Starting off this month with a superb new album from
JOSH TURNER, who has one of the deepest, richest male voices in today’s Country music. He’s also one of the most traditional stylists around these days. “Haywire” continues to build on a successful career for the Grand Ole Opry member, who was once refereed to as “A Country Barry White!” He has co-written four of the tracks on the album , and wrote the title track himself. Other writers include Shawn Camp, Rory Burke, Mike Reid, Pat McLauchlin, and Rhett Akins. Stand out tracks for me include the fast moving, “Eye Candy”, the soulful, “I Wouldn’t Be A Man” , the bluegrass flavoured “Your Smile”, and “Fast As I Can”.Whatever style of song Josh takes on, he certainly delivers with soul and conviction. The “Deluxe Edition” of the album, features four addition tracks, including the really catchy “Lets Find A Church” , which was from his “Long Black Train” session, but didn’t make the album.Also featured are two live tracks, “Long Black Train” and “Your Man”, two of his biggest hits to date. Great to hear these songs “live”, but, personally, I prefer to listen to the voice of the man singing, not his screaming fans.Despite that, a superb album, and great to see HumpHead releasing here.
From the same stable comes a brand new name, but he wont be a stranger long, I’m sure. Florida native, EASTON CORBIN’s self titled debut album on Mercury Records (released here by Humphead) is a real Country winner. Although his heroes are listed as Whitley, Haggard & Jones, I hear a whole lot of George Strait & Alan Jackson in his voice and styling. That’s quite a winning combination. Having written four of the songs, and featured others by names like Rory Feek (Joey & Rory), Mark D Sanders, Aimee Mayo, Kevin Denney and producer Carson Chamberlain , Easton has delivered a 100% proof Country album, that will still fit nicely into American Country Radio.It’s such a good album that it’s difficult to pick out any particular tracks. I did like “A Little Bit More Country Than That”, which has also been released as a single. It was his US debut single and went Top 20. I also enjoyed “Don’t Ask Me About A Woman” and the slightly gulf coast sounding “A Lot To Learn About Livin”.This is going to be one of the albums of 2010.
A couple of cracking home grown albums next. JOHN MILLER has one of Scotland’s purest traditional Country voices, and has just released his third solo album ,”Still Carrying A Flame (Folk & Western label). As with his previous offerings, John has written all the songs, and offers a good variety of tempos and styles. From the catchy opening track, “Take It From Somebody Who Knows” to the softer “My Dreaming Party”, and the western swing styling of “My Baby Ain’t My Baby Any More” and the rockabilly flavoured “Mama Says No”, John is in fine voice. There’s some nice harmony from Seonaid Aitkin on “Heavy Hangs The Head”. One track which pleasantly surprised me was “Tiny Sweetheart Roses” which has a very sentimental, almost Irish Country, feel to it. I’m sure there’ll be a lot of interest in this one. “Feeling Sorry For Ourselves” has a great Asleep At The Wheel swing feel to it, complete with an 86 second instrumental intro. He even tops off the album with “Trucking On Back To You”, a pedal pumping big trucking number. One song I recognised was “Take Me Back To San Francisco”, which was previously recorded by John on The Radio Sweethearts’ “Lonesome Blue” album. I liked the dobro and organ, giving it quite a different arrangement ten years on. I particularly enjoyed “I Just Cant Live Without You”, with it’s superb steel intro and superb delivery. Whatever track you listen to, it’s pure Country music. He has a good line up of players on the album, including BJ Cole, Francis MacDonald, Andy McDowell, Martin Barrett and David McClean, The whole thing (except BJ’s steel licks) was recorded in Busby. www.johnmillermusic.com
Another successful songwriting talent we have here in Scotland is ISLA GRANT. Isla’s latest album, “Movin’ On” has just been released on Rosette Records here. Whilst Isla is a household name in Ireland, and has huge followings in Australia, New Zealand & Canada, she has found her homeland a harder nut to crack. Her music has, traditionally leaned towards the sentimental side of Country music, which is no doubt why Ireland has embraced her so warmly. However, Isla is much more than that. Her last album was full of Hank Williams songs, and this new album has her displaying different styles from blues to bluegrass. The title track is kinda bluesy, but this style suits her vocals, as much as the sentimental numbers like “I Still Love You”. I really enjoyed hearing the rather sentimental, yet bluegrass sounding, “Sleep Little Baby”. It reminded of the music from “Oh Brother Where Art Thou”. There’s an old timey feel to “You Don’t Belong” too. Then there’s gospel. Isla does a fantastic job on “A Train Called Glory”. Such a well crafted song, and it stands out on the album for me. It’s a feel good uptempo number. Elsewhere, she goes back to her old folk roots on “The Old Canal”. As those who have seen the lady in concert over the past couple of years will know, she’s been adding harmonica to her set, and this is prominent on “It’s Not Easy”. She also revs it up with some uptempo numbers, like “What Are You Trying To Do To Me” and “What Love Can Do”. Isla hasn’t changed completely. Songs like “It’s Too Late Sweetheart” and “Dont Give Up On Me” bear her well loved sentimental stamp. Having written songs about Scotland, Ireland & Australia, Isla’s latest place is New Zealand. She closes the album with a lovely song for her kiwi fans in “Aotearoa”. It’s a lovely song that you don’t have to be from the other side of the world to appreciate.With 15 tracks, Isla has delivered a superb album of all original material.
Throughout this column, and on my radio programme, I’ve often praised the quality of Country music coming from our northern neighbours in The Faroe Islands. Last year we reviewed an album from HALLUR, and second album “Smile” has just arrived. As with his debut, Hallur demonstrates a superb Country style, a very traditional sound, and a beautiful twinning of Nashville & Torshavn musicians. Indeed, it was for a celebration of the ties between the cities that brough Music City musos like Brent Mason, Paul Franklin and David Hungate to the windswept rocky islands last summer. The album features well produced classics like Hank’s “Why Should We Try Anymore”, Ernest Tubb’s “Walking The Floor” , Ray Price’s “I’ll Be There” and Cash’s “I Got Stripes”..He does a superb version of “Til A Tear Becomes A Rose”, dueting with Tanya Hencheroff”. There’s also a Faroese version of a Charley Pryde song.But there’s also original songs by local North Atlantic writers. The album’s title track, has quite a poppy, almost Eurovision, (don’t think The Faroes take part, maybe they should!) feel to it, but sounds really catchy. There’s two versions of the song, in English, like most of the album, and in the local tongue. “Window Shopping” really impressed me. It has a good traditional feel to it, and “My Sweetest Hello” is a duet with Nashville songstress Dawn Sears. Throughout, Hallur’s Country credentials, and strong vocal style shines through. It’s another winner from The Faroes!
One of the most talked about films recently is “CRAZY HEART” which stars Jeff Bridgesand Colin Farrell in a tale about a hard living Country singer. There’s plenty of good music in the film, both old & new, featured on the soundtrack, which is available in two versions. You can get a version with 16 tracks, or a deluxe version offering 23 tracks. (New West). Whilst Colin Farrell does a fairly decent job on “Gone,Gone,Gone”, I was less than impressed with the contributions from Bridges and Ryan Bingham. Bingham’s “The Weary Kind”, which is the film’s theme, is indeed, rather weary. Most of the new material is rather heavy and rocky, in direct contrast to the older songs from Buck Owens, The Louvin Brothers, Waylon and Townes Van Zante that get a new airing. It was great to hear “Hello Trouble”, and “If You Needed Me” again, and they blew through the album like a breath of fresh air. If you enjoy the film, then you’ll enjoy the CD as a momento, but, as a musical offering, I wasn’t persuaded to head out to see the film.
There is no doubting that BETH NEILSEN CHAPMANis one of Country music’s most prolific female songwriters. Her work extends well beyond Nashville, with Bonnie Raitt, Elton John, Neil Diamond and Roberta Flack having recorded her songs, alongside Trisha Yearwood, Faith Hill and Willie Nelson. She is no stranger to the studio, having released several albums, including a Warner Brothers Greatest Hits collection. Her new album, “Back To Love” (BNC) released here to coincide with her recent lengthy UK tour, is one of her strongest to date. The album is labelled as a “mainstream pop album”, but, to me it’s a songwriter’s album. BNC has always had that Middle Of The Road feel to her songs, where she can sell these songs to a Country audience, and beyond, into a bigger pop market. OK, so the instrumentation on this album, may be just a shade more contemporary, but the songs adapt well to the arrangements. I particularly enjoyed the opening two songs, “Hallelujah” and “I Can See Me Loving You”, which are both quite up-tempo for Beth. The rest of the album are ballads, ranging from the powerful “How We Love”, to the delicate “Shadows” and “Path Of Love”. “Happiness” is probably the most obvious Country flavoured number, But, throughout, Beth displays a beautiful delivery. At times, there’s a hint of laughter, which gives you the feeling of listening to this album in an intimate songwriting club. I really enjoyed listening to this album from Beth Neilsen Chapman, and was left wishing I had caught one of her recent concerts here.
JOHNNY CASH has become such an icon since he died. His later recordings are, to the long term fan, by no means his best. But there’s no doubt that these latter day recordings did capture a whole new generation of fans. “American VI : Aint No Grave”, released in February to mark, what would’ve been his 78th birthday, is the final recordings in a long career that stretched back to the 50’s. The album was produced by Rick Rubin, who produced the previous five albums in the series. Throughout, John sounds frail, and the choice of songs do come from a dying man. He covers a few Country classics, like Hank Snow’s “It Don’t Hurt Anymore”, and Kristofferson’s “For The Good Times” (with it’s opening line “The Party’s Over”). There’s Tom Paxton’s “Cant Help But Wonder Where I’m Bound”, and Sheryl Crow’s “Redemption Day”. Cash’s delivery on these songs are all farewell songs. Even Bob Nolan’s “Cool Water”, which I’m sure Cash has recorded before, looks towards the afterlife. The album also features his last written composition. “First Corinthians” in which he tells of his journey to his redeemer. Some may feel that this is quite a morbid album, but I’m sure Cash recorded it, with the view to his life and music carrying on after he died. It’s certainly one to complete that Cash collection.
