Texas Singer-Songwriter Billy Rawlett Releases Third LP in Collection, “Latent Treasures”

Billy Rawlett, an American classic rock and country/western performer from Arlington, Texas, has released the third LP of his re-release collection, “Latent Treasures,” to much deserved acclaim 

American classic rock performer from Arlington, Texas, Billy Rawlett, has released the third LP of his re-release collection, “Latent Treasures,” to much deserved acclaim. “Latent Treasures” is part of Rawlett's 2012 re-release collection which includes 1999's “You Can't Get Your Money Back,” 2000's “What's a Poor Boy to Do,” 2002's “Latent Treasures,” 2004's “Time Stood Still,” and 2006's “In the Blink of an Eye.” This record stands among its brothers as one of Rawlett's most varied and balanced long-play albums, a keystone collection of his music from the keystone period in his storied career.

Rawlett's work on “Latent Treasures” differs from his earlier offerings on “What's a Poor Boy to Do” in that “Latent...” has less of a bluegrass tonality (although the bluegrass is certainly present on this record, and just as genuine), and much more versatility. “Latent Treasures” is chock-full of folk-inspired rock with the edge his fans have come to expect, yet packed with surprises. Steel drums accompany him on track 3, “Your Love Comes Easy.” “I'll Take the Hick (If You'll Take the Hunk)” features an absolutely blazing banjo melody line atop a traditional rockabilly rock n' roll song. This record features ballads both heroic (“Horse Riding Through a Forgotten Time) and romantic (“I Understand These Feelings”). For the fringe country/western music fan, there are harmonica-blasting classic rock tunes straight out of the best moments of the sixties and seventies (“I Can't Let Go”). It bares mentioning that Rawlett, himself, is skilled at all these various instruments and has personally composed the album entire.

From the “Latent Treasures” liner notes comes this addendum from Rawlett, himself:

This CD was produced without the slightest desire to get radio air play or appeal to any mass market target, Texan, Americana, Nashville or otherwise. I produced this CD mostly because these songs needed to be recorded and I felt they were worthy of my best effort.

Billy Rawlett's influences stem from every geographic extreme of classic rock, reaching the Ventures and the Doors on the west coast, Johnny Cash and Stevie Ray Vaughan in the midwest, and Jimmy Paige and the Rolling Stones in the UK. His blend of rock and country/western is reminiscent of such American bands as CSNY, the Band, or the Doobie Brothers – but only at their most jamming, energetic moments. Rawlett's own raw sound is arresting, striking, and full of verve even at his mellowest. It was said of Tammy Wynette that she had “a tear in every word;” the opposite is doubly true of Billy Rawlett, who performs even his saddest song in a way you'll always be in the mood to hear.

-Sean McCauley

MondoTunes Staff Writer

The LP “Latent Treasures” is distributed globally by MondoTunes (www.MondoTunes.com) and is available at iTunes for convenient purchase and download

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ARTIST CONTACT INFO:

eMail - bullydog@swbell.net