''Western Beat'' is the second studio album by

Kevin Welch Kevin Stephen Welch (August 17, 1955) is an American country music artist. He has charted five singles on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Songs charts and released eight studio albums. He is also one of the cofounders of the Dead Reckoning Rec ...

, as Kevin Welch @nd The Overtones, released in 1992 on

Reprise Records Reprise Records is an American record label founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operates through Warner Records, one of its flagship labels. Artists currently signed to Reprise Records include Green Day, En ...

. This was Welch's last album for Reprise, before he went on to co-found

Dead Reckoning Records Dead Reckoning Records is an American independent record label specializing in country music. The label was established in 1994 by musicians Kevin Welch, Kieran Kane, Mike Henderson, Tammy Rogers, and Harry Stinson produce their records without t ...

in 1994 with fellow musicians

Kieran Kane Kieran Kane (born October 7, 1949) is an American country music artist, as well as the owner of Dead Reckoning Records, an independent record label. Between 1986 and 1990, he and Jamie O'Hara comprised The O'Kanes, a duo which charted seven ...

Mike Henderson Michael James Henderson (July 14, 1953 – September 22, 2023) was an American singer-songwriter. In addition to his solo career, which included five studio albums, Henderson was a member of the country band The SteelDrivers from 2005 to 2011 an ...

Tammy Rogers Tammy Rogers (born 1966) is an American country music singer, songwriter and musician. In addition to releasing three albums on the Dead Reckoning Records label (which she founded with Kieran Kane), she is also a founding member of the Grammy ...

, and Harry Stinson.

Critical reception

Thom Owens of

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...

calls ''Western Beat'' "a fresh, lively sound, supported by a number of first-rate songs." Allen Howie of ''Louisville Music News'' concludes his review by saying, "Credit must be given to the Overtones, who sound like a real band throughout, not just some amalgam of studio vets. Their music is the heart of Western Beat, and Welch's dead-on writing and singing are its soul." Daniel Durchholz of RiverFront Times writes, "Maybe it's better if Welch's music is just allowed to speak for itself, which it has on four dazzling albums, starting with his self-titled debut in 1990 and 1992's aforementioned Western Beat." Geoffrey Himes of the ''Washington Post'' wasn't very impressed with ''Western Beat'' and writes, "Welch's melodies and rhythms are serviceable in a derivative Nashville sort of way, but his songs sink on the strength of the lyrics."

Track listing

Musicians

: Vocals, Guitar, National Steel Guitar *

: Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Steel Guitar *

David Grissom David Grissom is an American guitarist who has played and toured with several of America's leading bands and recording artists. He is best known for his work with John Mellencamp. He has released four solo albums: ''Loud Music'', ''10,000 Feet ...

: Electric Guitar *

: Mandolin, Vocals *

Biff Watson Fletcher Bangs "Biff" Watson (born 1952) is an American guitarist, songwriter, and producer. His musicianship has been a part of recording sessions for many artists. Biography Early years Raised in Chatham, Virginia, Watson learned how to play ...

: Keyboards, Acoustic & Electric Guitar *

Glenn Worf Glenn Worf is an American bassist known mainly for his work as a session musician. He has recorded with many major country music acts and also tours with Mark Knopfler. Early life and education Worf was born in Dayton, Ohio, and grew up in Madis ...

: Bass, String Bass * Harry Stinson: Drums, Percussion, Vocals *

Ashley Cleveland Ashley Cleveland (born February 2, 1957) is an American singer-songwriter best known as a background vocalist and Gospel music, gospel singer. Ashley Cleveland was born in Knoxville, Tennessee. Career She sang "We're Gonna Win This One" in 1 ...

: Background Vocals *Kim Fleming: Background Vocals *Vicki Hampton: Background Vocals

Production

*Harry Stinson: Producer *Kevin Welch: Producer *Peter Coleman: Engineer *Ron Keith: Photography *Laura LiPuma-Nash: Art Direction All track information and credits were taken from the album's liner notes.

References

External links

Kevin Welch Official SiteDead Reckoning Records Official Site
{{Authority control 1992 albums Reprise Records albums Kevin Welch albums