John Troy – Donkeys and Kings
Back in the day, John Troy was a third of the country-rock outfit known as the Pousette Dart Band, a New England-based trio that won frequent comparisons to the Eagles, Poco, and other easy listening ensembles of that era. Sadly, the PDB’s time has long since passed, and the various members have slipped into a state of near obscurity.
For his part, Troy moved to California and continued to record infrequently, albeit in more unassuming circumstances. His latest release, Donkeys and Kings, finds him in especially low-key environs, armed only with an acoustic guitar and a series of songs that detail the humorous, but mostly unfortunate, circumstances of everyday existence.
“Spose to Do” is a particularly telling way to start off the proceedings: a diatribe on responsibilities and the fallout that accompanies the failure to act on them in a timely manner. Likewise, “I Glaze Over” and “That Was a Good One” detail the common pitfalls that lead to discord and the battle lines that frequently define a domestic divide. The minefield is sharply illuminated, illustrated by complaints about the partner that never listens or the insensitive comment that’s made at the expense of another.
Likewise, Troy’s pointed dismissal of those who commonly request the all-too familiar cover tunes — “Magaritaville,” Mustang Sally,” “Hotel California” — will certainly strike a chord with any musician whose career is confined to the local bar scene. Granted, Donkeys and Kings is rarely revelatory, but Troy’s ability to illustrate this series of scenarios generally proves both apt and illuminating.