Dec2009

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 Erurope before. Some of the songs are remastered, 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” are found here, alongside lesser known numbers, some written by Jim himself.
CD2 is one for the collectors. There’s a concert from August 1961from 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 an 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 wirth 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 relatioinships. 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 gas 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 dont 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 Howe 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 feelgood 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 uptempo 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 TexMex accordian 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 Peter on “Santa Ana Woind”, 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 Cuillens 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 thouroughly enjoyed this album.
Check her out at www.myspace.com/heatherbristow
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.
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
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

In the last issue, we told you how Lanark born JOHNNY REID won 5 awards at the Canadian Country Music Awards, establishing himself as one of Canada’s top Country music performers.
His latest album, “Dance With Me” (Open Road label) won the Album of The Year accolade, and it is certainly his best to date.
Johnny has a raw, wholesome, vocal style, and certainly has his own sound in Country music.
The album kicks off with the strumming guitar sound of “A Woman Like You”, which develops into an arrangement with some lovely pedal steel. It’s a really catchy radio friendly opener, and is followed with the equally catchy “Old Flame”.
The title track is a soft romantic number, co-written with rising star Victoria Banks.
Despite having moved to Canada over twenty years ago, Johnny has never lost his roots. He still has an unmistakable brogue, and calls his fan club, his “Tartan Army”. It’s reflected in his music too, with a strong celtic feel to “Brings Me Home” (what a great song for our Year of Homecoming ! ) and “My Old Friend.
There’s touches of pop and rock’n’roll in his music too, but should still appeal to Country listeners.
The album was recorded in Nashville. Johnny co wrote all the songs, with people like Brent Maher, who produced the album, and Tia Sillers, Mark Selway,Thom Hardwell and Cindi Thomson. But just look at the musicians – Glenn Worff, Richard Bennett, Tammy Rogers, Fats Kaplin, John Jarvis and Sam Lovine, amongst others. Then there’s Vicki Hampton (ex Dave & Sugar) on backing vocals.
This is a major Nashville production.
It’s ten years since Johnny Reid showcased at Country Music Week in Calgary. With his haul of awards, and such a superb album, which was a Top 10 album in Canada (all music genres), 2009 has certainly been Johnny Reid’s year.
SHANE CHISOLM missed out on any awards at the CCMA’a, but his album certainly deserves some recognition. “Hitchhiking Buddha” is a refreshingly bright and breezy album, that I found hard to take out of the CD player.
The CD kicks off with “Tundra & Tacoma”, a racy truck driving number, before slowing right down with a Byron Hill/Tony Hiller ballad, that he manages to deliver with some easy.
Next up is a rather pacey cover of “Kaliga”, and he’s back on the road with the album’s title track.
There’s a French accordian feel to “Taking Out The Trash”, whilst “Living Out Our Life” has quite a nostalgic feel to it, and I really liked it.
The album also features a gorgeous ballad, “Every Rose Has It’s Thorn”, a duet between Shane and Lynae Dufresne. A lady to look out for.
In the meantime, check out www.shanechisholm.homestead.com for one of the best albums of the year.
GEORGE CANYON is from the East Coast of Canada, and has been part of the Country scene there for several years now.
His latest album, “What I Do” has a good mix of Country sounds, from the honky tonk styling of “Pretty Drunk Out Tonight” to the emotional duet with Crystal Shawanda on “In Your Arms Tonight”, which they performed on this years CCMA Awards show, and deicated to forces in Afganistan.
There’s the rather suggestive , but fun “Betty’s Buns”, and the very serious title track.
George Canyon offers a lot of variety in this mix.
Check him out at www.georgecanyon.com

Oct 209

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 uptempo 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 Nicolson 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).
Seam’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 uptempo “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

Aug 2009

not available at this time

June 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 SPRINGFIELD has 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 COWTOWN released 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 aquired 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 based ANNIE 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, accordian, 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 sound on 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 BOYLE is 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 Micheal 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.

Apr 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 cant 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 here 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.

Feb 2009

There’s not as big a rush of CD’s this time around. But what we have is certainly quite varied.
I’m going to start with TOM THOMSON, whom I’d assume comes from Southern Perthshire. .He can be seen performing in the streets of Stirling with his keyboard.
His album. “The Muthill Man” features 6 self penned numbers, alongside some covers which he has adapted to his own style. The covers include “Brown Eyed Girl”, “Back Home Again”, “I Still Miss Someone” and “Lucille”.
His own songs offer local influences, with “Shona” being called back to Comrie, with other songs titled “The Old Muthill Road”, “Lady Mary’s Walk”, and “Peter Conway”, who is obviously one of his personal hero’s.
The CD doesn’t credit Tom with a great voice, and the arrangements aren’t what you would consider standard for Country music, but his original songs are interesting. I’m always looking out for songs with local influences. Why sing about Texas and Kentucky, when we have so many places at home worth singing about. For Tom to sing about Muthill & Comrie scores points with me.
