Tell the Truth

AMG Review of Tell the Truth

Richie Unterberger
All Music Guide

Parnell's music is a very Texan mix of multiple popular music forms: bar-band ock, honky tonk country, oogie, lues, soul, and gospel. It's no surprise to find some similar-minded vets with high profiles, like Delbert McClinton, Bonnie Bramlett, and (as songwriting contributor) Dan Penn, among the supporting cast of this record. He's similar, yes, but not as outstanding -- as a songwriter, stylist, or singer -- as any of those figures are at their best. It's serviceable earthy Texas music that's suitable for bars and clubs at both party time on the stompers and closing time on the slow tunes, but kind of middle of the pack as far as it goes. When he trots out the high-energy lues-rock riffs, it wanders closest to clichéd ground. For that reason, the lue-eyed soul ballads, like "Breaking Down Slow" (one of the ones that Penn co-wrote and Bramlett sings on), are better, but there are better lue-eyed soul singers around, like Bramlett, to invite the comparison that it lays right on the table for you.