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Tuesday 12 October 2021

Oct 2021

A new album from ALAN JACKSON is always an event. It’s been six years since his last release, but he’s back out of semi retirement with a fabulous 21 track collection, which is vintage Alan, the sort of music that shot him to the top back in 1990.
The title of his new album is “Where Have You Gone”, which opens the album. It’s a sentimental lament to traditional Country music, soft steel guitars and words from the heart. It’s a song that his fans with relate directly with the tall Georgian native. Everything he yearns for in this song, is renewed in the next 20 songs. A one man crusade you could say.  
There are the jolly trademark Alan Jackson songs reminiscent of “Chattahoochee”, in “Where the Cottonwood Grows”, “Living On Empty”, “Back” and “Write It In Red”. 
He does seem to have relied a little on some golden nectar for a number of the songs here, including “Wishful Drinkin’”, “Beer 10” and “I Was Tequila” as well as some emotional ballads like “I Can Be That Something”, “Way Down In My Bottle” and “The Boot”.
Closer to his heart are ballads like “You’ll Always Be My Baby” and “I Do”, which he wrote for his daughter’s wedding, and “Where Her Heart Is”, which was written for his mama’s funeral. Both are beautiful heartfelt songs, which many readers will relate to.  
Also fitting this theme are “Things That Matter” and “A Man Who Never Cries”, one of my favourite tracks on the album. 
The album also includes a tribute to Merle Haggard on “That’s The Way Life Goes” and his single from 2017, “The Older I Get”.
At the age of 62, Alan Jackson is back, with one of Country music’s must have albums of 2021. 

CONNIE SMITH is a Grand Ole Opry legend, whose biggest success is still her debut single, “Once A Day” back in 1964. She went on to record 54 albums, her latest is “Cry Of The Heart”, which was released for the singer’s 80th birthday. And Connie’s voice still sounds as good today as it did in her heyday. 
Produced by Marty Stuart, whom she married back in 1997, the album features Harry Stinson and Paul Martin from Marty’s band, alongside the legendary Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins, who played on Connie’s early tracks. 
The project features a total of 11 songs and was kicked off when Dallas Frazier, who had written many a song for Connie through the years, came up with “I Just Believe Me Anymore”, a song which really captures the Connie sound of old. A perfect song for her. From there, the rest just fell into place.  
Smith and Stuart composed both the heart-wrenching "Spare Me No Truth Tonight" and the more upbeat "Here Comes My Back Again" for the project. She also collaborated with songwriter Monty Holmes on the lively "Three Sides”, which is one of the stand out tracks to my ears. 
Marty and Harry Stinson co-wrote "Look Out Heart", whilst "To Pieces" was composed by Carl Jackson. Jackson also co-wrote “I’m Not Over You” with Melba Montgomery. Connie does the song real justice. 
There are also more few covers on the project. 
"A Million and One", which opens the album, was first made commercially successful by Billy Walker, and later Dean Martin, while "All the Time" takes us back to Kitty Wells and Jack Greene. "Heart, We Did All That We Could" was first released as a single by Jean Shepard.
Connie also revisits "Jesus Take a Hold", which was originally composed and recorded by Merle Haggard. Smith had first recorded the song in 1971. She chose to re-record it because "it’s just as relevant today as it was back then, if not more so".
It has to be said that Marty’s influence in the sound is notable. It’s modern, whilst keeping traditional steel vibes. It blends beautifully with Connie’s voice, which sounds as good as she always has. 
Certainly the most Country album of the year. 

RHONDA VINCENT is the undisputed Queen Of Bluegrass, and earlier this year was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.  Vincent's music career began when she was a child in her family's band The Sally Mountain Show, and winning her first award back in 1974. Eighteen albums later comes “Music Is What I See”, her first new music for 7 years. 
The title track is devoted to a blind busker down on Nashville’s Broadway, which namechecks a number of classic Country & gospel numbers. A really nice number, worthy of being the title track. 
Fiddles and banjo shine through, especially on tracks like “What Ain’t To Be Just Might Happen” written by Porter Wagoner, which opens the 12 song collection. 
Upbeat instrumentation is to the fore on numbers like “I’d Like To Be A Train” and “False Hearted Love”. 
For me, Rhonda excels on emotional ballads, most notably here on “Slowly”, the old Webb Pierce song, as well as2 “I’m Still Not Over You” and “It’s Me Again”.
The album’s closing track, “There’s A Record Book”, which features The Isaacs, is a beautiful gospel inspired ballad. 
One of the early singles from the album was the emotional ballad “Like I Could,” which was written by Jeannie Seely, Erin Enderlin, and Bobby Tomberlin. Jeannie & Erin were on hand when Rhonda performed it at a historic performance as the last artist to host The Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree at the Texas Troubadour Theatre in Nashville, Tennessee, before going back to its original home on lower Broadway.
The album features a couple of more interesting covers, She records the first bluegrass version of “Unchained Melody” and a 2021 Covid ridden parody of Hank Snow’s “I’ve Been Everywhere”, which is retitled “I Ain’t Been Nowhere”, a song which we can all relate to.
I love Rhonda Vincent’s music. I just love the way she combines Country and bluegrass with ease. She has a truly wonderful sound. Another winner !