Oklahoman BLAKE SHELTON has been one of the mainstays of the Nashville scene in recent years. He’s come a long way since he first appeared with “Austin” in 2001. His new album “Startin’ Fires”, has already gone Top 10 Stateside.
The album kicks off with “Green” with the catchy line “I Was Green Before Green was the thing”, before “Good At Startin’ Fires”, a good strong song, from which the album title is taken. Other strong songs include “I’ll Just Hold On” and “Country Strong”, which are both uptempo, whilst “ Home Sweet Home” has quite a quiet intro before building into a strong powerful ballad.
“This Is Gonna Take All Night” actually sounds more like a George Strait track, but it works equally as well for Blake. “Here I Am” co-written by Blake and Dean Dillon works well too.
Stand out track, though, is the closing track, recorded at Arrowhead Ranch with Miranda Lambert. “Bareskin Rug” was written by Miranda & Blake, and is a wonderful old time number. It’s just Blake, Miranda , a guitar and the crickets. The song certainly rekindled some interest in Miranda. She never sounded as Country on her own albums.
This is Blake’s 5th album, and one well worth adding to your collection.
MEGAN MUNROE may be a new name to you but she’s one of the names to look out for in 2009, especially if her album “One More Broken String” is anything to go by.
The lovely lass from Washington State, has done her bit in Hollywood appearing in various commercials, TV shows and films, but it’s the music that really means the most to her, so she moved to Nashville in 2007, and this album is her first national release.
It’s an all original offering. It’s not traditional Country. There’s a bit of blues in there as well, especially on “Good Fight” .
“Leavin’ Memphis” is a high energy tour of the USA
Most of the tracks are ballads, including “Pennies In The Ocean” which is a gentle ballad, as is “Shameless Fool” and “Perfect Storm”.
“Angel On Fire” is the stand out Country track, with its’ banjo, whilst “Belle Meade” has a rather nice old timey feel to it.
I really liked “Lonely Tonight”, which closes the album. She seems to put more into the song that the arrangement allows for, but it works well.
Not a bad debut. Check her out at www.meganmunroe.com
Down south now, and a new album from PAUL TAYLOR. Paul has been playing to Country & Linedance fans for the past 10 years, sometimes in the duo called Blue Rodeo (not to be confused with the Canadian Country rock band). His giglist includes venues from Haven holiday camps to Liverpool’s Philharmonic Hall.
His 10 track album, “ Beer In Mexico” was recorded in Nottingham.
Paul’s a good singer, and the production is first class. The song choice is certainly aimed at the linedance crowd, with covers of “Laid Back In Low Key” and “Galway Girl”, For Country fans, his version of Garth Brooks’ “The Dance” is superb. , and more up to date covers of “Make Her Fall In Love With Me Song” (George Strait), “I Don’t Know What She Said” (Blaine Larson) and the title track “Beer In Mexico” is from the Kenny Chesney songbook.
One of the lesser known songs, and one of my favourites from the album, is “White Rose”, which Fred Eaglesmith recorded a few years back. Paul’s version certainly fits into the album.
Not a bad album, and one of the British names to look out for this year. Check him out at www,paultaylorcountrymusic.co.uk.
KIM DICKINSON was born in Liverpool, but moved to Omagh when only 11 years old. She’s been a rising force in the Irish music scene in recent years, and has been playing Karen Carpenter in the touring tribute show “Yesterday Once More”.
No surprise then, that “Yesterday Once More” opens up her new 14 track CD on the AllCountry label..
The album features quite a variety from Middle Of The Road/Easy Listening numbers like “Yesterday Once More” and “Johnny’s Fool” to traditional Country like “ I Don’t Wanna” , “Leavin’On Your Mind”, “When Was The Last Time”, “A Safe Place To Land” , “Somewhere Between”.
She does a really nice slowed down version of “Past The Point Of Rescue”.
Kim has a good voice, suited for easy listening Country.
This album will win her many new fans.
www.allcountry.co.uk
From the same label is BRENDA MULGREW. Like Kim, Brenda is English born, but now lives in Northern Ireland. I think her new album, ”Time”, is her third release, and she continues to build up a strong following with her strong vocal style.
Brenda has a unique warble in her voice. There’s a bit of Gretchen Wilson in there. There’s also a hint of Elkie Brooks. She’s certainly has a sound all of her own.
The album kicks off with a really strong version of “Belfast Town”, a song that must stir the emotions in the city. It’s the same song that Roly Daniels is best known for. A real Belfast anthem.
She also goes through different Country styles, from Sara Evans, “Wait A Minute” to Kristofferson’s “Sunday Morning Coming Down” and Dolly’s “To Daddy”.
One of the strongest songs on the album is Rod Stewart’s “First Cut Is The Deepest” .
There’s two self penned songs, including a sentimental song for “Mama”, and the title track duet with labelmate TJ Stuart.
Brenda has a really superb voice that deserves to be checked out. One of the best on the scene at present.
Talking of TJ STUART. His latest album is “This Time”, again on the allcountry label. TJ, from Country Antrim, has a strong Country voice, and this CD features no less that 8 self penned songs, with others being from the songbooks of Hank Williams, Kris Kristofferson and George Strait.
