Be careful, don't go by the corrosion state of the truck on the superb sleeve of the digipack, it's just an illusion ! Admittedly the truck from Franche-Comté (a province in the East of France, close to Switzerland T.N.) hushed for six long years, but the expectation was only more beautiful because on this twelve title Travelin’ Man, it roars and kicks ass with a rather unusual velocity. The most Southern-oriented opus in the wide discography of the Truckers, with a Chico who is still piloting with his warm voice the multi axle trailer, that drives at breakneck speed with a powerful sound well in tune with the present time like the US Skinny Molly, Highway Riders, the Europeans Moderate Pace and Soundtruck, but this rage don't forget the basics, like the first tune of this album, « Bird Doggin », cover of Keith Colley popularised by Gene Vincent. Our truckers make it subject a salutary shock treatment so that a purist could drop dead, and go on with « Ballade of a Honky Tonk Man », beautiful piece of rural southern rock that rests the pilgrim.

We start a new charge with the enraged southern boogies « Time For Changes » and « The City » with very convincing triads in a Southern style, then arrives a little southern bluesy wonder, « I’m Not The Perfect Man » with Christophe Marquilly as guest for a slide part, and an harmonica that assails the atmosphere. Then the other cover of the album, the Dr Feelgood's « Waiting For a Saturday Night » that swings well by its pub rock’n roll approach.

Now hat off, reverence and tribute to Southern John Molet with « Southern John » : all what John loved is seeping in this tune, from the participation of his two brothers in arms from Calibre 12 : Jean Marie Coron (guitar) and Pat Leblanc (vocals), to a Skynyrd thread, full of intensity and emotion that pushes the contents and concludes with a torrid end where we uncompromisingly release the horses with axes that miaow in unison. To be noted in the GPS of the truck the contribution of RTJ by the Sergent-Major nib of Yves Philippot-Degand who co-signs this jewel as well as five other titles. Then comes « Old Trucker », very pleasant but unfortunately to short with Jean-Marie Coron as an agreement. the rest of the album damned works and bolts on very good Southern Boogie with « Little Queenie », « What Can I Do », and « Rock’n Roll Night. ». We can freely award the title of the big No Guts No Glory for the homogeneity of it all.

Jacques Dersigny
Translation : Y. Philippot-Degand