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KIX BROOKS own... and whether either will The opening Pavement Ends, VARIOUS Me (Colin Gilmore) / Heart Of of the versions highlight new the heart of What’s Shaking On New To This Town achieve a fraction of what they Tornado with its insistent drumbeat and Lowe Country: The The City (Chatham County Line) aspects to the songs and give them The Hill; Chatham County Line  accomplished together.  is not only short, sweet, Songs Of Nick Lowe / What’s Shakin’ On The Hill (Lori renewed vigour. Lately I’ve Let give Heart Of The City a delightful Dunn’s disc benefited from and to the point, it’s also really  McKenna) / Cracking Up (Griffin Things Slide is set to a delightful bluegrass twist, but best of all is him being, in effect, the voice catchy, way more rootsy than House) / Where’s My Everything classic country setting of tinkling the radical reworking of I Love of B&D. His was vocally I had expected, and sets the (Ron Sexsmith) and aching pedal steel and The Sound Of Breaking Glass strong and he found some good tone of the album perfectly. The Producer: various the restrained wistfulness of Caitlin by Amanda Shires. Nick Lowe’s songs although, judging from his production is almost grungy, to Fiesta Red Records Rose’s vocal allows the fumbling original is a bouncy pop song recent interview in CMP, he was such an extent that I thought 43:25 self-awareness of the lyrics to that disguises the darkness in the disappointed by their showing I may have damaged my really shine through. Robert Ellis lyrics and is possibly ironically on the chart. speakers, and the wall of guitars Nick Lowe’s idiosyncratic performs a great version of All referencing the song Brooks’ voice is whiney by juxtaposed against the , songwriting covers many styles and Men Are Liars with harmony of a similar title, but Shires fully comparison. The conviction he and banjo and suits most of them are represented here, vocals from Caitlin Rose, although extracts the unhinged desperation brings to the opening New To the album down to the ground. from his days in the underachieving some of the more comic aspects at the core of the song. This Town compensates for his Pontoon is utterly unlike band Brinsley Schwarz, his rock of the lyric feel awkward in the The remaining songs aren’t so New To This Town (w. Joe vocal shortcomings. But, as the Pavement Ends / Pontoon / anything else to have charted Lately I’ve Let Things Slide (Caitlin ‘n’ roll collaborations with Dave overtly country setting; (I’m Gonna successful. Griffin House deserves Walsh) / Moonshine Road / Bring album grinds on, the sound of Sober / Front Porch Thing / On recently, and thoroughly Rose) / Don’t Lose Your Grip On Edmund’s Rockpile, his quirky and Start) Living Again If It Kills Me a mention for making a good It On Home / There’s The Sun / his voice begins to grate. Your Side Of The Bed / Leavin’ deserving of its top of the charts Love (The Parson Red Heads) / witty pop songs that graced the has similarities to Hayes Carll’s attempt at a twangy Cracking Up Complete 360 / My Baby / Tattoo Knowing he’s no Perry Como, In Your Eyes / Tornado / On Fire status (even if I am amused All Men Are Liars (Robert Ellis) charts in the late 1970s through writing style and so fits him like a that doesn’t fully come off, but on / In The Right Place / Next To Brooks gravitates to groove- Tonight / Can’t Go Back / Self by the term ‘motorboating’ / I Love The Sound Of Breaking to the more country material that glove, and Ron Sexsmith perfectly the remaining renditions the bands That Woman / Let’s Do This based material such as the Big Made / Night Owl which I thought had different Glass (Amanda Shires) / Marie coincided with his close association judges the alternating humour either miss the point or struggle with Thing / Closin’ Time At Home / & Rich-ish hard rock and banjo Producer: connotations not involving any Provost (JEFF The Brotherhood) with the Cash/Carter clan when he and poignancy of Where’s My the British eccentricity of the lyrics. She Knew I Was A Cowboy combo of My Baby, the mellow Hump Head / Capitol kind of sailing). If someone / (I’m Gonna Start) Living Again was married to ’s Everything with just acoustic guitars As with most tribute it is Producer: funkiness of There’s The Sun, 38:09 more ‘credible’ like say, Civil If It Kills Me (Hayes Carll) / daughter Carlene. for accompaniment. a mixed bag, but there is enough Arista and the old fashioned southern Wars, had cut this track we’d Lover Don’t Go (Erin Enderlin) On Lowe Country, thirteen Erin Enderlin turns Lover Don’t quality and innovation to make it a 42:40 rocker Next To That Woman. Little Big Town have been all be falling over ourselves to / When I Write The Book (The country or Americana artists Go into searing country soul; Lori worthwhile exercise. The humorously risqué Tattoo, around. Deals with Mercury, heap praise on it. You could say Unsinkable Boxer) / You Make reinterpret his songs. The majority McKenna and Mark Erelli get to Michael Hingston The title track is engrossing in which he teases us with hints Monument, and the Equity Music the same for many of the other for more than one reason. about where his girl has been Group (partially owned by Clint tracks here, which maintain the VINYL: we now www.HonkyTonkin.com offer vinyl on lots of web store: For starters it’s an instantly inked, raises a smile. But, on the Black) before ending up with rootsy feel throughout most of the new releases, Curtis Wood Distributors compelling lyric about a guy whole, the harder Brooks rocks, Capitol Records, and since 1999 the album. just ask. P. O. Box 101, Telephone, Texas 75488, USA sitting in a diner overhearing the more he sounds like a party have maintained the same line- The title track is stylistically Ph/Fax (001) 903-664-3741 email: [email protected] another customer talking host trying desperately to have up, but they have only recently close to Pontoon, possibly too Wholesale available - Indie and Major Product excitedly about moving to town. fun while all around him the achieved their first number one much so to be the follow-up MC/VISA/AMEX/POSTAL MO secure online orderings US DOLLAR FUNDS ONLY To the newcomer the place is guests are stifling yawns and single with Pontoon, from this, single, but I enjoyed it equally ‘Capt Dave’...…we’ll miss you & your great music. a fresh start. The narrator is furtively looking for their coats. their fifth studio album. as much, while the mandolin led DAVE FRANER (1944 - 2012) Hillside Records CEO envious because for him every Towards the end it’s no You can’t question their Sober (“when I die I don’t wanna street brings a painful reminder wonder he turns to the bottle in resilience, but I saw them a go sober”) also has a great feel DVD: Crazy Heart / Movie - SALE Tommy Hooker - Texas Honky Tonk Favorites DVD/CD: Glen Campbell - Jimmy Webb (NEW) Lacey Jay - Livin My Live (NEW) of an old flame and the fear of the form of the shandy-strength few years ago at the Country and is catchy enough to be a DVD: LIVE - All About Tonight (LTD QTY) Red Jenkins - All CDs In Stock bumping into her. “I wish I was honky tonker, Closin’ Time At Radio Seminar in Nashville future hit. Jason Aldean - Night Train (NEW) Waylon Jennings - Going Down Rocking:The Last Recordings new to this town,” Kix Brooks Home. and wasn’t at all taken by their Also rather good is the love Will Banister - All Titles Stocked - Unfi nished Business sings with feeling. But as he The melancholy closer She sub-Fleetwood Mac sound. gone cold ballad, On Your Side Bellamy Brothers - Pray For Me - Livin For the Song: Tribute to delivers such lines as “I can’t Knew I Was A Cowboy is the Earlier this year LBT pulled out Of The Bed, and although the Tony Booth - Old School Mary Lee - Bend Like A Willow (NEW) Kix Brooks - New To This Town Grant Langston - Working Untiil I Die (NEW) walk into a bar without someone most country track and, after the of the Wembley festival due group harmonise well together, Sally Burgess & Hot Club of Nashville - Reach for The Rhythm Tessy Lou & the Shotgun Stars - Leaving Montana (NEW) asking how you are...” the title song, the most appealing. to “recording commitments”. especially on the closing Night Sonny Burgess - All About The Ride Shelby Lynne - Revelation Road DVD/CD (NEW) drama lies in wondering if he’s Brooks’ unpolished, world-weary Apparently the only slot the Owl, which could almost have Tim Culpepper - Pourin’ Whiskey On Pain (NEW) IN STOCK Houston Marchman - Econoliner (NEW) thinking about his professional voice is at its most natural and studio and producer with whom been an old Everly Brothers Billy Ray Cyrus - Change My Mind (NEW) - ex, . convincing in a gentle acoustic they wished to work had free tune, the album does slip back Billy Dean - A Man Of Good Fortune Gary P Nunn - One Way Or Another (NEW) Iris Dement - Sing The Delta Linda Ortega - Cigarettes & Truckstops (NEW) The shadow of their past life setting. Then again, perhaps the coincided with the event. In into the dreaded Fleetwood Mac Wesley Dennis - Country Enough (NEW) Melissa Sellers - Live/Turn Me Loose (NEW) as country’s most successful song tugs at the heart because my typically cynical manner I territory on Can’t Go Back, and Rosie Flores - Working Girl’s Guitar (NEW) Eric Strickland & The B Sides - Honky Tonk Till I Die duo Brooks & Dunn hangs Kix sounds as sad as a man thought ‘Yeah, right. Like that’ll Leavin’ In Your Eyes. Radney Foster - Unplugged And Lonesome Survivors II (D. McCall,C Potter,Tbooth) heavily over this album, just who really has lost something make a difference!’ However, There are some other big Teea Goans - That’s Just Me Time Jumpers - Time Jumpers as it hung over Dunn’s first - that something having the on the strength of their latest Nashville groups I could name Durwood Haddock - All Titles Stocked VA: On The Road Again (Hillside Rec) James Hand - Mighty Lonesome Man (NEW) - Real Good Time (NEW) post-split solo outing last initials RD. release they knew what they that could learn a lot from Jolie Holliday - Love Was All We Had In Common - year. Both former partners Is it too soon to suggest they were doing, and I am shocked Tornado. Respect to LBT. I never For Our Complete Catalog check our online store. New Titles added weekly. must be wondering which of get back together? as to just how much I enjoyed expected I’d be saying that. Our Music CDs include: Country, Texas Music, , Cowboy, Traditional Country, Honky Tonk & More. them will prosper best on their Douglas McPherson Tornado. Duncan Warwick Domestic Mail: $3.00 base + .50c each add’l item / Foreign Mail: airpost $5.00 + $1.00 each item.