One of the most impressive new names I’ve heard coming out of the US Country scene recently is a trio of ladies who call themselves CHAPEL HART. Not only do they display a stunning Country sound, with lovely harmonies, but they dont comply with the stereotypical “look” of a Country girl band! They are different- a breath of fresh air!
The three members of Chapel Hart are sisters Danica Hart and Devynn Hart, and their cousin Trea Swindle, all of whom are natives of Poplarville, Mississippi. Although the group saw its beginnings as a street-performing duo on Royal Street in New Orleans, the three began writing original songs and in 2019. The group independently released their first album, “Out the Mud” the same year, whilst CMT selected Chapel Hart for their class of 2021 "Next Women of Country" 
The trio has the natural ability to bring people together in song and dance through their exhilarating live performances. 
My first listen to the band was the song “You Can Have Him Jolene”, a really catchy, hi energy Country number. Inspired by Dolly’s big hit, which really got me hooked. Do check out the video on Youtube. Then check out their album, “The Girls Are Back In Town”.
They make their mark on uptempo “don’t mess with us” anthems like “Big Ass Waman”, “Tailgate Trophy” and “Jesus And Alcohol” (which features ZZ Top on the video).
But despite their ambitions, they don’t forget their roots, with the homespun “4 Mississippi”.
The album kicks off gently with the beautiful ballad “Nearly Over You”. They have a number of other ballads, including “Just Say I Love You” and “Angel”. Their harmonies are really stunning 
In between there are catchy, back porch numbers like the catchy “I Will Follow”, “Jacqui’s Song” and the smouldering “Red Neck Southern Night”
The title track, which closes the album is a real Country rocker, complete with a few rap lines, with the warning that “We’re the Real Women Of Country and it’s our town now!”
The pop princesses that masquerade as Country singers could be about to be run out of Music City by these divas. They’re the real deal! 
History in the making! 

There’s been a load of new music from reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year ERIC CHURCH released recently – three albums, released within days of each other. Collectively the trilogy is “Heart & Soul”, but all three are available individually. Furthermore, the 6 track middle album, “&” is specifically for his fan club, known as “the Church Choir”, and is available exclusively to those fans and only as a vinyl record.
The total 24 track collection came out of spending 28 days back home in the mountains of North Carolina, where the songs were recorded and written. All, but one, of the tracks was written, or co-written by Church. That one is the rather brash 2020 hit “Stick That In Your Country Song”. 
Over the 15 years that he’s been charting with songs like “Springsteen”, “Drink In My Hand” and “Some Of It”, I have to confess that I’d never really caught onto his music. Over this project, he does show a mellow side on tracks like “Heart Of The Night”,“Crazyland”, “Love Shine Down” (I love the spaghetti western intro), “Rock’n’Roll Found Me”, “Bright Side Girl” and “Jenny.”
The latest single, “Hell Of A View” has more of a gentle feel too. 
A bit more upbeat are tracks like “Bunch Of Nothing”, “Heart On Fire”, “Look Good And You Know It”. 
One of Church’s earlier hits was “Springsteen”, and this collection closes with the simple, acoustic, “Lynyrd Skynyrd Jones”. That sums up the sound that Church has developed over the years- Southern Country rock.  That closing track is a beautiful ballad, by the way, one of my favourite tracks on the collection. 
Quite a nice listen throughout. 

