The Welcome Mat

Don Aaron Mixon

Independent release, 2024

http://donaaronmixon2.bandzoogle.com/home

REVIEW BY: Tom Haugen

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 12/27/2024

An artist with lengthy roots in trailer park living, Don Aaron Mixon has a varied resume of albums with different bands from different parts of the country. This time he’s on his own, with his life story as the subject matter. A couple of guests are around, sure, but this autobiographical work laid down in Atlanta and Pensacola is swarming with American rock and Southern Gothic blues.my_heart_sings_the_harmony_web_ad_alt_250

After a proper introduction to the park, the thick and thumping “Double Wide Soul” allows Mixon's soaring and rugged voice to guide the sturdy rock. “The Myth Of Lindberg Smith” then showcases Rob Hammersmith’s lively drums that suit the powerful singing and gritty guitar, though it isn’t long until the breezy and intimate “Just Like Her Mama” welcomes plenty of warmth.

Landing in the middle, the stories buried in “Peeping Tom & Tammy” discuss the ills of trailer life with a mesmerizing backdrop, while “Pensacola, Here I Come” lets Mixon’s piano skills radiate maturity alongside the dense guitar of the album’s best selection.

Making our way towards the end of the double album, “Coldwater Creek” uses both talking and singing for a loose and reckless rock’n’roll anthem that employs spirited harmonica and crisp drums; then “A Hard Way To Make An Easy Livin’” balances power and emotion with no lack of raw songcraft.

The listen exits with “The Welcome Mat (Pt. II)”, which is the last installment of the narration that surrounds both dramatic and comedic life in a double-wide.

The entire scope of Mixon’s two decades in Lot D-2 are exposed here. From the thieves to the perverts and the hookers, addicts, UFO occurrences and, ultimately, freedom of Pensacola Beach residency. Play this between Gregg Allman and Drive-By Truckers while reading Jack Kerouac, if you're having a hard time getting in the mood.

Rating: A-

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