30 PEOPLE - NOVEMBER 2012 NOVEMBER 2012 - COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE 31 CD Reviews & downloads

RYAN BINGHAM Behind, appears to be about own hero, , Hollies. The second, Missing HOT CLUB OF I’m In The Mood For Love, ROSIE FLORES surprises including Surf Demon Tomorrowland his relationship with his father still a default choice on my Heart, is dreamier and more COWTOWN Slow Boat To China and The Working Girl’s Guitar #5 which is a superb 1960s style  but he doesn’t give us enough record player; now he leaves acoustic with Dwight’s voice Rendezvous In Rhythm Continental are made their own,  surf instrumental. The biggest information to figure out what is Bakersfield behind and leads us - which by the way is glorious  and feature not only wonderful surprise though is reserved for going on. instead deep into that part of his throughout, the familiar lupine playing by Elana James, the old 1959 Bobby Vee track, In the past I have enjoyed soul where Sixties pop resides howl now supplemented by a and nifty guitar from Whit Smith, Love Must Have Passed Me By, Ryan Bingham’s work. He wrote and where guitars jangle rather husky lower range - right upfront. but arrangements by them that which has pop legend Bobby Vee good songs for the Jeff Bridges’ than twang. He really is a great singer, not make the songs completely singing with Rosie Flores (Booby film,Crazy Heart, and his album, Some of my CMP colleagues just a stylist. fresh. Vee’s son, Tommy has played Junky Star (2010), was decent are horrified by this prospect, The title track is perhaps my They pull off the Reinhardt bass for Flores and is also on the enough, but another album of but I am made of sterner stuff. I least favourite, leaning towards / Grappelli Minor Swing with album). The new version has a his aged-but-still-young voice must admit that I felt a shudder the pretentious: it’s apparently utter aplomb and the opening classic pop feel, and is one of the is too much for me. I’m sorely of anxiety as I unpacked the CD, a reference to a story about Dark Eyes (Ochi Chornye) is hidden gems of 2012. tempted to open the window and though: the memory of 1992 and a tripping , who as perfect an example of what The old song, Too Beg For Broken Legs / Western use the CD as a frisbee. La Croix D’Amour, (indeed!) an thought it might be fun to wear they do best as you could wish Much, from 1956 (a #1 hit for The Shore / Flower Bomb / Guess Spencer Leigh album built around lacklustre, three pairs of shades at the Dark Eyes (Ochi Chornye) / for. The other Reinhardt tune Working Girl’s guitar / Little But King), is also updated. The song Who’s Knockin’ / Heart Of weary-sounding covers of Sixties same time. The big chiming I’m In The Mood For Love / included here, Douce Ambience, I’m Loud / Yeah, Yeah / Drug retains it’s old rock “n” roll feel Rhythm/ I Heard ’Em Say / DWIGHT YOAKAM pop songs is still fresher than it production just draws attention Crazy Rhythm / Avalon / If I Had also features killer licks. Store Rock “n” Roll / Surf Demon with a superb vocal from Rosie Rising Of The Ghetto / No Help 3 Pears ought to be. But I needn’t have to the daftness of the lyric. You / The Continental / Minor All the tunes are vintage, and #5 / Love Must Have Passed Flores, who also contributes From God / Keep It Together /  worried: for the most part, I like Lennon was conjured again for Swing / Melancholy Baby / I’m range from 1912’s Melancholy Me By / Too Much / If (I Could some very fine guitar playing. Never Far Behind / The Road I’m this. After the tempting appeal me when the album ended with a Confessin’ / Sweet Sue, Just Baby to 1948’s Slow Boat To Be With You) / While My Guitar Rosie Flores has co-written On / Never Ending Show / Too of Take Hold Of My Hand has piano and voice reprise of Long You / Slow Boat To China / China, several are instrumental, Gently Weeps three tracks on the new disc, Deep To Fill passed, we are straight into the Way To Go that put me in mind Sunshine Of Your Smile / Back and there is nobody who can Producer: Rosie Flores the best of which is the ballad Producer: Ryan Bingham and playful whimsy of Waterfall; I of Imagine. Now, I realise I am In Your Own Backyard / Douce do this kind of thing so well. Bloodshot Records Yeah, Yeah which mixes old style Justin Stanley never thought I’d live to see the in a minority in the world at large Ambiance I played this immediately 32:50 pop with country. The singers Axster Bingham day the writer of It Won’t Hurt on this, but I loathe Imagine, with Producer: Lloyd Maines following the Sally Burgess subdued, sensitive, breathy vocal 1:02:45 would pick himself up from the its fatuous lyric and pseudo- Proper CD (reviewed elsewhere in When Rosie Flores sold one would probably have sent this dusty barroom floor and address profound delivery and I would 49:24 this issue) on which the band of her old guitars to musician tune rushing up the pop charts I defy anyone to listen to the first his talents to the thought ‘If I rather that no one reminded me is called “The Hot Club Of Ritchie Mintz, he remarked that many decades ago, but these track on this album and then tell had a big giraffe / He’d have to of it, not even Dwight Yoakam. It would be fair to say that Hot Nashville” and it made me it was a “working girl’s guitar”. days melody seems frequently to what it was called. Ryan Bingham take a big long bath / And that’s Fortunately Long Way To Go is a Club Of Cowtown never lost their realise what a misnomer that From that casual comment the be out of fashion. is a good lyricist but what is the why waterfalls are really neat’ much better song and there’s a mojo, but recently might have was. The “Cowtown” bunch not title of Rosie Flores’ 11th album The album ends with an point of writing lyrics that no one Take Hold Of My Hand/ Waterfall and I think I’m glad I have. As terrific version that drives along misplaced it. The band is always only embrace the original spirit was born. interesting cover version of the can decipher? Mind you, when / Dim Lights, Thisck Smoke / if to confirm that the Dwight we and does it much better justice hugely listenable but the last of the Hot Club Of Paris, and Rosie Flores began her career old song, While he is singing clearer, as on the Trying / Nothing But Love / It’s know and love is still in there, earlier on the album. It’s a lyric couple of albums have lacked play with verve and vitality, but with a traditional country disc My Guitar Gently Weeps, which, second track, Western Shore, Never Alright / A / next up is a cover of Dim Lights, that could only have been written some of the urgency of their importantly, they sound like in 1987, before concentrating as this is an album about guitars things are not much better. Long Way To Go/ Missing Heart/ Thick Smoke, the 1950s Joe and by Dwight; the same could earlier work, and the Bob Wills they’re having a darn good time more on . This new CD is a perfect way to sign off. Tomorrowland contains very 3 Pears/ Rock It All Away/ Long Rose Lee Maphis classic. Now, be said of It’s Never Alright, a tribute seemed almost too easy. doing it. has songs from several genres, Rosie Flores clearly loves this coarse language, so coarse that Way To Go (Reprise) I love this song, but something really moving description of the In spite of this they have I have one small gripe, and and an interesting “guest star”. It underrated song, and sings it in I can’t quote it in CMP without Producers: Dwight Yoakam / about its preachy condemnation frustration and disappointment remained one of the bands I that’s about what’s not on the begins with the title cut, written a knowing “I’ve got a great song offending many subscribers. The “You’ll never make a wife to a of partial, slow, imperfect would never miss seeing live, album. Some years ago, in the by Ritchie Mintz, an uptempo here” way. The delicate backing chorus of one song is “Guess Warner Brothers home-loving man” make me healing. Maybe it’s the sheer and I am constantly astounded upstairs of a coffee shop in melodic rock song, with lead track has a certain beauty. who’s knockin’on the door, It’s 45:00 want to stick my tongue out and Dwightness of the lyric and the at the musical ability of Elana Austin I heard the band play an guitar by Rosie Flores [who Rosie Flores new CD is not me, (12-letter expletive), who’s thumb my nose defiantly. So this melodic structure - neither of James, Whit Smith, and Jake old (Fats Waller written) Louis plays electric/acoustic guitars a country disc, and it’s not a knockin’ on the door?” Just what From the minute 3 Pears opens aggressive, thrashy, which would have been out of Erwin. I’ve got a feeling that Armstrong song, What Did I Do all through the disc]. Second rockabilly disc either, so the is the point of that? And anyway, with the bubbling bass line take on it pleases me very much. place on his glorious 1993 album the only artist I have seen live To Be So Black And Blue? It song, Little But I’m Loud (which singer is taking a bit of a risk. would you open to the door to that energises Take Hold Of I’m sorry for you with your honky This Time - but it was at this more often is Dale Watson, and ranks as one of my all-time live the singer co-wrote with Rachel This is an album shot through someone who is shouting at My Hand it’s clear that we find tonk heart. So there. point that I started to feel I was the beauty of a Hot Club gig, musical highlights and that song Gladstone) continues in similar with a fantastic pop sensibility, you and calling you a 12-letter Dwight in eclectic mood. This The first of the two much listening to a lot of great country and I suppose the band’s whole would have sat perfectly on this vein, with Rosie Flores’ guitar and something of a timeless feel. expletive? is his first collection of new anticipated tracks produced by songs being given an alternative ethos, is the way they mix hot record. playing sounding like pure rock. For me, this is possibly the most With a kind of songs since 2005’s return to Beck continue the homage to treatment, as if Dwight had with Western Swing. As much as I love Western With tracks like this Rosie Flores enjoyable Rosie Flores release outlook, Bingham writes about form , the album the Sixties zeitgeist: I guess the made his own tribute album. But Rendezvous In Rhythm is a Swing, the hot jazz is what is a long way from her country since her wonderful debut, but the homeless in Flower Bomb that consolidated his place as inspiration for A Heart Like Mine that’s OK - without his eclectic return to form, their best since Hot Club do best, and this is a roots. Her fans may well be fans of her country/rockabilly and sings, “Up in heaven there the creative genius of the New was , but as Dwight spirit, he wouldn’t be the artist Tall Tales, and focuses on the staggering return to form for the divided on the opening tracks, records might be in for a bit of is food to eat, But from now Traditionalist generation. In calls, whoops and harmonises he is. But Dwight: come back to Django / gypsy hot jazz side band I once said I could listen to but both songs are entertaining a shock and might not be so all we get is this shit on the 2007, he offered the delicious amongst the jangly guitars, I Bakersfield soon, won’t you? of their influences. Even well forever. That still stands. and work very well. delighted with all the material. street.” The song, Never Far treat that was the tribute to his couldn’t help thinking of The Janet Aspley worn numbers like If I Had You, Duncan Warwick The album does offer several Paul Riley

32 COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE - NOVEMBER 2012 NOVEMBER 2012 - COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE 33 CD Reviews & downloads

