Robert Earl Keen - No Kinda Dancer

It's a snap to figure out in the first few bars of "No Kinda Dancer" why it is that Robert Earl Keen inspires such a devoted and fanatical fan following. This Texas boy knows his music. Includes guest spots from Nanci Griffith, Joe Ely, and Lyle Lovett.

This reissue of his debut disc has been re-mastered and produced in SACD stereo, but the fixes that come with the Super Audio format don't really matter when it comes to music like this. The nearly acoustic debut shows Robert Earl at his stark and level best, with razor-sharp lyrics that tease before they cut, often straight to the bone. Being from outside of Texas, I discovered Keen late, and had never heard "No Kinda Dancer" before; and while I'm sorry it's taken me so long to find it, it was decidedly worth the wait.

Keen works in subtle colors, layers his work the way a painter would, drawing a picture from the barest minimum needed number of words to demonstrate an artistry that is tremendously profound, especially when working in the deceptively simple country/Americana genre. With few instruments, often nothing more than guitar and bass, Keen produces music on an accessible level which nonetheless has depths unplumbed.

The mystery, of course, is why this album, originally produced in 1990, made not a ripple on country radio or charts. Back then country still made a show of at least pretending to be connected to its roots, and yet a number of extraordinarily high-quality artists escaped notice. Be that as it may, it's about time for "No Kinda Dancer." Do yourself a favor and introduce yourself to Robert Earl Keen.