There’s a token Irish number in the self penned “Irish Colleen”, and two duets with Brenda Mulgrew.
But his own songs deserve to be recognised. “Loves Blind” and “There’ll Never Be Another You” are bouncy radio friendly songs, whilst “ Without Love”, “As I Sit Here” and the title track are quite nice reflective ballads. Don’t dismiss them, just because he’s Irish. These songs are as good as Nashville sound. In fact, I did detect a certain Paul Overstreet influence in his own songs.
TJ was runner up in a nationwide talent show in 2006, and went on to tour with Moe Bandy and Gene Watson. I’m sure we’re going to hear a lot more of him in 2009.
Both Brenda & TJ are featured on the “BEST OF BRITISH” CD, produced by HotDisc, which Jackie Blair reviews every time in this magazine. Basically, Hotdisc is a monthly compilation CD sent out to DJ’s across Europe. Each year, the most popular British tracks are selected for a British CD to sell to the public. This year’s 23 track selection features Dave Sherriff, Chilli Gold, Bryan Chalker, Kelly Lee and Gary Curtis, alongside three Scots acts.
The hard working Paula Macaskill is featured with her version with the old Seekers hit, “I’ll Never Finds Another You”, whilst One Day40 offer their original “Sad Cowboy”. Also singing her own song is CMR presenter Jackie Storrar. The singer who is brining her show to Dunfermline’s Carnegie Hall on February 5th is featured with “She’s All Cried Out”.
The album will cost £9.99 and is available direct from Hotdisc (they’ll also throw in an extra 4 CDs for free). You can also buy the complete 10-Disc set of Best Of British albums in the series (1999-2008) for an inclusive postage-free price of £40 - send a cheque made payable to Hotdisc Limited and mail to Hotdisc, Stables Cottages, Eildon Hall, Melrose TD6 9HD, Scotland. Or you can pay directly by Paypal using our dedicated Paypal e mail address at hotdisclimited@aol.com.

Dec 2008

Christmas must be coming. Lots of new CD’s to review this time around.
I’m going to start this month with a look at two cracking CD’s from Down Under.
KIRSTY LEE AKERS is a young lady who came to the notice of record producers in the 2007 Toyota Starmaker Talent competition, when she was still in her teens. What a find they made. This lady has a bright breezy feel to her debut album “Little Things”, especially through songs like the title track, the old Little Jimmy Dickens hit “I’m Little But I’m Loud”, “Goin’ To The Beach” and “If You Cant Be Good Be Gone”. Lots of good old fashioned fiddle give the album a feel good traditional sound, yet still incredibly radio friendly.
But the NSW youngster can deliver a mean ballad too. Songs like “I Dream He Dreams Of Me” and “The Real You” really work, as does her own composition, “It Gets To Me”.
However, the stand out track is one called “The Territory”. It’s about a girl growing up in the care of the state, and wondering who’s gonna look out for her when she reaches 18 and left to her own devices. The opening lines, “I was born in the Territory to a woman who never really wanted me, I don’t know if daddy did, I don’t even know who he is”, really sets the scene. It’s a really powerful song from a youngster’s viewpoint. It certainly caught my attention. The lass delivers a really strong version.
Kirsty Lee Akers has the follow up to “Little Things” due for release in the new year. She’s got a hard job following up this excellent debut. I’m sure she’s going to be a huge star, not only in Australia, but internationally.
Next up, I’d like to introduce you to Sophie & Celeste, THE SUNNY COWGIRLS. They are Australia’s downhome Dixie Chicks. They have great family harmonies, and share the songwriting credits. Unlike Kirsty Lee above, the sisters are unmistakably Aussie. Their accents really stand out, and with song titles like “Grog Monster”, “Old Silo” and “Dancing On The Darling”, the songs won’t translate well outside their native land.
But then again, the same should apply to “Neighbours” and “Home & Away”, and if we Brits can love Aussie soaps, why not their music.
They have a good solid driving hi-energy sound, but still 100% Country. They really remind me of a Canadian trio called Farmers Daughter, who had a sound I just loved.
They can handle fast numbers like the collaboration with Adam Brand on “Someday” (the only song either of the girls didn’t write) to soft ballads like “One Of You”.
In my view, two stand out tracks for me. “Ten Bucks In The Glovebox” is a good driving song with a message about being grateful for what you’ve got.
The other worthy of a mention has a Scottish connection. “Kelpie” is a beautiful story of the Kelpie working dog was introduced into Australia. It tells how farmer Jack Gleeson was so taken by George Robertson’s “Scottish dogs”, and one in particular. It’s a true story (I checked it out on Wikipedia).
Two very different artists from Australia. Two totally refreshing sounds, neither overproduced, and I found both very enjoyable. Both are on the Compass Bros label.
Back home, ISLA GRANT is well respected for being one of our top singer songwriters, so when her new album, “Isla Sings Hank” (IGE label) arrived, it marked quite a departure for the lady.
