Debut at Number 11 on the International FAR Chart
Two Number One Album-of-the-Month Picks
Top Twenty for three consecutive months
TOP FIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR
THE PHILADELPHIA CITY PAPER
TOP TWENTY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
THE BOSTON HERALD
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“Number One play on Sounds from the Mother Road” - American Roots Music Show, Jamie Hoover, Play FM, Austria - Syndicated
I really love the new album! It is extremely well recorded and has a real warmth to the sound. The songs are excellent and come across as very honest. It is so refreshing to hear music which is in no way contrived or trying to sound like the latest fad in whatever genre. You really have come up with the goods on this one. It is definitely some of your finest work. Very emotive in the very best kind of way. You have succeeded in breathing life into the songs and giving them so much space and texture.” – Lord Litter, Radio Marabu, Germany - Syndicated
“Baghdad Texas is a very fine and interesting album, something I didn’t expect as it is more in the World Music Fusion than what Loudhouse has produced previously. There is even something reminding me of the work of Terry Allen on his Amerasia album. I really enjoy Baghdad Texas and surely will play it not only on my American Roots radio show but on my show of Folk, Roots and World Music. I am also making sure that Baghdad Texas will be an Album of the Week selection.” – Massimo Ferro, Highway 61, Italy - Syndicated
“The soundtrack music from Baghdad Texas combines melancholy and southern guitar sounds that the Flaming Geckos' gather from the symbiosis of Latin, Americana and the Middle East. Drum, bass, guitar and Dobro give color to the varied landscape of the creative genius of Booka Michel. He composed the songs, including the heart breakingly beautiful “Morning in Mexico” along with John Reed, one of the other Flaming Geckos – there is nothing more magical than a solar eclipse. The other “Geckos” are Cindy Cashdollar on Dobro and steel guitar, and Glen Fukunaga on bass.
“Listening to the soundtrack evokes unconscious associations with Ry Cooder, Wim Wenders and John Sayles, and the heroism of Antonio Banderas. In other words you think of atmosphere, conflict and romance. 'Bad Weather Girl' announces themselves however more violent as rushing rain clouds. Between the instrumental jewels are vocals – “Pistol Packin' Papa” the Jimmy Rodgers classic sung by Ray Benson, and “Sad Songs on the Jukebox” by Roy Heinrich, country songs that conjure up Saturday night reunions. Afterwards, “Appalachian Lament” with fiddle from Ralph White and “Mexican Moon” with trumpet encourage your imagination as if you are conducted by a wind puff to the Texas of the westerns.
“The beautiful opening song “Carmen's Dance” suggests it all: love, beauty, tragedy and passion - and incapacity to communicate – with only the music a hand can help.” – Rootstime, Belgium/Netherlands – Syndicated (tanslated)
“I absolutely love this record! Fresh . .. creative . . . original. I will be giving extensive airplay! – Kate Walker, Sunday Morning Countdown, WZBC, Boston
“I want to highly congratulate you for the soundtrack...it really creates an atmosphere...I will air this CD!” – Mike Penard, ISA Radio France - Syndicated
“I really appreciate your sending me a copy of Baghdad Texas. I love the record and made it my top pick for this month.” – Mike Trynosky, WCNI, New London CT
“The CD is a real favorite of mine. I’ve been playing it back to back with the new Tom Russell, which makes for a killer set!” – Mark Taylor, WVUD, Newark, Delaware
“I got the album today. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you sending it. I am on the final cut, first listen, and I will tell you I am enthused. I will rip the entire CD into the library of Big G's Texas Roadshow, and it will fall into the nightly schedule. – Gordon Ames, KOOK-FM & RevolutionFM, Kerrville TX – Syndicated
“I'll start spinning tracks on my next show.” - Richard Schwartz (Professor Purple) – KZMU, Moab UT
“Tracks are scheduled. Cheers!” – Eddie O'Strange, Town & Country Show, New Zealand
“We’ll be playing it on Dark Side of the Highway.” – Johnny Timewarp, WHUS, Storrs CT
“I like it this CD a lot and I am gonna promote it.” – Jane Weber, EuroRadio, Slovenia - Syndicated
“I received the album and enjoyed the music in all its variety and will be playing it on the radio.” – Larry Hillberg, KVM, Nevada City CA
“On the playlist!” – Gerd Stassen, Rockhouse, Germany
