Dec2012

Nobody can deny that HANK WILLIAMS JR has made his own career. He may be the son of the legendary Hank Snr, but with a career that stretches back to 1964, and well over a hundred chart hits, he has made his own mark on Country music. That mark has always had an edgy Southern Rock/Outlaw/Honky Tonk feel to his music.
His new album, “Old School New Rules” (Humphead) is just what you’d expect from Hank Jr. It’s edgy, honky tonk music, with more than a patriotic slice of real Americana, and old school Country music.
The title track mentions Johnny Cash and Marshall Tucker, whilst he keeps the family tradition alive with “I’m Gonna Get Drunk And Listen To Hank Williams”, on which he duets with Brad Paisley. There’s also a duet with Merle Haggard on “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here And Drink”.  He also does a heavy rockin’ version of his fathers’ “You Win Again”.
Always looking to be controversial, he plays the American patriot card on “We Dont Apologise For America”, “Who’s Taking Care Of Number One” and “We’re Gonna Take Back Our Country”, which features a good number of his fathers influences.
Stand out track is the catchy gulf coast number “Three Day Trip”, which sounds like it’s right out of a Raul Malo album. I also enjoyed the humour of the “Stock Market Blues”.
The sleeve notes refer to ESPN’s dropping of his music from Monday Night Football, citing that the network “decided that I had no right to Freedom Of Speech”. It may have riled him into making this album, but it is the best Hank Jr has produced for a while.
I really enjoyed the collection (with the exception of the American patriotic numbers). Country music needs guys like Hank Jr to keep it fresh.

Groups with female lead singers are the current in thing in Nashville’s pop culture. LITTLE BIG TOWN have been around for a few years now, and have really reached the pinnacle of their career with their fifth album, “Tornado”, which has already produced the No.1 single “Pontoon”. The two guys/two girls group, consisting of Karen Fairchild, Kimberley Schlapman, Phillip Sweet & Jimi Westbrook, could be Nashville’s answer to Abba!
Indeed they just have too much of a manufactured pop sound for my ears. The title track, “Front Porch Thing”, “Self Made”, and “On Fire Tonight” are best examples of this. “Cant Go Back”, which is more of a ballad, does feature some nice harmony work, but oh so pop.
There are some nice ballads, such as “Sober” and “Your Side Of The Bed”, but the stand out track for me, is “Night Owl” which closes the album. The male vocal parts sound like the Everly’s and the females sound like The Family Brown. It’s an interesting mix. Sadly, it was the only track which caught my attention, or a rather pop sounding Nashville album.

Now EASTON CORBIN is something else ! The Florida native burst onto the scene with his 2009 debut album, and he’s back with a cracker of a follow up.
“All Over The Road” (Humphead) is an 11 song collection of new material from writers like Carson Chamberlain,(who produced the album), Bob DiPiero, Roger Springer, Michael White, Terry McBride and Shane MacAnally.
Whilst not writing any of the songs himself this time around (he co-wrote four on the previous album), he is certainly inspired by other singer-songwriters.
Corbin became the first male solo artist in 17 years to have his first 2 singles hit No.1, and he should have a few more with this album. The first single is the catchy “Lovin’ You Is Fun”.
I see the title, and opening track, “All Over The Road”, and “Only A Girl” being potential hits too. “A Thing For You”, has a catchy feel to it, with the minimum of instrumentation. I also really liked the simplicity of “Tulsa Texas”.
Most of the tracks have a mid to uptempo beat, but there a few nice ballads in “Dance Real Slow”, “Are You with Me” and “I Think Of You”.
People magazine cited Easton as “ the second coming of George Strait”. With George’s longevity, going back to before Easton was born, that may not be a bad thing.  George is giving up touring – enter Easton Corbin.  He’s the most Country artist coming out of Nashville these days.

TRACY BYRD was been one of Country music’s most consistent hitmakers of the 90’s, and to mark his 20th Anniversary, Humphead have released “The Definitive Collection”, with 20 of his early hits.
Included is his first chart hit, “That’s The Thing About A Memory”, his first No.1, “Holding Heaven”, and a string of other class songs like “Watermelon Crawl”, “Love Lessons”, “Lifestyles Of The Not So Rich And Famous”, “Keeper Of The Stars” and “4 to 1 in Atlanta”,
The great thing about Tracy Byrd is that he is COUNTRY!  He is old school, maintaining a good solid traditional sound to his music, with a taste of Texas Honky tonk thrown in for good measure.
These days, his family run a kitchen firm back in Texas. But his music still makes a great listen today!

TOBY KEITH, who graced the cover of the last issue on CMDS, has had quite an eventful career since first appearing on the charts in 1993, hitting the No.1 spot with his first single, “Should’ve Been A Cowboy”.  He later went through a publicity hyped spat with The Dixie Chicks, but I feel that it’s only since he started his own label, Show Dog, that he has been able to really express himself in his music.
“Hope On The Rocks” is his new album, released here by HumpHead, and features the catchy single “I Like Girls Who Drink Beer”. The title track, which kicks off the album, is a ballad which works well for Toby, but it’s songs like “The Size I Wear” that really show Toby’s fun side.   “Cold Beer Country” is another rather different sounding honky tonk song, which is really infectious.
Other uptempo numbers include “Get Got” and “Haven’t Had A Drink All Day”
I didn’t care much for the rather rocky “Scat Cat” , or the remixes of previous hits “Red Solo Cup” or “Beers Ago”, which totally detract from the original hits.
Nevertheless, an interesting album, and no doubt, a huge seller!

There are no shortage of groups on the American scene these days. LIVEWIRE are one of the hottest new bands on the block, with an album, “Livin” (Way Out West)  which is getting a lot of exposure recently.
They are a six piece outfit from Missouri, and have been together for the past decade honing their craft.  There is a definite Lonestar influence, which will do them no harm, as the formula has certainly worked for many groups.
“Whiskey Sunday” is a particularly catchy number, which stands out for me.
“I’ll Go To Prison” has quite a Hank JR / Southern Rock sound to it, which will make them stand out from the rest of the groups out there. “What Makes You A Man” also has a strong message in its’ lyrics.
Whether they will make it through the charts remains to be seen, but Livewire are certainly as good as any of the current crop of bands coming out of Nashville. Check them out.

Lurking in many Country groups are individuals who really want to be out on their own. Some make the move, and it works. For others, they just disappear, but I’m confident that  CODY McCARVER wont regret leaving Confederate Railroad. He was a member of the popular group for 12 years (albeit, joining the band after they were at the height of their career with songs like “Trashy Women” and “Jesus & Mama”), as keyboardist, but has so much more to offer.
His new album, “I Just Might Live Forever” (AGP) sees him billed as “Country’s newest outlaw”. He certainly rekindles influences of Waylon, David Allan Coe, Hank Jr, all rolled up with a Conderate Railroad sound.
Richard Sterban of The Oakridge Boys adds some “Bow Chicka Wow Wow”, in “Elvira” style, which I can see being a big dancefloor hit. “You Cant Hide Money”, has a good redneck beat, with a bit of humour added in.
He does prove that he can slow it down, on the rather romantic sounding “Left Side Of The Bed”, and I really enjoyed “Redneck Friends Of Mine”.
No fewer than three of the tracks are from movie soundtracks, including “Lets Get Dirty” from the Dirt Track Racing based “LA Dirt”; “Outlaws & Trains”, a softer song from  “Cole Younger & The Black Train”, and the impressive uptempo CD title track, from “Billy The Kid”.
“White Trash With Money” has a great uptempo Country beat , and I don’t even mind the Country rap lines from Colt Ford.  The appearance of Big Smo, another southern rapper, on the closing track did leave me cold, however. I’d also pass on the patriotic “I’m America”, and “Kick It In The Four Wheel Drive”.
But in the main, I really enjoyed this Southern rock experience!

Hank Cochran was one of Nashville’s most legendary songwriters writing major hits for Patsy Cline, Ray Price, Eddy Arnold ,George Strait and others. Cochran was also a recording artist between 1962 and 1980, scoring seven times on the country music charts, with his greatest solo success being the No. 20 "Sally Was a Good Old Girl".
He moved to Nashville , aged 24 and teamed with Harlan Howard to write the song "I Fall to Pieces." For Patsy Cline, who also recorded Cochran's "She's Got You"  and "Why Can't He Be You". He was one of the most fascinating people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.
Sadly, he died on July 15, 2010, aged 74, but his music lives on, and now relative newcomer on the Country scene, JAMEY JOHNSON has released an album dedicated to the songwriter. “Living For a Song”  (which was also the title track to Hank’s last album). The album, released here by Decca, features 16 tracks with some really impressive partners,
Emmylou joins in on “Dont Touch Me”, Allison Krauss on “Make The World Go Away”, Ray Price on “You wouldn’t Know Love”, Elvis Costello on “She’ll Be Back”, and George strait on “The Eagle”. And I just loved “A-11” with Ronnie Dunn.  There’s also several contributions from Willie Nelson, Vince Gill, Leon Russell and Kris Kristofferson.
On previous releases Jamey has sounded like more of an outlaw, but on this outing he really shows his traditional roots. It’s a wonderful tribute to one of the few people that Nashville can truly consider a legend.

The first of our home grown Scottish releases this time comes from Hamilton based TOM HOGAN, who was most recently been touring around the clubs as one half of Tequilla. “Keeping It Real”, is all Tom’s own work. He wrote all 10 songs (one co-written with Frank Young), played all the instruments, and produced the whole project, which was recorded in Strathaven.
The album is given a full sound, and features a good variety of songs. The album kicks off with “Heart Of The Country”, a good foot tappin’ number, which features some nicely placed harmonies from Irene Hulme, before he mellows a little for “Never Let You Down”.
Moving along, “Thinking About You Now”, which has a good uptempo beat to it.  “Words Alone” features keyboards a bit more, and perhaps more of a crossover appeal rather than straight Country!
But “Movin’ On” brings him back home. It’s a good driving guitar number, which suits his vocal style.
“It Aint Me” slows the pace again, and features some impressive instrumentation in its’ 47 second intro.  “Rollin It Over”, “For The Other And Me” and “Thought You Were The One” are also quite slow.
The album closes with a rather haunting number, “Tonight The Cowboy Rides Away.  Again featuring some interesting instrumentation.
Tom’s quite an accomplished guitar & keyboard player, and this album shows that side, as well as his vocals and songwriting skills.
Quite a talent.
Tomhoganx1@hotmail.co.uk

DEAN OWENS has been part of the Scottish scene, originally with his acclaimed Country rock band The Felsons, and then as a solo singer-songwriter. His new album is “Cash Back – Songs I Learned From Johnny” on the Drumfire label.
This is the recorded work following an evening of  Cash songs that Dean was part of at this summer’s Southern Fried Festival in Perth.
Will Kimborough, who plays on the session, claims that “this is not your everyday Johnny Cash tribute album “ (of which there have been a few) .
Dean has certainly put his own stamp on these songs. Although he has avoided the tried and tested “Ring Of Fire” and “Thing Called Love” and the like, he does include “I Still Miss Someone”, “Give My Love To Rose” and “I Walk The Line”. He also covers songs, that Cash recorded, but didn’t write, such as Dylan’s “Girl From The North Country” and Kristofferson’s “Sunday Morning Coming Down”.
I particularly enjoyed his cover of Nick Lowe’s (one time son in law of Johnny) “Without Love”, and The Stones ”No Expectations”.
From Dean’s own pen, comes “The Night Johnny Cash Played San Quentin”, a catchy , effective tribute, with lots of title dropping into the lyrics.  
It’s not Johnny Cash as you know him. By the same token, it’s not Dean Owens, as you’ve come to expect.
His most Country outing to date. One that will appeal to the Cash fans too.

