Airline Highway (2025)

"There's a lot to be said for having a really good guitar player on hand, and Rodney Crowell knows all about that. For this 2025 album, Crowell brought in Tyler Bryant, guitarist with the Shakedown, to produce the sessions and play lead, and while the results fall short of being a real rock & roll album, Bryant's knack for a good, bluesy solo and adding a quality growl to the rhythm work gives this music a tougher vibe than Crowell has conjured on his last few efforts. "The Twenty One Song Salute" cuts a superior rockabilly groove, "Don't Give Up On Me" weds a hard, bluesy tune with lyrics pleading for a lover to stick around, "Some Kind Of Woman" is a suitably awestruck tribute to a very special gal, and "Rainy Days in California" packs an easygoing but potent punch with some fine slide guitar work. Wheny Crowell feels like rocking a bit, "Airline Highway" gives him all the swagger he needs, and even when he doesn't, he remains one of the best songwriters in the Americana community." (AllMusic)