Bottom of the Blues is the newest release from Viator’s Rambleheart Studio. Ten songs take the listener on a journey from the Louisiana Gulf Coast to the verdant hills of central Texas, from a Crystal Beach beer joint to a lonely midnight train ride. Beautifully arranged, both vocally and instrumentally, this record is a must-have for fans of Texas-based Americana and its rich tradition of songwriting. Once again, Mark and Susan pull together a great lineup of Austin musicians, including Ed Friedland, David Carroll, Richard White, John McGlothlin, Jimmy Ruggiere, East Side Flash, Beth Chrisman, and Peter Schwarz. “Mark Viator and Susan Maxey serve up a tasty platter to whet your musical appetite. It’s a good menu of originals and a few well-chosen covers -- the Farina’s “Reno, Nevada”, Bruce Cockburn’s “Someone I Used To Love” and Mr Van Zandt’s"No Place To Fall” -- with courses ranging from staples like the tale of 2 journeymen musicians and the bar they crank out tunes in “Me & Gary Lee,” the spicy Cajun tastes of “New Jerusalem,” the instrumental “Wayne Perry Blues,” and the added treat of Susan’s smooth voice doing a couple of tunes that remind me of something a young Doug Sahm in his San Antonio days might have covered, “Bottom of the Blues” and “Don’t Step Away.'" -- David John, Chicken Skin Music, KTRU Radio, Houston, TX