There’s no question that MANSON GRANT & THE DYNAMOS are one of Scotland’s most successful  bands playing Country music. They are also quite different to any other group on the local scene, being the closest thing we have to the old Irish showbands.
Of course, that means when you see them, you’re in for a full blown entertainment experience, rather than a full Country show.
Having said that, their new album is simply called  “Country” (Pan Records) and reinforces their place in Country music.
There are twelve tracks on the album, mainly covers like “Daydreams About Night Things”, “Silver Haired Daddy”, “Streets of Bakersfield” and “Pass Me By”, which are performed in a good time dancing beat, as you’d expect.
Manson is featured on vocals on 8 of the tracks, including “The Mountains Are Higher In Scotland”, an original song, written by George Mack, and Keith MacLeod leads the vocals on Vince Gill’s “Pocket Full Of Gold”. The Dynamo’s also feature teenage award winning accordion wizard Brandon McPhee, who is featured on the instrumental “Celtic Cajun”, and on the vocals on Marty Robbins’ “Castle In The Sky”. Brandon proves to be as good a singer as he is on the accordion.
The album was recorded in Wick, but with additional work by Nashville’s resident Orcadian Phillip Anderson, who has added the talents of Steve Hinson and Fiddler Hank Singer into the mix.
It all comes out sounding good & fresh. Another winner from the far north!
www.panrecords.co.uk

Like him or loath him, you cannot deny that SYDNEY DEVINE is the most recognised Country music performer in Scotland. Everybody knows him.  He may not be everyone’s idea of what Country music is, but having been on the scene for 45 years, and still selling out the Glasgow Pavilion for three nights last month, the guy is a force to be recognised.
His latest Scotdisc release is a double album, “Tiny Bubbles And The Signature Songs”, with 43 instantly recognisable songs.
CD1 is all new recordings, but not new songs. These are new versions of the songs Sydney has been known for years. Songs like “Legend In My Time”, “Maggie”, “Almost Persuaded” , “The Answer To Everything” and “Crying Time”.  CD2 has more of the songs that he made his own, like “Laura”, “The Lightening Express”, “Scotland Forever”, and of course, “Tiny Bubbles”.
All recorded in Kilsyth, produced by Tommy Scott and Bill Garden, and featuring Steel guitar from Dougie Stevenson, guitars by Chas McKenzie, and harmonies from Eve Graham and Kevin Finn (from The New Seekers), this is just what you’d expect from Sydney.
No surprises. Just great singalong songs.
His fans will love it. If you’re not a fan, then this won’t win you over.

There’s no doubt that Ireland keeps producing talented Country performers, and indeed is attracting youngsters both in audiences, and as performers. Lisa McHugh moved over to Donegal from Glasgow to pursue her career, and two lovely London lassies, Carrie & Leann Benn, moved to Enniskillen to pursue their career. So far it’s worked for them, and THE BENN SISTERS, have just released their third album, which coincided with a recent Scottish tour with Nathan Carter, and another around now with Shaun Loughrey.
The album, “Girls Night Out” (Diamond Records) is a collection of classic Country tracks from the girls’ inspirations, from Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn to The Dixie Chicks and Gretchen Wilson.
You’ll find classics like “The Black Hills Of Dakota”, “Rose Garden” and “Blue Kentucky Girl”. Although there are a couple of duets, most of the tracks are performed by one or other of the girls.
Recorded mainly in Essex, the album features musicians like Wayne Golden, Richard Nelson and Eamon McLaughlin. It’s a good easy listening selection of well known songs, for any singalong party this Christmas.

From the fresh faced Benn Sisters, to the legendary FOSTER & ALLEN, who have a new double album released, called “The Ultimate Collection” (Demon Music Group). It’s apparently 30 years since Mick & Tony appeared on Top Of The Pops, and this album is a good collection of the songs they’ve made their own over the past three decades.
They are, of course, masters of the easy listening sound, and this is the ultimate easy listening album, with a touch of Country, Irish, Pop and Folk influences.  Old favourites include “Bunch Of Thyme”, “After All These Years”, “Old Flames” “When You Were Sweet Sixteen” and “The Wild Rover”.
You’ll tap your feet to “Mary Lou”, “Walk Tall”, “Johnny Will” and ”Happiness”, a reminisce with “The Old Rustic Bridge”, “Silver Threads Amongst The Gold”  and “The OId Rugged Cross”.
There are “duets” with Daniel O’Donnell, Gloria Hunniford and Jimmy Shand!  There are Cliff Richard covers in “Power To All Our Friends” and “The Young Ones”!. And there’s “A Tribute To Tommy Makem”.
You certainly cannot knock the duo for their versatility, and giving their fans value for money, with 40 tracks on this double CD collection.

NATHAN CARTER is another of the new young breed of Country singers out of Ireland. He recently pulled 400 fans into the Concert Hall in Glasgow, so must be doing something right. By all accounts, he is very much an entertainer, if not 100% Country.
His new album, “Wagon Wheel” (Sharpe Music) would tie in with that perception.
The album kicks off with the catchy title track, which has been recorded quite a few times of late. He also features the old Dobie Gray hit “Drift Away”, and does a great job.
He covers The Dixie Chicks’ “Long Time Gone”, Joe Nichols “Tequilla Makes Her Clothes Fall Off” and the classic “Nobody’s Darlin”, beautifully laced with some neat steel licks from Richard Nelson.
There’s songs by a few Irish writers, including Ben Sands (Hug), Mick Connor (Pub Crawl), Christy Moore (If I Get An Encore) and a couple from John Farry.
He also covers Dougie McLean’s “Caledonia”. I guess we should feel honoured that an Irish singer, born in Liverpool, should want to sing such a Scottish anthem. Why, I’ve not quite worked out.
But, nevertheless, a good catchy, well produced album, that will win him many fans,

PETE KENNEDY has been making quite a name for himself on both sides of the Atlantic during the past year. The singer songwriter from Co, Offaly in Ireland, has been doing some important appearances in Nashville, as well as some fine recording, and songwriting there. Over here, he’s been appearing at festivals like Wolvestock, and on major tours opening for Neil Sedaka & The Stylistics.
He released “Nashville Sessions Vol 1” earlier this year, and has followed up with “Vol 2” (KEMC Records). Each of the CD’s have 6 original songs. Both sessions were produced by Mark Moseley at Sound Control studios in Nashville. Mark has worked with many artists from this side of the ocean.
On Volume 2, Pete has worked with Ayla Brown, a former American idol contestant ,co-writing four of the songs, and dueting on “Do What’s Right”. The duet works really well. It could be Tim & Faith. A good modern Country pop delivery that has hit written all over it.
Volume 2 certainly does have a more modern “Nashville” sound to it, which should appeal the wider audiences that the Sedaka and Stylistics tours will have introduced him to.
“Crazy Country Girl”, co-written with Jo-Leay Gray comes over as the most Country track. It’s catchy, without being too poppy.
Pete has certainly proved that artists on this side of the Atlantic can produce a sound that fits so well into the Nashville groove.

STEPHEN SMYTH has built up quite a following as a solo Country performer on the Irish scene, and is back with, what I make out to be his 8th album, “Classic Country”.
As the album title suggests, it’s an album of well known Country covers, like Conway Twitty “Hello Darlin’ ”, Don Williams’ ”Some Broken Hearts Never Mend” and Ronnie Milsap’s “Pure Love”. There’s also Merle Haggard, Charlie Rich and Glen Campbell covers.
There are two original songs, I’m The Lucky One”, which opens the album, and the sentimental bonus track, “Here At Home In Ireland”, which fit nicely with the rest of the album.
Texan fiddler Bobby Flores (who is on the bill for Caithness next year) adds his magic to the album, as do The Benn Sisters with their lovely harmonies.
It’s a well produced album, but the song choice wont find too many admirers outside his already established fan base.

Back to the Americans.
BOB CHEEVERS should be no stranger to Country fans here, as the Texan singer songwriter has toured here on several occasions. He follows up his 2011 Texas Music Award for Singer Songwriter Of The Year, with a new double album, “Smoke & Mirrors”.
As Bob explains on the sleeve notes, “The phrase Smoke & Mirrors implies deceit, but to me, it also suggests how difficult it can be to see things clearly through life’s many distractions.  The Smoke disc is with a full band, with more of an electric, smokin’ feel to it, whereas the Mirrors disc is all acoustic, with more relevant lyrics”.
Well, if you haven’t heard of Bob, think Willie Nelson, and you’ll get a good idea of what he sounds like. The Smokin’ CD, as he says, has the full band. It’s a good solid Austin, Texas Outlaw sound. I really liked “Texas Diamonds”, “Flesh & Blood”, and the softer “Hope”, which shows Bob’s romantic side. He also does a really good Austin styled version of “Viya Con Dios”.
As expected the Mirrors CD is a rawer acoustic sound, with some specially placed accordion & banjo, for full effect.
One of the most interesting numbers is “Father McKenzie And Eleanor Rigby”, which has more than a passing resemblance to the Beatles song. “Dont Ever Sell Your Saddle” is one of the more uptempo, but still acoustic, numbers, and features some nice fiddle.
I also liked “She Cries Each Time She Hears A Train”, “Widow’s Walk”, and the banjo flavoured gospel number ““Man Named Jesus”.
Bob’s has recently been on tour here. If you missed him, it’s worth catching up with this album.

MATRACA BERG is one of Nashville’s songwriters, who has also a good run of recordings as well.
She has written hits for Reba McEntire (Last One To Know), Deanna Carter (Strawberry Wine), Trisha Yearwood (XXX’s & OOO’s, Wrong Side Of Memphis), Suzy Bogguss (Give Me Some Wheels,) and more recently, Kenny Chesney (You & Tequilla), and at the same time, recording a number of albums herself, over the past 20 odd years.
Her latest album, “Love’s Truck Stop” (Proper) was released to coincide with a short tour, which saw her perform at Glasgow Arches venue.
All 11 songs were co-writen by Berg, and are performed with some impressive background vocalists, like Emmylou Harris, Kim Carnes, Jessi Alexander, and her hubby Jeff Hanna.
There’s no doubt that the lady has a beautiful voice, and she delivers some stunning songs here, but many of them  are quite “dark”, with titles like, “We’re Already Gone”, “I Buried Your Love Alive” and “My Heart Will Never Break This Way Again”. Having said that, “Black Ribbons”, which features Suzy Bogguss and Gretchen Peters, is one of my favourite tracks on the album.
This is very much a songwriters album, one that you’ll love if you appreciate the finer aspects of singer-songwriters, but an acquired taste.

DREW NELSON is a Michigan based singer songwriter, with several CD’s to his credit. His latest, “Tilt-a-Whirl (Red House) has just been released here.
He wrote, or co-wrote all 11 tracks on the album. Many of the songs are quite slow, but there are a few gems.
“St.Jude” was one of my favourite tracks, helped by the lovely harmonies of Jen Sygit, a fellow Michigan singer songwriter. “Lessons” is quite an uptempo number, sung in a style likened to Robert Earle Keen, which I also quite liked.
Drew has quite an interesting vocal style, but,again, quite an acquired taste.  Worth a listen, if you like the singer-songwriter genre.

The Bellamy Brothers have been popular favourites amongst Country fans for moiré than a generation, but there comes a time for a new generation, and it comes in the form of JESSE & NOAH, who are the son and nephew of the famous Brothers.
The new generation, have just released their third album, “Driven Back”, and are noticeably trying to avoid the family ties. There’s no Bellamy name on the CD, and, to be honest, their sound bears no resemblance either.
They are billed, rather widely, as  roots-rock, power-pop and Americana. They certainly don’t aim for the mainstream Country market.
There are as few tracks that stood out for me.
They bypass a generation, and salute their grandfather in “The Homer Bellamy Centennial Blue Yodel”, which is the closest to a Bellamy’s song as you’ll get here. I also quite enjoyed “Travellers Prayer”. Elsewhere “Guilty Of Myself” and “True Lover Doesn’t Beg” are pleasant ballads.
Otherwise, I just didn’t get it. They just didn’t do it for me.
Sorry lads!