As the title suggests, this is an album of Hank Williams classics, from the opening track, “You Win Again”, to “Move It On Over”, “Hey Good Looking” and “Take These Chains From My Heart”.
What is really impressive, however, is just how she makes many of these numbers sound like they are her own. Best examples of this include, “There’ll Be No Teardrops Tonight”, “Why Should We Cry Anymore” and “When God Comes And Gathers His Jewels”,
There no less than 14 tracks on here. All of Hank’s biggest hits, done in Isla’s own way. The album was recorded in Galway with some great musicians, including Charlie Arkins, Declan O’Donoghue and Martin Cleary. The whole album has a very traditional Country sound, without losing the Isla Grant sound that is her trademark.
Available from www.islagrant.net
Isla’s old label in Dublin have also released a new Isla Grant album, “Special To Me”. The album features previously released material with some tracks remixed, and is not authorised by Isla.
BUZZARD CREEK rekindle memories of one of the hardest working bands of a generation ago. The Falkirk based duo are back on the scene, and building up their reputation with gigs on the club scene all over the Central belt.
Their new 14 track CD, “Through The Years” features 14 tracks, isn’t an album of songs from the band’s previous existence, but does include a few songs that have clearly stood the test of time.
The choice is simply down to great songs that the band have found popular with audiences. There are classic oldies like Merle Haggard’s “Swinging Doors” and “Sing Me Back Home”, through Gene Watson’s “Carmen” and “Got No Reason Now To Go Home”, to more up to date hits like “Some Beach” and “A Little Less Talk”.
The production is really impressive, especially on the older numbers like “Union Mare & Confederate Grey”. They even manage to squeeze in a bit of rockabilly.
A good album, which can only enhance their careers. Catch them on their next club visit.
DON WILLIAMS remains one of the most loved Country singers in this part of the world. He’s not often thought of as a songwriter though. Well, “The Journey”, a new TV advertised album from Scotland’s own Country House label, sets out to highlight the writing talents of the Gentle Giant.
All the songs have been released before, but it’s good to hear a different selection of Don’s material – and all his own.
The most casual fan will recognise a few of the songs. The album features early hits like “In The Shelter Of Your Eyes”, “Lay Down Beside Me” and “Til The Rivers All Run Dry”. But you’ll also find songs like “Leaving For The Flatlands”, “My Heart To You”, “I Sing For Joy”, and the wonderful “I Need You To Want Me” that, perhaps only his real big fans will be instantly familiar with.
Throughout his career, Don has never made a bad record. Whilst this isn’t a greatest hits collection (and not intended to be), it’s a great Christmas idea for the laid back Don Williams fan in your life.
Now to the most recent releases on the Humphead label.
Kansas born CHELY WRIGHT has been a radio favourite since she first released “He’s A Good Ol’ Boy” back in 1994. The song only made No.58 on the Billboard charts, but the song proved to be a much bigger favourite than the chart position suggested. It was followed by songs like “Sea Of Cowboys Hats” and “Listening To The Radio”, which again won her many fans. But it wasn’t until “Shut Up & Drive” and “Single White Female” hit the Top 10, that Chely Wright really achieved the recognition that she deserved.
Sadly, despite some later hits like “She Went Out For Cigarettes”, “One Night In Vegas” and “Alligator Purse”, Chely has never really had the recognition that her music deserves.
But now, this 20 track midprice “Ultimate Collection” addresses the issue. Here’s a great selection from one of the most under rated songstresses in Nashville.
BILLY CURRINGTON is still one of Nashville’s new boys, despite being a seven year veteran of the scene. He scored two chart toppers from his previous album, and got to sing with Shania on “Party For Two”. Now, three years since his last album, he’s back with “little bit of EVERYTHING”, an 11 track collection, which features 5 self, or co-written numbers.
The album kicks off with the rather funky sounding “Swimmin’ In Sunshine”. There’s also a rocky feel to “That’s How Country Boys Roll”. But they are not typical of the album, which generally has a much softer feel to it.
The Bobby Braddock/Troy James song “People Are Crazy” has to one of my favourite cuts on the album. I also like his own “No One Has Eyes Like You” and “Every Reason Not To Go”.
There’s a calypso feel to “I Shall Return”, a style that has crept into maimnstream Country in recent years. Billy adapts to the style well.
This is a good album, has a “little bit of EVERYTHING”, and well worth investigating.
Notching up Humphead’s 50th Country release in the UK is LEE ANN WOMACK. Best known for “I Hope You Dance”, her new collection is called “Call Me Crazy”.
Lee Ann’s style has changed since she first appeared with a song “Never Again Again”. The promotional info released with the CD likens her to Tammy Wynette. The song subjects certainly relate with Tammy’s sound, but I find Lee Ann’s vocals much more fragile in delivery. That works for her.
The album kicks off with “Last Call”, dealing about her man being in a bar all night.
On “New Again”, she sings the praises of materialistic recycling, and hand me downs.
Social issues come to fore on “I Think I Know”, with lines “I Think I Know What killed Keith Whitley, and it wasn’t just the whiskey”.