From Arkansas, Cash’s home state, our next album comes from AMY CLAWSON. “The Woman In Me” (BSW) is a modern album with some good traditional stamps on it. David Frizzell produced half of the tracks on the 15 track selection, wrote four of the songs, and duets on “Why Wasn’t It Me”, one of the strongest songs on the whole CD. Amy, herself, had a hand in writing the fast paced “Another Clown”. Several of the numbers are quite poppy, with “Cowboy Up”, which closes, verging close to rapping in parts. But there are plenty of songs of interest for Country fans. “Can’t Call It Love” is a particularly strong Country song “I’m Gonna Fly”, co-written by Karen Taylor Good is one of the more sensitive offerings, with “Where In The World Am I” also standing out. There’s a classic in the form of Hank Cochran’s “Don’t Touch Me”, which Amy does a really strong version on. Amy Clawson certainly covers a lot of ground on this album. Well worth checking her out at www.myspace.com /amyclawsoncountry
Moving up to Nebraska, we find Omaha native HANNAH McNEIL, from whom we received a package including her self titled album, and a DVD of her current single, “What Am I Getting Up For”. (Red) Hannah worked her way through the honky tonks and Country fairs across the Midwest, before heading to Tennessee. With her husband, she now lives on a farm in Franklin, an easy commute to Music City. For her album, she teamed up with Ron Higgins, and they co-wrote the whole album of 13 songs. They’re all quite catchy radio friendly modern Country songs, and well produced and performed by Hannah. My favourite cuts would be “Doesn’t Have To Be This Way” , “Walking Away A Winner” and “I Am Strong”. They’re up to the Nashville standard, equal to anything you’ll hear from a bigger label. I’m sure well hear more from Hannah.
It doesn’t feel like 23 years since MARY CHAPIN CARPENTERburst onto the scene with the wonderfully under acclaimed “Hometown Girl” album. These days, a new album from Chapin is something of a rarity, so it’s always worth checking out. Her new CD, “The Age Of Miracles” is on the Rounder label, and is released towards the end of April. We have an advance copy, without the usual writing and production credits, but I can confirm that it is a very enjoyable listen. She’s in fine voice throughout. Vince Gill joins her on “I Put My Ring Back On”, but only in a very background vocal capacity. It is, however, one of the stronger songs on the album. She recalls the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989on “4 June 1989” from a\17 year old’s point of view. She continues the global theme on the soft and gentle, “Iceland”. The album’s title track is quite midtempo and folksy. It works really well. As with any MCC album, many of the songs are quite dark and serious, with the odd flicker of light and joy.This album has the usual Mary Chapin Carpenter formula. It’ll be another winner!
GARY ALLAN has been around since the mid-90’s, being a consistent Country chartmaker in America, without quite making the superstar status. His sound is of a modern day outlaw, a bit rockier than Waylon or Willie ever was, although he has given us a few lovely ballads over the years. His music has never made much of an impression on me, and his new album , “Get Off On The Pain” (Humphead) wont change that. It’s OK, as it goes, but having listened several times to the album, there’s nothing that caught my attention. Allan had a hand in writing half of the tracks. If you get the “Deluxe Edition”, you get three extra “live” tracks recorded at The House Of Blues in Chicago last October. If Gary Allan has made an impression on you during the past 15 years, then this album will be worth checking out. If you’re not familiar with Gary already, I doubt if this album would change that.
When you’re a superstar like WILLIE NELSON, you can call your album anything you like. To call it “Country Music”, is simple and effective. There’s 15 tracks, with a very traditional feel, especially on tracks like “Seaman’s Blues” You Done Me Wrong” and “Gotta Walk Alone”.He does a few standards too, like “Satisfied Mind”, “My Baby’s Gone”, “Pistol Packin’ Mama” and “Drinking Champagne”. This new album is released at the end of April on Rounder.
BARNEY BENTALL has been part of the Canadian music scene for many years, in various bands. This is the Toronto born singer songwriter’s second solo album for True North Records. “The Inside Passage” features 10 self penned songs, recorded in British Columbia. They range from the uptempo opening track “Hold My Heart” to ballads like “I Never Meant To Make You Cry” and “She Ran Away”. The title track is a soft ballad, as is “Face To Face”. The slow songs are nice, but don’t deliver as strong a message as some of the other tracks on the album. Uptempo tracks like “Catch That Train” and the bluegrassy “Papa Henry’s Boy” are the album’s stand out tracks.
BUCHANAN are a Manchester based five piece band, who have a solid based Country sound. “Suit Of Lights” (Goldrush Records) is their third release, and it continues from where they left off. It’s all original material, and is delivered with such strong conviction. Their influences are cited as Merle Haggard, Gram Parsons and Robert Earl Keen. The twelve tracks offer some quite distinctive sounds.The album kicks off quite quietly with “She Rides With The Wind”, but the album has some superb uptempo numbers too. “The Girl From Your Hometown” is particularly catchy. It’s 100% Country throughout, but “House On The Hill” has a particularly strong Country feel to it. “Jim Todd’s Blues” also stands out. “The Longest Night”, which closes the album has a real old Western story feel to it. The album was recorded in Manchester, and guest vocalists include Cathryn Craig and Monica Nordli. It’s a first class UK Country recording. Superb stuff.
ALAN WEST has been part of the UK Country scene, primarily down south, for many years. He was half of the BCMA award winning West & Elliott duo, before setting out on a solo career. His first solo album was recorded in Nashville, whilst his new release, “The Way Of The World” (Rido Records) was made in England. This album features songs written by Steve Black, hailed as one of Britain’s unsung songwriters. Well, his work is sung now, and given a really good hearing by Alan. The opening track , “The Big Freeze”, is a particularly good, strong commercial number, whilst “Wasilla” is much more of a story song. “I’m Not Over You” has quite a simple ballad that works really well. “The World That’s Lost Your Name” is back to the catchy beat, with a bit more of a folksy influence. “Devil Or An Angel” is quite fast too, with a good linedance beat to it. “How Much Time” is has a nice Country feel to it, with some nice harmonies. Sarah Jory and Albert Lee are amongst the background vocalists. I really enjoyed this album. It was quite different.
SOCIETY are a trio from West Sussex, who have just released their CD, “Songs From The Brickhouse” on their own label. They have a good Country Rock sound, with good measures of harmonica and Mandolin, which offers much more than effect. They have been likened to CSNY, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and The Band. Certainly they have that popular West Coast sound. The band’s Matt Wise wrote all 11 songs, including the cracker of an opening track, “Fools End”. I also enjoyed “Blown On The Breeze” and “Back In The Woods”, but, I have to say, the whole album brought back memories of the 70’s Country Rock sounds of Poco and The Eagles. Check them out at www.myspace.com/societymusic
Kent born GRAHAM LANDIhas spent years honing his album, “Halfway Home” (Little Onion Records via Frontier). It’s taken years from scribbling down ideas in a little notebook, to putting them into his first album. He doesn’t have a particular style, with bits of folk, rock & country all featuring on the CD. The whole album, produced by Sean Kenny, is very listenable. “Yes Days & Yesterdays” is a particularly strong driving song, which features some nice harmony from Hayley Oliver, whose own album, we reviewed last time. I also enjoyed the catchy “Where Did You Go”, and the slightly rockier, (although not far away from today’s Nashville sound”) “Ashamed”. “Corduroy Pillow” and “ Four” are a little softer, but the very melodic “I Can’t” really caught my attention, perhaps more of a ballad than a Country song, but it works well. “Water” and “What If I’m Right” have more of a folksy feel to them, but, again, they work well. This is his life story in 12 songs (“Mother” has two different versions). I hope he has more to tell. www.grahamlandi.com
Finally, over to Ireland for a couple of new releases. One from one of the longest running bands, and one of the newest names on the scene, THE INDIANS, a colourful group of guys who have been entertaining for close on 40 years. As the title suggests, “From The Beginning”, takes us back to the start, and traces The Indians long career since they first came along in 1971. Although the line up never changed much in that time, they did have five “Big Chief’s” throughout the years. Three tracks are featured from each era, with songs that have been mainstays of any Indians show. As with any showband, it’s not all Country, but good dance numbers. Here you’ll find a good few Elvis numbers, like “She Thinks I Still Care” and “Cant Help Falling In Love”. “Love Is All Around” (the Wet Wet Wet hit) is also credited as having been written by The King. There’s The Eagles, “Girl From Yesterday”, and The Statlers’ “Flowers On The Wall”. Stand out song, is their single hit from a few years back. “Galway To Graceland” is such a great song. There’s not too many showbands still around these days. The Indians are something of an Irish treasure. Here’s a superb album to remember those great showband nights with.
20 year old NATHAN CARTER is certainly making a name for himself. The winner of the Best Newcomer at the recent Sunday World All Ireland Country Music Awards, has just released his debut album, “The Way That You Love Me”. The album features a good selections of covers, including Joe South’s “Games People Play”, Vince Gill’s “I Still Believe In You”, John D Loudermilk’s “Break My Mind” and a bouncing Buck Owen’s Medley. The adds a bit of Irish with Foster & Allen’s “After All These Years”, an Irish medley, and two songs, including the title track, penned by John Farry. He does a good job throughout the album. It’s your typical Irish Country album, good songs, well produced, and great to dance along to. He doesn’t quite offer anything that stands him out from the crowd, but he has a future, of that I’ve no doubt. www.nathancartermusic.co.uk
December 09/January 2010
We’ll kick off this time with two sequel’s to album’s that shaped their artists careers.
When JOHN FOGERTYleft Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1972, his first solo album was “The Blue Ridge Rangers”. Well, 36 years after that first album, “The Blue Ridge Rides Again”, and gets a UK release by Verve Forecast/UMG. Fogerty’s unique vocal style, mixing Country/Rock & Folk styles has worked well throughout his career. On this new album, he takes a number of songs that he says he has “carried around for a lifetime”. He does his unique magic on the likes of Buck Owens’ “I Don’t Care”, John Denver’s “Back Home Again” and Ray Price’s “I’ll Be There”. His version of John Prine’s “Paradise” is superb, and really does an interesting job on “Heaven’s Just A Sin Away”, the song that launched The Kendalls’ career. There’s guest appearances from two of the Eagles and Bruce Springsteen. It really is a cracking album, and one that will win favour from fans of all kind of music.
Someone else who is following up on one of her previous album’s is PATTY LOVELESS. Back in 2001, she released “Mountain Soul”, a traditional album that really took her back to her Kentucky bluegrass roots. Now Saguaro Records have given a UK release to “Mountain Soul II”, which recreates the sound that made such a mark earlier in the decade. With guests like Vince Gill, Carl Jackson, Mike Auldridge, Emmylou Harris , Jon Randell, The McCoury’s and Rebecca Lynn Howard, Patty and husband/producer Emory Gordy Jr have created another masterpiece. She has taken songs from such accomplished mainstream writers like Susannah Clark, Harlan Howard, Tony Arata, Kostas, Karen Staley and Paul Kennerly, and given them such stunning Appalachian arrangements. Some of the tracks, like “Friends In Gloryland”, “Children Of Abraham” and “Diamond In My Crown” are extremely traditional, whilst others, like “Big Chance” and “Blue Memories” are out and out bluegrass. Her version of “Busted”, which opens the album, is given a really strong arrangement, whilst, if I had to pick a favourite, it would have to be the gorgeous & melodic “Bramble And The Rose”. In a world where the distinction between Country and Pop music is blurred, the crystal clear vocals of Patty Loveless is a truly refreshing breath of air.