Oct 2012

KATHY MATTEA was one of the most popular female singers on the Country scene through the 80’s & 90’s with a string of over 30 chart hits, including “Eighteen Wheels & A Dozen Roses”, “Goin’ Gone” and “Come From The Heart”.  But even at the pinnacle of her career, Kathy showed an authenticity and downhome approach to her music, which wasn’t the standard at that time (and still isn’t). Whilst her hits were getting hot airplay on American Country radio, Kathy was touring America, and here, with Perthshire folk singer/songwriter Dougie Maclean.
Four years ago, Mattea, caught everyone off guard with an album of old-timey Appalachian mining songs called “Coal”.  She’s delved even deeper into her Appalachian heritage with the new release of “Calling Me Home” (Sugar Hill), co-produced with modern acoustic mastermind Gary Paczosa and featuring liner notes from bestselling author, and Kentucky-born kindred spirit, Barbara Kingsolver.
Mattea’s new direction couldn’t have taken her further from her old way of doing things. Where once she was pitched songs by Music Row writers, now she collects the generations-old and new but old-in-soul tunes that move her at folk gatherings, and rounds out her repertoire through extensive research. Two songs here came from a CD that Alice Gerrard, of the influential ‘70s folk duo Hazel & Alice, personally pressed into her hand at a festival.
She’s always had a profound respect for traditional folk music—her ancestors played it, and in college she even took clawhammer banjo lessons and formed a bluegrass band—but she only recently came to accept that the music is in her blood.
That she sings from the perspective of an Appalachian whose career took her elsewhere is part of what makes Calling Me Home feel as contemporary as it does traditional. The top-notch cast of players doesn’t hurt either. The contributions of the multi-talented Stuart Duncan and Bryan Sutton, along with bassist Byron House, percussionist Jim Brock, harmonising siblings and fellow native West Virginians Tim and Mollie O’Brien and Mattea’s longtime guitarist Bill Cooley, make for a crisp, vivid new-timey string band palette.
There’s unfinished business from the “Coal” album, with her heartfelt delivery on “West Virginia Mining Disaster”, the gutsy “My Name Is Coal”, and “Black Waters”, which features some really neat harmonies.
My favourite tracks are the acoustically catchy “Woodthrush’s  Song”, which really delivers Kathy’s vocals, and the lovely “West Virginia My Home”.
This is certainly not an album recorded with the aim of getting heard on the radio. The arrangements are simple, bluegrass styled, and Kathy’s vocals certainly sound really rural America. She’s more of a folk singer these days, and sounds really comfortable with it.  As a listener, you can hear the authenticity in the heartfelt belief in her songs, and the musical arrangements.
It’s a beautifully produced album, which I enjoyed immensely.

Caithness Festival goers were treated to a few previews of JOEY & RORY’s new album back in April, and now the album “His & Hers” (Vanguard) is released, and what a beautiful masterpiece it is.
The duo had two individual careers, Joey as a singer, who recorded an unreleased album for Sony Music, and Rory, the songwriter who wrote such modern classics as “The Chain Of Love” and “Some Beach”.
Then they entered a TV talent show for duo’s, and whilst they didn’t win, their “Cheater Cheater” became a huge hit, and their duo career took off. Having said that, Joey was still the singer, and Rory wrote the songs.
But this new album does give more of a singing profile to Rory, and he proves himself to be quite a vocalist himself.  He leads vocals on six of the twelve tracks, from the fast paced opener “Josephine” to midtempo numbers like “Your Man Loves You Honey”, through to the ballads “Cryin’Smile”and “Bible & A Belt”. “Someday When I Grow Up”, is a bit different, and a bit more light hearted, but it works just as well as the more serious songs.
But Joey still shines on a variety of styles from slow ballads like “When I’m Gone”, “Waiting For Someone”  and “He’s A Cowboy”,   to fast paced bouncy numbers like “Lets Pretend We Never Met” and “Love Your Man”.
I love Joey & Rory’s simple, almost acoustic arrangements, which really show off their voices. And there’s no better example than the album’s title track, “His & Hers”. Here’s a pure Country song, laced with some beautiful steel licks that conjures up memories of vintage Tammy Wynette.
It’s a beautifully produced album, and one that should rekindle memories of the fabulous show they gave us in Halkirk back at Easter.

MARTY STUART is one of Country music’s real preservationists. Despite keeping things fresh, everything he does, is done with consideration to the past. His latest album “Nashville Vol 1” (Sugar Hill) has been described a “rollicking collection with a spirit of "the Old Testament days" of country music”.
It certainly starts off in rollicking fine style with “Tear The Woodpile Down” and “Sundown In Nashville”.
“A Matter Of Time” a real old time Country song is delivered by Marty in a real old time Country style, and follows it up immediately with a blazing guitar instrumental “Hollywood Boogie”, which is far to short at only 86 seconds. Then another Classic sounding number in “Holding Onto Nothing”.
“Truck Drivers Blues” digs into both his Rockabilly & bluegrass backgrounds, and the blend is an extremely interesting mix indeed. Then it’s back to the steel driven “Goin’Goin’ Gone”, which sounds like Marty’s current style, whilst “The Lonely Kid”, is more of a story song, and Marty can deliver a story song.
Lorrie Carter Bennett of The Carter Family adds some lovely harmony to “Song Of Sadness”, whilst Hank Williams III duets on Hank Snr’s “Pictures From Life’s Other Side”.
Marty’s flying visit to Glasgow at the start of last year seems so long ago now, but this album will really rekindle the memories.
Superb. Real Country, from a real master.

TEEA GOANS isn’t the best known name in Country music – yet!   But I’m sure we’re all going to be familiar with her music before long.   She was a Grand Ole Opry fan as a child back in Missouri, and locally was a member of the Truman Lake Opry.  When she arrived in Nashville, she got a job with Opry radio station WSM, and has even hosted the radio station’s backstage programme between the Saturday night shows. So there’s no doubt that she’s well versed in the Opry and traditional Country music.  
Her first album got raves reviews, including from me, and impressed Larry Gatlin, who took her back to Missouri to open his Branson concerts.
Now she’s followed it up with “That’s Just Me”, which maintains her traditional Country music stance.  There’s a good balance between standards and new songs. The standards include Wilma Burgess’ hit “Misty Blue”, Kristofferson’s “Nobody Wins” and Gatlin’s “I’ve Done Enough Dying Today”, which all fit nicely into Teea’s style.
The new songs include the bright and breezy “Pour A Little Love On It” and “The World’s Biggest Fool”, which are certainly very classic Country radio friendly.  Then she can slow things down on tracks like “Loving You Makes Leaving Easy”.
There is a slight jazzy big band feel (without the big band) to a couple of numbers, including opening “Loves In The Hear & Now” and “The Big Hurt”.
She really turns on the emotion in the sentimental “Wake Up Dancing”, which will neatly follow up her “Letter From Home” hit from the first album.   And then to top it off, she takes the liberty of performing a gorgeous version of “Over The Rainbow”.
Stand out track for me is “That’s Just Me Loving You”, a duet with Jamie Dailey”, a traditional Louvin’s style duet, which I just love.
I love the whole album. Teea Goans is Country – maybe too Country for the so-called Country radio stations in America. But, boy, she is the real thing!  Good looking girls singing pop songs get loads of airtime on these stations. Well here’a a good looking girl, who is Country through & through!
I cannot recommend Teea highly enough!

When Vince Gill recently announced he had departed his long time record label, nobody believed that he’d be disappearing. He has for some time been seen “moonlighting” at the Station Inn, in  Music City,  just jamming around with some friends like Ranger Doug from The Riders In The Sky, Larry and Paul Franklin , and Dawn and Kenny Sears, under the name of THE TIME JUMPERS.
It’s all just a love to play music thing, without the commercial pressures of meeting sales and ticket numbers. They have released two live albums and a DVD, but now Rounder Records are releasing their first studio album, recorded at Vince’s home, called “The House” studio.
It’s great old timey music, lots of bass from Dennis Crouch, masses of fiddle from Kenny Sears, Larry Franklin and Joe Spivey, and steel from Paul Franklin.
There are 11 Time Jumpers on the recording, which allows for a variety of styles.
There a superb instrumental opening the album in  “Texoma Bound”, and the vocals are shared by Vince, Dawn Sears, and Ranger Doug.
Vince, who also co-wrote five of the songs, leads the vocals on five songs (two of his own) including “New Star Over Texas” and “Three Sides To Every Story”, which is one of the strongest, and most commercial tracks on the album.  Vince’s distinctive vocals also reign over the catchy “Woman Of My Dreams”, which has lots of steel & fiddle, and the western swing styled “On The Outskirts Of Town”.
Dawn Sears, who was part of Gill’s band when he played Glasgow Green all those years ago, is lead vocalist on four tracks, including a swinging version of Harlan Howard’s “Someone Had To Teach You”.  She also co-wrote “So Far”, a killer Country ballad.
Ranger Doug completes the line up with two lead vocals, on “Ridin’ On The Rio” and “Yodel Blues”, which are a bit more old time western swing than Vince or Dawn’s numbers.  
A real good ol’ mix of Country heritage from players that love their music. No heavy handed production here.
Great to listen and tap your toes to!

From Canada, our next CD comes from a young lady called ASHLEY ROBERTSON , who has spent the past few years honing her craft in Nashville, whilst studying at Music City’s Belmont College.   She has been busy writing, performing and promoting her music, not just around Nashville and back home in Canada, but also on the International stage. She has been the European Country Music Association’s Female Vocalist of the Year twice, and recently spent a month, touring and performing around Europe.
Her new album, “Start Again”, begins with her recent single, “Finished With You”, just one of the songs on the album about lost love. “I Came Before Her”, is another. It’s a really strong emotional, but very pretty song, which stood out for me.
I also liked the more uptempo “Last Night was Not Enough” and the bluegrass  flavoured “Little Birdie”.
Ashley has a lovely sweet voice, and the simple instrumentation, featuring the likes of Glen Duncan , Harry Stinson and Aubrey Haynie, really delivers a lovely style.
Here’s an album that I haven’t tired of listening to since it arrived.
www Ashleyrobertson.com
WESLEY PARKER first stepped on stage back in 1977, and the rest, as they say, is history!  One of the songs he performed that day was “Rusty Warner”, a story about his grandfather, but soon his fan base grew from that song.
Now Garden Isle Records, based in The Isle Of Wight, have released “Now & Then”, a collection off Wesley’s songs over the year, many of which have been carefully marketed to radio in this country over the past few years.
Wesley has a style not unlike that on Don Williams, especially on tracks like “Montana Sky” , “What I Was”, and there’s maybe a touch of Marty Robbins on “Fugitive Of Broken Dreams”, but Wesley has his own style. His rich deep vocals really work the songs on this album well.
“I’ll Take You Back There” is a good ol’ uptempo song, whilst “Her Heart Got In The Way” has a bit of a calypso feel to it.
Good traditional Country music. Just the way I like it !

Three years ago.I enthused about an album by Bristol based bluegrass songstress HEATHER BRISTOW.  So I was really pleased to receive a copy of her second album, “Ragged Souls”, and was even more excited to hear just what a first class job she had made on it.
The American born singer-songwriter wrote (or co-wrote) the whole 12 track album, laying down her vocals in a studio in Bath, whilst co-producer Ben finished it off in Idaho. She has an impressive list of guests from both British & US bluegrass scenes, including banjo player Leon Hunt, American flatpicker John Lowell, and even harmonies from Mollie O’Brien,
The material varies from the very folksy “Hold Back The Waves”, with only Josh Clark’s bodhran as accompaniment, to the gentle  “The Fall” and Jenny’s Song”.
I particularly enjoyed the traditional Appalachian sounding” Where The Dogwood Blossoms Bloom”, with it’s effective banjo, and proud vocals. It’s a song anyone from the Carolina’s would take as their own.  “Fool’s Gold” has a quirky Kathy Mattea feel to it, which I liked a lot. “True North”, with it’s added benefit of Keith Phillips’ accordion, also caught my attention.
But stand out track has to be the catchy gospel song, “Passport To Heaven”, which features Mollie O’Brien on some lovely harmonies.
Altogether a stunning piece of music. A feast of traditional bluegrass originality. As Jon Lowell sums up, “From Gospel to bluegrass, love songs to social commentary, Heather writes with a heartfelt style. Put this recording in your player, put on a set of headphones then sit back and listen. You’re in for a treat”.
I cant say any more than that.
www.heatherbristow.com

THERESA RODGERS has been around the Irish & London-Irish circuit for many years now. She’s not quite caught up with the likes of Philomena & Susan, but has built up a following  nevertheless.
“Sixteen Years” is her 4th album for I&B Records, and features 14 tracks, of easy listening Irish Country music, recorded in County Down, with popular musicians like Charlie Arkins and Stephen Smyth, with Leann Benn and Gerard Dornan in support.
It’s certainly not an album of tried & tested covers, but she has found some gems, like Billy Yates’ “Our House Of Love”, “Someone That I Can Forget”, co-written by Linda Hargrove,  Eddy Arnold’s “Mommy Please Stay Home With Me”, and even Johnny Horton’s “The Goldrush Is Over”. All fit nicely in the Irish Country style that Theresa has produced here.
Of course, there’s a few Irish songs too, a few on Donegal, one about London’s Camden Town, and one sung in Gealic. Apparently “Pocai Folamls is Choigeamn tinn” translates to “Empty Pockets And A Sore head”, and is popular down Connermara way. It has a familiar feel to it.
I did enjoy the album. Theresa has a pleasant style, and made the album very enjoyable.

