DISClaimer Single Reviews: Tanya Tucker’s Vocals Soar On ‘Ready As I’ll Never Be’

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Country music is in the midst of one of its periodic artist shakeups.

There’s a new generation of record makers vying for stardom, and they’re a very diverse lot. Just take a listen to Sam Williams, Pillbox Patti, Brandon Ratcliff, Ian Munsick, Elle King and Lily Rose.

But let’s not forget to dance with the ones who brung us. I refer to the enduringly great Tanya Tucker, who towers above all these would-be stars with “Ready As I’ll Never Be” as the Disc of the Day.

The DISCovery award goes to Michael Warren. He’s a Birmingham native who’s written pop tunes for the likes of Toni Braxton, Jennifer Lopez and Akon. But his southern roots shine through on “What’s Country to You.”

LILY ROSE / “Whatcha Know About That”
Writers: Dave Pittenger/Jonathan Hutcherson/Sydney Cubit/Miranda Glory; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud/Back Blocks/Mercury/Republic
–A chiming, echoey production backs her husky come-on to a potential lover. It has a certain “rush” that’s very inviting.

IAN MUNSICK / “Horses & Weed”
Writers: Ian Munsick/Josh Thompson; Producers: Ian Munsick/Jared Conrad; Label: Warner
–The Colorado cowboy praises products of his home state. Tennesseans might have their pick-up trucks and beer, but he’s floating languidly on a ballad with wafting smoke in his hair and a palomino for propulsion.

ELLE KING / “Try Jesus”
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Ben Johnson/Casey Smith/Elle King/Geoffrey Warburton; Producers: Elle King/Ross Copperman; Label: Sony
–This manages to be hilarious, devout, wacky, uplifting, kookie and delightfully strange all at the same time. The song is out there. Her performance is charming. The video is a hoot.

SHABOOZEY / “Gas!”
Writers: Sam Martinez/Shaboozey; Producer: Sam Martinez/Junwaa/Ben Mironer/Shaboozey; Label: Empire
–The Virginia rapper thinks this is some new kinda country music. I don’t.

TANYA TUCKER / “Ready As I’ll Never Be”
Writers: Tanya Tucker/Brandi Carlile; Producers: Brandi Carlile/Shooter Jennings; Label: Fantasy
–This is the end title tune of the new Tanya Tucker documentary. It’s also a dynamite ballad that dips into the legendary entertainer’s deepest alto before soaring into a stirring, melodic chorus. An awesome performance by one of our most charismatic greats.

BRANDON RATCLIFF / “Grow Apart”
Writers: Brandon Ratcliff/Lori McKenna/Pete Good; Producers: Pete Good/AJ Babcock; Label: Monument
–This guy is batting a thousand with me: I believe I’ve loved everything he’s released so far. He comes by his extraordinary singing voice doubtless via his inheritance, since his mom is the great Suzanne Cox of The Cox Family. Here, he applies it to a meditation on youth and aging that echoes with truth. Brandon’s debut album is due in January, and I can’t wait.

PILLBOX PATTI / “Eat Pray Drugs”
Writers: Nicolette Hayford/Aaron Raitiere/Benjy Davis/Connie Harrington/Park Chilsolm; Producer: Park Chisolm; Label: Monument
–The sound of a steamy southern summer. She drawls in an atmospheric dream in this super-creative production. “There’s only three things to do around here,” the small-town gal whispers. They’re listed in the sez-it-all title.

TYLER HUBBARD / “I’m the Only One”
Writers: Tyler Hubbard/Chris Locke/Rhett Akins; Producers: Jordan Schmidt/Tyler Hubbard; Label: EMI
–Positively joyous. Being in love has seldom sounded so downright fun. Hubbard is currently going from strength to strength en route to a debut album in January.

KARLEY SCOTT COLLINS / “Better Strangers”
Writers: Liz Rose/Karley Scott Collins; Producer: Brock Berryhill; Label: Sony
–The relationship went bust, and she’s totally depressed about it. Promising, if somewhat overproduced.

REYNA ROBERTS / “Pretty Little Devils”
Writers: Reyna Roberts/Kendall Brower/David Mescon; Producer: David Mescon; Label: Empire
–Minor-key, moody and edgy. Hip-hop fused with country-rock, which is her usual jam.

SAM WILLIAMS / “Tilted Crown”
Writers: Luke Dick/Sam Williams/Scooter Carusoe; Producer: Luke Dick; Label: Mercury
–In a voice cracked with heartache, Williams muses about the legacy of his legendary lineage. The evocative ballad is produced with exquisite precision, and his performance glows with honesty.

MICHAEL WARREN / “What’s Country to You”
Writers: Dylan Schneider/Zac Kale/Jake Rose; Producer: none listed; Label: Workplay
–Jaunty and charming. He bops through the countryfied lyric with verve and smiles while the guitars ring and chime. Add this.

Robert K Oermann
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