Lee Ann is certainly tackling some interesting subjects, and delivering them from the heart.
She also duets on “Everything But Quits”, with George Strait and does a superb version of Jim Lauderdale’s “King Of Broken Hearts”.
This album will grow on you, I’m sure.
Our Canadian album this time around is the long awaited debut from the raunchy voiced CRYSTAL SHAWANDA. Her surname is native Indian for “Dawn Of A New Day”, which is the title of her debut album in both the US & Canada.
I had been very impressed by her early single “You Can Let Go”, a strong song between daughter & daddy, from her first bike, to getting married, and his final days. It’s a real thought provoking number, and Crystal does it really well.
She has a really strong raunchy voice, that hasn’t really been seen since Tanya Tucker & Lacy J Dalton. It works on the raunchier songs as well as softer ballads like “Tender Side” and What Do I Have To Do”.
But she can certainly use those vocals on bigger rockier numbers.
That really shows best with “My Roots Are Showing” – her family roots, of course.
She also tackles “Your Cheatin ‘ Heart”, and certainly doesn’t try to simply cover it. It’s a raunchy bluesy version, that really rocks. That wont win over the traditionalists.
But in the main, an impressive debut from an exciting star on the rise.
And just the remember the last Canadian to hit Nashville with an Indian name meaning “I’m On My Way”. There was no stopping Shania. Crystal Shawanda’s day is just dawning.
BRAD PAISLEY is one of Country music’s hottest talents. And those that remember seeing him at the Armadillo back in 2000 at that great All day Country festival, will recall just what a guitar wizard he is!
This album really shows off his guitar prowess, from the opening “theme like” ”Huckleberry Jam” to the slower “Kim”. There’s a very simple instrumental of “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”. You’ll also find an all star jam on “Cluster Pluck” featuring James Burton, Albert Lee, Vince Gill, Steve Wariner and others.
The vocal tracks include Keith Urban on “Start A Band”, Steve Wariner on the beautiful “More Than Just This Song” , BB King on “Let The Good Times Roll” , comedian Andy Griffith on “Waitin’ On A Woman” and Buck Owens on “Come On In”. The Buck track has a most interesting story. It features a demo Buck recorded in his office before he passed away. It’s Buck on vocals, mandolin & dobro. It’s great what technology can do.
Instrumental albums don’t really sell well these days, but with the five great duets (all potential hit singles, and CMA Vocal Event nominees), it’s not really the instrumental album that it’s being billed as.
Whether it’s his playing or singing you prefer, Brad Paisley does have one great album in “Play” (Arista)
KENNY CHESNEY, despite being a huge American star, and having his last few albums all released here, has never really caught on outside of America.
Maybe it’s down to the laid back gulf coast retreat influenced songs that are his trademark.
His new album, “Lucky Old Sun” released here on the BNA label follows the formula that’s been so successful for him back home.
He has a few guests throughout the album, including The Wailers, Dave Mathews, Mac MacAnally (on his own “Down The Road”), and Willie Nelson on the rather bluesy title track.
The track that stands out is a lightweight reggae number with the quaint title of “Everyone Wants To Go To Heaven, But Nobody Want To Go Now”. It’s quite a catchy little number that’ll get into your head.
This isn’t a bad album, but it just doesn’t move me. It’ll be great for lying on an isolated beach paradise with the tide out. But there’s not even a ripple of excitement.
If you have enjoyed his previous albums though, then you wont be disappointed this time around.
MIKE DENVER is one of Ireland’s current big names. His latest album, Got A Funny Feelin’” (Sharpe Music) continues his trend of good happy Country music and pop classics.
The Harlan Howard penned opener really gets the party started before he goes all sentimental with a beautiful cover of Bobby Goldsboro’s “Honey”. He covers Vince Gill’s lively “Old Time Fiddle”, and Garth Brooks’”The Dance”.
There’s shades of pop, with “Happy Birthday Baby” and “Everyday Is A Beautiful Day”. There’s a token Irish number, in “As Happy As We Were”.
Then there’s George Jones! Yes- thee George Jones. The Possum teams up with Mike on “The Real Deal”, and writes the sleevenotes.
If Jones takes notice of Mike Denver, then you should too. He is Ireland’s big name at the moment.
Next up is a new album called “To Make You Feel My Love” by BARRY KIRWAN.
Barry is the son of the ever popular Dominic, and brother of Colm, who released his debut album last year. Now young Barry, who plays drums in his dad’s band is getting in on the act.
He may have a more poppy sound that either Dominic or Colm, (covers of Dylan, Beatles, Herman’s Hermits and Marmalade) but there are some signs of a Country boy in there. His version of Brad Paisley’s “Flowers” is really impressive, and I enjoyed his versions of “Your Everything” and “Love is Never Ending”.
He also gives his takes on John Micheal Montgomery’s “Be My Baby Tonight” and John Anderson’s “Swingin’”.
There’s two duets, “Callin’ Me” with his dad. It’s probably the strongest song on the album. He also does Alan Jackson’s “ Never Loved Before”, with Sinead Taggart doing the Martina McBride duet.
