The Dust Devils - Gathering Dust
By Cheryl Harvey Hill
If you've had the opportunity to listen to this album it will be perfectly clear why The Dust Devil's, comprised of husband and wife duo Barbara Malteze and Kevin Higgins and formerly known as the Cosmic Dust Devils, were recognized in five categories by the *Texas Music awards (awards sanctioned by the Academy of Texas Music). They received nominations for Female Vocalist of the Year, Singer/Songwriter of the Year, Song of the Year ("Walk On"), Vocal Duo/Group of the Year, and Album of the Year.
If you were to make a list of dynamic musical pairings, Higgins and Malteze would certainly be on it. Higgins is a most gifted writer and wrote eleven of the twelve songs on Gathering Dust except for "Looking for Pearl" which was co-written by Malteze. When two individuals this talented come together, the end result is pure magic and the icing on the cake is that they accent their own talents by recording with first-rate musicians.
Standing on the edge I wonder / Just what it is I’m looking for? / Truth is cast in shadows / I pray to God there must be something more.
All of the lyrics are visual and powerful but having them delivered by Malteze takes them to the next level. Her vocal delivery varies dramatically from song to song; sometimes her delivery is smooth as silk on silk while on others she sounds like Janis Joplin (when she was at her very best). On the final track, "Walk On," Higgins philosophical recitation is delivered with the kind of honestly and simplicity that is sure to put him on par with the legendary cowboy poet Red Stegall.
There is a whole lot of livin', lovin' and leavin' on this album; rather like "Lone Star Beer and Bob Wills Music" but with a dash of Tabasco followed by a McKendric Mesquite Mellowed Whiskey chaser. This is one CD that won't beGathering Dust in anyone's collection.
*Presented by MyTexasMusic.com, the 2006 Texas Music Awards will be hosted by Michael Martin Murphy, presented on Saturday, March 25, 2006, 2pm, at the premiere Music City Texas Theater in Linden, TX. The awards show is scripted, and will be filmed. To view the complete list of nominees visit:
If you've had the opportunity to listen to this album it will be perfectly clear why The Dust Devil's, comprised of husband and wife duo Barbara Malteze and Kevin Higgins and formerly known as the Cosmic Dust Devils, were recognized in five categories by the *Texas Music awards (awards sanctioned by the Academy of Texas Music). They received nominations for Female Vocalist of the Year, Singer/Songwriter of the Year, Song of the Year ("Walk On"), Vocal Duo/Group of the Year, and Album of the Year.
If you were to make a list of dynamic musical pairings, Higgins and Malteze would certainly be on it. Higgins is a most gifted writer and wrote eleven of the twelve songs on Gathering Dust except for "Looking for Pearl" which was co-written by Malteze. When two individuals this talented come together, the end result is pure magic and the icing on the cake is that they accent their own talents by recording with first-rate musicians.
Standing on the edge I wonder / Just what it is I’m looking for? / Truth is cast in shadows / I pray to God there must be something more.
All of the lyrics are visual and powerful but having them delivered by Malteze takes them to the next level. Her vocal delivery varies dramatically from song to song; sometimes her delivery is smooth as silk on silk while on others she sounds like Janis Joplin (when she was at her very best). On the final track, "Walk On," Higgins philosophical recitation is delivered with the kind of honestly and simplicity that is sure to put him on par with the legendary cowboy poet Red Stegall.
There is a whole lot of livin', lovin' and leavin' on this album; rather like "Lone Star Beer and Bob Wills Music" but with a dash of Tabasco followed by a McKendric Mesquite Mellowed Whiskey chaser. This is one CD that won't beGathering Dust in anyone's collection.
*Presented by MyTexasMusic.com, the 2006 Texas Music Awards will be hosted by Michael Martin Murphy, presented on Saturday, March 25, 2006, 2pm, at the premiere Music City Texas Theater in Linden, TX. The awards show is scripted, and will be filmed. To view the complete list of nominees visit: