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Apparently, no one told Ray Cerbone about the fabled sophomore slump. Cerbone’s second release, Nobody’s Hero Anymore, more than fulfills the promise of his auspicious 2019 debut, How Much Time. Most tracks are underpinned by Cerbone’s precise, delicate finger picking on acoustic guitar, but augmented by blues banjo and harp, violin, cello, dobro, and perhaps the most tasteful tuba in all of Americana music. His voice is in fine form, expressive, ranging from passionate to an almost conversational resignation in the quietest phrases. And the songs themselves, eight originals and four covers, including Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile” (!), combine unflinching, gut-wrenching observations of life, (Cerbone has been a first responder with the police and coast guard – check out the title track), around an inner core of nuanced sentiment for days gone by (“Another Town Gone Down” and Joe Virga’s “The Big Top”). The production is strong and clear, the sequencing is consistently entertaining. The instrumental, “The Lake” even morphs into a flute-based jazz workout celebrating Cerbone’s beloved Lake August. Advance tracks are receiving positive responses in the Lone Star State.

Rob Carter
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Bryan/College Station, TX