I don’t know much about Okie JIMMY C WILLIAMS, but I know when Texas based BSW Records send in a new release, it’s worth a listen. And this one from Jimmy is no exception. “Ride The Train”, is as it suggests, an album of train songs. Perhaps not an original idea, but I cannot remember anyone doing one since Boxcar Willie.
For some reason, trains and Country music have a strong connection, going back to Jimmie Rodgers, and as recent as Alabama. Indeed the title and opening track of this album is a cover of the classic Fort Payne quartet’s railroad track from the early 80’s.
The journey then meanders through such classics as “Orange Blossom Special”, “Freight Train” , “Wreck Of The Ol’ 97”, “Wabash Cannonball” , “Hey Porter” and even Hank’s “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”. There’s also a superb uptempo version of the folk classic “500 Miles”.
Jimmy delivers the songs well, the arrangements are very traditional, and the song choice so well put together.
A thoroughly enjoyable trip

Our homegrown recording this time around is “Lonesome Man”, a 6 track EP from Kinross based SIENNA.
Formed in the Summer of 2011 as an acoustic trio, they quickly grew to be a five piece band by the end of  last year.  The current line up features Danny McAtear and Stella Reilly on vocals, with Ross Mathieson, Andy Clarke and Benn Watt. They are a bit hard to box into any particular label, with influences of Americana, folk & rockabilly.
The music on this short collection will certainly appeal to Americana fans, with some neat harmonies between Danny & Stella. The instrumentation is simple but effective.  All six songs are originals, five written by Danny, and one , “Weekend Girl” by Andy. Most of the songs are quite slow, a style that seems to go down well on the Americana circuit.
“Slow Down” and the title track are the stand out tracks for me.  “Lonesome Man” picks up the tempo quite nicely.
A pleasent listen.
www.siennabandmusic.com

BOB BROLLY has been a popular entertainer and radio presenter in the West Midlands of England for many years, but his roots are deeply engrossed in the Country & Irish market.
His latest album, “Till We Meet Again” features 14 tracks, 9 of which were written by Gerry Cairney, who wrote the popular hit “Paddy” for Mike Denver.  The exceptions include covers of  “Innisfree”, “Fields Of Athenrye”  and “There Goes My Everything”.
The album is more Irish than Country, but done in a way that will appeal across the board. There are titles like “Shannon Breeze”, “Waltzing The Ladies Of Clare”, “The Land Where I was Born” and the showband inspired “Home Is Where The Heart Is”.
One track that is a little different is the Hawiian inspired “Aloha Oe”.
If you like the Irish style, Bob could have an album for you.

Another new CD from Canada, is from “prairie balladeer” SCOTT COOK.  He is a tirelessly travelling songwriter with a heart forever on his sleeve. At least that’s what his promotional material says. He is a fixture of the Canadian festival scene, with a diary of a dozen or more festival appearances each summer, and was recently awarded as Edmonton’s Male Artist Of The Year
He was recently over here, with dates in Glasgow and Biggar, in promotion of his album, “Moonlit Rambles”, which I found to be a very enjoyable listen. This is an album of road stories. All 10 tracks on the album are from his own pen, and feature a variety of styles and themes.
The album kicks off with a slow, but quite catchy “Song For The Slow Dancers”, in which he takes issue with the commercial consumer music scene, with one of the lines, ”Thank god for the real singers, house concerts and community radio”.
That’s followed by the catchy “Goin’ Up To The Country”, and the even catchier “The Lord Giveth And The Landlord Taketh Away”. What a great title!  It’s a catchy title, and probably one of the most likely songs for radio play.
Slower numbers include “All My Moonlit Rambles”, from which the title comes, which is enhanced by some neat accordion from Jason Kodie,  “Go On Ray” , “Let Your Horses Run” and the closing track, “Song For A Pilgrim”.
The album comes in a well produced package, complete with a 24 page booklet with lyrics and credits. Quite a good listen from a guy, who will be back on his travels soon, I hope.

Another travelling songwriter is North Dakota’s JOSH HARTY.
His father was both a preacher and the police chief of his small town growing up. “I was either going to jail, or to hell”, he says. His father did install a musical gene in Josh however. He moved in with his brother, into an apartment near the Empire Tavern in Fargo, which he describes as “like going to songwriting  college”
He has put together a 7 track CD, titled “Nowhere”, to showcase his music. The CD kicks off with “Whiskey And Morphine”, which he co-wrote with Jeremiah Nelson, which introduces Josh coming through the dark side of life.
“Sweet Solution” is a catchy self penned number , whilst the other tracks are simple singer songwriter numbers with little, but effective backing.  He also features Richard Thompson’s “1952 Vincent Black Lightning”.
One for the Americana fans to check out.

Finally this month, JIMMY LAFAVE is no stranger to fans the Austin music scene. “Depending On The Distance” is, however, his first studio album in five years, and his first release of new material for his own Music Road Records. Alongside eight new original songs, there’s three Dylan covers, a Springsteen cover, and his version of John Waite’s “Missing You”.
The album has been a long time in the making, having been recorded over a two year period, between his touring in the Woody Guthrie tribute show “Walking Woody’s Road”.
Growing up closer to Dallas, than Austin, he moved to Oklahoma, before heading to Austin in 1986, where he’s been part of the scene since.
Most of the numbers are slow, soulful deliveries. “Red Dirt Night” is perhaps a bit more bluesy.
“Talk To Me” and “Land Of Hope And Dreams” are two of the more uptempo songs, and I did enjoy “Bring Back The Trains”, which has almost a gospel feel to it, with it’s soulful backing singers.
Another for the singer songwriter fans.

August 2012

EAMON McCANN is one of the most respected Country singers in Ireland. Over the years he has maintained a true Country sound. His latest album, “In My Own Words”, is just as it says- an album of songs he has written by himself.
They range from the opening “Dance With Me” through to the slower “She Only Sees The Face”, he delivers a strong Country sound with vocals that are often likened to Randy Travis.
Uptempo numbers include “Long Road Without A Turn”, “Forever You’ll Be Mine” and “I’ve Gone Crazy” that keep the album flowing,
“From Love To Loneliness” has a particular Travis sound, and he has another influence in “Johnny Cash Accolade”, which is self explanatory. It’s a good wee tribute.
“When You Come To Land”, “But For Me” and “God Only Knows”  are quite nice ballads, and blend in beautifully.
There’s a few Irish numbers that fit his style nicely, including “Creggan”, “Donegal We’re Going Home” and “Born In Birmingham”.
Recorded by Clive Cutherbertson in Ireland, the album features an array of notable musicians, including Martin Cleary, Paul Gallagher, Al McQuilken, Joe McNamee, Charlie Arkins, Richard Nelson, Jimmy Hendry, Rory Gallacher, Rod McVey & Dessie Hynes, with harmonies from Trionagh Moore and Mary B.
It’s an extremely enjoyable, and well prtoduced album. Well worth checking out!

Over the past twenty years or so, ALAN JACKSON has been one of Nashville’s most consistent hitmakers, having sold over 60 million albums. Despite never having appeared here, he remains one of the Country fans favourites.
He recently departed Arista Records, his only label to date, and this is his first release on his own ACR (Alan’s Country Records) label , “Thirty Miles West”,  and has been released in the UK by Humphead.
If you’ve enjoyed his music in the past, then you’ll enjoy this album. It’s more of the same.
From the opening “Gonna Come Back As A Country Song”, through to “Her Life’s A Song”, “Long Way To Go” and “Life Keeps Brining Me Down”, there’s that familiar AJ sound.
Slower numbers include “Everything But The Wings”, “So You Wont Have To Love Me Anymore” and “She Dont Get High”, but it’s “When I Saw You Leaving”, that really stands out.
Another stand out track is “Dixie Highway”. On this track, Alan is joined by The Zack Brown Band”, and after a quirky little banjo intro, it’s a hard driving catchy number which runs on for nearly seven minutes. I’m sure a radio edit will appear soon.
It did occur to me that Alan, and long time producer Keith Stegall had developed something of a manufactured hit sound, but then again, why change a winning formula. It’s kept Alan ant the top for twenty years. Dont fix what ain’t broke.
It’s Alan Jackson – pure & simple!

Humphead have also reissued Alan’s gospel album, “Precious Memories” from 2006. Alan recorded these songs for his mom, but they turned out so well that the album was released and sold 1.8 milion copies.
On the album he features such standards as “Old Rugged Cross”, “How Great Thou Art”, “Softly & Tenderly”, “I Love To Tell The Story”, “In The Garden” and “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”.
This album was always a side project for Alan, with Brent Mason and Gary Prim providing the music on piano, organ & acoustic guitar, with John Wesley Ryles and Melodie Crittenden on backing vocals.
It is a beautifully produced album, one for AJ and gospel fans alike, and more mainstream than the Kenny Rogers album reviewed last time.

Following in the footsteps of Chris LeDoux, we find TODD FRITSCH, whose latest album “Up Here In The Saddle”  has just hit the streets.  Texas cattle rancher, Todd won fans over a few years back with songs like “Small Town Radio” and “I Dont Live Here Anymore”, before a horrific roping accident and injury sidelined him for several years.
But now, he’s back – riding, roping and performing every chance he gets.
The uptempo numbers, like “Texas Girl” and “That Girl’s Got A Cowboy Heart” really stand out, although the slower title track has quite a nice Strait feel to it.  Indeed Dean Dillon, who has written many a hit for Strait, wrote this one, and actually duets on it too. Throughout the album Dean has co-written five of the songs.
The single from the album is “Calls I Haven’t Made”, a nice reflective number about what could’ve been if only he’d made the call. I’m sure we can all relate to that.
I particularly liked “In A Song”- nice words, nice melody, and “Horses That He Cant Ride Anymore”, which must have been quite personal for him. “Like I Wasn’t There” also left an impression.
It’s good to hear Todd back on form, and this album is well worth a listen.

EVE SELIS is becoming quite a name on the Americana scene. She has no less than seven San Diego Music Awards to her credit, and was recently in England (Gateshead is as fart north as she got) to promote her new album, “Family Tree”.
Unlike many Americana album’s this CD offers a full production, which really gives Eve the edge, and mainstream Country appeal.
The title track is quite a pleasant number, with simple arrangements, which really shop off her voice to perfection.
I really enjoyed the lilting melody of “When Is Everything Enough”  and “Dont You Feel Lonesome”, which has a particularly Country feel to it. Also “I Dont Want To Cry” is a strong Country ballad
The album kicks off which the rather rocky “Rubber & Glue” , which was co-written with Doug Crider (Mr.Suzy Bogguss), whilst  “Crazy That I Love” and “All Roads Lead To You” are rather fast paced pop numbers. At the same time, “Jump In The Road” has a catchy jazzy swing feel to it”.
She covers a wide variety of styles, and closes it all off with a strong version of “Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”.
She’s didn’t make it to Scotland on this trip, but the album is a worthy compensate.