 CD of the Month 

KRIS KRISTOFFERSON feeling mortal, hence, not only and so the accompaniment is these songs live, presumably Feeling Mortal the title song of this album but kept to a tasty minimum. Greg with poignant introductions.  pretty much the whole CD. This Leisz’ quizzical There is a revival of an is reflecting plays a key role in Stairway old cheating song, My Heart on the past but not necessarily To The Bottom, but mostly the Was The Last One To Know, regretting it. He prides himself musicians are doing their job written with Shel Silverstein on his individuality in You Don’t perfectly by keeping out of the and originally recorded by Tell Me What To Do yet he way, so commendations to Mark . Ramblin’ Jack adds a knowingness to an older Goldenberg (guitar), Matt Rollins finds Kristofferson finishing song about sexual conquests, (keyboard), Sean Hurley (bass), a song that he had written Stairway To The Bottom. Aaron Sterling (drums) and Sara years earlier - Kristofferson The intimacy of these songs Watkins (additional vocals). calls his younger self his new is echoed by their familiarity to Mama Stewart is a brilliant songwriting partner. Indeed, his earlier work. For example, song about the death of his I did wonder if he had based you’ll find echoes of Help Me 94-year-old grandmother who it on unused lines from The Feeling Mortal / Mama Stewart / Make It Through The Night in had travelled across American Pilgrim: Chapter 33. Kris Bread For The Body / You Don’t Feeling Mortal and Lovin’ Her in a covered wagon when she is encouraged by the way Tell Me What To Do / Stairway Was Easier in Mama Stewart. was seven. She was blind and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott is facing To The Bottom / Just Suppose This increases their impact and Kristofferson acknowledges that up to death: he sings, “He ain’t / Castaway / My Heart Was the at the end we find shades of The she saw things that he himself afraid of where he’s going”. Last One To Know / The One Pilgrim: Chapter 33 in Ramblin’ was too blind to see: Kristofferson is less sure. You Chose / Ramblin’ Jack Jack, and we all know “Ramblin’ “Everything is beautiful in Castaway is about finding an Producer: Don Was Jack Elliott had a lot to do with Mama Stewart’s eyes abandoned ship when he was KK Records it.” Another shining reason to working as a helicopter pilot 31:24 Mostly Kristofferson is singing believe in the Gulf of Mexico, and he quietly and slowly with clearer Lord, let me see what Mama hopes that he is not going to In the press release for this diction than usual and the songs Stewart sees.” end up adrift like that. album, Kris Kristofferson refers are based around his guitar and You might assume from Feeling Mortal may be a on his past life of wrecking cars accompaniment and listening to this album that strange record for a resident and motorcycles as well as arranged, like his more recent Kristofferson is staring death of Hawaii to make but it’s a drinking and drugging and yet albums, by Don Was. Was in the face but he is about to wonderful piece of work. somehow all these excesses knows that the songs are strong embark on a tour of the UK and Spencer Leigh didn’t kill him. Now he’s 76 and enough to speak for themselves Ireland so you can hear some of

JACKSON DELANEY Style / You Make Me Wanna / impressive facial hair and makes feel to it and terrific Jackson Delaney Good Drugs records in the modern outlaw lyrics, “you make me wanna kill  Producer: not listed tradition. Sometimes he rocks something, like an ice cold beer”. Self-release out a little too much for my liking, It’s also the only track on which 22:45 but even when he does, like on Delaney is credited as writer. the full on Shotgun Wedding, and The songs are strong though You might notice a slight similarity Freedom Never Goes Out Of (Hannan Gary is the primary to Jamey Johnson in the picture Style I want to hear what he’s got writer on four of the cuts), so of Nashville-based Jackson to say, and like Jamey Johnson, much so that there would be Delaney’s 6-track EP. You may there’s something hypnotic about no reason for them not to find a also notice a similarity in his voice his voice. Alright, I’ll try not to place on (mainstream) country and the music he performs to mention JJ again in this review. radio but we know how difficult Jamey Johnson. But don’t think There are hints of Waylon and that is to conquer in this day and for a moment he is some kind Hank Jr in the songs, it certainly age. The opening Long Black of Jamey Johnson wannabe. rocks, and made me play it very Cadillac in particular, sounds like Long Black Cadillac / Ugly Delaney is his own man, doing loud, but the standout track for me a hit. It’s one of those ‘the only Luck & Me / Shotgun Wedding his own thing, it just so happens was the least rockin’ cut here, You way I’m leaving here is when / Freedom Never Goes Out Of that he has a lot of hair and Make Me Wanna, with more of a they carry me out’ songs, catchy

34 COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE - NOVEMBER 2012 SEPTEMBER 2011 - COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE 29 CD Reviews & downloads

as hell, delivered perfectly, and I They are both at the contemporary BELLAMY BROTHERS Further into the set, Holy WANDA JACKSON to turn it into a quite comfortably with me. album Del Rio, Texas 1959, really enjoyed the keyboard licks. end of the country market and so Pray For Me Roller is one of those hand- Unfinished Business rollicking good time with far less Justin Townes Earle has done a named after his place and Ugly, Lucky And Me has a familiar it is intriguing to hear them delve  clapping, soul-singing, Sister 1/2 anger than other versions have pretty good job and we should date of birth. It was a modern ring to it, but it too would be a back to the 1930s for their second Act-style Gospel shakedowns. delivered. probably look out for his name classic - one of those albums breath of fresh air (yet not out of album of duets, Wreck & Ruin, But, as the album unfurls, one She may be the Queen of appearing as producer on many that is completely of its time; the place) on country radio. which is produced by Kasey’s of the best things about it is Rockabilly, but Wanda Jackson other projects. songs had a traditional feel but Delaney was a college baseball brother, Nash. the pleasing variety of musical made a heap of superb country Duncan Warwick they were fresh and bouncy and pitcher of some note, with major All the songs are new but styles that the Brothers bring us. records in the 1960s, and utterly... oooh, utterly twangy. teams scouting him, when a aside from a few contemporary The Bellamys were among personally, that’s the side of RADNEY FOSTER And more than that - every recurring injury to his throwing references (both in the lyrics and the first to mix a little reggae her I prefer. Here, What Do You Del Rio, Texas 1959. single song was memorable. I arm cut short what was looking in the guitar playing), they could into their country and the lilting Do When You’re Lonesome is Unplugged and knew how firmly they had lodged like a promising career. He have been written in America Suppertime is a good example as country as it could get. It’s Lonesome in my brain when, thirteen years switched to making music, and before the war and they very of the hybrid, lifted by that most a terrific shuffle presented in  later, every report on Hurricane I’m mighty pleased he did. much cover the folk and country country of musical devices, a a modern style, and I’d have Katrina that mentioned the This may only be a “six-pack” themes of that period - love, death, mid-song spoken narration. liked to have heard more like it. local lake brought the opening but Jackson Delaney is an artist redemption, not having much Jesus Ain’t No Stained Glass Spanish Bible has the gentle I’m Tore Down / The Graveyard Also very country is Am I Even line of Louisiana Blue to mind: to be reckoned with and I hope money but reading the Bible. With Window / Pray For Me / Spirit Tex Mex atmosphere its title Shift / Am I Even a Memory (feat. A Memory, which is a duet with “This pain is deeper than the there will be a full-length album the exception of the upbeat Sick In The Sky / Suppertime / God suggests, while the ne’er-do- Justin Townes Earle) / Pushover the producer. It’s a moody, late Ponchartrain”. And so it was. soon. If I were at a major label As A Dog, most of the album is Ain’t Finished With Me Yet / well’s repentance God Ain’t / It’s All Over Now / Two Hands / night cross between Patsy Cline The album had everything: I’d be sending the A&R guys to mournful but not too downbeat. Hypocrites In Heaven / Hymn To Finished With Me Yet is set to a Old Weakness / What Do You Do and Chris Isaak and is wonderful. grown-up relationship songs like check him out, and if you like the And I loved it. Him / Spanish Bible / Number Of clip-along mid-70s When You’re Lonesome / Down Standout track though is the Nobody Wins and Easier Said work of Jamey Johnson (oops), or The obvious comparison would Breaths / New Man In The Suit groove. The words may be Past the Bottom / California Stars vintage RnB sound of Pushover, Than Done, sharp Bakersfield- Ray Scott you should love this. be with the soundtrack for O / Rodeo For Jesus / Guardian different, but the tune sounds so Producer: Justin Townes Earle complete with great 50s style tinged moments like Just Call Duncan Warwick Brother, Where Art Thou?, and Angel / Hand Me My Bible familiar you could almost sing Sugar Hill bvs. Woody Guthrie’s California Me Lonesome, domestic morality the many other soundtracks that Producers: David Bellamy / Me And Paul or Good Hearted 32:46 Stars also leans towards Chris Just Call Me Lonesome / Don’t tales like A Fine Line, honky SHANE NICHOLSON have come up in its wake. Another Howard Bellamy / Randy Hiebert Woman over the top of it. Isaak territory. I can’t say I’m Say Goodbye / Easier Said tonk laments (Closing Time) Wreck & Ruin comparison would be the excellent Bellamy Brothers Not everything is brilliant. I wasn’t at all keen on Wanda crazy about the song anyway, Than Done / A Fine Line / Me and, best of all, two western  album, How Do You Plead, 53:30 The title track, Pray For Me, Jackson’s last album. Jack but this does have a decent And John R. / Nobody Wins / epics, Old Silver and Went For by the British duo, My Darling is repetitive and a little dreary. White’s production ruined it for moody feel. Old Silver / Louisiana Blue / A Ride - each of them a gritty, Clementine, which I felt had more Howard and David Bellamy But there’s plenty of good stuff, me. For her latest, White has There are a couple of low Closing Time / Hammer And ‘Lonesome Dove’ or ‘Deadwood’ originality and slightly better songs remain best known for their first lyrically as well as musically. been ditched, and up to the points, most notably the god- Nails / Went For A Ride in themselves. I’ve got a feeling that Wreck & Ruin. hit, the crossover pop smash Let The funky blues strut New plate steps Justin Townes Earle awful It’s All Over Now, but I Producer: Radney Foster I may have reviewed the album The album starts chillingly with Your Love Flow. It’s a perennial Man In The Suit returns to for his producing debut, and am probably basing that on Devil’s River all those years ago and if I did, I Til Death Us Do Part and the golden oldie trotted out with the idea that there’s more to I’m delighted to say he’s done my loathing of the song and all 46:19 hope I gave it 5 stars. fine compositions include Rusted the sunshine every summer. Christianity than dressing in a much better job of it. Earle things Rolling Stones anyway. The original album is out Shoes, Troubled Mind and Have Thirty-six years on, the Brothers your Sunday best. “If you judged obviously gets the whole rock As she once recorded a version Back when Radney Foster of print now, but according to Mercy On Me, while Flat Nail Joe achieve a similar feel-good vibe me by my cover I’d be a book ‘n’ roll, rockabilly and classic of I’m A Believer and some was half of Foster and Lloyd, Foster “I still get requests from is clearly a cousin to Cotton Eye with this highly palatable Gospel you wouldn’t read,” sing the country thing, and has made the other 60s pop songs, I guess he and Bill Lloyd were my that record every night”. So he Joe. The harmonies are sharp and album. Brothers, adding, “He don‘t care kind of record you’d expect the it shouldn’t have come as any first interviewees and the first has re-cut it in a completely very good but I especially enjoyed No one likes to be hit over what you wear, it‘s what you “Queen of Rockabilly” Wanda surprise, and back in the day people ever to mention the TV different style: gone are the Til Death Do Us Part / Wreck the sections where one of them is the head with a Bible and wear inside.” Jackson to be making in the even Waylon had a go at the show Hee Haw to me. I had zingy, clean production values And Ruin / Adam And Eve / The singing and the other echoes the the Brothers ease us into Another funky roadhouse 21st century. It sounds modern, song. However, I had to hit skip to go away and look it up. The of the original and in their place Quiet Life / Dustbowl / Familiar line. I felt that the lyric of The Quiet the service with Jesus Ain’t rocker, Hand Me My Bible (“I yet respects Jackson’s varied every time it came on. Jackson duo, who met as staff writers at is a warm acoustic record with a Strangers / Your Sweet Love Life could have been improved, No Stained Glass Window, a think I’m gonna need it”) offers a recording history. gives her best growl on Old MTM in Nashville and, during ‘live’ feel. The full-throated duet / Rusted Shoes / Flat Nail Joe but maybe that is the point as they sunny, country-pop cut with comment on the state of a world I’m Tore Down is an old Weakness but it can’t disguise the second half of the 1980s, with Mary Chapin Carpenter / Have Mercy On me / Up Or are trying to echo the simple and a groove reminiscent of Let in need of saving - “We used to Freddie King song and has been that she’s struggling a little blended country with a 60s pop that was Nobody Wins now has Down / Sick As A Dog / Troubled less sophisticated writing of the Your Love Flow. The Bellamy’s be a nation under one God, now covered by a bunch of people vocally. sensibility, perfectly capturing Ashley Arrison providing airy Mind ’30s. have always hung out on the we’re just sleaze-balls watching over the years, including Eric Unfinished Business thankfully the zeitgeist of the ‘new harmonies, from which I’m not Producer: Nash Chambers The garish cover gives the hippy side of country music porn on our iPods.” Nodding Clapton, and opens the album doesn’t try to make Wanda traditionalist’ years; their first sure it benefits. But overall the Sugar Hill wrong impression of the album and longhairs who identify with along to such an inviting organ- with blues guitar and Jackson’s Jackson trendy in the way her album produced five hits, their new treatment draws out the 34: 07 and I wasn’t keen on the between another of their best known powered groove, it’s hard not to familiar growl, albeit not quite last album did. Her voice may second two, not so many. They songs, showcasing how rich and tracks banter, which took away songs, Old Hippie, will be empathise. as strong as it once was. The not be what it once was, and parted company in 1990; both textured they really are. Just like The Australian country artists, from the intensity of the project. reassured by a lyric that assures A solid and gutsy cover of pop- Graveyard Shift is a proper slice this couldn’t be described as pursued solo careers, reuniting two decades ago, my favourites Kasey Chambers and Shane They wonder in one song if they us you don’t have to go to Gospel anthem Spirit In The Sky of rock ‘n’ roll and the gospelly “classic”, but this has the Wanda last year for It’s Already are the aforementioned Nicholson, were married in 2005 are going to go up or down. On the church to be a Christian, you completes an album that makes tune Two Jackson stamp all over it, and Tomorrow. Louisiana Blue, with its and they released their first duets strength of this album, up. can in fact be, well, a bit of an being saved sound like fun. Hands is given a suitable amount its mix of blues, country, RnB, In 1992, Foster had a irresistible lolloping hook, and album, Rattlin’ Bones, in 2008. Spencer Leigh old hippy. Douglas McPherson of slap bass, twangy guitar and rock ‘n’ roll and rockabilly sits moment of shining glory - the Closing Time, to which Brady

