{"id":31610,"date":"2026-03-01T00:11:57","date_gmt":"2026-03-01T08:11:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sandiegotroubadour.com\/?p=31610"},"modified":"2026-02-24T13:34:53","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T21:34:53","slug":"tim-edwards-the-sanctuary-sessions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sandiegotroubadour.com\/tim-edwards-the-sanctuary-sessions\/","title":{"rendered":"TIM EDWARDS: The Sanctuary Sessions"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Local songwriter and singer Tim Edwards has carved out a nice little reputation as a member of Farm Truck, a rootsy country combo whose music resides somewhere between Buck Owens, Pure Prairie League, and the Beat Farmers. That same sort of vibe permeates Edwards\u2019 new solo release: more rocking than most country, and waaaaay more country than even most country rock. The biggest difference between the band and his solo outing is that The Sanctuary Sessions <\/em>is a bit less rocking than a Farm Truck set, a bit more steeped in acoustic country traditions.<\/p>\n

Edwards\u2019 voice lends much of the twang that underpins this lovely collection of an even dozen songs. He\u2019s possessed of a mid-tenor range, and on most of the tracks he delivers the vocals with a distinct nasal overtone that gives it a certain Appalachian feel. But many of the arrangements are closer to the classic Bakersfield Sound than anything else\u2014the combination is a sound that can\u2019t be pinned down as anything other than purely American.<\/p>\n

There are no songwriting credits on the CD jacket, but if any are covers, your loyal correspondent didn\u2019t recognize them as such.<\/p>\n

The opening track, \u201cForever,\u201d is anchored by Edwards\u2019 acoustic guitar and upbeat vocals. It\u2019s a gorgeous love song, enriched by the harmony vocals of Cathryn Beeks.<\/p>\n

The album really finds its gear on the second track, though. \u201cBakersfield Mud\u201d has a melody with a hook a mile wide, Edwards guitar is positively jaunty, and bassist Dave Michaels adds rich harmony vocals.<\/p>\n

The lyrics, too, are fun and clever:<\/p>\n

She\u2019s got Bakersfield dust on her windshield
\n<\/em>And Bakersfield mud on her tires
\n<\/em>She\u2019s just passing through on her way to a destination
\n<\/em>Guess where she\u2019s going to?<\/em><\/p>\n

Steel guitar adds yet another homage to the Bakersfield Sound, and Edwards\u2019 solo on acoustic guitar is a gem.<\/p>\n

\u201cRandy, Vigilante\u201d opens like a \u201970s country rocker\u2014before the lyrics unfold of a story about a coward acting tough in the shadows.<\/p>\n