CHASE RICE first surprised fans with “The Album Part I”, in January 2020 while touring the UK/Europe, releasing seven songs. Roll on 17 pandemic affected months and the full 15 track project has been released.  This is the Florida born singers’ 5th album to date. And his first since “Lambs And Lions” back in 2017. 
He wrote, or co-wrote, 11 of the tracks. One of those he didn’t write is “American Nights” which opens the album. Another is “Messy”, a beautiful ballad which really stood out for me. This track features some really impressive female harmonies. Certainly the stand out track for me. 
Mid tempo tracks which appealed to me include “Forever To Go” and “If I Didn’t Have You”.
The closing track, “Drinking Beer, Talking God” is a vocal collaboration with Florida Georgia Line. It’s not a bad track, and one that is growing on me, but, in the main, this isn’t what I’d consider to be Country music. 
The most Country track to my ears is “Break Up Drunk”. 
Having said that, Chase has built up a faithful following on this side of the Atlantic, so this album will, no doubt, be welcomed.

GARY ALLAN is one of these Country stars, who seem to have been around for years, without really hitting the heights that he deserves and that his longevity would suggest. In the 25 years since the released his first album, he’s notched up 4 Number ones, including “Tough Little Boys” and “Nothin’ On But The Radio”.
Now with his 10th album, “Ruthless”, the Californian native gets a UK release on Snakefarm Records – his first for 8 years. It’s been a long time coming, and Gary recorded around 30 tracks, before settling on the 13 which made the album. 
The title track, “Ruthless” is quite a strong ballad, with some effective harmonies. I really liked this track. 
The album opens with “Temptation”, whilst quite a catchy number, but gets totally overshadowed by track 2, “Waste  Of A Whiskey”, which really stood out for me. Another drinking song, was the more of a crooner “Little Glass Of Wine”.
“Slide” had quite catchy feel, as did the more acoustic “Unfiltered”.
 “Pretty Damn Close” and “Trouble Knows Trouble” are quite pleasant ballads, which stood out for me. 
Quite a pleasant listen, and good to have new music from Gary.  

On the home front, West Lothian based singer LIZ CLARKE has released an album of songs that she’s recorded over the past few years, “To Nashville From Love”. The album features 13, mainly original, songs from a mix from sessions over the past few years. 
The album opens with the really catchy “Country Looks Good On Me”, a good traditional foot tapper, written by Irish based American songwriter Sandra Mayer Sovik and Mike Scott-Tracy. It’s a song I really think suits Liz’s style. 
In much the same style, is “You Wont Cheat Me Again”, which I really enjoyed. 
“3 Jobs 2 Kids No Money” is an catchy upbeat song written by London based writer Jon Philbert, who has written songs for Bobby Bare and Tom Jones amongst others. “That’s My Baby Sister” is a similarly styled number, which is one of the radio singles released to promote the album.  
“I’ll Be Gone” is quite a delicate ballad, written by John Mc Keever, who hails from Bonnybridge.
“Blue Skies Over Georgia” is a song written many years ago by Mark Moseley, and Liz does it real justice in bringing it back to the fore.
Liz has a few duet tracks on the album. Two are with Nashville based T Jae Christian, which were also featured on a previous album. “The Vanishing Breed” is a particularly strong Country production, which is a stand out track for me. Another duet with T Jae is “This Feeling That’s So Strong”, which is a bit more soulful. T.Jae also wrote “When Your Heart Tells You It’s Time To Love Again”. 
There’s also three duets with Paul Jackson, who, before last year’s lockdown, she had been building up a live show as Jackson & Clarke. Together they cover the old Tim & Faith hit, “Let’s Make Love”, and two originals penned by Paul, the soulful ballad “Loves Embrace”, and the more upbeat “If You Want Me”. 
That leaves her cover of Karl Denver’s “Voices Of  The Highlands”, which stands out by being  so different to the rest of the album. It’s obviously a song with means a lot to Liz. 
Having been recorded over a number of years, the album embraces the different directions that music has taken Liz during that time. It’s good to listen to the journey. 
Liz had the Jackson & Clarke show planned for the Glasgow’s Grand Ole Opry shortly after lockdown began and put the event on hold. Hopefully, it wont be too long before they’re back. 