Still looking back to bygone days, it’s 45 years since JIM REEVES was taken from us, but he’s still as popular today, and even more remarkably, new material is still surfacing. H&H Music has released a double CD of material, much of it unreleased in Europe before. Some of the songs are re-mastered, and alternate versions of hits. You’ll find well known hits like “Anna Marie”, “Blue Boy”, “I Love You Because”, “Is It Really Over” and “He’ll Have To Go” here, alongside lesser known numbers, some written by Jim himself. CD2 is one for the collectors. There’s a concert from August 1961 from Mountainside Park in Pennsylvania. Here, we not only hear Jim in fine voice, but The Blue Boys doing instrumentals. It includes Jim doing impersonations of the likes of Ernest Tubb, Webb Pierce, Johnny Cash, Lefty Frizzell, Red Foley (with the late Leo Jackson doing Kitty Wells part), and even Yogi Bear. It’s a sense of humour that we’ve rarely heard from Jim. There’s also a 30 minute radio interview from October 1961, which was conducted by Bill Mack (who wrote Leann Rimes “Blue”). It’s a wonderful keepsake for any Jim Reeves fan. It would’ve been nice to have had this released in time for his 45th Anniversary at the end of July, but better late than never. There’s also a DVD “Antholgy” just released, featuring 18 separate TV and film appearances between 1955 – 1963, and a new 600 page biography too. Jim Reeves, the memory, is certainly as strong as ever!
Bringing us up to date (although not in Britain), is the new album from BRAD PAISLEY. The British record label decided not to release his album “American Saturday Night”, but as Brad was the most nominated artist at the recent CMA Awards, his American management did send out the album to international media outlets. He co-wrote all 14 tracks with the likes of Chris DuBois, Ashley Gorley, Kelley Lovelace and Tim Owens. This is an album that grew on me, the more I listened to it. He seems to be going after the crossover market with the first few tracks, whilst his loyal Country fans will listen on to the much more Country tracks in the later part of the album. The album kicks off with a rather non Country sounding 40 second intro into the title track, before he moves onto the rather soul sounding “Everybody’s Here”. There’s more strange sounding intro’s into “Welcome To The Future”, which isn’t a bad song, once it gets going. There’s also a reprise of the song a few tracks later. It’s only Brad & his guitar, and sounds so much more appealing.
He also teamed up with Bill Anderson & Jon Randall for “No”, a lovely sentimental song. I did enjoy “Anything Like Me”, a rather reflective biography of his own life, “You Do The Math” is quite a catchy number, and sounds like another of Brad’s chat up lines (remember “Me Too”). “Catch All The Fish” is another fast tempo number, which shows Brad’s superb guitar skills, whilst “Pants” is a tongue in cheek look at relationships. It also has a strong Country feel to it, with lots of fiddle & steel. As has become traditional with Brad’s album’s the CD ends with a “hidden” track, a rather heavy 90 second instrumental. I had my reservations for the first few tracks, but by the time the album finished, I was really enjoying it. And with 15 tracks, I have to say it’s value for money, and good Country music with it.
DOMINIC KIRWAN has for many years appealed to Country music fans, despite having more of an easy listening/MOR feel to his music. On his new album, “My Kinda Country” on the Scottish based Country House Record label, he redresses the balance by putting out a stonewall Country album. It’s 20 years since Dominic recorded his first album for Ritz Records. In that time, he has recorded a lot of good
Country songs, even dueting with Rhonda Vincent, but this is a full album of Country songs that he has wanted to record for a long time. We caught his “Country Classics” tour in Hamilton, and found the show was reflecting the new album. I don’t think I’ve heard Dominic in as good a voice for a long time. His voice really suits these songs.. For the album, Dominic has found a strong mix of songs by the likes of Kenny Rogers and Don Williams, to Billy Ray Cyrus to Garth Brooks. He covers classics like “These Lips Don’t Know How To Say Goodbye”, “Statue Of A Fool”, and “The Green Green Grass Of Home”. He even covers Gallagher & Lyle’s “Stay Young”, and does a vibrant fresh version of it, unlike the slow Don Williams version. You’ll also find his version of Johnny Lee’s “Lookin’ For Love”, from the Urban Cowboy movie. Certainly not an album of tried & tested classics. The variety on the album certainly displays Dominic as an all round Country singer, and as someone who knows his Country music. Recorded in Donegal and Norfolk, the album is available from his website www.dominickirwan.com .
From south of the Irish border, STEPHEN SMYTH has been rapidly building up a following in recent years. At the same time, he has managed to make several Scottish visits stretching his popularity here too. His music is unashamedly showband influenced, but with a strong Country pedigree. There’s 14 tracks on his new album., “Here We Go Again”, the title track, of which is quite a heavy ballad, previously recorded by Ray Charles & Norah Jones. He covers Harlan Howard’s “Mary Ann Regrets” Alan Jackson’s “Lets Get Back To Me & You”, Haggard’s “I Take A Lot Of Pride In Who I Am” and the over sentimental “Medals For Mother”. I was impressed to see him record Larry Gatlin’s “I Don’t Wanna Cry” and really enjoyed “Gently Hold Me”, the same song Peggy Sue & Sonny Wright had out in the early eighties. The Irish influence is strongest on “Put Me In Your Pocket”, whilst “Shoes Of A Fool” is an original, written by fiddler Bobby Flores, who plays on the album. With additional vocals by The Ben Sisters and Leon McCrum, this is a feel-good party album, the kind Stephen does so well. www.stephensmythband.co.uk
A very different Irish album comes from BEN REEL. “Time To Get Real” is the 5th album from the Country Armagh singer-songwriter, and his vocals, mixed with the instrumentation of harmonica and keyboards as well as guitars really work well. It’s certainly not a standard Country album, but should appeal to those that enjoy singer songwriters. I enjoyed “Old & Wise” and “Summers Always Here”, but my favourite track would have to be “Rainy Night”. It’s a real thinking of home song, so will touch a nerve with many of his countrymen. The album was recorded in Monaghan, and available through www.benreel.com
Some homegrown bluegrass next.
IAN MAIRS has been part of the Scottish bluegrass scene for many years, in Old Hickory, Banjo Cocktail and The Moonshiners. He was with The Moonshiners for 20 years, before leaving last year to pursue a solo career. “Green Eyed Woman” is, in fact, Ian’s third solo album, and is released on Houndog Records. The album features all self written material, and was recorded in Dunfermline. As you would expect from a bluegrass album, there’s plenty of banjo & fiddle. Ian, himself, is playing guitar and leading the vocals. His vocal style is quite listenable, and the songs have grown on my quickly. I cant pick out a favourite from the album, but I will say that there are up-tempo numbers like “Can’t Be A Lonely Man”, “The Old Grey Mare” and “Say That You Love Me Again”, whilst “A Million Miles Away” is quite easy listening. “Green Eyed Women” sounds a bit more folksy, whilst the CD’s closing track, “I Left My Hat In Tighnabruaich” (a parody on San Francisco) is done accapella. I really enjoyed the album. It’s great to hear bluegrass done so well right here in Scotland. www.myspace.com/ianmairssolo
If Texan music is your thing, don’t miss “ Tall Texan Tales”, the new album from BOB CHEEVERS, who is currently on a lengthy UK tour. Bob, to me, is an unpolished Willie Nelson. He has the sound that Willie should have. His phrase is “I don’t know if these stories are true, but they happened to me”, and that can be related to these songs, which all have a Lone Star State theme. It’s not all Willie Nelson influence, there’s a bit of Buddy Holly coming through on “One Good Rib”. The music varies from near narrative numbers like “Falling”, and the soft ballad style of “Is It Ever Gonna Rain” to the more rocky “Texas Is An Only Child”. My favourite cut has to be the Tex-Mex accordion flavoured “Luchenbach”. The whole album was laid down in eight days, on an old analogue tape recorder. It certainly makes for a really interesting album. www.bobcheevers.com
To those that know his music, TOM RUSSELL is a legend. He has been recording for over 30 years, as is credited with launching the whole Americana movement. He was born in Los Angeles, but, these days is more associated with the Texan music scene. Indeed, it’s part of a Texan singer-songwriter showcase, that will bring him back to Scotland in the new year for Celtic Connections. His latest album, “Blood And Candle Smoke” (Proper label) features a dozen deep and interesting reflections of life, from the Canadian folk bars, to Indiana, Texas, Mexico, Vietnam and Nigeria. He often tells tales of the Indian Reservations, and he returns there on several tracks, including “Crosses Of San Carlos” and “American Rivers”. He tackles the cause of the miner, on “The Most Dangerous Woman In America”, and the album ends with a gorgeous story , almost spoken, song called “Darkness Visable”. His clever writing links Mexican railways, Spanish apples, Hank Williams and jazz singer “Nina Simone” into one song. Recorded in Arizona, and featuring some lovely harmonies from Gretchen Peters on “Santa Ana Wind”, Tom Russell continues to prove just why he is so highly regarded. Next up, a young lady from North Carolina, who now calls Gloucestershire home.
HEATHER BRISTOW has been a poet and a singer from a young age. Now, she proves herself as a songwriter too, with the release of her debut album, “Hope On The Vine” (Heifer Records). This is a wonderful bluegrass old time album, with some good singing, some great pickin’ & fiddlin’. There’s tracks like “Seasons”, “I’m Ready” and
That Train Wont Run”, which offer some great instrumentation, whilst others like “Red Sky Night”, “Counting Memories” show Heather’s vocals more. There’s even a bit of Scottish influence with the banjo flavoured “I Cant Hear Those Hills”, inspired by The Cullens of Skye. She turns to old time southern gospel for “Ain’t Glory Grand”, and slows things down on a couple of tracks, including “Fear of Drowning” and the stunning acapella “Miner’s Tale”. Altogether, Heather shows her talents in writing and singing across no less than 15 tracks. I thoroughly enjoyed this album. There’s a superb upbeat finish with “Southern Storm”, which will be something of a signature tune, as she credits her band of the same name. Check her out at www.myspace.com/heatherbristow
Next up, we have a real international artist.