It’s not a bad album at all. Quite a variety of styles. It can be ordered at www.dominickirwan.com.
If Mike & Barry are relatively new names on the Irish scene, then PHILOMENA BEGLEY is a legend, in every sense of the word.
“I’ll Only Give This Up When It Gives Me Up” is an apt title for her latest album, which marks her 45th year in the business. That’s not a misprint. She began her career in 1963 in The Old Cross Ceili Band.
Today she is still Ireland’s Queen Of Country Music. She is still at the top, and she just seems to get better every time you see her live.
This album features 17 tracks, many of which will be familiar- songs like “Pass Me By (If You’re Only Passing Through)”, “Wind Beneath My Wings” and “Que Sera Sera”. There’s also lesser known songs, like “The Last Supper”, a convincing song of betrayal, and “Family Tree”, which is particularly strong. She also features two Isla Grant song’s, “Listen To The Children” and “Life’s Storybook Cover”.
The 17 track CD is packaged with a nice little DVD, with Philomena taking you into her home town, and snips of some of her most memorable TV appearances throughout the years, including the Wembley Festival.
You cannot argue with someone who has been around for 45 years. This CD/DVD package on the H&H Music label is certainly a nice little celebration of Ms Begley’s career.
Back to the states, and at a time when it seems the youngsters are taking over, it’s interesting to hear a debut album from a 53 year old. St Louis born, BIG BOB YOUNG has been crafting his career all his life, whilst spending time in the Air Force, or working in as diverse jobs as a farrier , a mechanic and a clown. He also spend time in Country and Jazz bands, and both influences are apparent on “Hard Way To Make A Dollar”.
There is a lot of blues influence too, but Country shines through on tracks like “Best Of A Bad Situation”, “Bury Me In Dixie” and “Mississippi Nights”
The “Green Country Stomp” is a good old fashioned hoedown. It’s a good uptempo party number.
The title track has a Chuck Berry rock’n’roll beat which works well.
There’s not a lot of polish about Big Bob Young. This is working man’s music. A bit of everything! A refreshing blast in today’s manufactured music world.
Check him out at www.builtonblues.com.
A few months back, we reviewed a new DVD by DAVID FRIZZELL, and a single called “This Is Our Time”, which featured many names we just don’t hear from these days, like Lacy J Dalton, Jimmy Fortune and Helen Cornelius. Now comes a full album of duets with David and some of these names, and more.
“This is Our Time” comes with a behind the scenes DVD, showing the making of the album.
He teams up with Crystal Gayle on the soft sentimental “Wedding Dress For Sale, and Merle Haggard on brother Lefty’s “If You Got The Money I Got The Time”.
Gene Watson duets on “The Long Black Veil”, and Jeannie Seely joins Frizzell on “Nobody’s Darling But Mine”. There’s also guest spots from T Graham Brown, Joe Stampley, Bobby Bare and Johnny Lee.
His pairing with Lacy J Dalton (best remembered for “Black Coffee”) on “Something ‘Bout You”, and his solo “No Regrets” are the stand out tracks for me.
But if there’s a message in this album, it’s that Country music doesn’t give the support to acts like these any longer. The song “Three Minutes” (which is actually 11 seconds longer than that) takes a swipe at today’s Nashville, and suggests there’s “something missing”. I fear it’s not missing, it’s just ignored.
Don’t ignore this album. This is Country music’s legacy.
Talking about legacy’s, there’s two new packages which will make ideal Christmas presents for the traditional Country fan in your life.
Firstly H&H have released a wonderful 2CD package from JIM REEVES. “I’m A Hit Again” features 36 rare and unreleased tracks, including alternative versions of “Distant Drums”, “Four Walls” and “Am I Losing You”. There’s also a version of “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer “ recorded with The Nashville Symphony from 1961, and a live version of “He’ll Have To Go”. The second CD features extracts from Jim’s American Forces Radio series, including cute jingle,
Some of the songs sound quite refreshing, others very dated, but that’s the beauty of these recordings. “I’m A Hit Again” has also been released as a single. Could he be a hit again after all these years? An interesting thought.
In much the same vein, TimeLife have released a 3 CD, 54 previously unreleased tracks from HANK WILLIAMS. “The Unreleased Recordings” is just the first box in what is a series of recordings from his “Mothers Best” sessions- a radio series sponsored by a milling company, dated 1951. The radio show went out live at 7.15 every morning. These recordings were from the few occasions that Hank was scheduled to be out of town, so were pre-recorded. There’s certainly some gems in here.
They include songs that Hank never released commercially, like “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain”,”Cherokee Boogie” and “The Blind Child”.
Hank Williams music these days is a collectors market. They are truly memorable sounds that you’ll be proud to own.
Finally, we finish with a seasonal offering from Canadian sweetheart, MICHELLE WRIGHT. “A Wright Christmas” was originally released a few years ago, but now gets a British release through Proper Distribution.
It features traditional favourites like “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”, “Joy To The World”, “Winter Wonderland” and “Jingle Bell Rock”. Michelle does them with style and tradition.
