If you’re looking for really authentic Country & Western music in 2021, look no further than the CD release of Drew Weaver Sings Country Mood Songs from singer-songwriter Drew Weaver. Although it’s only six songs in length, this release packs a wallop in both feeling and moods. Drew cites legends like Roger Miller, Waylon Jennings and Don Gibson among his big influences yet to my ears, there’s also a Buck Owens and Gram Parsons-era version of The Byrds vibe here. The kicker here is that these tracks are actually long but not lost tracks made by Drew back during two 1998 sessions recorded in Los Angeles. Why this music took so long to find daylight on disc is beyond me but kudos to South Florida-based Y&T Music for finally releasing it on CD. Producer Jansen Press has done a remarkable job of translating the flawless studio vibes onto tape and the musicians on hand are also quite expert. Prominently backing Drew Weaver’s vocals here is the great Blue Hawaiians pedal steel guitarist Gary Brandin, among other fine musicians that take part. Brandin was also key to the sound of the great L.A. surf-rock instrumental band The Vanduras and his twangy pedal steel gives Drew’s album its perfect edge. Singer Rosie Flores also joins forces with Drew on the album-opening “Stranger In My Arms”, a track made famous in 1966 by Merle Haggard and Buck’s wife Bonnie Owens. With its choice selection of music classics from the 1950’s and ‘60s, Drew Weaver Sings Country Mood Songs brings fresh ‘cred’ to the modern day Country & Western music genre.