MARYBETH D’AMICO is an American singer songwriter, who lives in Germany. She got into music after she lost her job as editor of a magazine in Amsterdam. The music you hear on her album, “Heaven, Hell, Sin And Redemption” (Waiting To Fly Music via Proper), is very much in the style of other progressive singer songwriters like Patty Griffin, Kathleen Edwards and Lucinda Williams. Recorded in Texas, with dobro & pedal steel from Lloyd Maines, no less, she’s certainly making her mark. She’s already toured the UK briefly, and will be back in May 2010. The album title comes from characters in the songs, from the single mum who cannot settle, to the sex scandal minister, the army brat, and a guy on death row. The songs are strong story songs, with a good strong instrumentation. My favourite track would be the melodic “Nothing Without You”. Worth a listen. www.marybethdamico.com
Although she calls California home, RITA HOSKING’s music is a mix between Texas & the Appalachian mountains, as a listen to her album, “Come Sunrise” will testify. Rita has a good strong southern twang in her voice. The Fiddlefreak.com website likened her to Emmylou Harris & Gillian Welch, but there’s more than a hint of Jennifer Nettles (Sugarland) and Natalie Maines in there too. All the songs are self penned, and have a real gutsy edge. I especially liked “Promise Land”, with it’s easy Appalachian sound, and the more uptempo “Precious Little” and “Little Joe”. “Holier Than Thou” has a really strong southern sound too it too. On a softer note, I enjoyed the title track and “I’m Going Home”, which closes the album. She has a really good voice, which blends well with the very acoustic guitar, fiddle & dobro arrangements. The album isn’t released until January 11th , but is already one of my albums of 2010 ! Check her out at www.ritahosking.com
Over to Norway next, to check out an album by KARIN WRIGHT. Karen is a singer songwriter, and has written 8 of the 10 tracks on the album. The exceptions being “Bar Thing”, quite a rocky number that was released as a single, and a cover of The Eagles “Wasted Time”. Her own songs range from the stone Country sounding “Some Believe” and “I’m With You”, to the rockabilly “Hit Me With It Darlin’”. Her Country numbers remind me of early Loretta Lynn. She has a solid Country vocal styling on these numbers. Meanwhile, “Down The Road” and “Indian Warrior” have more of a folksy feel to it. With Norway attracting so many big Nashville names and festivals these days, perhaps we should take notice of the artists who are the main players in what is becoming the “Nashville of Europe”! Karin Wright certainly deserves your attention. www.myspace.com/karinwright
HENNESSY KEANE is a Southern England based songwriting duo, with Irish ancestry, and a huge American Country influence. They are Shaun Hennessy, who plays, guitars and banjo, and Ian Keane, the vocalist and drummer. Their debut album , “Nowhere Fast” was recorded in deepest Wiltshire. It’s a lovely sounding album. The instrumentation is assisted Carl Storey, Spencer Brown, and they really help sell the songs, alongside the harmonies, which are superb.
I like the simple little banjo breaks that pop up throughout the album. In fact, if you can imagine The Eagles with a banjo, you’ll get a flavour of what this album is all about. It’s particularly noticeable on “Every Road” and “Now She’s Gone”. “Uncle Johnny” has a really fresh Country beat- the stand out Country track on the album. “As Long As I Got You” and “Too Late Tonight” are a bit more acoustic, but still work well. I really enjoyed the album. Check them out for yourself at www.hennessykeane.com
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009
GEORGE STRAIT
has been a mainstay of Country music for 28 years now. Whilst appealing to modern day fans, the modest Texan has never strayed far from his traditional routes. He has sold over 67 million albums, third only behind Elvis & The Beatles in album sales. He has never made a bad album, and his latest, “Twang” (Humphead) continues the formula that has stood him proud since 1981. The title track kicks off the album in a real catchy style. There are other up-tempo tracks on this new 12 track collection, but the title track is the highlight. He slows down the tempo on a few songs, like “Beautiful Day For Goodbye”, “Where Have I Been All My Life” and the steel laden “Out Of Sight Out Of Mind”. “Arkansas Dave” has a pure acoustic feel to it. There’s more than a Mexican influence on “El Ray”, which George sings in Spanish.. I do think it’s more of a novelty track than a serious recording. Another novelty on this album is a self penned song. For only the second time in his lengthy career, George has recorded three of his own songs. “Living For The Night”, “Out Of Sight” and “He’s Got That Something Special”, which certainly stands up against the other songs, contributed by the likes of Jim Lauderdale, Dean Dillon, and Doug Johnson. He’s such a consistently strong seller, his albums always come highly recommended.
Someone who has been at the top of the tree even longer is REBA, who doesn’t seem to use her surname these days. Having sold 55 million albums worldwide, and notched up 33 Country Number One’s, nobody can match her. Her latest album, “Keep On Loving You” was released here on the Humphead label at the end of August. The album kicks off with a rather poppy number, “Strange”. There is also a video of this song on the enhanced CD. The song didn’t really do much for me at all. There are other pop numbers, but there’s also some more Country tracks. The title track is very traditional Reba. I really quite enjoyed “Consider Me Gone”. It’s a gentle soulful ballad, in a style that Reba has made her trademark. I also think that “She’s Turning 50 Today” is a very strong Reba song, that will strike a note with many of her fans. “8 Crazy Hours” also works well for me, but I do think that “Over You” is the strongest ballad on the album. Although she has a great delivery on her ballads, she has a couple of interesting uptempo numbers, including “Pink Guitar”, and “I’ll Have What She’s Having”. After a poppy start, Reba delivered a really enjoyable album.
Next up, DAVID NAIL‘s self titled debut album, also released on Humphead. He’s a young man from Kennett, Missouri, who has been dreaming of making it in Nashville since High School. We’ll he’s arrived, with a good solid modern Country album. He was involved in writing 4 of the songs on the album, with other contributions from the likes of Aimee Mayo, Neil Thrasher and even Kenny Chesney. He has a radio friendly sound, with the highlights including the softer “Turning Home”, (written by Chesney), the opening track , “Mississippi”, Gary LaVox’ “Summer Job Days” and the self written closing track, “Missouri” about his homestate. For me, the strongest track would be the harmonica influenced “Strangers On A Train”. It’s a really strong debut album. David Nail is certainly a name to look out for!
Next up. we’ve got some great homegrown Scottish CD’s. It was a total surprise when I opened up the package containing RUBY RENDALL’s new CD, “From Where I Stand”. It’s been many years since Ruby’s last CD, and it seems any attempts to tempt her back into the scene didn’t work. But she’s back, and the Orcadian Rose takes up where she left off. Her material comes from the Patty Loveless, Joy Lynn White, Nanci Griffith and Kim Richey style of Country music. Songs include “I Wish It Would Rain”, “Blame It On Your Heart”, “Little Tears” and “Nothing But The Wheel”. She still has hubby Sandy Mackay and long time band member Steve Watt playing on the album, with John Barclay, Brian Nicholson and fiddler Neil Hehir adding their touches to a superb Ruby Rendall sound. And family life has paid its dividends too. For her son Robbie adds his guitar skills to “MI Vida Loca”, and gets the closing instrumental track all to himself. The album is available from Rockapotamus Music in Inverurie, or contact Ruby through her new MySpace site: www.myspace.com/ruby rendall
Our next new album is from Glasgow based JOHN HINSHELWOOD & SANDRA GELLATLY. The duo are regularly seen as part of the Gram Parson’s influenced City Sinners band, but are also a popular duo playing in Folk Clubs and other venues. Sandra, originally from Canada, has been in Scotland since 2001, and the pair have been working together for the past few years. “Shattered Pleasures” is their first album together. It features nine original songs, plus covers from Julie Miller, Gene Clark, and ex Pearlfisher David Scott. The lead vocals are shared throughout the album. On songs that feature both, like on the opening track, “Chance & Circumstance”, and “Slow Burning Fuse”, their harmonies work really well. John’s vocals show really well on Gene Parson’s (ex Byrds) “Tried So Hard”, and the sensitive “Long Way From Home”. Sandra’s “Any Road” and “Hear Your Voice”. I really enjoyed the closing track, “Dangerous Journey*, a good tempo number, which, again shows their harmonies, and some neat pickin’ as well. The album is made complete by some wonderful musicians, including Malcolm McMaster, Tim Clarke, Iain Barbour, Dick Drake , Colin McFarlane and Alasdair Robertsdon. It was all recorded in Glasgow. It’s a great homegrown original album, available from www.littleroots.com
KENNY WATSON is an Aberdeenshire based singer, who has been signed up by Pan Records (their first act with no Caithness connection). “KW’s Country” is a nice mix of Country standards, from the likes of Gail Davies, Lorrie Morgan and John Conlee. Songs include “Someone Is Looking For Someone Like You”, “Everybody’s Reaching Out For Someone”, “Rose Coloured Glasses”, “Maria’s Heading Out To California” and “Louisiana Saturday Night”. He recalls his former job as a long distance lorry driver with a cover of Jimmy Buckley’s “Truckers Wallet”, whilst his duet with Fiona Taylor on “Til A Tear Becomes A Rose” is probably the strongest track on the album. Kenny’s sound is easy listening, in the same style as many Irish Country acts. He’s backed by Phil Anderson, Gordie Gunn, Manson Grant, Robert Cameron, Keith MacLeod, and Richard Nelson, on the album, recorded in Wick. It’s a well produced album of catchy, though not overdone songs. He does a great job on them. I’ll certainly be looking out for more from KW.
SEAN O’FARRELL returns to Scotland for a series of dates this month (see dates in the Giglist), and marks the tour with a new album, “Think Of Me” (SoFar Productions). Sean’s sound is feel good easy listening music, with a good measure of nostalgia. This album continues the trend. He kicks off with “Tie A Yellow Ribbon”, and “Memories Are Made Of This”, and also features’ Don Gibson’s “I Cant Stop Loving You”, Eddy Arnold’s “Make The World Go Away”, and two Val Doonican numbers, “Walk Tall” and “The Special Years”. But there is also four of Sean’s own songs, including the very clever piece of tele-nostalgia in “When The TV Changed To Colour”. “Do You Like Me” is a catchy number, whilst “God’s Got To See That” and “When You’ve Loved The Best” are softer songs of family values, which Sean really does well. He has some familiar names working on the album with him, including Des Sheerin, Phillip Begley, Billy Burgoyne, Ray McLaughlin, Charlie Arkins and Richard Nelson. Backing vocalists include Crawford Bell, Trionagh Moore, Leon McCrum and Lorraine McDonald. He adds a little individual touch, by reading his sleeve notes on the CD. I’m not sure that it’ll catch on, but it’s a nice gesture that works for one of the nicest guys in the business.
Staying in Ireland, and SEAN WILSON celebrates 20 Years with a new double album, “You’ve Become The Dream” (H and H Music). Throughout the years, this Sean’s trademark has been happy singalong medleys, and this collection wont disappoint. The second CD features around 60 songs over a dozen medleys.The first CD has 20 individual tracks, from Country standards like “If Tomorrow Never Comes”, “Tiny Bubbles”, “Tijana Lady”, ”Could I Have This Dance” and “Forever & Ever Amen”. I particularly liked the up-tempo “Daddy Did The Best He Could” and his cover of Joe Diffie’s “Home”. Sean is extremely good at what he does, and has a huge following. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but you can’t knock success. H&H have also released “The Nashville Years”, a 48 track 2 CD collection from recent Glasgow visitor, SUSAN MCCANN. This is, essentially 4 albums recorded by Susan in Nashville between 1980 and 1987, made available on CD. They include great songs like “Someone Is Looking For Someone Like You”, “Blue Jean Country Queen”, “Late Late Show”, “Hands”, “Radio Heart” and “No One Will Ever Know”. There’s three duets with the late Porter Wagoner, whose studio’s three of the albums were recorded. What’s most impressive is that the songs aren’t all well known covers. They are songs that Susan found, and made very much her own. Musicians on the sessions included Hargus Pig Robbins, Lloyd Green and Danny Davis and Tom Pick. This was Susan at the height of her career, and a nice sentimental package for her fans.
