Marley’s Ghost – ‘Honky Tonk’ [Album Review]

Americana outfit Marley’s Ghost celebrates their 40th Anniversary with the release of Honky Tonk. Produced by Larry Campbell (Bob Dylan, Levon Helm, Edie Brickell, The Black Crowes), the album features unique covers of songs by Hank Williams, Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Merle Haggard & Mel Tillis.

Talking about the band’s career and cult-like status, bassist, fiddler, guitarist, singer, and chief songwriter Dan Wheetman says, “It is, and always has been, about the music. That’s what’s kept this band going for so long. It’s always been about digging a little deeper, honing our skills, and celebrating the entire playing process. That drives us forward.”

Based in Seattle, Marley’s Ghost is comprised of singer/multi-instrumentalist Dan Wheetman, Jonathan Wilcox, Mike Phelan, Ed Littlefield Jr., Jerry Fletcher, and Bob Nichols.

According to Wheetman, “People always ask us, ‘What kind of music do you play?’ And our answer is, ‘We play old-timey American music.’ It’s a bit revivalist, but hopefully it’s got a fresh sound about it. We’ve never copied anyone else’s arrangements of anything we’ve done. We always tried to bring our own approach to whatever we do.”

The album opens with “Invitation to the Blues,” riding an upbeat rhythm topped by lyrics drenched in heartache and loneliness. First recorded by Ray Price, the song was written by Roger Miller.

Suggested entry points include “Honky Tonk Song,” whose intro conjures up suggestions of The Georgia Satellites’ “Keep Your Hands to Yourself.” Of course, once the melody settles in, the song takes on bebop country flavors, highlighting a dazzling piano and a deliciously meowing, slide guitar.

A personal favorite because of its shifting, waltz-like strutting flow, “Burn Another Honky Tonk Down” conveys definite retro flavors via layered fiddles, steel guitar, and loose-feeling, crunchy percussion.

Hank Williams’ “Rockin’ Chair Money” offers the delicious aura and twang of Williams’ bluesy phrasing and country surfaces.

Wheetman says, “You can’t do a honky tonk album without a tune from the ‘Father of Honky Tonk,’ Hank Williams. Hank foreshadowed Elvis with the song’s cool chorus: ‘I’m gonna rock, yeah rock, oh baby rock, rock on down the line,’ a lyric that was given that rockin’ 2/4 feel.”

Marley’s Ghost in 2026, photo by Gabriel Judet-Weinshel

On “If I’d Left It Up To You,” with its crying steel guitar and dramatic lyrics, Marley’s Ghost captures the deep, almost desperate feeling of holding onto love no matter what. Wheetman describes the song as “a quintessential Merle Haggard song. The fact that it comes from a guy who had over 40 number one hits had us thinking of it as a hidden gem.”

“Birmingham Bounce” closes the album, offering twin fiddles, sparkling guitars, and a vibrant rhythm. Wheetman shares, “‘Birmingham Bounce’ shares the Western Swing vibe. If honky tonk is anything, it’s dance music.”

With Honky Tonk, Marley’s Ghost demonstrates a Vulcan mind-meld musical chemistry, resulting in bravura Americana music.

Honky Tonk Track Listing:

1. Invitation to the Blues (Made famous by Ray Price) [by Roger Miller]
2. Honky Tonk Song (Webb Pierce) [Mel Tillis/Buck Peddy]
3. Brand New Mister Me (Mel Tillis) [Ronald McCown]
4. Burn Another Honky Tonk Down (George Jones) [Clarence Wayne Kemp]
5. Just Someone I Used To Know (Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton) [Jack Clement]
6. Only Daddy That’ll Walk the Line (Waylon Jennings) [Ivy J. Bryant Jr.]
7. Slowly (Hank Williams Jr.) [Tommy Hill/Webb Pierce]
8. Rockin’ Chair Money (Hank Williams) [Lonnie Glosson/Bill Carlisle]
9. If I’d Left It Up To You (Merle Haggard)
10. Detour (Jimmy Walker) [Paul Westmoreland]
11. Midnight (Red Foley) [Chet Atkins/Boudleaux Bryant]
12. Motel Time Again (Johnny Paycheck) [Bobby Bare]
13. Waltz of the Angels (Wynn Stewart) [Dick Reynolds/Jack Rhodes]
14. Birmingham Bounce (Red Foley) [Sidney “Hardrock” Gunter]

Run Time: ?
Release Date: May 19, 2026
Record Label: Sage Arts