There’s one original number. “I Know Santa’s Been Here” was written by good friend Patricia Conroy. It’s a jolly number that fits into the Christmas theme very well.
A good party album for Christmas Day.
Merry Christmas, and Happy listening!

Oct 2008

My featured CD this time around has to be “THE ULTIMATE COWBOY COLLECTION”, a 2 album release by H&H Music for the British market. It is essentially two albums in one.
CD 1 is a reissue of the outstanding western album from Moe Bandy, from several years back. It features 20 tracks, including “I’m An Old Cowhand”, “Home On The Range”, “Streets Of Laredo”, “Red River Valley” and many more. Moe does an great version on these songs. The album has been reissued before, so you might just have it in your collection, but , if not, don’t miss out on it this time.
It’s packaged with a compilation of 20 real classic cowboy songs, that should be in every Country fans collection. You’ll find Roy Rogers’ “Four Legged Friend”, Patsy Montana’s “Cowboy Sweetheart”, Eddy Arnold’s “Cattle Call”, plus Gene Autry, Slim Whitman, Frankie Laine and even Elvis!
Together, it’s a great tribute to the old West, and a very welcome addition to any collection.
RACHEL HARRINGTON was raised in Oregon, but is certainly raising awareness of her music over here. The recent visitor to Scotland for Perth’s Southern Fried Festival, and some other dates, has just released her second album, “City Of Refuge” (Skinny Dennis Records).
The lady has a beautiful crystal clear vocal style, which blends in nicely with the old timey simple instrumentation, which features mandolin, dobro, upright bass, clarinet, fiddle , guitja & guitar.
The album is produced by Evan Brubaker, and mixed by David Ferguson, who mixed Johnny Cash’s American Recordings, and features Tim O’Brien.
Stand out tracks for me include the poetic “Carver” about short story writer Raymond Carver, the traditional “I Don’t Want To Get Adjusted To This World”, “Housewife’s Lament” and the opening track “Karen Kane”. There’s also an interesting version of “Ode To Billie Joe”.
Mixing Country, folk, bluegrass & old time music, Rachel Harrington is a treasure waiting to be discovered. If you haven’t yet, check out this album, and make a date for one of her gigs when she returns next year.
From Mississippi, comes a young man, new to me. His name is COURTNEY HOGAN. But if his debut album, “Burn A Memory” is anything to go on, this wont be the last we’ll hear of him.
He arrived in Nashville in a band called Nickajack, and enrolled with Belmont College at the top end of Music Row. Now he has his first solo CD out, featuring 12 tracks. Two are self compositions, and others written by Ellen Wood Wells, Sandy Dunkley and Al Cuculli.
There is certainly a theme of looking back, with song titles like “Born Yesterday”, “Back Then”, She Still Gets To Me”, “He’s Not Getting Old” and “Long Way Back”.
There’s a bit of fun injected into the album on “Red Motorcycle And A Blue Tattoo”, about being turned on by a girl on two wheels, that he follows her until the bike stops, for him only to see the rider’s moustache.
That’s in complete contrast to the next track, “Only Three” a sentimental family song about a dying son. He also offers some Southern rock with his own “I’m From The South”.
This guy can turn on a variety of styles – and they’re all Country. A name for the future. Check out www.manninghollowmusic.com.
Being described as a cross between a young Kristofferson and Dylan, is quite a tall order to live up to. But that’s just the tag that Texan singer songwriter HAYES CARLL has earned.
Humphead Records released his “Trouble In Mind” album in the UK during September, to coincide with a UK tour which included dates in Edinburgh & Fife.
Most of the songs are self penned, but the opening track, “Drunken Poet’s Dream”, was written with Ray Wylie Hubbard. There’s a wrye sense of humour throughout the album, as you’ll pick up from titles like “She Left Me For Jesus”, “I Got A Gig”, “Wild As A Turkey” and “Bad Liver And A Broken Heart”.
I particularly enjoyed “Girl Downtown”, which featured effective harmonies from Carey Kotsionis. I love to hear more of this lady’s voice.
As for Hayes, he has quite an unusual style. He’s a storyteller, who mixes honky tonk & Americana. Quite unique
He has the cream of Americana players on the album, including Al Perkins, Will Kimbrough, Brad Jones, Dan Baird, Fats Kaplin, Thad Cockrell and Darrell Scott.
But he’s different enough to stand out from the crowd.
Alabama born & raised JAMEY JOHNSON is one of Nashville’s current hit songwriters. He has also been building up recognition as a singer, since releasing “The Dollar” in 2005. He wrote Trace Adkins hits, “Ladies Love Country Music” and “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” and last year’s CMA Song of the Year, “Give It Away” for George Strait.
Now his current album, “That Lonesome Song” gets a British release thanks to the enterprising Humphead label.
The album features 13 tracks, with all but two written, or co-written by the rising star.
