carll CD “Little Rock”By Steve HugEmcee, Narrows Center for the ArtsFall River, MAUp here in the Northeast, nobody apparently knows one of the more exciting young voices in Americana, Texan Hayes Carll.He played to practically an empty house at the Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River, Massachusetts recently.  So he’s got some work to do (or maybe we at the Narrows do!).{mosimage}The extremely low turnout was somewhat surprising—Hayes’ CD “Little Rock” has done well on the national Americana radio chart.  According to Hayes’ website, “Little Rock” is the first self-released CD to make it to # 1.  When I first listened to “Little Rock” I was struck by how much he reminded me of Steve Earle, with sort of a devil-may-care vocal style, though one can actually understand the lyrics when Hayes sings.  He also reminds me of John Anderson, and probably could do a great cover of Anderson’s “Swingin’” or, as Anderson puts it, “Swang-en.”In short, there’s a heavy twang in Hayes’ singing, which makes his music more authentic to these Northern ears, and more country than folk.  If you’re a folkie who doesn’t like records for roamin’ the prairie with the dogies, this CD ain’t for you, cowpoke.  Stick to people like Kathleen Edwards who leans folk and pop.  Hayes Carll is country or maybe Southern Rock, which is fine with me.  But if a Merle Haggard or George Jones record gives you a panic attack, perhaps you should pass on Hayes Carll. The songs, mostly written by Hayes, are enjoyable, even fun, like “Down the Road Tonight,” that squeezes the now-acquitted Michael Jackson, Ray Wylie Hubbard and Hayes’ grandma into one tune.  “Good Friends” is a toe-tapper about Hayes’ high school friends, including a buddy named Mike who discovered he was gay.  “I didn’t have the heart to tell him that we all knew anyway.”Ray Wylie Hubbard co-wrote “Chickens,”a likeable fast blues throwaway, and Guy Clark co-wrote “Rivertown,” a somber ballad that’s fine, but not memorable.  I give “Little Rock” three bottle caps.  It didn’t knock me over, but I enjoyed it.  I’m looking forward to more Hayes Carll shows at the Narrows and his next releases.{mosimage}Click here to purchase this cd at lonestarmusic.com