IAN TYSON is a legend, The writer of “Four Strong Winds” and “Someday Soon” has been part of Canada’s heritage since the sixties folk boom when he performed with his, then, wife, Sylvia.
Now at the age of 78, he’s not slowing down. He’s just released “Raven Singer”, his 14th album for Stony Plain Records.
His voice isn’t what it once was. This is put down to a concert in 2006 where he had to battle the sound system and lost. He seriously damaged his voice, and the virus took two months to pass, and left him with a voice more grainy and hoarse. But Ian fought back, and, if anything, his vocals now deliver a heartfelt, soulful and honest approach to the songs, which, of course, are all his.
Working with a simple arrangement, of bass,guitar and drums, with some added steel, mandolin , piano and pipes on certain tracks, it’s a very acoustic offering indeed.
The real cowboy (he still works his own ranch in Southern Alberta) takes inspiration from the land for “Rio Colorado”, “Saddle Bronc Girl” and “Charles Goodnight’s Grave”, whilst his travels inspired “Back To Baja” and “Under African Skies”.
He revisits “The Circle Is Through”, a song he recorded with Suzy Bogguss twenty years back.
Stand out track is the Scottish inspired “Blueberry Susan”, with mentions of a Hamish McKenzie, and some nice pipes to close out.
It’s sad to hear Ian’s voice not as strong as it once was, but he has mastered just how to use what he has to perfection on these songs. Still a joy to listen to.

Country music from The Netherlands is always popular when Dutch acts appear at the Caithness Festival, and that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Here’s a beautiful 2CD set from a trio called CHANGE OF KEY titled “When Music Calls My Name”.
The band are made up of  Danielle Poot, who is the trio’s lead vocalist, with Marijke and Joop de-Jong. All the songs were written by the girls, with Joop also involved in one track.
The beautifully packaged set, featuring a 20 page booklet with lyrics, is split into 2. CD1 is all acoustic arrangements, and CD2 is electric. The title track is included on both discs, and I have to say, I prefer the “electric” version, with it’s accordion.
The acoustic set starts off with a beautiful number, “Unconditional Love”, and continues with “Heaven’s Perfect Husband Catalogue”, which has a western swing sound about it. It’s quite a fun number, and is also featured on a video on CD1, which is really well put together.
Other tracks on the Acoustic CD range from the beautifully arranged ”Even After My Time Is Through”, “Settle For Lies” and “When I’m Dreaming” to the catchy bluegrassy “Smart Enough To Wonder” and “Friendship Is A Two Way Street”.
Usually when you get Acoustic & Electric CD packages, the electric package is really way over the top, but not with Change Of Key. Here, the Electric CD just slightly less Acoustic. The arrangements are still quite simple.
“The Wrong Place At The Wrong Time” and “Broken Home Blues” are probably the most progressive tracks, but are still quite catchy.  “An Old Suitcase Filled With Yesteryears”, is one of my favourite tracks, with some nice steel and banjo.
“Living With The Lack Of Love” would certainly not have been out of place on CD1, although it has some steel on it, whilst “If This Were A Movie” and “After The Beep” both have a bit of swing.
On “The Gift Of Giving”, Rhonda Vincent joins them on lead vocal.
I really enjoyed the album, with 21 tracks, 20 different songs, plus a very entertaining video, and a well produced package all round.
Another winner from Holland.  www.changeofkey.com

TOMMY WOMACK’s album, “Now What” was quite a surprise!
The CD cover, showing a miserable looking guy on the cover didn’t prepare me for the good music that waited me inside.
Womack has written and recorded everything from, folk to rock. He’s a Kentucky boy, living in Nashville, but doesn’t conform to the Nashville world.  He’s recorded several albums, both solo and with an outfit called Government Cheese back in eighties & nineties. He even contributed to The Gene Pitney Story.
This album opens with the fast paced “Play That Cheap Trick,Cheap Trick Play”, a good up tempo number. I also loved “I Love You To Pieces”, a good Country rockin number.
He slows things down on “Bye & Bye”, which he excelled at. I also liked “Lets Have Another Cigarette”, which closes the album. It’s a slower number, but with a rough & ready Country tag.
“On & Off The Wagon” is quite different. It’s a bit hard to define, but I reckon that’s fine with Tommy. It’s quite interesting.
However, I’d pass on “90 Miles an Hour Down a Dead End Street”, which he simply raps through.
And “Guilty Snake Blues” is too jazz for me.
Nevertheless, a very interesting album, which, in the main, I really enjoyed.


Of the younger guys in Nashville these days, no one has a more Country voice than JOSH TURNER, whose latest album , “Punching Bag” has just been released here. (Humphead).
The South Carolina boy, who will be 35 later this year, shows such tradition in his voice, way beyond his years.
The album kicks off with a rather gimmicky intro in true Wrestling style, leading into the album’s title track, which is actually quite a good uptempo opener.
“Whatcha Reckon” rather annoyed me a bit. It’s a good uptempo number, ideal for radio play, but is just so, so Alan Jackson.   Another, just too catchy, number is “Left Hand Man”, It has real hit potential, but I feel it’s one of these songs that’ll drive me nuts, if I hear it too often.
“Cold Shoulder”, a rare ballad on the album is just superb. With some lovely steel, and his deep voice, it’s a George Jones kind of song, without sounding anything like Jones.
The most serious, and sombre track has to be “Pallbearer”, which really suits his rich deep voice. He is joined on this track, by Marty Stuart on mandolin, and Iris Dement on harmony vocals,
Also guesting is Ricky Skaggs on a bouncy bluegrass flavoured number, “For The Love Of God”.
If the album opening was gimmicky, then the catchy “Find Me A Baby” adds to the fun. His wife, and three kids (the youngest just 18 months old) are heard on the track. It’s effective, and didn’t detract from a good song.
Josh penned eight of the twelve songs, and, if you go for the deluxe edition, you get “live” versions of “Punching Bag” and four of his previous hits including “Your Man” and “Long Black Train”.
Great value.and a great voice.
What more could you ask for.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD is without doubt the hottest female singer in Music City these days, and her latest album, “Blown Away” (Arista) was released to coincide with a London concert back in June.
The singer came to Nashville by winning the American Idol TV talent show. With such mainstream attention, she must’ve been pressured into a full blown pop career, but she opted for Nashville.
That’s not to say that she’s particularly Country. She’s had a stream of Country hits, but, in the main, has developed a rather pop sound.
This album continues that trend. “Good Girl”, her current single, kicks off the album, but is pure pop.
It’s followed by the title track. Again there’s no Country influence here, but it is a very strong pop song, and one I would enjoy listening to on radio. We’ve several more pop numbers, before “Do You Think About Me”, track 5, is the first track that I’d be comfortable playing on a Country music programme.
From there, things do improve. “Nobody Ever Told You” even features some banjo. “Thank God For Hometowns”  is possibly my favourite track. A big Country ballad, with big Country values.
I also enjoyed “Good In Goodbye” and “Wine After Whiskey”, again both strong ballads.
 “Forever Changed” is a beautiful ballad, if a bit over produced, with lush backings.
The most uptempo track is the cracking “Cupid’s Got A Shotgun”, a really fast paced number that stands out from the rest of the album.
The British version of the album , also features four of her biggest hits including “Jesus Take The Wheel” and “Last Name”.
Good value for money, with 18 tracks. I was disappointed in the first four tracks, but after that,  she won me over.

Two of the Americans who were over in Caithness back in April have new albums out since their visit, although a few of you may have got your hands on advance copies they brought over.
JERRY KILGORE impressed many with his appearance.
He’s pure Country, and that’s on show on “Telephone, Tx”, a 13 track collection of songs that all came from his own pen.
From the opening track, “You Cant Hide A Heartache”, a Texan styled number, right through to the title track which closes the album, this is 100% Country.
If you like honky tonk songs, then check out “If You Want To Keep Your Beer Cold” , “Doin’ My Own Thing” , “Aint On The Menu” and “Born Rich”.
“Places To Go”, “Leavin’ Feelin’ ” and “Cinnamon Bay”  are slower numbers, but work just as good as his uptempo numbers.  “The Truth” is quite philosophical, with it’s tagline,”There’s three sides to every story, your side, my side & the truth”. Quite true.
 “Life Goes On” is quite a laid back number, with a kinda Gulf coast feel to it, whilst the title track, in fact, is quite a moody, atmospheric number.
A superb album, and a great reminder of his visit back at Easter.

Sisters MOORE & MOORE were also Caithness visitors back in the spring. Debbie & Carrie launched their latest album, “Show Me Your Country” officially at the CMA Festival in June.
Like their live set in Halkirk, the girls kick off with the album’s title track. It’s quite a rocky number, and doesn’t really set you up for just Country these girls are.
“Not Tonight I’ve A Heartache” is a real traditional  old timey catchy number, that really gets attention., whilst “Satisfy That Hunger” is kinda bluesy, without losing it’s Country feel.
“I’ll Have You (For The Rest Of My Life)” is a wedding day song with a distance. It’s a love song, where everything is perfect, even when everything goes wrong.
I really enjoyed “Summer Love” , “Mississippi Missing You” and “Think About You”, but it’s the closing track, “Where Were You Coming From” that really stood out for me.
In fact, I enjoyed the whole album. Their voices blend beautifully together. The songs are all their own.
ww.mooreandmooreonline.com

Canada’s ABRAMS BROTHERS have a unique sound, which blends folk, country, bluegrass and rock music into a mix that brews up quite blend. The group made up of brothers John & James, and cousin Elijah, have built up quite a following on the festival circuit across their native land.
That popularity is now extending across the Atlantic, with the release of “Northern Redemption”, their fourth album to date.
“Nothing At All” was the album’s first track, released to Canadian Country radio. It has quite an Eagles sound, albeit a shade rocky, whilst I’d consider the slower “While You Sleep” more at home on Country radio. The song features some nice steel guitar and good harmonies.
Harmonies, Beatles style, feature heavily on “Windows”, a song which just sounds so Sixties to me, I’m afraid.
The more bluegrassy numbers like “ Where I’m Bound” and the album’s title track stand out for me.
It’s all original material, with songs written by the guys with a few friends, including producer Chris Brown.
The trio are due a UK visit soon. Look out for them.

McKENZIE are no strangers on the Scottish Country scene. Zoe Caryl & Kenny Plenderleith regularly visit here, on tour from their Essex base.
Their new album, “And Then We Wrote”, features quite a variety of material, from the fast paced opener “Runaway Bride”, to the slower “Sign Them For Susan”, which is a really beautiful sentimental number. Zoe really treats the song so sensitively.
“Too Hot To Handle” has quite a haunting western feel to it, as does the catchy “My Sister”, where Zoe is joined by KayD on vocals.
Tim McKay also guests on vocals on “Run Mary Run”.
In recent times Kenny & Zoe have worked on songs with Perthshire songwriter Alex Birnie, and the partnership continues on this album, as Alex collaborates on 6 of the 12 tracks, which, otherwise is an all McKenzie affair.
Amongst the songs that Alex co-wrote are “Too Hot To Handle” , “Coffee Cup Dreams”, and the closing number “The Goodnight Waltz”, a beautiful song to end with.
Stand out track for me is the really catchy “Not Today Jose”, another one, Alex co-wrote. It’s a good fast paced number, which I can really see the linedancers picking up on.
I really enjoyed the album. Well worth checking out.
Check out McKenzie on YouTube & MySpace.

There no doubt that KENNY CHESNEY is one of Country music’s biggest stars these days, having sold over 30 million albums. Despite getting his albums released here, he hasn’t built up the same following as, say Strait or Jackson.  Perhaps his music is just too Gulf Of Mexico for British fans.
His latest album , “Welcome To The Fishbowl” (Sony Music) was released here in June, and features 12 tracks of more of what we’ve learned to expect from Kenny.
This album features the hit single “Come Over” and the duet with Tim McGraw on “Feel Like A Rock Star”!
The album is quite listenable, but fails to ignite any fires. The most uptempo track is “Time Flies”, which still has that lazy Gulf Coast feel to it.
Chesney was involved in writing three of the 12 songs, with contributions from other singer songwriters like Keith Gattis, Shane McAnally, Mike Reid, Skip Ewing and Neil Thrasher.
Stand out track is the live version of the Matraca Berg / Deanna Carter song, “You & Tequilla”, a duet with Grace Potter, which closes the album .
It’s one of these albums, which , if you like Kenny Chesney, you’ll love it. If you’ve never quite worked out why he’s such a star, this album will do little to change your view.

