DISClaimer Single Reviews: Dalton Dover ‘Brings A Whole New Dimension’ To Country Classic

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Dalton Dover. Photo: Jim Wright

Our Black country artists have the discs to beat this week.

Brittney Spencer, Dalton Dover and Brei Carter all vied for the Disc of the Day award. Carter has the dance tune, and Spencer has the feel-good bopper. But Dalton Dover has the most traditional country voice going for him, and he gets the nod.

On a day dominated by newer country acts, Warner entry Redferrin wins the DISCovery Award. His full name is Blake Redferrin. He hails from White House, Tennessee and has the drawling accent to prove it.

RYAN JEWEL / “Same Bar, Different Town”
Writers: Ryan Jewel/Lauren McLamb/Blaine Younger; Producers: John Hansbrough & Ryan Jewel; Label: Ryan Jewel
– A nice, beefy, resonant production backs a honky-tonk baritone with a well-crafted tune. He’s a little bit pitch-y in spots, but not enough to mar the performance. As a songwriter, I’d call him much more than promising.

COREY KENT / “This Heart”
Writers: Thomas Archer/Blake Bollinger/Jacob Hackworth/Michael Tyler; Producer: Chris Farren; Label: Sony
– Heartache on the hoof. In a pleading tenor, he describes the pain of missing her and vents his anger on his heart that won’t heal. A pulsating rhythm track amps up the energy, and sizzling electric guitars infuse the mood.

REDFERRIN / “Doin’ Life”
Writers: Blake Redferrin/Jarrod Ingram/Blake Hubbard; Producers: Redferrin/The 720; Label: Warner
– It’s rough out there, folks. Redferrin sings the existential blues in a wailing tenor that pretty much outlines the pitfalls and difficulties. The moody track with its low-thump percussion is mixed up a tiny bit too high, so you have strain to discern the lyrics. As if to show a little mercy, the backing sounds ease off and the final chorus is crystal clear.

BRITTNEY SPENCER / “I Got Time”
Writers: Brittney Spencer/Emily Reid/Jessica Cayne/Nate Campany; Producer: Daniel Tashian; Label: Elektra
– Jaunty, catchy, cute and endearing. She’s worked hard all week and is ready to chill with her besties. Dance all night? Yes, please. Spencer’s debut album, My Stupid Life, dropped last Friday. Do yourself a favor and listen to the title tune, as well as this bopper.

LACY J. DALTON / “Summerland”
Writer: Lacy J. Dalton; Producers: none listed; Label: StarVista
– Dalton posted 20+ country hits in the 1980s, and she still sounds fine. This song was written to comfort her mother as she lay dying. A rippling mandolin accompanies the singer as she carries us onto the river that leads us over to the other side. Warm and reassuring.

KAMERON MARLOWE & ELLA LANGLEY / “Stranger”
Writers: Kameron Marlowe/Ella Langley/Will Bundy/Chase McGill; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Sony
– He’s a very powerful vocalist, but Langley keeps up with Marlowe on this power ballad. Sparks fly.

DALTON DOVER / “Take Me Home Country Roads”
Writers: Bill Danoff/John Denver/Taffy Nivert; Producer: Matthew McVaney; Label: Mercury
– He remains one of our finest young country voices. Think again, if you think you’ve heard this oldie often enough. Dover’s slowed-down, gentle, caressing, thoughtful reading of the lyric brings a whole new dimension to the song. This man has the goods. A loud, “Amen” from this corner.

MITCHELL TENPENNY / “Breaking My Heart”
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Chase McGill/Jordan Schmidt/Mitchell Tenpenny; Producers: Mitchell Tenpenny/Jordan Schmidt; Label: Riser House/Columbia Nashville
– The song isn’t much, but the production and performance make a fine pop-country sound.

BILLY GILMAN & RHONDA VINCENT / “That’s Bluegrass to Me”
Writers: Billy Gilman/Dan Murph/Philip Douglas; Producers: none listed; Label: Pinecastle
– Gilman’s country voice lends itself surprisingly well to bluegrass here, and the presence of the genre’s queen doesn’t hurt. The song’s lyric drops legendary names from the genre effortlessly.

BREI CARTER & ELEKTROHORSE / “Boots Get to Talking”
Writers: Brei Carter/Elektrohorse/Floyd Holloway/Ray Seay; Producer:Elektrohorse; Label: BC
– Country singer Carter turns herself over to her noted DJ Elektrohorse, who gives this ditty a definite dancefloor vibe. He leaves enough room in his beats for her sprightly vocal and an accompanying harmonica workout. Get up and shake it.

ELVIE SHANE / “What Do I Know”
Writers: Dan Couch/Elvie Shane/Jon Sherwood/Oscar Charles; Producer: Oscar Charles; Label: BBR/Wheelhouse
– The sound is a little dark and foreboding, but the blue-collar lyric lifts it up. As usual, he’s a beacon of creative individuality. Well worth your spins.

Robert K Oermann
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