ALBUM REVIEW: ‘One Track Mind’ Explores the Early Songs of Honky-Tonk Genius Gary Stewart
Gary Stewart upended the Nashville scene in the mid-‘70s with a string of fierce honky-tonk singles powered by his wild abandon. Hits like “Drinkin’ Thing,” “Your Place or Mine,” and “She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinkin’
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Gary Stewart upended the Nashville scene in the mid-‘70s with a string of fierce honky-tonk singles powered by his wild abandon. Hits like “Drinkin’ Thing,” “Your Place or Mine,” and “She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinkin’ Doubles)” carry the same electric charge on the first hearing or the hundredth, thanks to his untamed voice, which yelped, wobbled, and soared with no clear logic, indicating a man on the verge of a total meltdown. Stewart’s golden era didn’t last long, but was glorious while it did.
Years before he invaded the country charts as a gaudy performer, this Kentucky-born, Florida-based maverick pursued a career as a Music City tunesmith, placing songs with country vets like Del Reeves (“One Track Mind”), Cal Smith (“You Can't Housebreak a Tomcat”), and Jack Greene (“There's a Whole Lot About a Woman (A Man Don't Know)”). Consisting primarily of songwriting demos, One Track Mind is a fascinating survey of Stewart’s late-‘60s efforts, showing how he began transforming from a competent composer, often collaborating with Bill Eldridge, to an astounding singer.