CROSS CANADIAN RAGWEED are not, as you would expect, a Canadian band. They’re from Oklahoma, but take their name from front man, Cody Canada. They’ve been around for over a decade now, but this, as far as I’m aware, is their first British release. “Happiness And All Other Things” was released by Humphead at the end of August, at the same time as their Stateside release. Their bio on their website suggests that they may be the last Southern rock band around, following in the footsteps of greats like Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top. That pretty well sums up this 12 track collection, which, apart from “To Find My Love”, which was written by Stephen Bruton, was written by Canada and fellow band members. It is a very rock sounding affair, with very little to appeal to Country fans, with the exception of the lovely folksy “Blue Bonnets”, which is wonderful. The closing track, “My Chances” is also quite a pleasant ballad. But in the main, this album did very little for me.
Humphead have also released a live album & DVD by SUGARLAND, which maybe makes up for the number of cancelled concerts they’ve missed this year. The duo did play Glasgow in March, but did cancel European, Irish, and more recently, US gigs. So often, a “live” CD & DVD package, is essentially the same, and usually just a collection of their hits. Well, the CD was recorded across 5 different venues, from Atlanta to Red Deer, Alberta, whilst the DVD is entirely filmed in Lexington, Kentucky. Whilst their big hit, “Stay” is featured on both, you only find “Baby Girl”, their first hit, on the DVD. Instead we’re treated to a number of covers by the likes of Beyonce, Pearl Jam, REM and Kings Of Leon. I’m afraid, they kinda lost me with that musical mix. Their DVD was just another pop concert to me, but if you did enjoy them at the ABC earlier in the year, then I’m sure you’ll enjoy this impressive package.
Next up, a young Californian lady called CORINNE WEST, who is becoming a regular visitor to Scotland. She was back here at the end of September for dates in Castlemilk and Dunfermline, to promote her new CD, “The Promise” (Make Records). The album was recorded in Harrison Hot Springs, BC, after Corinne travelled up from California, and an engineer loaded up 1500lbs of recording equipment into a van and made the 2,500 mile trip from Nashville. Corinne has a unique folksy, old timey sound, sometimes coming over in a Mary Chapin / Shawn Colvin style. “Pollen” is quite a strong number. It has a soft, racey beat, whilst her voice remains pure and haunting. I also liked the more Country sounding “Lily Ann”. This would have to be my favourite track. All the songs were written by Corinne, with the exception of the slowed down cover of Nilsson’s “Everybody’s Talkin’ ”.It’s a really nice version of the classic song. It’s not done as a cover, as she has added her own sound to it. www.corinnewest.com
I had never heard of THE O’s before, but the sound on their “We Are The O’s” CD (Idol Records) was quite interesting. They are a Dallas, Texas based duo of Taylor Young and John Pedigo, who had been playing in a number of other bands until they joined forces in the summer of 2008. It is unusual to find the banjo being the most prominent instrument in an acts sound, yet I wouldn’t call their music bluegrass. The vocals lend themselves to more of a raw Americana singer songwriter sound. It’s just a mix that seems so rare, yet works really well. There’s not much detail on the CD sleeve. I’m assuming the songs are all original. The guys play all the instruments themselves, which, as well as banjo, include Lowebro, Tambo, Harmonica, Xylophone, Kick Drum and Guitar. Altogether it’s a really refreshing sound. It kinda reminded me of the sound created by Glasgow’s Humpff Family a decade or so ago. The album isn’t released here until November 2nd, but check them out at www.wearetheos.com Finally this time around, an album with a difference. Normally we get albums from singers and bands. But they would be nowhere without the songwriters. And it can be a mighty hard job getting people to hear your songs.
JOHN DAVIS is a Yorkshire based songwriter, who is busy pushing his music in Nashville, when he’s not playing in Atlanta, a Country Rock band, which John would love to bring to Scotland. But, in a bid to get his songs heard, he has got some Nashville session players to record ten of his songs. As you would expect, the Nashville sessions production was superb. (You have to remember, these singers want to get noticed too). The songs are all excellent, and certainly match up with those John will be pitching them against in Music City. I especially liked “The Cheatin’ Kind” and “Do You Really want Me To Go”, which were co-written with Katherine Willis, and feature girl singers. But other songs like “Wrapped Around My Finger”, “If You’re Looking For Love” and the slow ballad, “Couldn’t Love You Anymore”. It’s a really good album. I don’t know who the singers are, but they do a great job of John’s songs. The CD is available to buy for £5 + postage. You can email John at jd.songs@hotmail.co.uk
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2009
We start this time around with a new album from the ever popular NANCI GRIFFITH. “The Loving Kind” (Rounder) is her first album of new material for four years. During that time she has continued to visit here regularly, and indeed, performed some of this new material during her Glasgow concert at Celtic Connections back in January.The title track has had a fair bit of airplay since being featured on the Celtic Connections promotional CD. It’s a delicate song, with a strong social message, about a couple who fought the racial segregation that shamed, and changed America, back in the fifties. It’s a beautifully delivered true story song. There’s even a picture of the Loving couple in the accompanying booklet. Sadly, Mildred passed away in May 2008 (her husband passed away in 1975). It’s sad that this song has only appeared after her death. Nanci certainly doesn’t shy away from voicing her conscience. “Not Innocent Enough” is another story song, this time about one Phillip Workman, who was sentenced to death by lethal injection in Tennessee in 2007. There’s other songs inspired by Townes Van Zante and Lyndon B Johnson. There’s even a couple of Scottish connections. Firstly, the sleeve notes were written by Nanci during her visit here in January. She signs them, “Glasgow, Scotland, January 2009”
“Still Life” was co-written with our own Ricky Ross (who presented the short lived Brand New Country replacement, “Another Country” series on Radio Scotland). The album features 13 tracks, nine from her own pen, and four covers. Two of the covers are from the pen of Nanci’s hero, Dee Moeller, including the real honky tonk sounding “Tequila after Midnight”. There’s a classy cover of Edwina Hayes’ “Pour Me A Drink”. The sleeve notes reveal that Nanci first heard Edwina in Nashville, when she sang her “Late Night Grand Hotel”. A nice way to return the compliment. Other musicians and singers appearing on the album include Elizabeth Cook, John Prine, Richard Dobson, Tim Carroll and Todd Snider. Nanci has excelled across many musical boundaries, from folk to jazz, and even rock’n’roll. This album is one of the most Country recordings she has done. In fact, I rate this as one of my favourite Nanci Griffith albums.
JOHN RICH has had quite a varied career to date. We first found him as lead vocalist with Lonestar, then as part of Big & Rich, he had amazing success.Now “Son Of A Preacher Man” (Humphead) brings us the real John Rich – the solo artist. The album kicks off with “Shuttin’ Detroit Down”, and like Nanci Griffith, has social comment about the bosses and the bankers taking the big bucks, whilst the workers paid the price. Then he gets all patriotic on “The Good Lord And The Man”. There are Big & Rich influences, especially on “Everybody Wants To Be Me” and “Turn A Country Boy”. There are ballads too. “Why Does Somebody Always Have To Die” is particularly thought provoking, linking his brother being run down by a train, to a five year old killed by a drunk driver, to Jesus on the cross. Heavy stuff. Definitely not a Big & Rich number. The album closes with a big band sounding ditty, “Drive Myself To Drink”. Don’t worry, he’s taken the wheels off the car, and put a bar in the back. It’s different. It’s not Country, but it’s refreshingly different. The title track is a good Country number, which I really enjoyed. In fact, I really enjoyed the whole album. I was never a fan of Big & Rich, but as a solo artist, John Rich sounds great.
There’s no questioning DAVID SERBY’s musical commitment. “Honkytonk And Vine” released in Britain on the Harbour Grove label on August 10th, is one of the strongest Bakersfield sounding albums since Dwight Yoakam first burst onto the scene. There’s 13 tracks of superb self written Country music.The album kicks off with the rather racey “Get It In Gear”, before bouncing along quite nicely with “You’re Serious” , “Don’t Even Try” , “Country Club Couples” and “Chasin’You”. There’s some nice accordian on “For Cryin’Out Loud”. There’s a catchy bluegrass feel on “The Grass Is Always Bluer”, whilst “The Heartache’s Always On The Other Sleeve” has a quirky old time fun sound to it. The tempo slows for “Tumble Down” and “I Only Smoke When I’m Drinkin”, but in the main, this is a real uptempo fun honky tonk party album. David has a totally refreshing sound, and I really enjoyed this collection.
Closer to home, and we have a couple of homegrown releases this month. ARTHUR POTTINGER is from the Northern Isles, and has been singing Country music since the 1950’s. He was a well known figure on the Scottish Country scene, playing with a number of bands, and has made a couple of albums, for Grampian Records in the 60’s and Orkney’s Attic label in the 80’s. He sang with the late Thomas Fraser. Whilst Fraser was best known for reviving old Jimmie Rogers songs, it was Hank Snow who was Arthur’s major influence. For his new release, “Tracks In The Snow” on Caithness based Pan Records, Arthur has recorded a dozen songs made famous by “The Singing Ranger”. He has avoided the obvious choices of “I’ve Been Everywhere” and “Movin’On”, but does include “A Fool Such As I “ and “I Don’t Hurt Anymore”, as well as lesser known Hank Snow songs like “The Gold Rush Is Over”, “Beggar To A King” and “Honeymoon On A Rocket Ship”. Throughout the album, Arthur is in fine voice, and the instrumentation is superb, with Philip Anderson, Gordon Gunn, Bryan Coghill, Richard Nelson, Robert Cameron & Manson Grant all playing on the album. This is a superb tribute to Hank Snow, but also a great album for Arthur Pottinger. A definite must have for any traditional Country music fan! Available from www.panrecords.co.uk, or Tel 01955 602646.
