"When I first read that one of the reasons for release of this CD was to raise money for charity, I inwardly cringed a little. Would this be one where I felt I could not really be critical because it was bad music in a good cause? But I needn't have worried. The self-titled debut album comes from a seven-piece band from Texas. Yes, the cause they support is orphans on the Texas/Mexico border, but the music stands up for itself. My main apology to the band is that I have no idea how to categorise this musically. At the root I guess it's a gentle southern rock, but the album takes in a number of styles including blues, country, jazz, Latin, roots/acoustic, worship, all delivered with a musical excellence. Vocals are shared between three members. All three voices have a pleasing character of their own even if I would not say any of them are particularly strong. The whole album gives me the impression of a band who enjoy playing together and had a great time putting this CD together. There's some lovely extended soloing on both guitar and piano. There's also encouragement and challenge for the Christian listener and some good evangelistic numbers. Throughout, the whole thing is suffused with plenty of humour. A final note for trivia buffs, one member of Wear That Shoe is guitar maestro Barry Bynum, once in the legendary Liberation Suite."

Anthony Longville at Cross Rythms in the UK

Click here to check out the Cross Rythms website

Cross Rythms

"I really don’t have a rule against reviewing any particular genre of music. Quite honestly, the only reason that I’ve never reviewed a “Contemporary Christian” album before is that the ones I’ve received haven’t been very good. Most started out as church bands with little or no outside music experience, and eventually decided to release a CD. As much as I respect their chutzpah, tenacity and message, they often lack that real world edge and “boot camp” experience that makes non-Christian music so raw, relevant, and well- GOOD. It shouldn’t be that way, but it is. Most Christian music seems to have been created in a protective bubble by folks I can’t relate to, which makes writing about it pretty hard- until now.

 The San Marcos band “Wear That Shoe” was formed the other way- by experienced musicians who have been living and working in the real world for years, and after a post 9/11 epiphany- found the need to make music for a higher purpose. With that in mind, I think they have been able to create music that should appeal to folks who ordinarily might cringe at something like this - whether they share their beliefs or not.

 This CD opens with a straight up funk song with a busy tempo and rock solid bass line by Craig Walton. My favorite track is the Amy Hall blues folk song “Evangeline.” Her vocals are sultry and sassy and the guitar work is just brilliant. The final track is a salsafied blowout with plenty of percussion soaked Latin rhythms and changes.

 Lead guitar guru Barry Bynum was influenced by Johnny Winter, the Beatles, Grand Funk, The Byrds, Iron Butterfly, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and Led Zeppelin. To me he sounds more like Dire Straits’ Mark Knopfler and Thin Lizzy’s Gary Moore.

 Guitarist-singer-songwriter Seth Worley was born in Morocco as an Air Force brat and has fond memories of life in an Arab village. Back in the USA, he became addicted to folks like the Grateful Dead, Zeppelin, Jethro Tull, Yes, BB King, Chicago, Santana, Moody Blues, Bob Dylan and Rare Earth. That’s when he became a Texas musician.

 Guitarist-singer-songwriter Amy Hall has written songs with Ike Eichenberg for Grammy winner Terri Hendrix, and played solo with her acoustic guitar for years around Central Texas.

 With all the singer-songwriters in the band, the album comes off sounding more like a compilation than something from a unified project. Perhaps with more time the WTS sound will become better defined. I can’t promise this CD is for you, but if you’re open to this kind of thing, you will be surprised with their ability to nail many musical styles."

Maria Mesa

December issue of 'Austin Daze'