36 COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE -NOVEMBER 2012 NOVEMBER 2012 - COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE 37 CD Reviews & downloads

Black contributes a deliciously a range of sounds not typically been reined-in. / Red-Eyed And Blue / Ask Me of the David Bowie and Brian THE KRUGER betraying the underlying influence GRANT LANGSTON melancholy fiddle. Jon Randall associated with his chosen Alas this is a collection Again / Brand New Home / Eno composition Heroes would BROTHERS of bluegrass’ first generation Working Until I Die Stewart’s guitar and Steve genre. designed to push the envelope Gospel Shore / You Only Miss seem an unlikely candidate Best Of innovator, Earl Scruggs, is several  Fishell’s Dobro are a delight Chief amongst an array of and once initial reservations are Her When She’s Gone / Farmers’ for a bluegrass interpretation,  eons on in its development. throughout. There’s a new song, atypical elements is the inclusion overcome one can find merits Hands / Paint It Black but it works magnificently as Gone is the strident, hard, ringing co-written with Darden Smith of a horn section - utilised to the alternate approach. First Producer: John Wood does their version of the Rolling drive of those early rural years and Jon Randall Stewart, Me throughout and with varying single Shinin’ On Me is joyous, Prima Records Stones Paint It Black, which to be replaced by the urbanised And Jon R, that sits comfortably, levels of success. Likewise, both carefree and fun-loving with 45:13 they have been playing as an sophistication, popularised over taking its place deservedly. As for and Hammond B3 organ those loyal horns put to good encore at their gigs for some the years by the likes of Bill Keith, Foster himself, he may not have pepper a record intended to push use. The chorus is punchy and The Coal Porters came about time. provides a and Union Station the bouncy puppy-dog quality the boundaries. The end result evidently memorable enough to literally by accident, as founder number of the original songs, but and Bela Fleck. The banjo doesn’t he had two decades ago, but is hit-and-miss, with Niemann earn a top twenty hit on the US Sid Griffin says on the short there is a strong compositional dominate but sits comfortably on hey - which of us does? He sings just as likely to alienate as win Chart. documentary that is included on base throughout the band. Neil equal terms with the rest of the with mellow maturity. He sounds new fans. To his credit though, Real Women Drink Beer is their latest CD Find The One. Robert Herd wrote three songs: line-up. great, and so do his songs. precious few would a predictable celebration of After Griffin’s band The Long Red-Eyed And Blue, Brand New Uwe’s guitar picking is equally Janet Aspley abandon convention so readily in southern gals who mix with Ryders broke up in California, Home and Farmers’ Hands; astounding - especially when he I Fell For It Every Time / Trouble the pursuit of creative fulfilment. rowdy guys while I’ll Have To Kill Griffin formed the Coal Porters fiddler/vocalist Carly Frey wrote Watches The Clouds Roll By / gives us a yardstick for comparison Knows / She Don’t Have A Clue JERROD NIEMANN Free The Music begins with The Pain is a throwback to Garth as a country-rock band which Never Right His Wrong and Black Mountain Rag / People Get by playing the Doc Watson classic, / Try Me / Coming For You / Free The Music the title track, itself a statement Brooks’ Two Pina Coladas. he then relocated to the UK collaborated with Griffin and Ready / Carolina In The Fall / The Black Mountain Rag. The ease, Working Until I Die / Sweet Little 1/2 of intent. Horns are immediately Yet arguably the best song when Griffin moved to London banjo player John Breese on a Plan / Cork Harbor / The Lights with which his flat pick negotiates Girl / Along For The Ride / Little evident, along with a lazy, slinky in this set is closing number in the 1990s. The drummer couple of other tracks. Of Our Village / Forever And A those bass to treble runs is similar Less Fun / Everybody Loves Me sounding melody. Above the Fraction of A Man. A defiant, was injured in an accident and There is an impressive Day / Beautiful Nothing / Choices to that of Watson himself, or ace When I Am Drunk / The Honky cluster Niemann contemplates unapologetic piece Niemann requested that the band only play high standard throughout the / The New Country / Winterport / flat-picker, Tony Rice. Tonk Special / Ain’t that Kind Of what he will conjure if mixing a proclaims “I don’t claim to be a acoustically until he recovered. album, but a few songs deserve Long Black Veil / Alabama Bound Joel Landsberg’s bass playing Cowboy donkey with some . No Rhodes Scholar; I’m rough on This proved more successful special mention. Barefoot On / Honey Babe Blues / Sweden - is as solid as you’ll get, with Producer: Paul Q. Kolderie seriously, he does. This opening the edges, blue in the collar.” and satisfying for the band and The Courthouse Lawn has Running Down The Mountain immaculate timing and a tasteful MSG Records is clearly intended to be tongue- Set against deep backing vocals so they continued with bluegrass a mesmerising layering of Producers: Jens and Uwe economy of notes. He has an 40:52 in-cheek, particularly when the which evoke Elvis Presley’s Fool instrumentation and, as Griffin instrumental lines and plethora Kruger, Joel Landsberg obvious appreciation of the original star announces “If you’re sitting Such As I this is a fitting way to joked, “The drummer never got of interplaying motifs, Hush U Executive Producer: Philip Zanon and cover material played by the I’d never heard of the Alabama alone with a bottle of Jack, conclude an album as bold as it his job back”. Babe has an imaginative lyric Double Time Music group and puts in exactly what is singer/ Grant Langston listening for tradition skip to the is original. Find The One is the Coal about the 19th century US slave 67: 54 required for the enhancement of before the editor sent me this next track.” Some will love and some will Porters fifth album as an acoustic escape route that was known as each piece. CD, but a lot of people had Free The Music / Whiskey Kinda Thankfully that next track is hate this effort but the truth is band and they have remained the Underground Railroad (with This album contains variety in the Standout tracks for me, as 300 of them are listed as Way / Get On Up / I’ll Have To a return to the more familiar Niemann is unlikely to care. He true to their original purpose of the folk-rock legend Richard broadest sense of the word with besides the already mentioned advance purchasers of his new Kill The Pain / Only God Could type of country music. Whiskey set-out to make the record he using acoustic instrumentation, Thompson on guitar) and Red- music from American old-time Black Mountain Rag, are: People album. Having the money upfront Love You More / Shinin’ On Me Kinda Way wallows in drunken wanted and for that should be but playing music that comes Eyed And Blue is a striking song, through, bluegrass, country, folk, Get Ready - a 1965 hit for the enabled Grant to make the / Honky Tonk Fever / Guessing lust, as the song’s protagonist applauded. from a wider range of styles beautifully delivered by Frey. Gospel-soul, Celtic to classical Impressions and written by Curtis CD. We are seeing this type of Games / It Won’t Matter Anymore wrestles with his mixed feelings Aaron Cutler than the just the conventional The singing and harmonies string quartet music reminiscent Mayfield; The Plan, which has enterprise more and more these / I’m All About You / Real Women for said girl. It is musically bluegrass tradition. They have are impressive and there is a of J.S. Bach. Pure musicality drips some wonderful claw-hammer days and in this case, it’s money Drink Beer / Fraction Of A Man sparse but better because of THE COAL PORTERS gone through many personnel breezy joyfulness to their sound from every pore of this group banjo on it; Beautiful Nothing, well spent. Producers: and that. Indeed this album, for all Find The One changes with Griffin and guitarist/ that encompasses a fair amount of virtuoso musicians as they which started out as an example Grant Langston is a very good, Jerrod Niemann its experimentation, delivers its  dobro player Neil Robert Herd of subtle humour, for example the demonstrate their command, and by which Jens could teach his old-style country writer but doing Sea Gale Music / Arista defining moments courtesy of the only remaining original choice of Paint It Black complete obvious love, of what they do. workshop pupils the technique it with a modern edge so that Nashville traditional arrangements. members (of the acoustic line- with a guest sitar player and Ask The group comprises Uwe of sustain and that less really is you feel he is also commentating 41:30 Only God Could Love You up). The latest change appeared Me Again has an introduction by Kruger on guitar, lead vocals - more; The New Country, which on what he is doing. This is More for instance is driven solely to have happened during the veteran BBC DJ Brian Matthew his voice has a pleasant woody finds the Krugers’ doing what well illustrated by the video for Jerrod Niemann proudly boasted by delicate piano and assured recording of this album as as if he was playing the track on timbre, reminiscent of Gordon Dvorak - another European Trouble Knows. In three minutes, that this - his sophomore vocals as Niemann warns his the newest member, double his radio show. Lightfoot; Jens Kruger on banjo composer who worked in America Grant gives us a visual history of album - would give fans estranged lover the grass is bassist Tali Trow only appears This is an accomplished and vocals, and Joel Landsberg - did when he documented his country music and very funny it something different and unique. not always greener. I’m All on 5 tracks with the remainder album with superb all-round on bass. Uwe and Jens Kruger impressions of his temporary is too. This guy pays homage to True to his word, Free The About You follows suit, another including the departed bass musicianship and delightfully moved to Carolina, USA from home in his From The New World and the Bakersfield Music is a somewhat peculiar ballad featuring the sweet player Andrew Stafford. detailed arrangements, but they Switzerland in 2003. The Kruger Symphony. And Sweden / Running sound, brilliantly in Try Me, but yet fascinating collection of backing vocals of ; The latest album contains don’t let their picking dominate Brothers band plays with such Down The Mountain which made he doesn’t want to be taken too songs. In-keeping with its title, ensuring it is both sincere and Barefoot On The Courthouse mostly original compositions, and it is always fits into the apparent ease that the impression me laugh out loud as I was seriously. the record oozes a sense of brilliant. Regretfully, you are left Lawn / Never Right His Wrong / with two covers that demonstrate context of the band’s sound and is gained that their instruments are thinking, phew! This is fast - then it The best track is the title song, liberation; with the artist in contemplating how great this CD Hush U Babe/Burnham Thorpe the breadth of their musical serves the purpose of the songs. an extension of themselves. went up a couple more gears a fast and furious bluegrass question keen to experiment with could have been had production / The Betsey Trotwood / Heroes influences. The electronica Michael Hingston Jens’ banjo playing, though Tom Travis tribute to the working man,