DAVID FERRARD is an American born folk singer based in Edinburgh. His new album, “Across The Troubled Wave” (Alter Road Records) is a very interesting collection of songs that bridge traditional Scottish folk to old time American music. The album kicks off with Pete Seeger’s “Peg And Awl”, which has a wonderful old timey bluegrass feel to it. Other tracks with a Country feel include “Calling My Children Home”, and “Hard Times Come Again No More”. “A Rovin- On A Winters Night” is based on Doc Watson’s version, but on the sleeve notes, David highlights the similarities of this American traditional number, with Robert Burns. And that’s a theme that runs through the album, It’s a real mix of Celtic and wonderful old time music, recorded in North Carolina, and beautifully packaged. David has built up quite a following in recent months, with shows at Glasgow Americana Festival. A really enjoyable listen. Available from www.davidferrard.com
Moving up the coast to Dundee, we find LAURA McGHEE,whose album , “Celticana” has been getting some rave reviews. As the album title suggests, like David Ferrard’s album, this is a mix of Celtic and Americana music. The young Taysider, who is a superb fiddler, travelled to Nashville to record the album, although most of the material is self penned. The stand out track for Country fans, has to be “Memphis Crawl” which she co-composed with Jim Lauderdale. She came up with the tune, and Jim provided the words. The fiddle also comes out strong on “Ain’t Convincing Me” and “Radio Love”, whilst “Careless” is a raunchy Country rock number which is really catchy. Laura has a very individual vocal style, the closest comparison I can think of, being Carlene Carter. But add her vocals to her fiddling prowess and her songs, and Laura is certainly someone we should be proud of.
The biggest Country music family dynasty continues with the release of “Here With Me”, the new album from HOLLY WILLIAMS. Holly is the daughter of Hank Jr, and granddaughter of Hank Snr. Holly has a completely different sound to that of her dad, granddad, or brother (Hank III). This is her second album, released here in Britain on the Humphead label, following her short visit a few months back opening for Sugarland. I have to say that this is a much more mainstream and commercial album than her debut. Eight of the 11 tracks were written by Holly, who has been likened to Mary Chapin Carpenter in reviews. There are some quite catchy up-tempo numbers like “Mama” and “A Love I Think Will Last”, which should be radio hits. She really rocks it up a bit on “Keep The Change“ , whilst she really shows her talents as a ballad singer on cuts like “Making A Fool Out Of You”, “Alone” and the very Chapin-ish “Without Jesus With Me Here”. The album closes with Holly’s version of Neil Young’s “Birds”. I was quite impressed with this album. There was a lot of variety, and Holly displays herself as a very versatile singer and songwriter.
The UTV COUNTRY FEST is held at the beginning of August, featuring big American names like Randy Travis, Leona Williams, Hal Ketchum and Doug Stone, alongside a string of Irish artistes. To promote the Festival, and to raise money for The Meningitis Trust, a 30-track double CD featuring many of the artists has been released by Sharpe Music. The project kicks off with a “Band Aid” type song featuring many of the acts, both American & Irish, singing “The Ties That Bind”. It’s a really nice, if a little sentimental, number. Then it’s a mix of recent album tracks and old hits. Hal Ketchum offers “In Front Of The Alamo”, Doug Stone has “Fourteen Minutes Old”, and Leona Williams offers “You’d Be Home By Now”. Plus, Hugo Duncan, Mike Denver, Kieren McGilligan, Stephen Smyth, Frank McCaffery, Joe Moore, Philomena Begley, Roly Daniels and many more. If the festival is part of your calendar, it’s a great memory of the event. If you didn’t get to Belfast, then this is a neat consolation.
Staying in Ireland, “Howl On” is the new album just released from Northern Ireland’s BAP KENNEDY. Bap first emerged on the Belfast music scene, playing in a punk band. These days (30 years on) he is one of the area’s most respected singer songwriters. This is his 4th solo album. The album features quite a journey for Bap. He starts the album in “America” , before the catchy “Cold War Country Blues”, which has his outlook on the sixties, when we were under the threat of the cold war, yet spend resources going to the moon. He has a thing about space travel, as he also has “The Ballad Of Neil Armstrong”. In between time, he tells of an “Irish Moon”, and has a “Last Adventure”. I’m sure it wont be. Bap is a superb singer & writer. The album was recorded in Northern Ireland, but the cover photo taken in Nashville. His wife, Brenda, who also has a new album out, adds harmony throughout the album.
Back to Nashville, and 22 year old Belmont graduate STEPHANIE LAMBRING has just released her debut album, “Lonely To Alone”. The release follows a 3 week UK tour back in March for the Indiana native. The album is a laid back acoustic collection of her own songs (ten of the eleven tracks). The songs are pleasant, but do all tend to be rather slow. She has a beautiful voice, and the simple accompaniment make the songs rather special, but the odd up-tempo number would’ve just made the album. My favourite cuts would be “Tonight”, “If I Could” and “Cant Help Me Now”. I liked her voice, and look forward to hearing more from her in future. The album is available by contacting Stephanie through her www.myspace.com/stephanielambring website.
Our final selection this time around, comes from MADISON VIOLET, who are Brenley MacEachern and Lisa McIsaac, who hail, according to the press release, from “Scottish small towns in Canada”. They have been together for over 10 years now, and “No Fool For Crying” is their 5th album. The have been likened to Gillian Welch, Steve Earle & Alison Krauss, but their main attribute has to be their beautiful harmonies. I also hear influences of The Judds, The Dixie Chicks and The Girls Next Door (remember them?) They came to London to record this album , and it really has worked for them. As I say, their harmonies stand out, especially on the opening track, “The Ransom”, the bluegrassy “Lauralee”, and the beautifully haunting “Small Of My Heart”. Check out more at www.madisonviolet.com, and catch the girls at Glasgow’s Twisted Wheel on Friday September 18th.
June/July 2009
We’ll start this month with a wonderful project from western singer RW HAMPTON. “Oklahoma… Where The West Remains” is a wonderful insight into a century of one of the most important states in America’s modern history. Over time, Oklahoma has been the western front, for those making their way from the more populated eastern states. It’s been an important breeding ground for Country music, being the birthplace of such stars as Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, Hoyt Axton, Becky Hobbs, Mel McDaniel, Hoyt Axton and Gail Davies. RW Hampton isn’t a new name on the Oklahoma music scene. He has recorded no less than 11 albums to his credit, including Country Gospel and Christmas offerings. But this is the first album to get a release in the UK (Savannah Music, distributed by Proper). The album runs over an hour, as RW tells the state history in songs and narrations, The narrations are delivered in an interesting manner, and the songs are just so refreshing to hear. Many are originals, from the pen of RW, Edna Mac Holden (who produced the album) and Richard E. O’Brien (who done the arrangements), but you’ll recognise such classic’s as Jack Guthrie’s “Oklahoma Hills” and Cindy Walker’s “Dusty Skies”. There’s tributes in here to Bob Wills too. All the songs are well produced, and the whole project, whether you’ll appreciate the history of Oklahoma, or just the western music, it’s a truly enchanting CD.
Next up, we head for Caithness, and a new album from KEITH MACLEOD, who will be known to fans of Manson Grant & The Dynamos, as Keith has regularly performed alongside Manson & Robert. “In My Fathers Words” is a very apt title for this ten track original album. For all the songs were indeed written by Keith’s dad, David. A few of songs may sound familiar, as several have previously been recorded by Manson, and Mike Devine. The album is quite old fashioned sentimental Country, but Keith does the songs proud. Most are story songs, from “Boothill By The Depot”, about a dying hobo, to “Crazy Things” about the things kids say, to the different emotions of joy & sadness in “Heather’s Tears”. The CD booklet has the lyrics, and each song is introduced by David. Not only people & situations, but a variety of places from Dornoch to Watten inspired these songs. The instrumentation is superb. Charlie Arkins plays harmonica & fiddle, Richard Nelson on Steel , and John Macrae on pipes, adds to Keith’s musicianship on all other instrumentation. There’s no doubt that there is a huge Manson Grant influence on the album’s sound, but Keith really does a great job on these songs. He’s certainly done his dad proud! Available from Pan Records (www.panrecords.co.uk, or Tel 01955 602646)
Staying in Scotland, a long overdue album from SPRINGFIELDhas just arrived. The quartette, led vocally by Jim Brett, are one of the longest running bands in the Central belt. This album, recorded in Lanarkshire features Jim, alongside fellow members Crawford Brown, John McPherson and big Tom McCarthy, with guest musicians Willie Gamble on steel and Steve Johnson on piano. The choice of material is really varied from the title track, “For Sale” (Heather Myles), through classics like “Louisiana Saturday Night”, “Bandy The Rodeo Clown” and “I’m Gonna Change Everything”, to lesser known covers like Paul Overstreet’s “Love Never Sleeps”, which opens the album, Travis Tritt’s “Sometimes She Forgets” and “Mary’s Just A Plain Jane”, previously recorded by Rick Trevino. A great variety of material, well produced, right here in Scotland. If you’ve seen Springfield, you’ll know what to expect. This album will be well worth picking up the next time they visit your club.
Last month’s Glasgow Americana Festival brought some great talent to the city. To coincide with their visit, HOT CLUB OF COWTOWNreleased their first studio album since 2002, featuring Elana James, Jake Erwin & Whit Smith. Originally Elana & Whit formed the duo in New York back in 1996, with Jake joining in 2002. Their sound has roots in jazz and western swing, with quite a few other international influences thrown in for good measure. Some of the more Bob Wills sounding tracks, like “Cant Go On This Way” and “Columbus Stockade Blues” are great for Country fans. Some of the other tracks may not instantly strike a chord with readers. “Someone To Watch Over Me”, for example has a haunting vocal arrangement you would associate more with a smoky jazz club, that a Texas Dance Hall. They also do a distinct version of “Georgia” and Tom Waits’ “Long Way Home”. There’s some instrumental magic on offer too, with the “The Magic Violin”, which as well as fiddle, has an impressive drum solo. Hot Club Of Cowtown have an interesting album in “Wishful Thinking” (Proper), but it may be an acquired taste.
Another visitor to Glasgow Americana was Indiana raised OTIS GIBBS. Otis seems to have led quite a colourful life. He’s worked at everything from driving an Ice cream van to stacking concrete blocks. In music, he’s recognised as a folk singer, but having performed for anti war protesters in places as far apart as Texas and Czech Republic, and planted over 7000 trees, you get the picture, that he is quite an honest, earthy character. He first sang on stage at the age of 4. He sang Jimmie Rodgers’ “Waitin For A Train”. It’s a sound that has never left him. He lives in Nashville these days, where he recorded this album, titled “Grandpa Walked A Picketline”. It certainly has a Country sound, in a heartland of America way. All the songs are self penned. He has a gritty unpolished vocal style, which suits the songs here. “Caroline” kicks it all off, with a story of a girl who suffered domestic abuse. Other tracks of note include “Preacher Steve”, “Long Black Thunder” and “Ghost Of The Domplate”, which has some nice steel guitar. The album ends with a superbly delivered, “Bury Me On A Rainy Day”. It’s certainly a different sounding album. Very basic arrangements. Very earthy – just like Otis himself.