PAULA MACASKILL is one of the hardest working performers on the Scottish scene, especially in the Lochaber area, playing local tourist venues, although she does tour outwith the area as well. As a result she has built up a huge following over the years. Through lockdown, all that shut down, although Paula, especially in the early days, was a regular, posting live sets on line. It also gave her time to get into the studio to have an album ready for the venues opening up again. 
He result is “Your Forever Friend”. produced at Kirkhill Recording in Inverness, by fellow singer Ronnie Ross, who plays all the instrumentation on the 12 track album. Ronnie also wrote the title track, a lovely, gentle, sentimental ballad which really suits Paula’s style perfectly. 
The album has quite a variety, starting off with Mark Knopfler’s “The Next Time I’m In Town”. The arrangement really fits in with Paula’s gentle easy listening sound. 
The nature of Paula’s live gigs demand a crossover of upbeat Country and more Celtic sounding numbers, so there’s no surprise to find tracks like “Home To Donegal”, “Walking On The Waves”
and a lovely version of Moira Kerr’s “Where Eagles Fly”. Her version of “Wagon Wheel” is also more Nathan than Darius! 
There’s a couple of more pop numbers like Tom Springfield’s timeless “A World Of Our Own” and Johnny Nash’s “I Can See Clearly Now”.
And for Country fans, there’s classics like “From A Jack To A King”, “Take Me Home Country Roads”, “Play Me The Waltz Of The Angels” and “End Of The World”. 
As expected, Paula comes up with another very enjoyable, easy listening MoR album, which defies genres with ease.   

Our next album comes from Donegal lass ELAINE BOYLE, who has toured with Dominic Kirwan, Gary Gamble, Billie Jo Spears and Stella Parton amongst others. Her latest album, her third, if I’m not mistaken, is a fairly Irish affair, called “Isle Of Hope”.
The title was made popular by Mary Duff a few years back. If you’re not familiar with the song, it tells off a 15 year old Annie Moore, who was one of the first Irish immigrants to land at Ellis Island  enroute to a better life in America. It’s a gorgeous song, and Elaine handles it with sensitivity and emotion. 
Other songs on the collection include the upbeat “The Ferryman”, “Mary From Dungloe” and “Whiskey in The Jar” as well as the more emotional “Town I Loved So Well”, “Noreen Bawn”, “Bright Blue Rose” and “Carrickfergus”.  Although distinctive Irish songs, Elaine has recorded them in a style which will appeal to Country music listeners. 
Away from the Irish, Elaine also covers Highland Scots band Skippinish’ “Walking On The Waves”, Canadian songwriter Ron Hynes’ “Sonny’s Dream” and English duo Splinter’s catchy “Evergreen”, which I really enjoyed. This track really stood out for me, probably because I was unfamiliar with the song. But there’s not a bad track on the album. 
I’ve always enjoyed Elaine’s music, and have to say that this album continues that appreciation. A really enjoyable listen. 

The RYAN TURNER Band are one of the most versatile bands on the Irish scene, catering for all sorts of events from being a Wedding band, to a backing band for touring artists. They have a huge following in the North of Scotland, and the release of Ryan’s latest CD, “Brand New Man” has been much anticipated.
With the live performances being shutdown over the past year, Ryan used the time to put down some recordings, and this is the result. 
There are 11 tracks, ranging from Don Williams’ “If Hollywood Don’t Need You”, and Conway Twitty’s “Fifteen Years Ago” to Phil Vasser’s “I’m Alright” and the Brooks & Dunn cover which gives the album it’s title.  
The opening cut, a Jerry Kilgore song called “I Just Want My Baby Back” is a good upbeat introduction to the album.
There are three Keith Whitley covers, including “I’m Over You”, “Miami My Amy”, and a duet with Carmel Sheerin. That’s one of two duet’s on the album.
The other is, in my opinion, the stand out track. Written by acclaimed Irish songwriter Shunie Crampsey, Ryan teams up with Marty Haggard (son of Merle) on “Dying A Death But Living A Dream”. What a great Country Song title! - and the song itself lives up to the title. 
The production is first class, and 100 % pure Country!
Highly recommended.

THE OAKRIDGE BOYS have been a major musical force since their formation as a gospel group way back in the 1940’s. 
Big bearded William Lee Golden and Duane Allen joined the group in the mid-1960s, and Richard Sterban and Joe Bonsall joined in the early 1970s. Aside from an eight-year gap (1987–95) when Golden left the group and was replaced, this lineup has been together since 1973. 
They have a new album, “Front Porch Singing” recently released in America, but Humphead Records, here in the UK, have just added The Oaks to their “Definitive Collection” series, with a 2 CD, 39 track collection of hits from around the 80’s when they were at the very top of their game. 
Hits like “Elvira”, “American Made”, “Y’all Come Back Saloon” and “Leaving Louisiana In The Broad Daylight” were huge hits for the quartet, as were “You’re The One”, “Dream On” and “Bobbie Sue”. 
They never lost their core gospel values, as demonstrated on songs like “Thank God For Kids”, “Touch A Hand Make A Friend” and “American Family”. 
Two songs, I always liked from The Oaks were the similarly titled  “Come On In” and “Come On In (You Did The Best You Could Do)”, which were recorded 7 years apart. Cleverly, (or perhaps dangerously for radio DJ’s), both songs are track 4 on the respective CD’s. 
As ever with Humphead compilations, there’s an informative 12 page booklet with an interesting bio written by Alan Cackett. 