38 COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE - NOVEMBER 2012 NOVEMBER 2012 - COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE 39 CD Reviews & downloads

Working Until I Die. Although at least some idea of what it might groove. be described as Americana, but Everyone Loves Me When I Am sound like it’s a necessary evil. J. Tex is most likely a musical just about encompasses all the Drunk appears to be a standard This one though has me kind of genius, and with just one styles he has worked in and country theme, there are many stumped, At times it’s like Seasick appearance on the Jools Holland includes elements of jazz, folk neat touches in the lyric. The girl Steve meets Cab Calloway, show would be huge. This may pop, country, Louisiana funk, called the Honky Tonk Special others it’s more Tom Waits meets not be the most country thing soul and gospel. appears to be a close relative of Maurice Chevalier. It’s certainly I’ve heard recently, but it is one The album proudly proclaims the Queen Of The Silver Dollar. different, but most importantly, it’s of the most interesting, and very that here is 57:12 minutes of Not all of it works. What is wonderful, even if it’s pretty much definitely roots. I’d advise going music, but it is quality rather point of ripping off Save The unclassifiable. to www.jtex.dk and listening to than quantity that counts. With Last Dance For Me so closely in One minute you’re listening to some J. Tex before committing, just 12 songs, that is an average Sweet Little Girl? While I enjoyed a beautiful melodic fiddle tune because it might not be for of nearly five minutes per track Along For The Ride in Jerry (I Always Knew You Were The everybody but I loved it. and not all of the songs warrant Reed’s style, I didn’t care much One), the next it’s something that Duncan Warwick the time that they are allotted. for the song. sounds like someone noodling on There are some excellent If I wanted a a front porch in Virginia (Ukulele KASEY CHAMBERS & moments. Death Trap seethes and was given the choice of a Lullaby). Carnival Girl sounds as CHARLIE PEACOCK with tremendous southern new Grant Langston or Dwight though it came from the streets of No Man’s Land funk, Mystic also invokes a Yoakam CD, I would pick Grant Paris, while Coalminers Daughter  Louisiana atmosphere and has Langston, largely because of his has an almost Middle Eastern the travelogue atmosphere of sense of humour. flavour towards the end. the Paul Simon song Graceland, Spencer Leigh The Ballad Of My Brother and Beauty Left The Room has And Me which opens the album a jazzy Steely Dan atmosphere. J. TEX & THE is irresistible in every way and Elsewhere the album is not so VOLUNTEERS reminded me a little of the successful. Deep Inside A Word House On The Hill Alabama 3 song which was is a confused attempt to praise  the theme to The Sopranos, the art of the singer songwriter SERVING COLLECTORS FOR OVER 25 YEARS! while Home On The Hill has a and is overblown in both the cowboy feel. There are three stumbling pretentiousness of COUNTRY SOUNDS 129 ELMVALE, TEL: (02871) 351717 covers; Johnny Cash’s I Still Miss its lyrics and the cumbersome DERRY E-mail: [email protected] Someone, ’s Detroit arrangement. Till My Body NORTHERN IRELAND 10am – 11.30pm 7 Days a week! City, and the Little Feat song Death Trap / Mystic / Voice of Comes Undone is dreary and BT48 8SL Free Postage on all CDs and DVDs to UK Willin’. None of them work nearly The Lord / Kite In A Tree / Deep far too long, Thinkin’ Till The LARGE LP, CD AND DVD CATALOGUE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST! as well as the original songs here, Inside A Word/ Let The Dog Back Crack Of Dawn is interminable Latest CD releases..... T.Jae Christian / I Wish I Was Home - £13.00 but I think that’s because they are In The House / Beauty Left The piffle, Ghost Of The Kitty Cat Billy Don Burns / Nights When I Am Sober - £13.00 Hank Williams / The Lost Concerts - £13.00 Teea Goans / That’s Just Me - £13.00 Jason Aldean / Night Train – £13.00 so far removed from the song you Room / Till My Body Comes comes across as a little silly and Jamey Johnson / Living for a Song – A Tribute to Hank Cochran - £13.00 Lacy Jay Syler / Livin’ My Life - £13.00 might be familiar with. Undone / Thinkin’ Till The Crack I have no idea if the annoying Joey & Rory / His and Hers - £13.00 Wesley Dennis / Country Enough - £13.00 J. Tex was born in Detroit, Of Dawn / Ghost Of The Kitty Cat Let The Dog Back In The House Leona Williams / By George (A Tribute To ) - £13.00 Kenyon Lockry / It’s About Time - £13.00 The Survivors (Darrel McCall, Curtis Potter and Tony Booth) / The Survivors 2 - £13.00 Various Artists / On The Road Again ( 18 Original Songs by Leona Williams, Kenny Seratt & Jody Nix etc) Michigan but grew up in / Can / Satellites is meant to be some kind of Tony Booth / Old School - £13.00 – GREAT HONKY TONK CD! - £13.00 The Ballad Of My Brother & Me Denmark. He returned to the USA Producer: Charlie Peacock metaphor or a prosaic domestic James Hand / Mighty Lonesome Man - £13.00 Philomena Begley / From Then Til Now (3 CD Box Set, Including Tribute To Billy Joe Spears) - £15.00 / Home On The Hill / I Still Miss at the age of 20 to search for his Twenty Ten Music description. Will Banister / Turn Back Time - £13.00 Stephen Smyth / Classic Country - £13.00 Kathy Mattea / Calling Me Home - £13.00 Nathan Carter / Wagon Wheel - £13.00 Someone / Look Up Look Down / musical roots. These days he 57:12 There is some fabulous playing Iris Dement / Sing The Delta - £13.00 Billy McFarland / Memories No.1 –The 60th Anniversary Set (3 CD Box Set) - £15.00 Willin’ / Carnival Girl / Coalminers lives in Copenhagen and with The and arranging, that raises some Mary Lee / Bend Like A Willow - £13.00 Eileen King / A Sweetheart’s Promise - £12.00 Daughter / Ben McCulloch / Long Volunteers has certainly come up Charlie Peacock is probably best fairly average and in some cases / The Time Jumpers - £13.00 Mike / Vintage Country - £14.00 Billy Keeble / Just For You - £13.00 Mike Denver / The Live Show - £13.00 Lost Woman / Detroit City / I with a unique take on American known as a producer, but he is excruciatingly awful songs far Rosie Flores / Working Girl’s Guitar - £13.00 Chuck Owens / Same Ole Me - £12.00 Always Knew You Were The One roots music. also a songwriter, and musician. above the level they deserve. Red Jenkins / Cheatin’ Heart Motel - £13.00 The Benn Sisters / Girls Night Out - £12.00 / Ukulele Lullaby Even though it doesn’t all work, He has worked in many genres The styles flit around and it Kimberley Murray and Bob Manning / One Night Only – The Honky Tonk Roadshow - £13.00 Robert Mizzell / Early Hits ( 3 CD Box Set) - £15.00 Donna Darlene / Jealous Heart - £13.00 Robert Mizzell / Sings - £13.00 Producers: Carl Granberg, J. Tex I’ve been trying really hard to and one of his recent projects is like he threw everything he Kelly Spinks / Right Out Of This World - £13.00 Liam Mannering / Walk in the Irish Rain - £12.00 & The Volunteers figure out why I like this album was producing The Civil Wars’ knew at this album and hoped Jerry Kilgore / Telephone TX. - £13.00 DVD’S..... Heptown Records so much. It’s not usually the Grammy Award winning album some would stick. Well some Wanda Jackson / Unfi nished Business - £13.00 Mike Denver / The Live Show - £15.00 Dwight Yoakam / 3 Pears - £13.00 Norma Jean / Pretty Miss Norma Jean - £18.00 41:14 kind of thing I like, and there’s Barton Hollow. did, but the majority slid down Bobby G. Rice / Down In Texas - £13.00 Mike Siler / Live at Legend’s Corner - £18.00 no doubting it’s different. J. Tex Peacock’s solo career is the metaphorical wall. This is a Waylon Jennings / Goin’ Down Rockin’ – The Last Recordings - £13.00 Billy McFarland/ Wonderland by Night - £15.00 Here’s a strange one. I don’t like might not be the best singer in as eclectic as the wide range classic example of a successful Julie Holliday / Love Is All We Have - £13.00 Johnny McEvoy / The Johnny McEvoy Story ( 2 DVD’S and CD) - £15.00 Slim Whitman / Straight From The Heart / And Tomorrow Never Comes - £13.00 Amber Digby / Live At the Swiss Alp Dance Hall - £15.00 labelling and categorising music the world, but there is certainly of genres he produces. His producer who can’t bring his / Love Is The Sweetest Thing - The Early Album Collection (2 CD’s) - £13.00 Nathan Carter / Live In Concert - £15.00 any more than the next bloke, but something about his gruff delivery previous album, Arc Of The editorial and critical acumen to Buck Owens / Under His Spell - The First Five Years 1956 -1961 - £13.00 Isla Grant / The Greatest Hits (3 DVD Collection) - £20.00 for the purposes of reviewing a that draws you in, but ultimately I Circle, is a jazz album whereas bear on his own work. Hank Thompson and His Brazos Valley Boys - Headin’ Down The Valley – The Early Years - £13.00 Simon Peters / Ireland’s Country Kid - £15.00 Jean Shepard / The First Lady Of Country – The Early Album Collection - £13.00 Paddy O’Brien / From The Beginning - £15.00 record, and trying to give readers think it’s because I like the overall the current release could loosely Michael Hingston