New York City basedANNIE KEATING played Dunfermline & Inverness as well as Glasgow’s Americana Festival. Her album, “Belmont” on her own label, is quite a masterpiece. All 11 tracks are self compositions (the title track gets encore), and finds Annie coming over as a Mary Chapin/ Shawn Colvin/ Nanci Griffith type songstress. The title track is inspired by the Massachusetts town where she grew up “Drive” has a good beat, and “I’ve Got You”, another uptempo number, offers some neat harmonica. “On The Road By Ten” is quite a bluesy number, whilst “Flowers Bloom” has a Nanci Griffith-ish simplicity about it. My favourite tracks would include “I Want To Start Something With You” , and the opening track,“For The Taking”. She has involved an army of musicians in the creation of this album.. Most are playing fiddle, accordion, acoustic guitar and bass. I hadn’t heard of Annie Keating before her visit here. But I’m sure we’ll hear a lot more of her. She has a good commercial country/folk sound, and “Belmont” is a great introduction. (www.anniekeating.com)
By contrast THE STAIRWELL SISTERS have a very old timey soundon their album, “Get Off Your Money” (Yodel–Ay-Hee). These 5 girls, from San Francisco, took in 10 date Scottish tour last month, from Stornoway to Peebles, and from Irvine to Inverness. Their album was produced by Lloyd Maines (remember The Maines Brothers?), and features a variety of styles for banjo, bass, dobro, fiddle and guitar. There’s instrumentals, and vocal arrangements. My favourite tracks are the melodic vocal “Cinderella” , and the racey “Who’s To Blame”, the footstompin’ “Stay All Night”. It’s certainly a feel good back porch party sound. Really refreshing. One of the best albums from south of the border (down Berkshire way) next.
THE BIG RIVER BANDITS features female vocalist Renee Sears, alongside Gerry Power, Paul Edge, Brian Martin and Ken Smith. Their debut album, “The Single Life” offers quite a variety of styles, mostly Country, although a couple of tracks veer towards 60’s pop. It’s all original material. The album kicks off with the party influenced “Girls Night Out” , and follows with the equally infectious “Highwire”. They add a bit of rockabilly with “She Dont Care”, and a kinda Patsy Cline big band shuffle sound on “You Ain’t Gonna Get My Heart” “I’m Doing Fine” has a neat harmonica in the mix, which works really well., Then there’s the heart wrenching “You Took My World With You”. It has a real classic Country sound. And the album ends with a real old time sounding “Outlaw On The Run”, complete with the sound of a crackling campfire. These guys really cover quite a spectrum throughout the album’s 12 tracks. Each track is really well produced, and it makes for a really refreshing album. Check them out at www.myspace.com/the big riverbandits. The Humphead label continue their “Ultimate Collection” series of material, originally released by the MCA Nashville label.
The latest CD features TANYA TUCKER, who was a child star when her career launched back in the 1970’s. Most of her early, pioneering hits were on the Epic label. She switched to MCA in 1975 for about five years, before moving onto Capitol. Her MCA days were real growing up times for Tanya. It was around this time, she had a well publicised affair with Glen Campbell. She recorded a couple of duets with Glen, including “Dreamlover” which is featured as one of the 24 tracks on this new release. She also teamed up with Mike Chapman to do a very “rock” record during this time, which saw her cover Suzi Quatro’s “Tear Me Apart” and Smokie’s ” So Think You Know How To Love Me”. Nothing from this era in her career features on this collection. There are a few songs from her TNT album, which was best remembered for it’s really hot cover. It’s good to hear some of these tracks again. Tanya had over 65 Country chart hits, only 17 of which were on the MCA label. All but one, are featured on this album. The one they missed was a moving “Save The Seals” anthem called “Save Me”, which I recall was released here in the UK as a single at the time. The time span covered by this Ultimate Collection is hardly Tanya’s most productive period, but it was certainly colourful. Despite that, there’s some great songs on here, including “Pecos Promenade”, “San Antonio Stroll” and “Texas When I Die”. They’re well worth a place in your collection.
Donegal’s ELAINE BOYLEis one of the newer names on the Irish scene. Already she’s been making inroads into the Scottish scene, through her appearances on the recent Ladies Of Country & Pride Of Ireland shows. She also toured with Gary Gamble last year. Her album “We Should Be Together” is a very well produced collection of popular Country hits, a mix that works well with audiences. She has covered a couple of Tanya Tucker numbers (“Texas When I Die”, “Strong Enough To Bend” & “Love Me Like You Used To”) as well as Reba (I’m Not That Lonely Yet”) and Lorrie Morgan (“Walking Shoes”). She digs deeper into her parent’s collection to find “Everybody’s Reaching Out For Someone” (remember Dottsy?) and the title track was originally done by Crystal Gayle. Whilst Elaine does a great job on these, and the Patsy Cline medley, it’s Hazel Dickens’ “A Few Old Memories” which stands out for me. It’s the one song that really shows how good her voice really is. Elaine’s a lovely girl, great personality, and I really have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this album. Yes, it’s an album of covers, but they’re not the songs that everybody covers, and she does these one’s so well. A star for the future!
Another Irish album that I was particularly impressed with is “Restless Ramblin’ Man” from CHRIS McLERNON. This time it’s a 100% original offering, with Chris having written all 12 tracks. They vary from the upbeat title track, “Old Log Cabin” and “Walking Round A Dirty Old Town” to the slower “Dylan & Old John Prine”, “Down River Road” and “That’s My House”. They’re all quite simple arrangements, and the tunes, whilst original, do sound familiar. It’s just one of these catchy albums that clicks instantly. The album is produced by Clive Culbertson , recorded in Coleraine and features musicians like Aine Whelan, Tony Phillips, Rod McVey and John Fitzpatrick with an array of instruments like Fiddle, accordian, Dobro,Mandolin,Banjo and Ukelele as well as guitar and piano. Well worth a listen.
Texan based guitarist BRYAN CLARK had a very mixed musical upbringing. It seems everyone from Joni Mitchell, The Beach Boys, Elvis Costello, XTC and Ricky Skaggs gets a mention in the bio which accompanied his new double CD, “ Gossip, Inspiration and Slander” (Rainfeather) .It’s really two CD’s in one package. The first CD is “Acoustic” and the other “Electric”. Only three tracks on each CD is the same, and, as it happens, they are the tracks which stand out for me, on either version. The Acoustic CD features a variety of musicians playing banjo, fiddle & dobro. There’s catchy little instrumentals like “Blackberry Blossom”, “Dom On The Saddlehorn” and “Bill Cheatum”. The Electric CD surprisingly has less musicians than the acoustic record. Everything is Bryan, except for two guest spots on individual tracks. Some of the tracks, notably “Midnight Kisses” , “The Way It Is” and “Down In Flames” will fit quite nicely on Country radio. The CD closes with a strange instrumental, which sounds like it should’ve been on the acoustic CD. It’s certainly an interesting project. Check it out at www.bryanclarkmusic.com
Our next album, is from Chicago based ALICE PEACOCK. She went to Nashville to record her fourth album, “Love Remains”. Our copy is a review copy, which has no songwriter or musicians info, but over the 15 tracks, we can determine that Alice has a hi energy Country rock feel, kinda reminiscent of singer songwriters like Wendy Waldman. She can also do a mean ballad, as shown on “Lovely” and “Angel”. The title track, which closes the album is one of the most commercial tracks on the album. I also enjoyed “City Of Angels”, one of the faster numbers. The quality of Country music from other European countries never fails to impress me.
STEFF NEVERS is from Norway, and has just landed a major label deal with his album “Closest To My Heart”.(AGP/Universal). The album was recorded in Nashville with such top notch players as Eddie Bayers, Paul Franklin and Brent Mason. The result is a great totally Country album, featuring some of his own songs, and a couple from Billy Yates too. Billy’s “Alphabet Song” is given a great treatment- a superb tribute to Country heroes. There’s also a Hag tribute in “Merle Made Me Do It” , which also extends to Lefty Frizzell. “Party At The Farm” and “He’s Not Here Saloon” both have a good honky tonk feel to them. Then there’s “Redneck Rehab”! There’s some great fiddle to kick off the feel good song “Keep It Up”. He can slow the tempo down too, with “Stay For A While” and “Higher Ground” All in all, a superb Country album. Watch the name – you’re gonna here more of Steff Nevers.
Back to the USA, and let me introduce you to MICHAEL SCOTT. It could be that Michael is on the verge of achieving what his father failed to do. His dad was an aspiring Country singer, and made several trips to Nashville from the family home in Milwaukee, but failed to get that elusive break. Well here’s Michael with an album “ Bring It On” (AGP/Univeral) getting a European release. It’s not a bad effort either. My favourites would have to be the title cut, “Leaving and Gone” and “Somebody’s Praying For Me” My only issue would be that Michael doesn’t have a distinctive enough sound. There’s too much of a Tim McGraw/Toby Keith and countless other hat acts sound on this album. Having said that, it’s a radio friendly sound, so he should get plenty of airplay. “Bring It On!”
RANDY TRAVIS, who turned 50 last month, is coming to the UTV Festival in Belfast, and the Humphead label have taken the initiative to release a Double CD featuring 32 of his hits. They’ve also picked up on Carrie Underwood having recently covered Randy’s “I Told You So”, that they have used the song as the title cut. All the biggies are here – “Forever & Ever Amen”, “On The Other Hand”, “Digging Up Bones”, “Three Wooden Crosses”, “1982”, “Just A Matter Of Time” to name just a few. It’s a stunning collection of material from the voice, once considered “New Country”. We know now, that Randy was the voice of traditional Country forever.!
STELLA PARTON, Dolly’s wee sister, was a recent visitor to Scotland, as part of The Ladies Of Country tour. To tie in with the tour, Stella released her new album, “Testimony” (Attic Records). Although best remembered for hits like “Danger Of A Stranger”, Stella began her career in gospel music, and this album returns her to the “Positive Country” fold. Stella wrote, or co-wrote all 11 tracks on the collection, which features some really gospel sounding numbers, like “I Will Arise”, “Trophy Of Your Grave” , and “Daughter Of The King”. Other tracks are heavy on family values, including “Family Ties”, “Tell It Sister, Tell It” and “Virtuous Woman”. The stand out tracks for me include “Keep On Walking”, and “No Pride At All”, which has that unique Stella sound from the days she was hitting the charts. Some of her fans may find this album just too religious, but she certainly does a great job in singing her own message in song. I found the album a refreshing change to much of the over produced Country chart material coming out of Nashville these days.