Finally, some real olfd timey bluegrass from a group who have become regular visitors over here.
FURNACE MOUNTAIN consists of  Aimee Curl on Bass and Vocals, Danny Knicely on Mandolin and Fiddle, Dave Van Deventer on Fiddle, and Morgan Morrison on Bouzouki, Guitar and Vocals. Members of the band have been playing together since 1995, and grew up in the same area of Virginia on or near the mountain bearing the same name.
The band has graced stages near and far, from the Yangtzee River in China , to Brookfield Village Hall in Renfrewshire, to the banks of the Shenandoah River where they are the host band of the world famous Watermelon Park Festival each year.
The music of Furnace Mountain is at times lively and raucous, with spirited fiddle melodies weaving in and around the powerful rhythms of the bass and bouzouki. It is at other times poignant and poetic, with sublime vocal harmonies beautifully interpreting some of the oldest songs ever written. Furnace Mountain plays music from the American Appalachian traditions, as well as original compositions, and songs penned by their favorite song writing friends.  
Their new album, “The Road To Berryville”,was recorded “live” in the studio over a two day period, back in February of this year. The album features traditional songs and fiddle tunes, and even a Bob Dylan number “I Want You”, which they tag into a medley with “Candy Girl”. They also do a breezy fiddle laced “Boneparte’s Retreat”.
It’s a really refreshing sound they have, and this album should win them over more friends eager for their next visit to these shores.  

June 2012

We’ll kick off this time with a new album from one of the most exciting young bands in the country. THE CHICKEN PICKERS have progressed in the three years since they first got to play at the Caithness Festival. This year, they used the event to launch their self titled album, on Pan Records.
The five piece band are made up of Mikey Henderson, on vocals, with Andrew Reynolds, Chris Boxall, Michael Simpson and Ryan Bain, who do all the playing on the album. The only outsider on the album is famed Caithness fiddler Addie Harper, who adds some nice touches.  Mikey, who heads off to Heriott Watt University after the summer,  is credited with producing the album, which must make him one of Country music’s youngest ever producers.
It is an album of covers, but they’ve chosen well, and feature a good mix of classic, and modern Country songs, ranging from Billy Yates’ “Alcohol Abuse” and Hal Ketchum’s “Small Town Saturday Night”, back to “Cotton Fields”, “Wagon Wheel” and “When You Say Nothing At All”.
Chris adds some nice harmonies, and gets his only solo number, as he delivers a catchy Monkees cover on “I’m A Believer”.
Youngsters in the far north don’t have to look far for inspiration in wanting to be a first class Country band, and these guys have found theirs just down the road in Golspie. “Drivin’ My Life Away”, although an Eddie Rabbitt song, is still a Jacks favourite, and the youngsters do a very good road version of the song.  They even cover Geordie Jack’s autobiographical “Something To Say”, and make it their own. I’m sure they’ll change the words in twenty years time, when they can put their own story into the song.
The album is well produced, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Looking forward to many more.  Available through www.panrecords.co.uk

Moving down the east coast to the Kingdom of Fife, where JANEY KIRK, has been one of Scotland’s top social club acts for many years. But Janey has always been a Country girl, and really got noticed with her last album, “Sweetheart Darlin’ Of Mine”.
She has worked on that success, got herself on tours with the late Billie Jo Spears, and TV appearances on The Phil Mack Show.
Now she’s back with her new album, “Dont Colour Me Blue”, a song she was introduced to, by Billie Jo. The album features a dozen tracks, with a variety from an uptempo “Banks Of The Ohio”  and Emmylou’s “One Of These Days” to the Osmonds’ rockin’ “Down By The Lazy River”.
Janey is also a keen songwriter, and has written six of the songs here, and co-wrote another.
Her own numbers range from the catchy opening number “I’m A Woman”, the rather fun “Fifty Three” and “Foolin’ Good Country”, to  the rather poppy “We Can Still Be Friends”, and the beautiful ballad “Live For Your Love”, which is my favourite track on the album.  I think it’s probably the song that best showcases Janey’s voice.  I also enjoyed “Portrait of You”, which she co-wrote with Karl Rucker. It’s a bit different.
I enjoyed listening to the album, which is available at local HMV stores.

The lovely LISA McHUGH is getting plenty coverage in this month’s magazine, from her successful appearance in Caithness, to her impending appearance at CMA Festival in Nashville, and she also has a cracking new album to offer her fans.
“Dreams Come True” is her second official album, and is released on the Rosette label, home to Daniel O’Donnell.
Across the fourteen tracks on the album, there’s a really refreshing mix, from her fast paced cover of Rhonda Vincent’s “Court Of Love”  and her latest single “In The Glow Of The Light”  to ballads like “Help Me Make It Through The Night”, and Ronan Keating’s “This I Promise You”, which she does a really nice job on.
There are covers like “Somedays You Gotta Dance” and “The Time Has Come”, but some newer material too, including “Out There Somewhere”, written by rising Irish star Derek Ryan, and the Miranda Lambert hit “I Cant Be Bothered”.
She even goes back in time with her version of “The Lightning Express”, which she does a good job on.
Dolly Parton has obviously made a huge impression on Lisa, as she’s featured three very different Dolly songs on the album. “Why’d You Come In Here” packs a punch, whilst “To Daddy” shows her sentimental side, but it’s the very traditional sounding “False Eyelashes” that stands out for me.
Apart from the superb twin fiddles, I love the story of the girl singer who left home to become a star, and because she hasn’t made it, she’s afraid to face family and friends at home. It could’ve mirrored Lisa’s move from Glasgow to Donegal, but her success has ensured that the song isn’t autobiographical.
But my favourite track has to be the heart wrenching “Words Dont Reach My Heart”, a ballad that Lisa really delivers with such emotion.
It’s a superb album, offering such diversity from one of our most enthusiastic entertainers. And the CD cover is worth having as well, with no less than 16 pictures of the lady herself.

JOHNNY REID is probably the most successful Country performer ever to be born in Scotland.
Yet, he is largely unknown in his homeland, although he is slowly picking up a cult following here.  He emigrated as a teenager to Ontario, and is now the biggest Country star, and a huge crossover artist in his adopted Canada.
Although he’s spent time in Nashville, as a performer, and a songwriter, it’s Canada that has made him a star. He has a unique sound for Country music. He’s certainly not got that pop flavoured Nashville sound.   But it’s not a traditional Country sound.  He has soul, he can rock, and on some tracks, he certainly stretches the boundaries of Country. I see Johnny as being a huge crossover act if he was to get his records released here.
His latest album (his 8th), “Fire It Up” (EMI Canada) offers quite a unique mix. There’s uptempo numbers like “Lets Have A Party”, “What Makes The World Go Around”  and “Dancin’ Shoes”  and ballads like “Dedicated To You”  and “Love Of A Lifetime” . I do prefer Johnny on his ballads, they suit his gravelly voice better, although the catchy “You Got Me” really stands out.
 He has a couple of duets, “Baby I Know It”, with Carolyn Dawn Johnson , and Serena Ryder joins him on “Walking On Water”.
He wrote all twelve tracks on the album, and the album was recorded at various studio’s in Nashville & Toronto.
What I really love about Johnny though, is his lifelong devotion to the land of his birth, even if he hasn’t had the chance to play here.  He calls his fan club, “The Tartan Army”, and, even on this album, he recalls his roots.
In a beautiful ballad, “Right Where I Belong”, he talks about “I was born by the banks of the river back in 1973, raised up in a steel town, surrounded by fields of green. The fires went out, when the steel went south, soon it was time to leave”, recalling his Lanarkshire upbringing.
Then to close the album , “Till We Meet Again” is a beautiful anthem, eclipsed by the arrival of the Toronto Police Pipe Band, who add something really special to the whole album.
Despite his success in his new home (where he’s been for 24 years), the pipes, and the old homeland, still figure in Johnny Reid’s life.
www.johnnyreid.com



Moving on to the Nashville albums, and to VINCE GILL, who recently announced that his new album, “Guitar Slinger” would be his last for MCA Records, the label he’s called home since 1989. The album has now been released here in the UK, in time for some European dates next month, including a bluegrass festival in Norway.
The album features twelve tracks, all written, or co-written by Gill, and the whole album was self produced. It kicks off with the gentle rocker of a title track, veers towards soul on “When The Lady Sings The Blues”, and gets all romantic on his duet with wife Amy Grant, on “True Love”.
But it’s as the album gets onto the home straight that the killer Vince Gill ballads come to the fore.
“Bread And Water” and “If I Die” are strong examples of this. They’re up there with “When I Call Your Name” and “Pocket Full Of Gold”. His voice just suits these songs so well, and Paul Franklin’s steel guitar just rounds it off beautifully.
He delivers good old fashioned story songs, with a western feel on the bouncy “Billy Paul” and “The Old Lucky Diamond Motel”, before ending the album in the company of The Time Jumpers, an outfit that Vince has been seen performing around Nashville with. “Buttermilk John” has a really haunting old time bluegrass sound that Vince sounds so natural in (he began his career in bluegrass).
It’s a superb finale to one of the longest record label careers in Nashville today.  Be rest assured you wont have heard the last of Vince.

KENNY ROGERS is one of Country music’s biggest stars, with over 120 hits to his credit. His latest offering is simply called “Faith” (HumpHead), and is his gospel offering. It’s quite a heavy production, at some points sounding like a church service, but at other points is quite refreshing.
He includes classics like “Will The Circle Be Unbroken”, “In The Sweet By & Bye”, “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”  and “Amazing Grace”, but also includes some newer material.
“Peace” was written by Beth Neilsen Chapman & Michael McDonald, whilst Vince Gill, Al Anderson and Leslie Satcher wrote “The Rock Of Your Love”.
He has some impressive guests in Winfield’s Locket and Point Of Grace, whilst The Whites join in on “I’ll Fly Away”, which is probably the most commercial track on the whole album.
Kenny has loads of fans that will ensure big sales. Otherwise it’s not an album you’ll rush out to buy. But as gospel albums go, Kenny does a fair job.

One of the biggest hits in Nashville in the past year was “If I Die Young”, from THE BAND PERRY.
They are a family trio of Kimberley, Reid and Neil, from Alabama, who have all been around music since schooldays.
Their debut album has sold over a million copies stateside, and Mercury/Republic Records have now released the album here, to coincide with a short tour that will bring them to Glasgow’s ABC on 8th July.
My initial listen was that they were just another Nashville pop act, but the album grew on me after a couple of listens. “All My Life” features some nice banjo, and some lovely soft vocals from Kimberley. I also liked the acoustic feel to “Postcard From Paris”, “Lasso”, and “Walk Me Down The Middle” . Meanwhile “Independence” has a bit more attitude, but still works well.
There are a few more rock’n’roll influenced numbers, especially “Miss You Being Gone”.
They will, unfortunately, be compared to Lady Antebelum, and Little Big Town, but I think Kimberley has the more talented vocal style. “If I Die Young” was such a great song. Glad to report that this album shows they have more great songs on offer.


DOMINIC KIRWAN remains one of the most popular entertainers on both sides of the Irish Sea. His latest album, “Lord I Hope This Day Is Good”(Rosette), is a collection of 18 Inspirational songs, aimed at his largely middle of the road audience.
Kicking off with the title track, which Don Williams, and later Lee Ann Womack, made a Country standard, Dominic sets the scene for an easy listening set of numbers that everybody knows and loves. He covers “Bridge Over Troubled Waters”, “What A Wonderful World”, “You Got A Friend”, “How Great Thou Art”, “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, “Old Rugged Cross” and “You Raise Me Up”, amongst others.
For hard core Country fans, he delivers Derek Ryan’s “God’s Plan” and Rory Feek’s (Joey & Rory) “Better Place”, both relatively new songs, as well as the classic “Walk Thru This World With Me”.
A faultless performance. Well produced. Just what you would expect from Dominic.