40 COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE - NOVEMBER 2012 NOVEMBER 2012 - COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE 41 CD Reviews & downloads

MISS TESS solo and superb guitar playing by can increase her visibility to surprise this self-titled release last weekend away, Hoffman is find a nasty self-righteous and nasal vocal, and the acoustic, might imagine) and it has taken Sweet Talk Will Graefe. Never Thought I’d music fans. This new CD is draws on a range of styles – with compelled to hop into his car judgmental identity in it, and subdued backing tracks are him a while to get back on  Be Lonely is where the country her best, but Miss Tess has rock, RnB and even hip-hop all and retrace that final journey some souls see it as the only both wonderful. This is another track. This is his first “nationally tracks start. It’s a bouncy old never made any disc which is fused into a typically modern before an obviously hurtful split. way to possibly get by in this example of how to do a cover released” record since the 1989 school country song, with a less than,”very good”.It seems Nashville sound. The only fault to an otherwise mean old world”. version. Elizabeth Cook’s EP is a shooting by a masked gunman. wonderful vocal, and a talented unlikely that she ever will. The tone for what proceeds excellent track is a strange This new EP has its roots stepping stone from her last CD, Born in Memphis but these player. Hopefully Paul Riley is set perfectly by opening decision to overdub an ill-advised in a Sunday morning concert 2010’s underrated Welder, to her days living in Texas, Sadler has Miss Tess is planning many more track Farm Party - a thumping, rap. Indeed, Horne’s contribution Elizabeth Cook performed at next future CD. It’s like a detour picked up where he left off, some songs from the country side of THE FARM energetic invite to both the record here is reminiscent of Busta last year’s Strawberry Music into an interesting area of music might argue too much so, for things. The Farm Inc. and the group themselves. Rhymes and distorts the flow Festival. The singer was into which the singer probably Heart Shaped Like Texas has Two tracks on the new album  This raucous template is needlessly. reluctant to perform a gospel set, never intended to go, until the feel of a commercial country have been released before, the extended to Fresh Off The Farm Produced by Danny Myrick but enjoyed it. The shadow of that sunday morning concert. record from the early 1990s, western swing track, Everybody’s and Sweet Sweet Sunshine - - whose past ventures include Elizabeth Cook’s father hovers However anyone who hears this which to a lot of listeners will be Darling, was on the live double lyrically basic but immediately work with Jason Aldean - The over this music, as he sadly will probably wonder if anymore considered a good thing. CD. Both versions are similar memorable and thus inevitable Farm is a refreshing mix of passed on recently. interesting detours are on the Sadler is a fine singer, and it’s Don’t Tell Mama / Never with the new one having a slight live staples. instantly likable, radio-friendly Like most gospel music, cards? easy to see why he was tipped Thought I’d Be Lonely / Adeline edge in both the vocal and the The lead single meanwhile is songs. By way of introduction Gospel Plow has a kind of Paul Riley to go places back in the day. He / If You Wanna Be My Man / backing track. The other “older” a yearning for escape, with the this is a strong first impression special power. The first track is has a smooth voice not unlike his People Come Here For Gold / track, Save Me St. Peter, was picturesque sights of Carolina and one that hints at a bright If I Had My Way I’d Tear This SAMMY SADLER hero, , who guests Introduction / This Affair / Save on the waltz EP and the live conjured-up to juxtapose the future. Building Down, a traditional song Heart Shaped Like Texas here on the album’s first single I’ll Me St. Peter / Everybody’s album. The version on the waltz often claustrophobic nature of Aaron Cutler made famous by Blind Willie 1/2 Always Have Denver. The song is Darling / New Orleans / I Don’t disc was more stripped down, urban America. “I’m stuck here Johnson who recorded it in 1927. a Wariner/Bill Anderson co-write, Want To Set The World On Fire whereas here it brings the song in this prison cell of phones and ELIZABETH COOK The new version features hand and most likely would have had Producer: Zachariah Hickman more into focus. Any version of Farm Party / Home Sweet Home city streets” sings Horne - who Gospel Plow claps, a quality guitar solo, and a good chance of hit status in Signature Sounds this superb country waltz is worth / Sweet Sunshine / Be Grateful craves the food, smells and  Elizabeth Cook’s sassy vocal. 1990. Nowadays of course, it 38:12 hearing many times. / Nowhere Road / Fresh Off The company of home. All through the EP the powerful doesn’t stand a chance, which is All of the original songs Farm / Little Boat / That 100 The wide range of influences vocals echo through each track. a shame. Miss Tess, one of America’s best indicate that Miss Tess is a Miles / Every Time I Fall In Love / drawn for this project is best The title track, another traditional The best tracks are the Jerry kept secrets, has been making noteworthy songwriter. Other The Train I’m On / Walkin’ displayed in the curious Little song [all songs here are cover Kilgore penned title track, which music since 2007and this is highlights of the new album are, Producers: Nick Hoffman and Boat. Complete with talk-box and versions], has an interesting I can imagine Kilgore singing in her fifth full length disc. Also of the almost tropical, This Affair, Danny Myrick a Def Leppard-like drumbeat, the melody fleshed out by the my head as I listen to Sadler, interest to country fans is a 2010 the rock “n” roll flavoured People Elektra piece smacks of 80s rock. A song acoustic backing track and of and Thinking About Mexico, EP, The Waltz Set, comprising Come Here For Gold, and 42:40 about contentment, it also finds course another strong vocal. which might not be quite in the solely of waltzes, and featured the slinky, smoky jazz of New Hoffman vocally imitating Kenny Not all songs on the EP are I Wanna Be Loved By You/ I’ve Got Mexico league, but it’s a an interesting version of the 1962 Orleans. The Farm burst onto the country Chesney - for whom he plays traditional, Alan O’Bryant’s The I’ll Always Have Denver (feat. strong song with a south of the Skeeter Davis country smash hit, The album closes with a scene late last year with the fiddle on tour. Other Side Of Life gets a very Steve Wariner) / Heart Shaped border feel, even if the End Of The World. fantastic cover of the old 1941 radio friendly Home Sweet What can generally be interesting re-boot. The most Like Texas/I Know A Place / was created on a keyboard and Last year Miss Tess put out a Ink Spots track, I Dont Want To Home. That single, a top twenty described as an exuberant, If I Had My Way, I’d Tear This famous version of the song is John 3:16 / Trying To Get The shows. It also varies the tempo live double CD Live Across The Set The World On Fire, which hit on the Billboard Charts, up-tempo collection of songs Building Down / Gospel Plow / probably by Girl / Thinking About Mexico / and lightens the feel of the album, Mason Dixon Line and for Sweet creates a stunning late night, served as a perfect prelude to actually delivers its two stand-out Every Humble Knee Must Bow whose version was a bit limp, No Place To Land / If This Ain’t which, like a Steve Wariner Talk Miss Tess is joined by her haunted feel. The track is slowed this impressive debut record. moments courtesy of a toned- / The Other Side Of Life / Hear almost lifeless. Here it drips Heaven / That Old Gravel Road album, can become a bit samey. backing band, The Talkbacks. down with Miss Tess caressing Formed in Tennessee The down approach. Be Grateful is Jerusalem Calling / These Men with emotion, with a hint of / Thank God / In America (bonus The songs are pretty good, but Miss Tess comes from a each word. This is another Farm (Nick Hoffman, Damien thought-provoking, as Hoffman Of God / Jesus resignation, and it has fantastic track) sometimes slightly too worthy, musical family, both her parents example of what an intelligent Horne & Krista Marie) is a and the enchanting Marie duet Producer: Elizabeth Cook organ playing. It’s the disc’s best Producers: Jerry Cupit & Chet and a bit more variety would have played musical instruments. singer can do with a strong meeting of three very different about having an appreciation Thirty One Tigers track. The EP ends with a shock, Hinesley made for a more fluid listening Growing up she listened to many imagination, and a backing band but supremely talented for the simple things in life, this 19:30 Elizabeth Cook sings ! S Records experience. old records and her music now who understand what the singer musicians. Aside from being amidst mass unemployment The song Jesus first appeared 41:54 The most personal song is is rooted in the sounds of the is trying to achieve. There really schooled in the arts of fiddle, and poverty. Admittedly, the In a press statement for her new on The Velvet Underground’s Thank God, which is the only cut 1940s and ’50s. is little point in any cover version, guitar and keyboards each one message is far from original but country/gospel EP, Elizabeth third LP [it was written by four Sammy Sadler was making a Sadler had a hand in writing, and The new album has ten unless the singer tries something of them can also sing... and sing remains poignant nonetheless. Cook writes, “I believe more and members of the band, including name for himself as a rising obviously has special significance original Miss Tess songs and one a bit different. well. As a result, this generally Indeed, the overall quality of more, religion makes people Lou Reed]. The original version country singer in the late 80s to the singer with its “One night cover, ranging from country to Miss Tess is a singer, with upbeat album is built around a songs is ratcheted up a notch uncomfortable. Understandably still retains it’s power after all when he was involved in the down on Music Row, a shot rang Western Swing, and jazz to rock incredible talent, who has spent healthy interchanging of vocals - with this their second single. so. It’s become so galvanizing these years, but it never was chart fixing Murder On Music out, and my blood ran cold… “n” roll. too much time in the shadows. channelling popular acts such as Similarly, 100 Miles builds and like almost everything else, a gospel song. Now it is and Row shooting and took a bullet thank God, he was there, or I Opening track Don’t Tell Mama Hopefully her new record Alabama and Restless Heart. steadily into a sweet ballad tragically politicized. Some it works very well. Here it is in his upper arm and was left for might not be here”. features the singers warm, rich company, Signature Sounds Given their varied recounting a doomed romance. people see it as regressive, faster, with a slight change in the dead. This seriously interrupted There’s also a bonus track, voice in jazz mode, with a drum [home of The Sweetback Sisters] backgrounds it is perhaps no Haunted by the memory of one oppressive and a cop out, others melody. Elizabeth Cook’s slightly his recording career (as you In America, which is everything

