DISClaimer Single Reviews: Colbie Caillat & Sheryl Crow Bring Breezy New Tune
We’ve got country duets coming out of our ears in this edition of DISClaimer.
Mind you, there is superb solo work from Sam Williams, Tyler Hubbard, Willie Nelson and Lori McKenna. But there’s no denying the force generated by Zach Bryan with Kacey Musgraves, Jenni Mudaur and Teddy Thompson and The Bellamy Brothers with K.T. Oslin.
Both of our award winners this week are collaborations, too. The Disc of the Day honor goes to the scintillating, uplifting Colbie Caillat and Sheryl Crow duet “I’ll Be Here.” The DISCovery Award goes to the husband-wife team of Alyssa and Wayne Brewer, whose George and Tammy recreation must be heard to be believed.
COLBIE CAILLAT & SHERYL CROW / “I’ll Be Here”
Writers: Colbie Caillat/Brett James/Jason Reeves/Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds; Producer: Jamie Kenney; Label: Blue Jean Baby Records/The Orchard
– This is the title tune of Caillat’s new country album (due Oct. 6). It is an uplifting, breezy tempo tune that exudes love and light, supportive friendship and spirit-lifting trust. She and Crow have migrated here from pop and both righteously belong in the country firmament, because they’re better country singers than half of the people that are already in the format. Play and believe.
JENNI MULDAUR & TEDDY THOMPSON / “If I Needed You”
Writer: Townes Van Zandt; Producer: David Mansfield; Label; Sun Label Group
– She is the daughter of Geoff and Maria Muldaur and he is the son of Richard and Linda Thompson. With such a royal folk-music lineage, is it any surprise that Jenni and Teddy absolutely nail this revival of the 1981 Emmylou Harris and Don Williams folkie duet? It is lilting and loving, a true balm for the soul. Their album is entitled Sing the Great Country Duets. Recommended without reservation.
ALYSSA & WAYNE BREWER / “We’re Gonna Hold On”
Writers: Bobby Braddock/Rafe Van Hoy; Producers: Wayne Brewer/Mason Brewer/Gary Brewer; Label: SGM/Sony/The Orchard
– This husband-and-wife duo are offering a collection titled A&W Sing George & Tammy. It takes courage to take on the repertoire made immortal by two of the greatest singers in country music history, but the Brewers are impressively up to the task. Both of them have pitch-perfect vocal chops and can match their Hall of Fame forebears lick for lick. Frankly, I was blown away.
DUSTIN LYNCH “Killed the Cowboy”
Writers: Jordan Reynolds/Devin Dawson/Anderson East; Producer: Zach Crowell; Label: Broken Bow Records
– Moody and minor key, this is a somewhat arty change of pace for Lynch. I think it’s a gutsy choice for a single. Although it’s haunting, the song doesn’t exactly scream “hit” to me.
LORI MCKENNA / “Wonder Drug”
Writer: Lori McKenna; Producer: Dave Cobb; Label: CN Records/Thirty Tigers
– In a word, awesome. With just their acoustic guitars, McKenna and Cobb lay down a performance that will stop you in your tracks. The woman’s achingly brilliant song describes the devastation of drugs and asks, “Why couldn’t Love be the wonder drug?” This reminder of country’s folk roots belongs on your playlist at once. McKenna and the equally brilliant Brandy Clark are touring together this fall. I was hugely disappointed to learn that there’s no Nashville date on the schedule (Knoxville is Oct. 5 and Chattanooga is Oct. 6).
WILLIE NELSON / “Good Hearted Woman”
Writers: Willie Nelson/Waylon Jennings; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Label: Sony Legacy
– Nelson goes bluegrass on his new album, which drops tomorrow (Sept. 15). This new take on his Waylon Jennings collab classic has lively banjo and fiddle backing. The real revelation is how strong his voice still sounds at age 90. Eternally a fan. The original, by the way, was the CMA Single of the Year in 1976.
ZACH BRYAN & KACEY MUSGRAVES / “I Remember Everything”
Writers: Zach Bryan/Kacey Musgraves; Producer: Zach Bryan; Label: Warner Records
– Slow, deliberate and eloquently painful, this ballad explores the anguish of heartbreak with an airy grace. Both singers languish in sorrow.
MUSTANGS OF THE WEST / “Sea of Heartbreak”
Writers: Paul Hampton/Hal David; Producers: Kirk Pasich/Colin Devlin; Label: KZZ Music/Blue Elan Records
– This durable, five-piece, all-female band takes on the exquisite 1961 Don Gibson golden oldie with verve. This song is one of my all-time country favorites, and their vocal harmonies are simply stunning. What’s not to love?
TYLER HUBBARD / “Back Then Right Now”
Writers: Tyler Hubbard/Jessie Jo Dillon/Geoff Warburton/David Garcia; Producers: Tyler Hubbard/Jordan Schmidt; Label: EMI Nashville
– Nostalgia for the good old days, set to an insanely catchy beat. This guy’s voice usually gets to me, and this outing is no exception. Turn it up and spin around the room.
THE BELLAMY BROTHERS & K.T. OSLIN / “I’d Lie to You for Your Love”
Writers: David Bellamy/Howard Bellamy/Frankie Miller/Jeff Barry; Producer: The Bellamy Brothers; Label: Select-O-Hits
– Recorded in 2006, before Parkinson’s took her from us too soon in 2020, Oslin takes the lead on this collaboration. The groove is slinky. The mood is romantic. The vibe is pure pleasure. David and Oslin trade saucy asides as the tune progresses with its steady groove. The song’s so-clever lyric is a proven winner, having topped the country hit parade for The Bellamy Brothers in 1985. Essential listening.
SAM WILLIAMS / “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”
Writer: Hank Williams; Producer: none listed; Label: Mercury Nashville
– Sam honors his grandfather with this stately, smooth, sad revival of this cornerstone song of the Hank Williams catalog. The pace is cautious, as if heart, voice and instruments might all break at any moment. No matter how familiar you are with the original (or its many revivals), this version will touch your heart. Sam will take part in the concert saluting the 100th anniversary of Hank’s birth staged by the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sept. 21.
LUTHER DICKINSON / “Are You Sure”
Writers: Homer Banks/Raymond E. Jackson; Producer: Luther Dickinson; Label: New West Records/Antone’s Records
– Nashvillian Dickinson is noted for his work in the North Mississippi All Stars, but his new solo album revisits the songs he loved as a little boy growing up in Memphis. It includes such Americana guests as Yola, Allison Russell and Lillie Mae. On this sing-songy revival of a Staple Singers oldie, he is joined by daughters Sharde Thomas and Sharisse Norman. File under: Children’s Music.