BYRON HILL is quite an accomplished songwriter in Nashville these days. He’s responsible for loads of hits, including “Fool Hearted Memory” (George Strait,), Lifestyles Of The Not So Rich And Famous” (Tracy Byrd), “Politics Religion & Her” (Sammy Kershaw) and “Nothing On But The Radio” (Gary Allan), to name just a few. Now Byron has his own album, “Stay A While” (BHP). There’s 12 tracks, of which two will instantly get recognition for their tribute factor. “Blame It On Kristofferson” and “You Ain’t Chet Yet” are very different songs, but speak for themselves. I also enjoyed “Way Too Long”, and “The Photograph”, which have a kinda George Strait sound , whilst the more mid tempo “Life’s A Ditch” is perhaps more like a Mark Chesnut hit. George Hamilton IV would do a great job on “All The Home I Need”. When you listen to a songwriter’s album, you do tend to think, who had he in mind when he wrote this. Then the album finishes with a song called “My Daughter’s Father”, with the line, “What I Need To Be Is Myself”, and you realise this whole album is Byron himself. It’s a great little, thought provoking, song about dreaming of being something we’re not, when we just need to be ourselves. It’s a song many singers may have their eye on, but it’s Byron’s own. It sums up the whole album. He’s written for others for years. This album is Bryon Hill, by Byron Hill. It’s a good selection of songs, good enough for the stars. But the man himself doing them just makes them that little bit more special. Check him out at www.byronhillmusic.com
A great album to end our roundup for this edition.
April/May 2009
This time around we’re going to start in The Faroe Islands, north of Shetland, which never fails to impress with its’ production of traditional Country music. I doubt if many musicians in Nashville have even heard of the place, let alone played there, but they certainly love the traditional sounds. OLIVER (Olavur Hojgaard) is not the first Faroese artist I’ve reviewed in these pages, but he continues the trend of producing excellent real Country music albums. Perhaps it’s because of its’ remote location, that Country music there has remained so pure. To record this album, Oliver travelled to Nashville, to record his album “When I’m Dreaming” on Music Row, with players like Charlie McCoy, Wanda Vick, Lonnie Wilson, David Hungate and Brent Mason.All the songs are original, either written by Oliver, Martin Joensen or Lena Anderssen. He has a track on the album called “Gotta Go To Nashville”, which, of course, he did making the album. It did concern me that the traditional Country music sounds of The Faroes was selling out to the commercial Nashville scene, but I’m glad to say that there is no sign of that. The title track from the album has already received a bit of airplay from being included on the Hotdisc Rush Released Radio CD, which Jackie reviews in his column. Other tracks that I particularly enjoyed included “Baby Just Talk” and “My Horse And My Saddle And I”. But, really, there isn’t a bad track on the album. If you like real, traditional Country music, this is one for you (www.oliver.fo)
From Nashville comes RANDY HOUSER. His new album, “Anything Goes”, released here on the Blue Wrasse label has been, in his own words, “25 years in the making”. Randy got his break after writing Trace Adkins big hit, “Honku Tonk Badonkadonk”. That made people sit up and take notice of Houser. My initial impression was that this was quite a rocky affair, especially on the opening track, “Boots On”, and on numbers like “My Kind Of Country”, “Strange” and “Paycheck Man”. These tracks didn’t do much for me at all. But as I gave the album another listen, I found that he could handle a mean ballad too. The album’s title track is such a ballad. Well sung, and one that’s certainly made for Country radio. “Something Real” also falls into this category. Vince Gill joins Randy on the Jon Randell / Al Anderson composition, “How Many Times”, which more of an old fashioned soul ballad than a Country number. The closing track, “I’ll Sleep” is the most Country track on the album. It has a distinctive George Strait sound. That could be Randy’s problem. On balance, this ain’t a bad album, but he just doesn’t have a sound of his own. He just sounds like every other male singer in Music City. Nashville seems to be in an open door to entertainers from other genres these days. Whether you’re a dancer on ‘Dancing With The Stars’, or more famous for your movies, there’s an opening in Nashville for you (whilst the real Country singers can’t get a break). The latest name to appear is actor KEVIN COSTNER. He and his band, ‘Modern West’ have just released an album of modern Country music, called “Untold Truths”. In truth, it’s not a typical Nashville album. He used four different Music City studio’s as well as ones in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. None of the players are names you would instantly recognise from a Nashville album. The “Bodyguard” and “Dancing With Wolves” actor isn’t new to music. He was in a band called “Roving Boy” before he made it in Hollywood. He describes the album as “Roots rock with elements of Country”. He cites his influences as Mellencamp, Tom Petty and Springsteen. All of these influences come through on the album. There’s lots of twanging guitars.I did find the album quite listenable. Costner has quite a good voice, suited to these songs. It’s not a bad album, but directing it towards Country music fans may not be the best direction to promote his singing career.
Directing his music towards Country fans hasn’t done RAUL MALO any harm. The voice of The Mavericks, who was recently in Northern Ireland for the Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival has a new album, “Lucky One” just released here (Fantasy label). Raul comes over quite relaxed on this album, but then his sound is more inspired by the crooners than the cowboys. That’s not to say it’s not a bad album, I really quite enjoyed it. It was refreshing to hear an album this different. There are uptempo , Mavericks type tracks, such as “Something Tells Me”, “Hello Again” and , especially “Lonely Hearts”. The other tracks have quite a “retro” feel to them, which should appeal to a wider audience. Every track was co- written by Malo, and recorded at Sound Shop Studio in Nashville. I was never a huge Mavericks fan, and wasn’t taken with Malo’s previous solo outing, but I really found “Lucky One” to be a huge blast of fresh air.
Moving on down to Texas, and we find KIMMIE RHODES heading our way for a concert at Glasgow’s Classic Grand on May 2nd. Her music is Austin certified, and her songs have been recorded by everyone from Emmylou and Willie through to Wynonna and Peter Frampton. To tie in with her visit, her “Ten Summers” CD, originally released in 2005, is being re-issued here on April 19th on the Sunbird label. The album features the pick of her music during the 1995-2005 period, and includes collaborations with Waylon Jennings, Townes Van Zante, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris and Beth Neilson Chapman. All 14 tracks are written by Kimmie. The stand-out tracks are the Waylon duet, “Maybe We’ll Just Disappear”, and the beautiful “Love & Happiness” with Emmylou & Beth. There’s some nice music on here. I find Kimmie quite easy on the ear, and music is never overdone.
Staying with the American girls, and Long Island raised DIANA JONES paid us a quick visit last month, with dates in both Glasgow & Edinburgh. To tie in with the tour she released her 4th album, “Better Times Will Come”(Proper Records). Diana’s first break came when she had a song cut by Joan Baez, but it was her third album ,”My Remembrence Of You” in 2006 that really got her noticed. This album should further gain her recognition. Diana has a beautiful deep folksy voice, which works really well on the songs, which are all from her own pen. Guests on the album include Mary Gauthier and Nanci Griffith. The album includes Henry Russell’s Last Words”, the song which Joan Baez cut all those years ago, and “If I Had A Gun”, which Gretchen Peters fans may recognise. I really enjoyed the album, especially “All God’s Children”, “Soldier Girl” and “Evangelina”. Diana wont appeal to the pop Country fan, but if you like your Country music, veering towards folk, bluegrass and old timey influences, then this could really be one for you to treasure.
We’ve had quite a few new releases from south of the border in the past few weeks.
The first release on internet radio station CMR Nashville’s own label is “Butterfly In A Hurricane”, from 16 year old BRIANIE. Whilst Brianie recorded her vocals in Sailsbury, the music was produced in Nashville by Mark Moseley. Whilst possessing a strong voice, she has that “little girl” feel about the album, and it works really well on tracks like “Daddy’s School”, Lorna Flowers’ “I’m Not Ready Yet” and “Mama Tell Me”. She really does really strong versions on these numbers. Unfortunately she struggles with more uptempo numbers like “I Still Think About You” and “High Performance Woman”. Having said that, Brianie, is still young, and has plenty of time to perfect her craft. If she’s dedicated enough, she’ll make it.
BEX MARSHALL, originally from Devon, now bases herself in London. She is well travelled with her music, and has secured the talents of Hayseed Dixie’s Don & Dale Ross to play on her new album, “Kitchen Table” (House of Mercy Records). All ten tracks on the album are from Bex’s own pen. They are difficult to categorise. There’s traces of contemporary singers like Rosanne Cash , Mary-Chapin, Tift Merritt etc. Her voice has a raunchy bluesy edge to it, which works well on tracks like “Kitchen Table”, “Hot Headed Guy”, “Bad Bad Girl” and “Too Much Rock’n’Roll”. The voice isn’t so raunchy on the softer “Here Is My Heart” and “Head In The Clouds”. As if 10 original tracks aren’t enough to be going on with, Bex also gives CD buyers a recipe for Blackened Sticky Chicken Surprise (she did win on ITV’s Home Guest programme back in November). This isn’t traditional Country, but if you like original girl singer songwriters, be sure to check her out at www.houseofmercy.net
From an all original album, we head north to Manchester for an album of modern Country & linedance favourites from CACTUS JACK. “New Horzons” covers songs like “Some Beach”, “We All Get Lucky Sometimes”, “I Just Wanna Dance With You”, and “Friends In Low Places”. There’s 14 in total, all down in a very listenable style. Cactus Jack has been playing his music in Spain for the last few years, but is now back home, and, if this album is anything to go by, will settle in nicely to the scene here without too much trouble. Enquiries about the CD, and Cactus Jack, email cactusjack1947@yahoo.com
PATSY PETERS was born in Belfast, but now lives in London. As well as music, she’s regularly been on TV, on as diverse programmes as “The Bill”, “The Lenny Henry Show” and “Jack The Ripper”. But music has always been her love. And although previous albums have seen her jazz and mellow sound, her Country credentials take her back to the Wembley Festivals. Her album “Down Country Roads” features 17 well known Country standards, from “Country Roads” and “Snowbird” to John Denver’s “Follow Me” and Mickey Newbury’s “American Trilogy”. She does a fair job on the songs.
Finally, it’s back to the USA, for a stone Country release, from a guy called BOBBY MOUNTAIN. It may seem a strange name, but he appears to well named. This guy is huge. But don’t let that put you off. This Georgia native has delivered a mountain of an album called “Holding On” (BSW). It’s apparently his third release, but the first since 2001. This is real Country music. No artificial Music City ingredients are evident. I especially liked “Country Gold”,”Guitar Song” and the beautiful “Elijay”. But there ain’t no bad tracks here. “Build A Fire” has a good ol’ classic feel to it. “Only Money” has a clever approach to it, with the corny line, “Not worth the paper it’s written on”. Again, they’d never dare use a line like that in corporate Nashville! The album is made that just more special by the harmonies from Emily Rodgers. She and Bobby make beautiful music together.
It’s my pick of the pack for this month!
June/July 2010 Mags now OUT! Next Mag: August/September 2010