The two non compositions are the Waylon styled “Dreaming My Dreams With You” and “The Door Is Always Open”. In fact, there is a distinct Waylon feel to the whole album, which is summed up in the final track “Between Jennings & Jones”. It’s an autobiographical lifestory about his journey to date. He is more Jennings, than Jones though!
The tracks that are a little less Waylon, include “Place Out On The Ocean”, “That Lonesome Song”, the catchy “Women”, and the beautiful “Stars In Alabama”
The guy has a solid Country voice. The arrangements are decidedly Outlaw. He’ll certainly appeal to Waylon’s fans. He sounds good. I’d like to have heard a little less dependance on the old Jennings style though.
Humphead are renowned for their excellent compilations, and the latest comes from KATHY MATTEA. “The Ultimate Collection” features 22 tracks, including all the biggies like “Eighteen Wheels & A Dozen Roses”, “Goin’ Gone”, “Come From The Heart”, “She Came From Fort Worth” and “Where’ve You Been”.
The album scans the years that she was signed to Mercury Records, from her first hit “Street Talk” right through to “Love Travels”.
In her career, the West Virginia native, who hopes to be back in Scotland in the new year, had 16 Top 10 Country hits. All but one (A Few Good Things Remain) are featured on this great value for money collection.
The CD is accompanied by a booklet with the song lyrics, and an introduction by Alan Cackett. If you need an introduction to Kathy Mattea, this is an ideal collection, then follow it up with her current realease,”Coal”, which is a masterpiece.
GENE WATSON is building up a strong following in Ireland, being a regular visitor there. His most recent visit was for the Dungannon Festival, and it was to capitalise on his success there, that Humphead Records have released “Matters Of The Heart”, a 20 track compilation of material from his 4 years on the MCA label back in the early eighties.
He did get his only Number One, “Fourteen Carat Mind” during this period, which is featured here, alongside 3 of the other 7 Top 10’s he had in this period.
It’s not a Greatest Hits collection by any means. It is, however, a good listen. Long time fans may have most of these songs on vinyl, but this is probably the first chance you’ve had to get hold of them on CD.
As one of the most Country voices around, you wont go far wrong with this album.
KIMMIE RHODES recently supported Emmylou Harris on her British dates, which included Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall. To coincide with her visit, her new album, “Walls Fall Down” was released here.
It’s quite a pleasant album, with a voice that grows on you. As a singer songwriter Kimmie has written nine of the twelve tracks, including the opening title track, which really shows off her delicate voice.
I also quite enjoyed “Make The Morning Shine”, which has a lovely melody.
She also does good versions of Townes Van Zandt’s “If I Need You” (the Don Williams/Emmylou duet is probably the best known version), and “Sex & Gasoline” from the pen of Rodney Crowell.
It’s over two years since I featured an interview with MANSON GRANT in the pages of this magazine. He talked then about his love of Buck Owens (who had recently passed away), and that he may do a tribute album.
Well it’s here! “A Tribute To Buck Owens” (Pan Records) features 14 of Buck’s songs, done in Manson’s own style. All the biggies are here, from “Crying Time” and “Together Again” to “Open Up Your Heart”, “My Heart Skips A Beat” and “I’ve Got A Tiger By The Tail”.
Manson has recreated Buck’s Bakersfield sound – without leaving Wick. The album was recorded at the town’s Studio-D, and features hard working northern musicians like Phil Anderson, Gordie Gunn, Richard Neilson, and Manson’s longtime fellow Dynamo Robert Cameron.
The album should be in shops, but if you’ve any trouble, check out www.panrecords.co.uk
SUSAN McCANN has been one of Northern Ireland’s top entertainers for decades now, and can still produce the goods. Her latest double album, “Once Upon A Time” (H&H label) features “40 Story Songs & Singalongs” according to the CD sleeve. I wouldn’t disagree.
The collection does feature some older recordings such as her duets with Porter Wagoner on “Chuck The Chuck Wagon” and Daniel O’Donnell on “Rose Of My Heart”, There’s also medleys which feature Sean Wilson.
Elsewhere, there’s a good mix of Country covers, like Ian Tyson’s “Someday Soon”, The Judds, “I Just Drove By” and Ricky Skaggs’ “I Wouldn’t Change You If I Could”, and Irish numbers like “Mary From Dungloe” and “Town I Loved So Well”.
The title track is a brand new song from the pen of Patrick Henry, and is already getting great response from fans.
Susan is still performing, and presenting a 2 hour Country programme each weekday night across Northern Ireland on Five FM, Six FM, Seven FM & Q101.
From the same label comes SEAN WILSON’s new double album , “A Road That Never Ends”. The king of the singalong has 66 songs on offer. The first CD features full songs like “Excuse My I Think I’ve Got A Heatrache”, “Sonny’s Dream”, “Back On My Mind” and “It Takes An Irish Man To Sing An Irish Song”.
The second CD features 10 of Sean’s trademark medleys. Most of them feature Irish songs, although there is a Scottish medley in there. There’s also a selection featuring a few Neil Diamond numbers, and another with a couple of Seekers songs.
It’s feel good party music. It’s not aimed at the hard core Country fan but, nevertheless a good listen.