Canadian collective THE HELLO DARLINS, had built up huge anticipation prior to their first full-length album “Go By Feel” released back in June.
The buzz began building almost immediately after the Calgary, Alberta-based Americana outfit debuted on the scene in early 2020, although the seeds of the band took root in 2016 when vocalist/producer Candace Lacina crossed paths again with keyboardist/producer Mike Little after first meeting at a recording studio years earlier. Once reconnected, they soon found themselves making music together, whilst, at the same time, the couple began inviting others within their circle to participate, including Clayton Bellamy (The Road Hammers), Matt Andersen, Dave and Joey Landreth (aka The Bros. Landreth) and ace fiddler Shane Guse.
On “Go By Feel”, this incredible collection of Canadian talent has forged a hybrid of country, gospel and blues like no other, from the heart-wrenching ballads like and “Prayer For A Sparrow” to the classic country-rocker “Mountain Time”, and the smouldering “Smokin’ Gun”. 
I wouldn’t want to consider The Hello Darlin’s as mainstream Nashville Country pop, but the opening track “Catch That Train” does conjure up quite a Lady A sound. 
“Lonely In Las Vegas” and the title track are both emotional, soulful ballads with suits Candace’s smouldering vocals, as does “Never Get Over You” and “Where Are You”.
Released as a single prior to the album release, “Aberdeen” has an obvious interest over here. On this beautiful, melodic track,  Joey Landreth takes the lead vocals, with some stunning harmonies provided by Candance, not to mention some creative instrumentation, including Tammy Rodgers on mandolin, and Mark on accordion,  which really shines through.  Actually the song hasn’t anything to do with the Granite City though. “Aberdeen” is simply the name of a horse, and is about the loyalty and friendship that is shown beyond fence lines. Still the stand out track!
“Still Waters” is another amazing track, featuring soulful vocals by blues man Matt Andersen. 
When I first got into Canadian Country music, I was attracted by the diversity of styles on offer, between the likes of The Rankins, Prairie Oyster, Farmers Daughter, Michelle Wright etc.  That’s largely disappeared over time, and much of it today, is a clone of the Nashville sound. But The Hello Darlin’s have rekindled the belief for me.  A real winning sound it is! 

Born in Oklahoma, the now Essex-based BOB COLLUM  is back with his band THE WELFARE MOTHERS, and a new album, “This Heart Will Self Destruct” (Fretsore Records).
Raised by his grandparents on the likes of Bob Wills and The Carter Family, Collum quickly embraced the sonic-fusion of transatlantic influences brought through the ongoing ripple effect of The Beatles. What results is a combination of these influences in his own artistic output; home-grown, transatlantic and British are all evident here. Collum reflects on the album as “beginning life on the cusp before the insanity of 2020” with much of the recordings done intermittently with safety taking priority. Initially intended as an EP, the sessions resulted in a full-length album.
The title track has a catchy rockabilly feel to it. “Saved” also has a vintage feel to it. It’s an interesting take on the Lieber and Stoller hit by LaVern Baker (and also recorded by Elvis). 
A more recent single, “From Birmingham” has a strong Country influence. I really enjoyed this track. I loved the accordion and female harmonies shining through on it. Other stand out tracks include the opening track “Parachute” and “Second Fiddle”.
There are a few bluesy numbers, including “Spare Me”, “Tall Glass Of Muddy Water”, but plenty of interest for old timey Country fans. 
 “I think the album captures the last year quite well; songs about anxiety, hope, fear, humour, uncertainty, love, disappointment, redemption, faith, more uncertainty, more fear, more hope etc.”, Collum states. 
With live shows on hiatus, this album takes its listeners on a retrospective journey invoking images of close-knit writing rooms and vintage recording studios, to bustling club nights and Fender-fuelled honky-tonks. 
A good listen.

