DISClaimer Single Reviews: Cody Johnson Delivers A ‘Masterful Country Performance’

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Cody Johnson. Photo: Chris Douglas

“Sophisticates” might make fun of it, but I love country music’s unabashed sentimentality.

And I have two absolute gems of that sort in today’s stack of sounds. Cody Johnson wins the Disc of the Day prize for his tale of an old farmer who won’t sell his land to a developer because the property holds so much emotional weight for him. Taking home the DISCovery Award is Jay Allen. He is reminding us to lead with love at all times, because time is precious. I stand with both sentiments.

One of the coolest things about last week’s Country Radio Seminar is that it debuted a bounty of new sounds from our stars. Keith Urban, Chris Stapleton, Garth Brooks & Ronnie Dunn, Carly Pearce and Darius Rucker all came calling. So did dozens of others. What a banquet of music it was.

BO BICE / “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man”
Writer: Bob Seger; Producers: Randall Deaton, Gary Nichols & Jimmy Nutt; Label: Lonesome Day
– The American Idol alumnus gives this 1969 Bob Seger classic a bluegrass-y spin. The picking is hot, and Bice’s southern-rock vocal is raw and edgy. But as a major Seger fan, I’ll take the original, thanks.

CHRIS STAPLETON / “Mountains Of My Mind”
Writer: Chris Stapleton; Producers: Chris Stapleton/Dave Cobb/Morgane Stapleton; Label: Mercury Nashville
– It’s just that marvelous voice, singing to his own acoustic-guitar accompaniment. The moody folk ballad unspools a lyric of loneliness and existential angst. Captivating listening.

HUESTON / “Living Fast”
Writers: Brandon Sammons/Cory Hueston; Producer: BSAMZ; Label: Silver Wings/UMG
– This pop banger showcases a charismatic vocalist with a hypnotic, mystic vibe. While electronics throb around him, he wanders in a landscape of wasted youth.

CARLY PEARCE / “Hummingbird”
Writers: Carly Pearce/Nicolle Galyon/Shane McAnally/Jordan Reynolds; Producers: Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne/Carly Pearce; Label: Big Machine Records
– Swirling and dreamy. Is she a great artist? Yes. Is this well written? Yes. Is this a hooky playlist item? Maybe not. It sounds more like a lovely album track.

JAY ALLEN / “No Present Like The Time”
Writers: Jay Allen/Micah Wilshire/Nate Kenyon; Producer: Micah Wilshire; Label: ONErpm
– Cherish your loved ones while you have them here and near. The lyric is a beautiful sentiment; the rippling production is eloquent; his vocal is a thing of warmth and comfort. A brilliant record in all respects. Allen was a 2022 contestant on The Voice.

DARIUS RUCKER / “Never Been Over”
Writers: Darius Rucker/John Osborne/Lee Thomas Miller; Producers: Ross Copperman; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– This extremely well written song is an ode to enduring romance and lifelong commitment. Rucker’s voice is a warm glass of brandy.

GEORGIA WEBSTER / “Delusional”
Writers: Georgia Webster/Austin Goodloe/Joybeth Taylor/Lydia Vaughan; Producer: King Henry; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Her processed, double-tracked vocal and the machine percussion mark this as pop music. Artificial intelligence must have had a hand in this.

GARTH BROOKS & RONNIE DUNN / “Rodeo Man”
Writers: Ronnie Dunn/Phil O’Donnell; Producers: Ronnie Dunn/Garth Brooks; Label: Harbor/Big Machine
– A hit-bound, rocking romp. It will come as no surprise to reveal that Dunn is the better country singer.

TENILLE TOWNES / “As You Are”
Writers: David Pramik/Tenille Townes/Mags Duval; Producer: Ryan Hadlock; Label: Columbia Nashville
– The Canadian country awards champ delivers a languid ballad with strummy guitar backing that builds into a fierce shout of passion and then descends into a broken whisper.

DRAYTON FARLEY / “Norfolk Blues”
Writer: Drayton Farley; Producer: Sadler Vadenk; Label: Hargrove Records
– This Alabama singer-songwriter has the goods. His rolling rumbler gives a country-rock edge to the age-old working-man blues. I’m in. Welcome to the dance, pal.

CODY JOHNSON / “Dirt Cheap”
Writer: Josh Phillips; Producer: Trent Willmon; Label: CoJo Music/Warner Music Nashville
– A masterful country performance on every level. The tug-at-your-heartsrings lyric is powerful enough, but Johnson’s delivery kicks it into another realm. A superstar at work.

KEITH URBAN / “Messed Up As Me”
Writers: Jessie Jo Dillon/Shane McAnally/Michael Lotten/Rodney Clawson; Producers: Keith Urban/Dann Huff; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– A welcome change of pace. Urban turns up his contemplative side. It does not rock out relentlessly, but draws just as much potency from its back beats. A winner.

Robert K Oermann
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