Don and Sheryl's Blues Blog

The Truehearts–Steve McWilliams and Debra Buonaccorsi–originally hailed from the Baltimore/DC area, but came to Music City a few years ago as The Hummingbyrds.  Their latest set, and first as The Truehearts, is “Songs For Spike,” with Dave Coleman producing, at Howard’s Apartment in East Nashville.

This set is full of highlights.  Leading off, Steve sings of “what could’ve been, if I’d only played the game,” “Won’t It Be Something,” with a definitive Petty vibe.  “PFC Frankie Walker” is one of our favorites, and perhaps is the set’s tour de force.  It is a banjo-driven tale of an 18-year old Pennsylvania soldier who meets with tragedy after the June 1944 Normandy Invasion, with the somber lyric, “Mama, I don’t want to die this way.”  “Hey Hey” is by far the most unique cut on the album.  Debra is on lead vocal, and this song is damn near “reggae-punk(!)”  Here, mankind is described as “specks of cosmic dust,” and she sings the verse over a reggae-fied beat before the sonic blast of grungy guitars drive the chorus!  Debra offers up a quieter anthem of empowerment with “don’t let the Devil steal your song—Let It Sing,” while Steve is on vocal on the time-jumping swing of a “honeymoon beyond the Milky Way,” featuring celestial pedal steel from Paul Niehaus.  These two were our other favorites.

“Songs For Spike” is an excellent slice of Americana from start to finish from The Truehearts.  It’s full of clever, compelling stories, set over a quite varied menu of musical styles!   Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues And Roots Alliance.