It would be hard to categorise LAUREN HOUSLEY’s music. There’s a lot of soul and some vintage pop, but a lot of rootsy Country/Americana as well, which should appeal to readers. 
“Girl From The North” (Lovebird Recordings) released on St Georges Day, is her third album, and was recorded in the heart of England’s industrial north – Rotherham, in a studio she and husband/producer Thomas Dibb built underneath a foodhall. 
The album begins with “Bless His Soul”, which is one of the most Country sounding tracks on the album, especially with the steel, courtesy of CJ Hillman. 
“Guaranteed Sunshine” also has a strong modern Country feel to it, although the accompanying press release likens this track to early Sheryl Crow (who, of course has done a fair bit of dabbling in Country music).
“This Aint The Love”, one of the singles released to promote the album, has a catchy feel, with sits somewhere between Patsy Cline and 60’s pop.
“Stay Awake To Dream” is a beautiful ballad which I really enjoyed, whilst “What’s Troubling You Child” has more of a bluesy feel to it.
“Why Are We Making It So Hard” is a catchy mid tempo number which is quite catchy, if a little repetitive. 
Some tracks are old style Britpop with an atmospheric psychedelic sound, such as the lengthy “Breakdown” (over 5 mins) and the short “Two Lovers Lost in Space” (just 75 seconds long).
“Sing To Me” is different again. Her description as an “adult lullaby” is fairly accurate, I’d say. 
The album closes with the rockier “We’re Not Backing Down”, which has a really good beat.
An interesting album, with lots of different styles. A pleasant listen!

ROLAND ROBERTS life is like a musical atlas. He was Memphis born, Alabama raised, Colorado grown, and now a staple in the ever flourishing Alaskan music scene. To add to that, he recorded his debut album, “All About The Timing” (Happy Life Records) in Whitehouse in The Yukon, in Canada’s far north. 
He has been compared to the likes of John Prine, with a classic Country sound, blended with American folk, bluegrass and delta blues in the mix. 
The title track is a bouncy little number, with some life lessons contained within the lyrics. 
The completely self penned album starts off by highlighting his travelling by place checking   Toronto, Colorado and Yukon, in a catchy love song called “Beautiful Soul”.
“Picture On The Wall” has more of a Prine feel to it, as is the slower “Don’t Tell Me Goodbye”. 
“Sittin’ In Nebraska” is a catchy number inspired by being “stuck” there with no way out. 
There’s a much more old timey/bluegrass feel to “Rambling Joe”, whilst the steel intro to “Being Me” was quite appealing. 
“Wake Up” and “Lonely Blues” are two of the more bluesy numbers, whilst the album rounds off with “Keep Movin’ On”, which suggests that Roland will be rollin’ along for the foreseeable future. 
I really quite enjoyed tis album. It’s a little different. 

Finally, If you like your music really old style traditional Country then SUITCASE SAM will take you back to the likes of Hank Williams and Jimmie Rodgers with his latest album, “Goodnight Riverdale Park”.
The album builds on 20’s jazz and 30’s country, both of which are big influences, and there’s also a
bit of The Band and some Willie Nelson-inspired outlaw country included in the 10 original tracks.
The album starts off with the bluesy “Growing Up”, before leading into the Hank styled “Friday Afternoon” and the jazz/ragtime instrumental “Maple Leaf Stomp”. 
You’re already getting the feel for the album. He then takes us to the deep south with the Southern blues/rock feel of “Frankie And Me” and the more, albeit dated, mainstream “Morning Mail”, which I really think is one of the stand out tracks. “Honey I’m Home” is another which really captures what this guy is all about.  
“Edge of Town” is a catchy number with a shade of a honky tonk influence, whilst “The Grand Trunk Pacific Railroad” honours the wayfaring hobo, sharing the escapism, which the harmonica introduction to “Tattered Shoes” keeps that feel rolling on. 
“Goodnight Riverdale Park” was co-produced by Juno Award winning analogue specialist Walter
Sobczak at Toronto’s Revolution Recording studios, who stayed away from computers when capturing the overall Suitcase Sam Sound.
“I think the fact that we recorded it to two-and-a-half-inch tape really sets the album apart,” notes
Sam. 
Suitcase Sam still has no fixed address. He is rumoured to be hailing from “the wilds of Canada.” But he may just find a place in your musical collection. It’s certainly different. Refreshingly vintage. 


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