• ABOUT
    • Contact
    • The Team
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Events
    • FAQ
    • Use & Privacy Policy
  • ADVERTISE
  • ROWFAX
  • THE SPORTS CREDENTIAL
  • JOB LISTINGS
MusicRow.com
  • CALENDARS
    • Album/EP Releases
    • Single/Track Releases
    • Industry Events
  • OBITS
  • CHARTS
    • Radio Chart (Current)
    • Radio Chart (Archives)
    • No. 1 Challenge Coin
    • Songwriter Chart (Current)
    • Songwriter Chart (Archives)
  • REVIEWS
  • MY STORY
  • NEWSLETTER
    • Newsletter (Current)
    • SIGN UP (FREE!)
    • Newsletter (Archives)
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • STORE
  • Search
  • Menu Menu

DISClaimer: Big & Rich, Simba Jordan Make The Cut

March 9, 2017/by Robert K Oermann

Big & Rich, Simba Jordan

The big news in today’s column is that we have two young African-American country artists in our listening stack.

The even better news is that Tony Jackson and Simba Jordan are both well worth your attention and your spins. Lend them your ears. We fondly remember Tony from his dandy remake of “Nashville Cats” last year. But Simba is a newcomer to the column, so he lands a DisCovery Award.

The Disc of the Day prize goes to the always dependable Big & Rich. Their tightly crafted “California” wins on all levels — song, performance and production.

RACHAEL TURNER/Hurts Don’t It
Writers: Kerry Kurt Phillips/Larry Haack/Michael Higgins; Producer: Kent Wells; Publishers: none listed; Rustic (CDX)
– She has a great deal of vocal “presence,” with an up-close-and-personal delivery that’s married to a crystal-clear production. In addition, she nails the pain in the lyric perfectly. This aching ballad richly deserves your spins.

BIG & RICH/California
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Vicky McGehee/John Rich; Producers: Big & Rich; Publishers: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; Big & Rich/New Revolution
– Their vocal harmonies have never been more stellar. And this rolling country-rocker just might be the most tuneful and catchy song they’ve ever recorded. A home run.

DENNY STRICKLAND/We Don’t Sleep
Writers: Jaida Dreyer/Cole Taylor/Tommy Cecil/Jody Stevens; Producer: Sean Giovanni; Publishers: none listed; Red Star (CDX)
– It’s kinda sexy when he’s in his softer voice on the verses. The power-ballad, shouted choruses shatter the mood. But all in all, this is a performer who shows great promise.

TONY JACKSON/The Grand Tour
Writers: Norro Wilson/Carmol Taylor/George Richey; Producers: Donna Dean-Stevens/Jim Della Croce; Publishers: none listed, BMI; Pathfinder (CDX)
– Taking on this definitive 1974 George Jones classic takes courage. Jackson juts out his chin and goes for it, note for note. Well done, buddy. You gave me chills.

 

ZAC BROWN BAND/My Old Man
Writers: Zac Brown/Niko Moon/Ben Simonetti; Producers: Dave Cobb & In The Arena Productions; Publishers: none listed; SESAC; Southern Ground/Elektra
– Folkie, like a countrified James Taylor. The gentle ballad’s father-son sentiment is so warm that you’ll melt.

AUBRIE SELLERS/Liar Liar
Writers: Aubrie Sellers/Brandy Clark/Jessie Jo Dillon; Producer: Frank Liddell; Publisher: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; Atlantic (CDX)
– Aubrie tones down the garage-rock country roaring in favor of an accusatory female attitude tune with a sidewinder backbeat. Gripping. Compelling. Mesmerizing.

SIMBA JORDAN/Those Goodbye Eyes
Writers: Lonnie Wilson/Jimmy Yeary; Producer: Lonnie Wilson; Publishers: none listed; Kinfolk (CDX)
– His pleading tenor hurts in all the right places on this heartbreak tune. The song is a winner, and the arrangement is nicely understated. Well done by all.

RACHEL HOLDER/You Only Call Me When You’re Drunk
Writers: David Lee Murphy/Rachel Farley; Producers: Norman DeVasure, Wilbur Rimes, and Rachel Holder; Publishers: none listed, ASCAP/BMI; Curb (CDX)
– The song is strong. Thus, there’s no point in her trying so overly hard to sell it.

 

SARAH DUNN BAND/Figure It Out
Writers: Sarah Dunn; Producer: Larry Beaird; Publishers: none listed; BMI; 9 North (CDX)
– The song meanders around too much, and there’s nothing that is attention grabbing in her performance of it. My mind wandered off. My attention drifted away.

WHEELER BRYSON/Pour Me Out Of This Town
Writers: Stephen Dorff/Andrew Dorff/Bobby Tomberlin; Producers: Stephen Dorff/Bobby Tomberlin; Publishers: none listed; BMI; Varese Sarabande (CDX)
– “Wheeler Bryson” is the fictional star of the low-fi country movie Wheeler, starring actor Stephen Dorff as the title character. His slightly raspy, growly delivery is ear catching, and this drinking song has plenty of hooks. Stephen and his late songwriter brother Andrew are the sons of successful composer Steve Dorff (”Every Which Way But Loose,” “I Just Fall in Love Again,” “I Cross My Heart,” “Through the Years,” etc.).

 

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Robert K Oermann
Robert K Oermann
Robert K. Oermann is a longtime contributor to MusicRow. He is a respected music critic, author and historian.
Robert K Oermann
Latest posts by Robert K Oermann (see all)
  • DISClaimer Single Reviews: The Late Jimmy Buffett ‘Encourages Optimism & Hope’ - September 28, 2023
  • All-Around Nashville Music Man Mike Henderson Passes - September 25, 2023
  • Ringo Starr Honored At Musicians Hall Of Fame - September 25, 2023
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Disclaimer-570x380-1.jpg 380 570 Robert K Oermann https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png Robert K Oermann2017-03-09 10:21:052017-03-09 10:21:05DISClaimer: Big & Rich, Simba Jordan Make The Cut
0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

RECENT NEWS

  • Country Music Stars Surprise 2023 CMA Broadcast Award Winners October 3, 2023
  • Music Health Alliance Sets Date For ‘Heal The Music Day’ October 3, 2023
  • Seventh Annual ‘Scott Hamilton & Friends’ Benefit To Celebrate ’90s Country October 3, 2023
  • Porchlight Music Signs Singer-Songwriter & Producer Chris Sligh October 3, 2023
  • Industry Ink: Tim McGraw, Sawyer Brown, Jimmy Carter, More October 3, 2023
  • Greyson Chance & Heather Russell Sign With Prescription Songs October 3, 2023
  • Amazon Music Kicks Off Country Music Month With New Playlist & Programming October 3, 2023
  • Flatland Cavalry Partners With Interscope Records For New Album October 3, 2023
  • Heavy Metal: Cole Swindell, Nate Smith, Morgan Evans October 3, 2023
  • ASCAP’s 45th Annual Christian Music Awards Honors Brandon Lake, Matthew West, More October 3, 2023
  • Weekly Register: Zach Bryan Scores Top Country Album Debut October 2, 2023
  • Oliver Anthony Re-Enters Top 5 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart October 2, 2023
  • Parmalee Notches 4th No. 1 Single With ‘Girl In Mine’ October 2, 2023
  • Colin Stough To Release Debut EP, ‘Promiseland’ October 2, 2023
  • Thomas Rhett Brings Bridgestone Arena Together For A Fun Night Of Music October 2, 2023

Like Us on Facebook

Follow Us on Twitter

Tweets by MusicRow
© 2023 Music Row Enterprises, LLC – All rights reserved.
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
Scroll to top