Cheers to the Wind Ryan Harris Co.

After nearly 10 years of making music with other acts, Ryan Harris teamed up with Jonathan Alcon, formerly of the band England in 1819, to bring horns to the forefront of his first album under the moniker Ryan Harris & Co.

Best known for collaborations with Erin Frith from Nashville and Baton Rouge’s Denton Hatcher, Harris heaped together several musical genres to accompany his vocals and guitar. As the drummer, Alcon assembled the “& Co.”—Bob Kling on upright bass, Darin Jones on tenor saxophone, Ben Herrington on trombone and Dave Melancon on trumpet.

In Harris’ honest, upbeat tunes on Cheers to the Wind, he delivers doses of personal sentiment and relatable experience, touching on such common Southern topics as love, house rats and red wine teeth. Most tracks would feel right at home on any of Baton Rouge’s few remaining jukeboxes.

But make no mistake; Harris is neither a master vocalist nor an adept lyricist. The simplistic rhymes and Harris’ heavy accent may find only a narrow appeal—endearing in country charm or irritating in imperfection. Harris often flattens notes under the weight of his drawl. The real star is the brass section, where horns mix with Americana guitar and bass lines for an effective combination.

The title track opens slowly, but the energy picks up with a cheerful melody complemented by layered guitar strums and drum taps. A saxophone builds to the close, making this catchy tune linger.

“Roadcase Rodeo” begins with a false start, adding a human element to the collection. The accordion makes this track undeniably appropriate for seafood season get-togethers or a walk along the river.

With the opening notes of “Partly Cloudy Skies,” the guitar gets a chance to call the shots, setting pace with a clean ring from each pluck. The sliding trombones and low-lying horns set the song apart from its toe-tapping siblings.

Ryan Harris & Co. show enthusiasm for fun, funky tunes and resist the traditional lure of popular country or folk, resulting in a rough but flavorful effort.