One of the features of this years Long Road festival was the number of acts playing old school country yet making it seem as relevant today as it would have done back in the day. Our very own example of this in the UK among others is Dom Glynn & His Sunday Best, a band of virtuosos who come together to make the sweet music of yesteryear in 2024.
"Do It All Again" celebrates the the joys and perils of having a good night drinking and the capacity of the human brain to quickly remember the former and forget the latter.
The song opens with just Dom and his guitar on the tail end of one of those giddy nights, having to pay the penalty for the previous nights excess. Such is the lure of the good times that before the opening verse is out, plans are already being laid for a repeat session!
In some ways it is like the old cartoons with one voice whispering good things in one ear while another whispers bad in the other.
"Well this morning I woke up and my head was feeling sore
So I promised the Lord Jesus that I won't drink no more
But as the pain fades away I forget my Holy friend
And tonight I think I'll do it all again"
Dom manages to imbue his vocals initially with the sound of someone who is suffering yet by the end they have the sparkle of someone wanting to get back on the horse once more.The jolly singalong chorus puts it into context. It comes driven along by Carmen Ruiz Vicente's light drum shuffle and backing vocals, later joined by Duncan Menzies fiddle. The jaunty tune in itself is enough to drive you to seek out a good time.
"I'd like to say I'll change my mind
But I cannot pretend
No tonight, I think I'll do it all again"
The second verse is slightly unusual in that it breaks the fourth wall as Dom seems to address the audience with a knowing wink. The first half of the verse again points out the perils, painting Dom in a poor light - the second half displaying that ability to recuperate and kid oneself that you are good to go.
"Yesterday I am so anxious - I haven't had a bite
If you're looking at me, You're looking at a sorry sight
Oh I'm sure that I've felt worse, thought it's hard to say when
So tonight I'm going to do all it again"
The final verse sees Dom spelling out why he puts himself through all this
"Well the sun is setting now, the day is nearly done
I am in the mood to have me too much fun
See there's nothing that's so broke
That a good time can't mend
And tonight I think I'll do it all again"
and why not for as he declares
"I want to drink and dance with all my friends"
It is simple good time music excellently played, sung with a cheeky knowing glint in Dom's eye as although the song at first seems nothing but an invitation to get wrecked, it does also detail the price to be paid. At the end of the day you take your choice.