Dominic’s son COLM KIRWAN  has flown the nest and has been in Nashville for the past couple of years, honing his craft as a songwriter. To coincide with his recent tour back here with Don Williams, his “Nashville” album was released here by Country House Records.
As you may expect, Colm has a more modern Nashville sound than Dad, but there are some home influences like the tin whistles on “Whole Lotta You”,and “Never Alone”, a lovely song I first heard The Rankins sing. I really like Colm’s arrangement here.
Most of the songs are quite upbeat, US Country radio friendly, with “Warm Me Sugar”, which opens the album , and “Jumpin’ In” being perfect examples.
“You Know That You’ll Know” is a softer number, which I really liked, and “No Anchors” is also quite soft.
There’s a folksy feel to “A Thousand Wild Horses”, and “The Lumber Song” which worked really well.
He also does a good job on “I Love The Way You Love Me”, co-written by Victoria Shaw, who produced the album.
The one thing that surprised me was that, Colm having went to Nashville to develop his songwriting career, has only been involved in writing one song. “Rain” is quite a catchy upbeat number which he co-wrote with Julie Forester (who was on the Songwriters show at The Ferry in Glasgow, with Colm, a couple of years back) and Kristi Manna.
I really enjoyed this album. Colm has a good voice, and has finally broken free on this album. He should get noticed on both sides of the Atlantic with this offering.

Manchester born SHAUN LOUGHREY will be no stranger to readers who watch “Hot Country” and the other programmes on Showcase TV. Shaun’s dad was the popular Johnny Loughrey, who passed away in 2005. Shaun has continued to carry the name, and develop his carer to where he finds himself as one of the most popular singers around Ireland today.
His latest release is a double album, “Two Sides Of Me”, one CD of “American” Country and the other devoted to Irish Country.
A common complaint with many Irish acts is the lack of original material, and that certainly applies to this album, but Shaun really does a good job on the covers he works here.
He kicks off  with a Johnny Cash medley, before taking on Tom T Hall’s “Pamela Brown”, which is certainly not a song you hear every day. Shaun does a good job on it. He also covers “Before The Next Teardrop Falls”, “Fourteen Carat Mind” , “The Gambler” and Country Roads”.
His fiancée, Carrie Benn, joins him on “Good Hearted Woman”, in what is a very good version. Carrie & sister Leanne are backing singers throughout the album, and really add to Shaun’s sound.
The Irish CD features more instantly recognisable songs like “Pretty Little Girl From Omagh”, “Galway Girl” and “Paddy”, and I have to mention “Locklin’s Bar” , a great Irish Honky Tonk number.
A really enjoyable listen. Well produced, and an album than can only enhance his career.
www.shaunloughrey.co.uk

JOHNNY BRADY is one of the new emerging names from Ireland this year. His debut album, “Livin’ All My Dreams” is a good introduction to the guy.
The album has six originals, from the pen of James McGarrity, and six covers, which include Vince Gill’s “I Never Really Knew You”, Rascall Flatts “Blesss The Broken Road” and Lonestar’s “Mr.Mom”.
Of the originals, “My Mother, My Teacher, My Friend” has typical Irish sentimental qualities, as does “The Place I Call My Home”.  “I Got You” and “Find The Right Girl” are catchy upbeat numbers.
A good catchy album.  With so many Irish acts emerging on the scene, you have to have something special to break away from the pack. This album will determine if the fans think Johnny has it.

Someone with a strong pedigree on the Irish scene and beyond is JOHN HOGAN. Rosette Records have just released his 25th Anniversary “Ultimate Collection”- a 3CD package containing 60 tracks. The package is split into East Listening, Irish & Country favourites, although there is a bit of cross population, especially between the easy listening and Country CD’s.
John’s fans will no doubt have most of the songs on here, but there are ten new songs. They’re not new songs, just new songs for John- including “Peaceful Easy Feeling”, “If I Didn’t  Have A Dime” and Donovan’s “Catch The Wind”.
All his most popular songs over the years are here, including “Cottage In The Country” , “Back Home Again” and “Still Got A Crush On You”. Also included is the beautiful duet “Wearing White” with Noreen Rabbite.
John’s one of these guys who have quietly worked away for quarter of a century entertaining fans on both sides of the Irish Sea, with his easy listening approach to Country music. This is a good record of that journey.

The name VIPER CENTRAL didn’t entice me much when their CD appeared in the mail. I certainly wasn’t prepared for the bright & breezy bluegrass sound it contained.
The group are a quintet from Western Canada, comprising Kathleen Nisbet, Steve Charles, Tyler Rudolph, Tim Tweedale and Mark Vaughn. They have shared the songwriting and vocal credits on the 14 tracks on “Thump & Howl”, their third album, released here to promote their summer trip to the UK and Ireland, including a date at the Summertyne Festival in Gateshead.
They have a unique old timey bluegrass sound, which draws on their Canadian Rockies background, instead of the Appalachians, but it works well.
With songs like “Saskatchewan” and “A Northern Midwife”, the Canadian connection is obvious, but there’s also the western swing influenced rockabilly title track, inspired by a chicken coop in South Vancouver, where they claim Loretta Lynn really was discovered!  Then there’s a true tale from a Northern Ontario lumber camp in “The Donkeyliners Waltz”.
It’s a really refreshing enjoyable album.

GRAHAME LISTER’s album “Bring It On” (Bushranger Music) is quite different to anything else in the column this month.  An Australian, with an album recorded in Nashville, and a veteran of the British Pop & Country music scene.
As I listened to the album, I detected a Chas & Dave Cockney influence to the music, so wasn’t surprised to learn that it was the same guy who wrote “Arfur Daley E’s Alright”, for The Firm, and the cult hit “Star Trekkin”. He also played with Matthews Southern Comfort.
Now he’s returned to his Country rock roots, with a bit of blues, rock & pop thrown in for good measure.
“I’m Gonna Win” offers a good uptempo opening to the album, and “Goin’ Up The Country” really rounds off the 14 track album brilliantly. Inbetween times, “Roll On Summer”, whilst a bit more pop, has a real good feel to it. Of the most Country numbers “In Too Deep”, “I Ain’t” and “The Other Man” really stand out.
It’s different. It’s fun. I really liked this album.

Finally, something completely different. An album that takes us back to the early fifties roots music of America. THE TWO GENTLEMAN BAND, featuring tenor guitarist Andy Bean and string bassist Fuller Condon, employ some real old fashioned techniques on the 12 track collection called “Two At A Time”. There’s no digital technology used here. It was al recorded live on mono analog tape, and the package uses hand set lettering and a linotype machine.
All but two of the songs are original, written by Andy. They include titles like “Pork Chop”, “Panama City Beach” , “Pool Party”, “Cheese & Crackers”, “Tikka Masala” and “Lets Get Happy Together”.
I quite enjoyed the bass driven sounds, and enthusiastic vocals that run throughout the album.
You can feel the “live” sound coming across much more that you’ll ever hear on a modern recording.
Good foot tappin’ music. They’re planning a visit here next year. Look out for them .

Apr 2012

There’s no doubt that REBA McENTIRE is one of Country music’s biggest entertainers of all time. Indeed, she has proven herself to be much more of an entertainer than just a singer – she’s acted in films, and her own TV sitcom. She’s performed on Broadway, and her stage show is one of the biggest pieces of theatre ever associated with Country music.
To coincide with her recent Wembley & Belfast Country Festival visit back in February, Humphead released her 34th studio album, “All The Woman I Am”, a ten track collection of songs that cover a wide array of Reba’s magic.
The album kicks off with the flashy sounding “Turn On The Radio”. Not a song that should get Country radio play, but probably will. Then it’s her cover of Beyonce’s “If I Were a Boy”. I’m not familiar with the pop star’s version, but Reba’s is very Reba- a strong ballad done in the style that she is so well known for.
There are other ballads, such as “Cry”, “Somebody’s Chelsea” and “The Day She Got Divorced”.
Uptempo numbers include “The Bridge Wont Burn”, “A Little Want To”, and the title track.
It’s Reba- just what you would expect from her. Not the most Country sound around today, but then, Reba’s much bigger than Country these days.

Another new release from the Humphead folks features LYLE LOVETT. This album is final outing for Curb in the States,the label he’s been with since 1985, and the album is rather appropriately called “Release Me”.
The 14 track collection kicks off with a bouncy little instrumental called “Garfield’s Blackberry Blossom”, before launching into a really surprisingly strong version of the title track – yes, it’s the Englebert one –with some lovely harmony from no less than kd lang, all wrapped up in a western Swing arrangement.
There’s another duet on “Baby It’s Cold Outside”, with Texan Kat Edmonson. The song has been done so often, and I’m afraid Kat’s squeaky vocal kinda left me cold.
“Understand You” is quite a quaint sounding ballad, in a style we’re not used to hearing Lyle use. Then he delivers Chuck Berry’s “Brown Eyed Handsome Man”, in a style that you’ve never heard the song before. He slows it right down, in quite a hypnotic way.
He really picks up the pace on the racey “White Freightliner”, which worked well. The rest of the album is rather jazzy and bluesy, which Lyle has been directing his music in recent years.
It’s an interesting, and certainly versatile offering.

JANIE FRICKE was one of Country music’s sweethearts back in the eighties, with a string of huge Country hits. She’s still touring, and as popular as ever, even if the hits have dried up.
Her latest recording project is “Country Side Of Bluegrass”, where she takes her old hit songs and gives them a bright and breezy bluegrass arrangement.
Ricky Skaggs did a similar album last year, but with Ricky’s hits already being quite bluegrass, the result wasn’t really earth shattering.
But Janie is different. Her hits were lush Nashville productions, with string sections and the works. To hear hits like “Do Me With Love”, “He’s a Heartache”, ”She’s Single Again”, “I’ll Need Someone To Hold Me When I Cry” and “Down To My Last Broken Heart”, stripped back with banjo’s and fiddles to the fore, is quite a transformation.
I love them. Both Janie, and her hits, sound so natural in this environment. She even gives the bluegrass treatment to the classic “Please Help Me I’m Falling” (which she recorded on her first album) and “Ring Of Fire”.
The album features some top notch players like Randy Khors, David Talbot, Luke Bulla and Glen Duncan. And singing harmonies is Judy Rodman, her flatmate when the were both demo singers, and singing jingles, before they both got recording deals.
I loved this album, available through ITunes, Amazon and at www.janiefricke.com

DIERKS BENTLEY is one of Nashville’s young traditionalists. Although in the mainstream, he’s very supportive of the more traditional music that got Country music where it is today. Before he got his record deal in 2003, he was a researcher for TNN, seeking out old video footage.
His latest album, “Home”, released here by Humphead back in February, features six songs, co-written by Bentley himself.
His last album was an all out bluegrass affair. This time out, he’s more in the mainstream, but still with an edge.
The title track of the album is quite a heavy, but warming song, which grew on me quite quickly.
“Diamonds Make Babies” stood out as the most Country track on the album, although “When You Gonna Come Around”, a duet with Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild, is a very enjoyable duet. “5-1-5-0” is a good uptempo number, whilst I also liked the folksy “Heart Of A Lonely Girl”.
The album closes with a soft ballad, “Thinking Of You”, and as a sentimental little bonus, if you leave the CD playing after the track finishes, his three year old daughter, Evie, gives her version of the song. Nashville’s youngest star!

TIM McGRAW remains one of Nashville’s hottest properties, having amassed 44 million album sales, and 32 Number one Country hits. So any new album is eagerly awaited.
This one is probably awaited more eagerly than most. It’s been billed as Country music’s most litigated release. Tim, and his US label, Curb, have spent months fighting in court over it.
But now “Emotional Traffic” has been released (by Rhino Records in the UK), and the label stuck on the CD case claims Tim’s own words as”My best album ever”. We’ll leave that for the fans to decide.
The album has already produced a couple of hit singles, “Felt Good On My Lips” and “Better Than I Used To Be”.
Although at a crossroads in his career, this album doesn’t deviate from the path he’s travelled over the past 20 years. His fans wont be disappointed.