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you would imagine, and a bit number one spot in the US. and subject matter. Honky Tonkin’ Rhythm capture the spirit of their heroes (Before You Take Me Home) / VARIOUS music, so I imagine they were all jingoistic for many. It’s also a bit Declaration of Independence There are parts of this album Producers: Dave “Pappy” , Carl Smith, Hank The Dark End Of The Street / The Nebraska Sessions: pretty familiar with the original of a dirge. enforces Ford’s outspoken that work well, the R&B infused Stuckey and The B-Stars Penny, Faron Young, Bob Wills, Movin’ Train / Teach Me To Cheat A Tribute album. The recordings were This is an album that would persona with opening Happy in Hell is a definite stand Rust Belt Recordings and Hank Williams Sr. - When / If You’re Waiting On Me (You’re  made in a single day in the Betsy have benefitted from more track Answer to No One. out, but there are so many parts 38:18 Darkness Turns to Light is very Backing Up) / Cheater’s Prayer Trotwood pub in London on a variation, but it’s nice to have The rebellious lyrics are of Declaration of Independence Hank Sr. and I’ll bet Wayne Producer: Brien Fisher four track cassette recorder that Sadler back to making records quintessentially country, and that don’t quite succeed. It A few months ago, amid the CDs Hancock wishes he’d written Hux Records was similar to the one used by again. Country music has moved Colt Ford offers up a quick fire, seems a shame that Ford wasn’t that arrive at CMP hoping for it. No Work Blues is similarly 51:48 Springsteen (you can see some a long way since the late 80s but rap infused delivery, an odd able to utilize the talents of Laura a review was a 7” 45 rpm vinyl Williams-esque. excellently shot video footage of if you wish it hadn’t you could do combination that works well Bell Bundy when she provided single. I enjoyed the irony of how The covers include the Groovy In the late 1970s/ 1980s The the bands recording these songs worse than check this out. in this context. JJ Lawhorn, guest vocals on Hugh Damn receiving a vinyl single in 2012 Joe Poovey rockabilly classic Kendalls, a father and daughter on Youtube). Duncan Warwick provides the chorus vocal which Right. Instead listeners are left was such an effective piece of from 1958, Careful Baby, the country/pop band were big. They Often the best art and the compliments Ford nicely, an with a barely recognisable vocal promotion, and I enjoyed firing Western Swing standard My had big hits like the superb, highest creative performance are COLT FORD edgy anthem about being your from Bundy on the few words up the Technics to hear it, even Window Faces The South, and Heaven’s Just A Sin Away, achieved when working within Declaration of own person. she does sing. if it would have been simpler to the nicely obscure Bobby Sisco originally a “B” side, Sweet limitations and that is the case Independence Ain’t Out Of The Woods Yet Having co-written much of go on-line and visit CD Baby. track, Honky Tonkin’ Rhythm Desire, and many others. Hux with the majority of these tracks.  continues with a similar theme, the album, Ford had previously That single featured two tracks which is sure to be equally Records have now reissued Nebraska (Trveor Moss and The pressure of recording on a here Ford discusses how he stated this was his most personal by San Francisco combo The welcomed by the rockabilly two LP’s from 1985 on one CD. Hannah-Lou) / Atlantic City (The single day and the limitations of is still a typical country boy. work to date, however it lacks B-Stars and I’ve been waiting crowd as much as it will the This should be good news, but Dreaming Spires) / Mansion On the recording equipment meant “Still got a blue collar and a red originality (in terms of subject for the full-length album since. lovers of vintage country. it isn’t. The music has been re- The Hill (The Redlands Palomino that the songs were performed neck. Got a gun right in the matter) and verges towards Incidentally, eight tracks from These sharp dressed guys mastered, which it didn’t really Company) / Johnny 99 (Case as live with no possibility of back window of my four wheel becoming monotonous with Colt this album are available on 10” sure can keep the toes tapping need, and the standard of many Hardin) / overdubs. Trevor Moss and drive, a country boy can survive.” relying on his rapping shtick to vinyl for the “full high fidelity and dance floors boppin’ and of the songs is fairly low. Also, (Danny George Wilson) / State Hannah-Lou’s a cappella version Written by Colt Ford, this track help give the record some spark. experience”. if you’re partial to Big Sandy, songwriter Paul Craft’s name Trooper (Steve Arlene) / Used of the title track gives this is immersed in strong lyrical Although it is good to see the The band describes their Wayne Hancock, or even BR5- listed as Paul Croft! Cars (The Cedars) / Open All murderous tale an appropriate imagery, showcasing Ford’s song boundaries of country music swingin’ hillbilly sound as “a 49 you won’t go wrong with West Some of the songs sound like Night (Mad Staring Eyes) / My starkness. The duo The Dreaming writing talent. being challenged and there is hearty stew of honky tonk and Coast Special. bad Eurovision songs with a hint Father’s House (The Hi And The Spires give Atlantic City the Jason Aldean features on the obviously an audience for this hillbilly hits” and are rooted firmly Duncan Warwick of country here and there. It’s Lo) / Reason To Believe (Michele atmosphere of forlorn hopes and laid back track, Drivin’ Around niche sound, I do wonder if there in the 40s and 50s. They’re not all bad news, the disc does Stodart) desperation that match the lyrics Answer To No One / Drivin’ Song, it’s the perfect number to is truly a place in country music retro and proud of it, and this, THE KENDALLS have a fine version of country/ Producer: Trevor Moss and the sweet voice of Hannah Around Song / All In / Ain’t listen to with the windows down for hip hop or if this will pass the their second full-length album, Two Heart Harmony soul classic Dark End Of The Clubhouse Records (Digital Elton-Wall of the The Redlands Out Of The Woods Yet / during the summer months and genre by, after all, other than was recorded on analog tape to / Thank God For The Street, with a superb vocal by release only) Palomino Company works Lucky / Back / Dancing While track boasts an abundance of Ford how many country rappers capture the warmth and feel of a Radio Jeannie Kendall and a sensitive 42:32 perfectly in voicing the description Intoxicated (DWI) / It’s All / Hugh patriotic imagery and is steeped are there? 1950s recording. 1/2 backing track. ’s of an unequal society in Mansion Damn Right / Room At The Bar in nostalgia for a more simple Stephen O’Hanlon The seeds of these purveyors Somewhere Between also stands Clubhouse Records, at the On The Hill. / All Of My Tomorrows / Happy time; it’s an interesting chilled of the Western boogie beat out. This track is a fine example instigation of Peter Gow of the Steve Arlene wasn’t originally In Hell / 50/50 / Way Too Early / out and inoffensive number, but THE B-STARS were sown when main man of what The Kendall’s were band Case Hardin, decided to supposed to be involved and Angels & Demuns fails to leave much of a lasting West Coast Special Greg Yanito teamed up with about, country music with an 80s mark the 30th anniversary of came to the session to see Producers: Dan Huff impression. Sadly this is the case 1/2 upright bassist Eric Reedy in pop edge. the album friends, but was roped in at Average Joe’s Entertainment for much of this album; all the 2005 (Yanito and Reedy also Of the two LPs on the CD, Nebraska by releasing a tribute the last minute and learnt and 52:01 tracks begin to blend in to one, supply the nine original songs the second, Thank God For The album with each song recorded performed a superb version of each sounding the same with here). The current line-up is a Radio is easily the best. The by a different band. Springsteen’s State Trooper. Danny George Boasting a distinguishable Ford’s hip hop manner matched five piece capable of putting title track was one of the band’s album was recorded solo on Wilson gives the narrative tale of and unique sound, Colt Ford with a country vocalist, and each the bop in your country better and Take Me To a four track cassette recorder fraternal love Highway Patrolman has shown the fluidity of the covering a similar theme. than probably anybody since Heaven and Cheater’s Prayer are and was originally intended as the appropriate sense of gravity boundaries that divides musical One of the stronger tracks Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys, well worth listening to. However demos to be fleshed out by his with Trevor Moss and Hannah- genres. Turning his back on a on the album however, is the Of course it doesn’t hurt having Two Heart Harmony / Four in 2012 most of these songs band. Springsteen decided that Lou providing rhythmic finger career as a professional golfer current single, Back, featuring Dave Stuckey producing, as Wheel Drive / Somewhere sound dated (in a bad way), and some of the intensity was lost snaps and excellent harmony to become a country-rap artist Jake Owens, a charming number he himself made the modern Between / I Don’t Know Any many sound similar, even tired. in an ensemble setting and he vocals, My Father’s House is back in 2008 has proven to be about growing up in the country. day swingin’ cowboy boogie Better / My Baby Left Me / If You The CD reaches rock bottom with released the original recordings. movingly portrayed by The Hi and a very lucrative move for this Owens’ heartfelt vocals are Careful Baby / Still / King of album by which all others will Break My Heart / My Own Sweet a dire piece of country/disco trash The album has received a lot of The Lo and Reason To Believe is niche artist. Riding high on what help make this song an Fools / My Window Faces the be judged, Get A Load Of Time / I’m Still His Life-Long called Movin’ Train. The Kendall’s critical acclaim and has become well delivered by Michele Stodart the success of his third outing, album highlight, although Ford’s South / Another One Tomorrow This, twelve years ago, and if Dream / I Never Looked Good were one of the 1980s most an important influence to many of the rock band The Magic Every Chance I Get, Ford was quick, rhythmic delivery seems / Time Is Money / When the anyone knows his way around In Blue / One Good-Bye From entertaining bands, but their best Americana artists. Numbers. quick to follow this up with a somewhat softer and contained Darkness Turns to Light / an authentic sound it’s him. And Gone / Thank God For The work is from their earlier years on All the bands involved on A few tracks don’t quite work more personal, rootsy album than on previous tracks which Chicken Fried / One More Beer / authentic it is. Radio / That’s What I Get For the Ovation label. the tribute are influenced by as well. The limitations of the that has already debuted at the helps to compliment the lyrics Revolution 45 / No Work Blues / The original tunes perfectly Thinking / Take Me To Heaven Paul Riley Americana, country and US roots recording equipment is apparent

