By Andrew W. Griffin

Pop writer

The Norman Transcript

Posted: February 19, 2010

The Texas Sapphires – “As He Wanders …” (Fluttering Uvula Music) 2010

Billy Brent Malkus, a former Maryland hog farmer-turned-punker-turned-country-crooner and a Rebecca Lucille Cannon, a Kitty Wells-esque singer with a love of classic country and early rock n’ roll, recently came together and have chosen to make beautiful country music together under the classy banner, The Texas Sapphires.

Malkus and Cannon, along with guitar-slingin’ Bob “Slim Bawb” Pearce, may be the new kids on the rural route but they know how to get you wishin’ you could grab your best gal and hit the dancehall floor with their mighty fine debut album, As He Wanders …

The Sapphires kick things off with the steady-as-she-goes “Nashville Moon,” an Arty Hill song, followed by the pedal-steeled beauty “190.” They get it right, if you know what I mean.

There’s a formal frivolity to “How Did I Get So Sloppy Drunk (When I Was Drinkin’ Neat)” and Ms. Cannon shines on the spare and lovely “Make Him Make Me.”

The lyrically brilliant “Stunt Double,” an infectious Junior Brown-styled track, features Malkus on lead singing about getting a “tough fella to stand right in” and take what’s coming to him from his upset woman. 

You’ll go from laughing to crying when you hear Cannon take the lead on the mountaintop bluegrass song “Teardrops Or Rain” in the vein of Patty Loveless’s Mountain Soul material.

“Farmer’s Tan,” written by Pearce, is a barn-burning bluegrass stomper while “Freiheit Rag” is a picker-and-a-grinner of a acoustic instrumental that fits well alongside the vocal-propelled tracks on As He Wanders …

Overall, this album from The Texas Sapphires is enjoyable and appealing, particularly for fans of rootsy Americana music with a Texas sensibility.

The Texas Sapphires will be making an appearance Saturday Feb. 27 at the Silver Dollar Saloon in the Route 66 Bowl at 3810 N.W. 39^th Street. Doors open at 7 p.m. and there is a $5 cover. For more information, call 405-946-2717. Or go to www.thetexassapphires.com.

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Grade - B