Last year, THE BAND PERRY had a great CMA Awards night, winning Best New Artist, as well as Single and Song Of The Year awards. Their huge song was “If I Die Young”, which was a truly magnificent number, and well deserved the accolades.
Now, to coincide with an appearance in London, Mercury Records have released their album, “The Band Perry” over here.
My first listen didn’t impress me much. They were just to Nashville pop for me, but as I’ve listened again, their sound is growing on me. I especially enjoyed “All Your Life”, “Walk Me Down The Middle” and “Postcard From Paris”. I also liked “Independence”.
The Band Perry are three siblings, Kimberley, Reid and Neil Perry, from Mobile, Alabama. They always had music around at home, and played in bands in their younger days. It was in 2005, they joined forces for a “New Faces show”, and The Band Perry was born.
Having sold over a million copies of their debut album, the family trio have certainly made it.
Their music is contemporary, hopefully enough to get major radio play over here. “If I Die Young” is also released as a single.

We get many albums from American independent labels, many of whom are from aspiring Nashville wannabees, but occasionally, we get one that’s just so Country that you cant help but take notice.
That’s certainly the case with an album called “Run Like The Wind”, from a guy called ISRAEL DAVID (BSW Records). He doesn’t have the slickest Country name, but his music sure is.
Six of the ten songs were written by David Frizzell, with other writers like Lonnie Williams and Sanger D.Shafer also contributing. Whether it’s uptempo numbers like the catchy Merle Haggard sounding “Back In Waco”, and “In The Pines”, or ballads like “Last Dance With You”, “She’s Not In My Bed” or “Distance In Time”, Israel comes over as a superb Country singer.
He also covers “I Ain’t Goin’ If There Ain’t No Hank”, which Frizzell recorded a few years back. And listen out for the western influenced “You’ve Just Been Robbed By Jesse James”- it’s a cracker!
The whole album is great! I couldn’t find out much info on him, but I’m sure we’ll hear a lot more of Israel David- a Country star for the future!

Now for some releases from this side of the Atlantic.
NORMAN BORLAND has a wealth of admirers on both sides of the Irish Sea. His rich, traditional vocals have warmed audiences for many years now.
His latest album, “Choices”, recorded at Glasgow’s Stealth studios, features 15 tracks, all delivered in a pure Country manner.
The songs range from George Jones’ title cut, through Don Williams’ “I Would Like To See You Again” and “Lay Down Beside Me” to Jim Reeves’ “Welcome To My World”.
I really enjoyed Norman’s version of Aaron Tippin’s “How’s The Radio Know”, he does a fine job on the Tracy Lawrence hit “Paint Me a Birmingham”.
There’s also covers of hits by Ronnie Milsap, Heather Myles, Randy Travis, Moe Bandy and Toby Keith. He even stretches back to the sixties with a very credible cover of the Frankie McBride hit, “Five Little Fingers”, and the album also features his recent single, “Catfish John”.
It’s an album of covers, but not songs that have been overdone. I think Norman has chosen well, and I really enjoyed the album.

CHARLIE LANDSBOROUGH is one of Britain’s favourite singer-songwriters, and has just released his 25th album, “Destination” (Edsell)
Unlike his last album, which featured covers, this album is largely Charlie’s own material, what his fans love and respect him for most.
The album was recorded between the UK and Spain, and features quite a few uptempo numbers like “The Lion’s Share”, “I Must Be An Eskimo”, “Serves Me Right” and “Just Getting By”, but it’s the ballads, like “Angel Of Mercy”, ”All He Ever Saw Was You” and “There’s Nothing Time Can Do”, that really show Charlie at his best.
There are a couple of covers, including Don Everly’s “Yesterday Just Passed My Way Again”, which is the stand out track for me on the whole album. It features some really nice instrumentation, including a lovely steel guitar break- now that’s something that doesn’t feature too often on Charlie’s albums.
As ever, Charlie comes up with a winner!

ALAN WEST has established himself as one of Britain’s leading Country music singer songwriters over three decades. The talented guy from England’s south west, who was mentored by Kelvin Henderson, really got noticed a few years ago when the duo he was part of , “West & Elliot”, won BCMA awards for Finest Duo and album of the year.
As a solo, Alan has been busy on the recording scene, and has a 6 track CD recently released on Neo Music. “The Way It Is”, features some really nice songs, including “Alaska (Take Me Back)”, the uptempo “It’s Enough To Kill Ya”, and the catchy “Horner Hawkins”.
In fact Alan has quite a folksy edge to his vocals, and the suit the songs here. He certainly doesn’t come across as a John Denver soundalike, but he does have a similar laid back sound that Denver was renowned for.
Recorded between Nashville and Devon, Alan displays a unique interpretation of British Country music, not trying to copy the Nashville sound. The instrumentation is kept to minimum, featuring fiddle, drums, banjo and guitar. He has enlisted some neat musicians like Pat McInerney, Thomm Jutz, Leanne Etheridge , Dean Barnes and Justin Moses. Well worth checking out.
www.alanwest.co.uk

Three of the tracks on Alan’s CD come from the pen of STEVE BLACK, who has his own album out too.
Steve has always been around the entertainment business, whether it’s been writing songs, plays or comedy. He’s worked in radio, TV , theatres & clubs, so you could say he is an all round entertainer.
“All the Best” is a full 11 track collection, and is very similar to Alan’s offering, featuring more of the same. It kicks off with the uptempo “Come On Home”, but also features delicate ballads like “Lately” and “Blink Of An Eye”, haunting numbers like “You Think You’re Lonely” and a rather folksy “Killing Fields”.
Again recorded in both Nashville & the UK, Steve has written the whole album, and a really pleasant set of songs it is. I especially liked “Jesse James” and “Children Of The Rodeo”.
www.steveblackmusic.co.uk

BLUE HORIZON are a popular band on the Country scene down south, and have made inroads into Scotland recently, at last month’s Aberdeen festival, and will be back for Spring Into Country next month. The band are led by Christine Ringer, who previously fronted a band called Key West. She is joined by Dave Harris and Mark Hepps.
Their album, “Whiskey Lullaby” is aimed at club audiences, with a dozen cover songs that go down well at live shows.
There’s a bit of Mary Chapin, some Heather Myles, and a bit of Brad Paisley. They also offer some golden oldies too, like “The Last Cheaters Waltz” and “Seven Spanish Angels”
The production is first class, and Christine shows a good vocal style across the album.
Well worth checking them out.

NATHAN CARTER is one of Ireland’s rising stars.
His latest album, “The Live Show” (Sharpe Music) is just that, a live recording from Cookstown, Co Tyrone.
It shows that Nathan is a very versatile entertainer, covering everything from a Buck Owens medley and Don Williams’ “Lay Down Beside Me” to Irish and Beatles medleys.
It’s a good going album, spoiled a bit by the fades between tracks, instead of letting the album just flow like a live concert.
I don’t think there’s any new material on here. Most of the songs have been recorded on his studio albums in recent years. The medleys may be the exception.
One for the fans though!

OTIS GIBBS is quite a character. A giant of a man, he is something of a free spirit, in life, as well as music. He’s planted over 7000 trees, slept in hobo jungles, was his 5th grade yo-yo champion, and has even been known to wrestle bears. He’s certainly not your run of the mill country artist. Having said that, he now lives in the Nashville area, and offers a really diverse alternative to the music they’re making up on Music Row.
On his latest album, “Harder Than Hammered Hell”, released on his own Wanamaker label on May 7th, he wrote all the music, and features Otis with only four other musicians. That’s it – this is as live as a studio album can get.
I described Otis’ vocal style on a previous review as “lived in”, and I’d still say that, but, how he uses that to make his songs come to life is quite amazing.
“Big Whiskers” is the stand out track for me. It has reflections of classic Cash in his story song days. Gibbs really tells it well. I also enjoyed the driving feel of “Detroit Steel”. “Dont Worry Kid” is a bit softer, and could really be adapted into a mainstream Country number. And I liked the bouncy Lyle Lovett arrangement on “Second Best”.
If you like folk Country rockers like Neil Young, Bob Seger, and, of course, Dylan, don’t ignore Otis Gibbs.

Seattle based RACHEL HARRINGTON has been a regular visitor to Scotland, and other European countries in recent years. She usually tours as a solo artist, or a duo, but her latest tour sees Rachel in a different set up, which you might just catch before her final date in Stirling on April 5th.
She’s teamed up with four fellow female musicians that make up The Knockouts, and the resultant album is “Rachel Harrington and The Knockouts” (Continental Song City), and I have to say, the album does deliver a few knockout punches. The publicity sent out with the CD suggests that you “imagine Loretta Lynn playing Otis Redding songs in a garage in Seattle in 1963”. That does sum up the album quite nicely. There is a raw feel to the music, it’s soulful, It’s Country, and has shades of rock’n’roll. Like Loretta, Rachel hasn’t the most powerful voice, but boy, does she use it to best effect on songs that deliver an emotional story.
All the songs were written by Rachel, and was recorded in Washington state, Tennessee and Massachusetts..
One of the stand out tracks has to be the amusing, but clever, “Hippie In My House”. “Love Him Or Leave Him To Me” is a strong Country song, very much in the traditional Loretta style, whilst “I’d Like To Take The Chance” is another song with good Country leanings.
I also liked the more uptempo “Wedding Ring Vacation” and the bouncy “Moonshine Boy”. She also does a lovely duet with Mark Erelli on “You Show Me Yours”.
If you missed them on tour, make sure you check out the album. It’s a knockout!

Steve Earle’s sister STACEY EARLE and her husband MARK STUART have been part of the Americana scene for a long time, and again are regular European visitors. In fact, this year marks their 20th Anniversary of working together. Along the way, they would marry, tour the world and record countless albums together.
Their latest offering, release here on their own Gearle Records label, is “Dedication”, their first album together for four years, and was apparently inspired after, receiving as a gift, a 1928 Baldwin piano, which the pair have been using to write new songs.
Their music draws from blues, pop, country and rock, and certainly, no two tracks on this album are similar.
Their harmonies blend together nicely on “Dedication” and the catchy “Working on It”, but in the main it’s one or other that takes the lead vocal.
My favourite tracks would be the more mainstream “I’ve Been Wrong, I’ve Been Right”, and the gentler “For A Long Time”, both led by Stacey.
They’ll be touring around the Uk in the next few weeks.

If you enjoy old time traditional music, you’ll enjoy THE CACTUS BLOSSOMS.
They are a five piece band from Minnesota, formed by brothers Jack Torrey and Page Burkum, and have been likened to Hank Williams and The Everly Brothers.
The album is a true old time honky tonk album, with superb harmonies and simple but effective instrumentation, of dobro, fiddle & bass.
All but two of the tracks were written by the brothers.
The album kicks off with the fiddle introduction to “A Sad Day To Be You”, which is very much in an old Hank style, but then picks up with the jaunty fiddle tune “Lost John Dean” and “Cold Foot Boogie”. They slow it down for “Song Of The Bird”, which features some stunning harmonies, as does “Stoplight Kisses” and “Blue Railroad Train”.
“Lonesome & Blue” has a bit more dobro and bass, and is more of a haunting story song, whilst “Travellers Paradise” again has the harmonies to the fore.
There’s a lot of Louvin’s and Wilburn’s influence as well as Hank and The Everly’s. There’s no doubt that this album will put you in a time warp, but with such beautiful classic sounding Country music, I really enjoyed the trip.

Finally this time around, we’ve an album from HILLFOLK NOIR, who offer an eclectic mix that the band, led by Travis Ward, call “Junkerdash”. It fuses old time Country & bluegrass with folk and blues into a really interesting package.
The band from Boise, Idaho have just released an album called ”Radio Hour”, available on CD, mp3 and even 10” vinyl (to look like an old 78).
They’re not the first to recreate an old time radio show on disc (I recall the Statlers doing it), and it’s a difficult thing to get right. For me, they don’t quite pull it off, but getting past that distraction, there is some really catchy music here.
Uptempo numbers like “Trash Can”, “Dont Mean Nothing” and the infectious “The Great Grizzly Bear Scare” really capture a superb old timey sound.
An acquired taste, but if you like mountain music, check out this album, and catch them on tour all over Scotland in June (dates in the Giglist)