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on Case Hardin’s Johnny 99 and There’s an Urban Dictionary listing Me is far from swinging, it was my songwriter of great talent. Opening shouldn’t have five year gaps They cover a number of different You Don’t Have To Go Home (But CD called Nat Stuckey: Pop A Top, the sound quality is poor, The I like very much: “back when favourite song here. track, Clear Blue Sky, a beautiful, between discs. moods and styles and her lyrics are You Can’t Stay Here) / Living In which I suspect was a post 1978 Cedars don’t sound fluent on Britney Spears was still hot”, which This is the kind of record subdued ballad, finds the singer Paul Riley thoughtful and well-constructed. Love / Rose Ellen / A Hurt As Big release. Pop A Top in particular Used Cars and Alex Simler of it defines as “an exaggeration for I should absolutely love but contemplating love. A wonderful The Owl Returns is a folk-rock As Texas / One More Time / Touch lacks the punch of the Jim Ed Mad Staring Eyes struggles with a time period between something something just doesn’t gel. Maybe start which melts into a cover VERA VAN HEERINGEN waltz, Pass Me The Whiskey is Me Again and Jackson versions. The song the torrent of lyrics on Open All that just happened and the last it doesn’t swing hard enough, version of the old John Waite hit, Standing Tall a honky-tonk drinking song, Old Producer: various that Buck Owens took to number Night. These slight blemishes, time that same thing happened.” I possibly the musicianship is a Missing You, a fairly ordinary song.  Man is a well-observed song that Music Row Talent Records Inc. one, Waitin’ In Your Welfare Line, however, don’t really affect the guess country fans could replace bit clinical and not as loose as it However the new version makes it questions attitudes of ageism, 34:57 and Nat’s first pre-RCA hit, Sweet flow or overall enjoyment of the it with “back when Shelby Lynne ought to be, but ultimately I think more country, and Jimmy LaFave You’re All is a slow love song, and Thang also sound like later re- album. was still good”. And if you liked the that Sally Burgess’ vocals are is a better singer than John Waite, This Day is an imaginative study of Nat Stuckey passed away in 1988 recordings. This is not the first time that a albums Restless and Temptation, rather sterile. It’s more Rosemary but this is probably the disc’s “worst melancholy. at only 54 years of age and was a This CD may not be the most Tribute album has been made of and wish Shelby Lynne was still Clooney that Rose Maddox and it track”. The following track, Red The backing musicians are formidable smooth-voiced singer comprehensive Nat Stuckey Nebraska. Badlands, A Tribute To making records like that you’ll lacks personality, and well… balls! River Shore, is the CD’s best. A predominantly from the British folk and songwriter. He charted 37 release, but he is severely under- Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska probably like this CD by New Duncan Warwick nine minute gem, which is a tender scene and the shifting musical records on the Billboard singles rated and it has been put together was released in 2000 and was Zealander (although born in ballad building to a superb guitar styles reflect the background of chart between 1966 and 1978 with love and respect for the late made mostly with US alt-country Tasmania) Sally Burgess. Indeed, JIMMY LaFAVE driven ending. This is the first of the Van Heeringen and her band. Folk, but is probably best known as the singer. In the absence of much and Americana acts. There were two of the tracks from Lynne’s Depending On The three Bob Dylan cover versions. bluegrass, country and folk-rock writer of the Pop A Top, which was Stuckey material being available a few stand-out tracks on that superb Restless release can be Distance Another is Tomorrow Is A Long all sit quite comfortably side-by- massive for Jim Ed Brown and you could do worse than check this album, but the Clubhouse tribute found here – the opening Reach  Time, which has been covered by side and at times it reminds me of some years later, Alan Jackson. out if you favour proper old school is more consistent, closer to the For The Rhythm, and Swingtown, tragic folk singer . Old Man / Tomorrow / You’re All / Diana Jones in the way that she This project has been put country. The original RCA albums spirit of the original album and though neither comes close to the Jimmy LaFave’s version boasts a This Day / The Lorax / Lulu Walls combines traditional Appalachian together and released by his wife as two-fers on a label like Hux is both a tribute to the strength original. gently rocking backing track, with / His Own Way / Back To Baak/ styles with folk and contemporary Ann M. Stuckey-Davis, who has would be good to see. of Springsteen’s songs and the Burgess and her family moved an impressive, passionate vocal. Glebe Road / The Owl Returns / songwriting. also provided a very personal press Duncan Warwick ability of the artists involved. to Nashville in 1994 and she has The Bruce Springsteen song Pass Me The Whisky / In Love With Vera comes highly release on which she states “we CMP A week after recording apparently made seven CDs but I also works very well. Bruce Someone Else / Maan recommended from Tim O’Brien are not trying for chart action” and this album, most of the acts can’t say I was familiar with her. Springsteen ceased to be credible Producers: Vera Van Heeringen, who penned a glowing sleeve note says, “Nat and I had a wonderful new releases performed it live, but that’s Her motto is “If you can swing several decades ago, as he sings Andy Bell and sings backing vocals on the life together”. Some of the tracks another story… it, I will sing it” and the singer lists about the working man , while Rootbeat excellent His Own Way, one of the have been licensed from Sony Michael Hingston Doris Day, Natalie Cole, Crystal sitting in his massive mansion, 39:31 best songs on the album. O’Brien’s Music (who now control the RCA CDs Gayle, Patsy Cline and Rosemary counting his millions. Land Of praise is well-deserved as this is a vaults) and others from various SALLY BURGESS WITH Clooney (spelt “Clunie” on her Clear Blue Sky / Missing You / Red Hope And Dreams is one of Vera Van Heeringen is originally confident and enjoyable debut that sources including Nat’s own CHET ATKINS THE HOT CLUB OF website) as her influences and River Shore / Living In Your Light Springsteen’s lesser songs, and from The Netherlands, but now is only let-down by the limitations of archive. Some have been digitally Christmas Songs – Serious Class NASHVILLE previously won Country Music / Vanished / Land Of Hope And he didn’t bother releasing a studio lives in Wales. She has a lovely the instrumental tracks where Van re-mixed, and a couple have had JOHNNY CASH Reach For The Rhythm Entertainer Of The Year and Dreams / It Just Is Not Right / Red version of it until earlier this year. voice with a clear pure tone, but Heeringen needs to experiment some backing vocals added. The Complete Columbia 1/2 Songwriter Of The Year in New Dirt Night / I’ll Remember You / Jimmy LaFave, who again has a is also a talented instrumentalist and take a few more chances. All the songs were either written Collection – Sony Legacy Zealand. Bring Back The Trains / Tomorrow better voice than the singer he is who plays guitar and mandolin. Michael Hingston or co-written by Nat, and perhaps PATSY CLINE Apart from the Shelby Lynne Is A Long Time / Talk To Me / A covering, sings the song with great She has played in Cajun and most interesting are two songs On The Air: Her Best TV songs and a cover of the Bob Place I Have Left Behind conviction, more than the song old-time bands, was a member NAT STUCKEY never before released. Touch Performances – Hip O Wills evergreen Sugar Moon all Producer: Jimmy LaFave really deserves. of the New Rope String Band for Words and Music By Nat Me Again is a gospel song demo EARL THOMAS CONLEY the songs have come from friends Music Road Records The original Jimmy LaFave over five years. She now plays with Stuckey and Friends co-written by Martin Johnson, who Greatest Hits / The Heart Of It All or colleagues in Nashville and 60:24 songs on the CD are all very good, singer-songwriter Sharon King and 1/2 also plays guitar, and the swingin’ – Morello New Zealand and I’m not sure or better. Highlights include, the appeared on King’s recent album A Hurt As Big As Texas which JESSE DAYTON that was such a good idea. Magic Texas singer Jimmy LaFave has wonderful foot-tapping Red Dirt Nothing=Everything. So Vera is was recorded in a session for Bill Jesse Sings Kinky – Stag Day reminded me of Swing Out been releasing albums since 1992. Night, the lovely ballad Vanished, an in-demand musician who has Stalcup, who Ann is trying to trace. WANDA JACKSON Sister, and Never Stop Loving You His new CD, on the singer’s own and the melodic I’ll Remember finally found the time to record her The tracks from Nat’s RCA Live In Chicago – Select-O-Hits is like a lightweight soul record , is the first disc of new You, which doesn’t waste any of its debut solo album. period are terrific. The waltz, The WANDA JACKSON from the 1980s, neither particularly material for five years and includes near six minutes running time. The All the tracks on Standing Tall Man That I Am, the shuffle Half Unfinished Business – Sugar Hill Reach For The Rhythm / Seems swinging. eight new original songs plus album ends with A Place I Have are her compositions, with the The Love, which would have been DARRELL SCOTT & TIM To Be A Pattern Here / Sooner Or When things do swing it is five cover versions (three written Left Behind, a ballad about leaving, exception of the cover of The perfect for Faron Young or a future O’BRIEN Later / Magic Day / Never Stop better. I could personally relate to by Bob Dylan, one from Bruce probably leaving a girl. song Lulu Walls and Jake Hooker project, You Don’t We’re Usually Much Better Than Loving You / Mood Swing Thing- Mood Swing Thing-A-Ling, and Springsteen, and an 80s hit). With his new album Jimmy the album is as much about her Have To Go Home which was a This – Thirty Tigers A-Ling / Painting This Whole Town Painting This Old Town Blue is In America, a critic called LaFave offers his listeners a instrumental skills as her singing 1974 single, and Two Together JO-EL SONNIER Blue / Swing Town / Baby Seems delightfully old fashioned. Seems Jimmy LaFave’s voice a “country superb collection of songs, sung as four tracks are instrumentals. which features Connie Smith and Come On Joe / Have A Little Faith To Me / Sugar Moon / For You To Be A Pattern Here certainly version of Van Morrison”, which is and played with great passion and The non-vocal tracks certainly Waitin’ In Your Welfare Line / Sweet was included on the album Young – Morello Producer: Richard Smith swings, Sooner Or Later has the a very accurate summary of the conviction. It’s a very entertaining highlight her dexterity, but the tunes Thang / Pop A Top / The Man Love that they made together. RED SOVINE I Self release feel of a Cindy Walker tune, and singer’s vocals. This and other ride. Jimmy LaFave is a highly are a little generic and it is the That I Am / Half The Love / Two Living In Love, Rose Ellen, and ’m The Man: A Starday Singles 32:44 whilst the loungey Baby Seems To discs by Jimmy LaFave indicate a talented songwriter, who really songs that really grab the attention. Together (feat. Connie Smith) / Pop A Top are recordings from a Anthology 1960-71 - Ace

46 COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE - NOVEMBER 2012 NOVEMBER 2012 - COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE 47