Credits

• Bianca De Leon: vocals, Accoustic Guitar
• Joe Ely; Vocals (on track 4)
• Paul Pearcy: Drums, Percussion
• David Heath: Electric and Accoustic Bass
• Joel Guzman: Accordion, Background Vocals (harmony on Si Me Recuerdos)
• Teye: Flamenco Guitar
• Marty Muse: Pedal Steel Guitar
• Redd Volkaert: Telecaster
• LeeAnn Atherton: Background Vocals
• B.B. Morse: Slap Bass
• Doug Lacy: Piano, Accordion on track 12
• Gene Elders: Fiddle (on track 1,2, & 3)
• Erick Hokannen: Fiddle
• Wally Doggett: Drums (on track 12)
• Steve Carter: Acoustic guitar, High-String Guitar, Background Vocals
• Kids Chorus: Austin Atherton, Mason Boulton, Mina Carter

Featured Review

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Over the years, there’ve been more than a few times when someone I’ve sat with in the cheap seats suddenly gets up on stage and it’s always a bit of a shock. So when a woman I’ve known on and off for year in Townes Van Zandt and David Rodrigues’ social circles, with no hint that she was any kind of performer, presented me with a CD, I have to admit I was kinda nervous, and somewhat amazed when it turned out to be really shit hot, though there are a few clues, such as a duet with Joe Ely (Carlos) and supportive quotes from Guy & Suzanna Clark and Eric Taylor, that this isn’t your normal debut album. Turns out Bianca De Leon knew Townes and David from appearing on shows with them, but though she’s been living in Austin for many years, her disdain for the almost cash-free virtual career Austin offers singer-songwriters led her to keep her musical identity a secret, even though they know her well as close as Houston’s Anderson Fair. De Leon’s affectation is using one name, always, in my experience, deeply suspect, is my only reservation about her album. Born in Corpus Christi, she conveys the same sense of uneasy assimilation as David Rodriguez, like him, giving the impression that though she writes in English, she thinks in Spanish (her origins are underscored with Marco Antonuoi Solis’ Si Me Recuerdos). Backed, but far from overwhelmed, by such A-Teamers as Joel Guzman, Marvin Dykhuis, Paul Pearcy, David Heath, Marty Muse, Redd Volkaert, Gene Elders, Erik Hokkanen and Steve Carter, De Leon soars through 13 songs that range from Townes Van Zandt’s bleak “Waitin’ Round To Die” to the sardonic humor of “Don’t You Hate It When Your Date Gets Shot,” but it’s the South Texas backdrop that gives this its special flavor, ‘border ballad’ has become such a loathsome cliche that I’d like to send a copy of “Outlaws & Lovers” (and Rodriguez’ “Man Against Beast”) to everyone who’s written or plans to write one to show them why they shouldn’t. Add De Leon to your list of true Texas singer-songwriters.
—John Conquest, 3rd COAST MUSIC

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