DISClaimer Single Reviews: Country Stylists Give ‘Utterly Enchanting’ Version Of Adele Hit

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Lukas Nelson. Photo: Shervin Lainez

Three generations of stylists compete in this country edition of DISClaimer.

Sweet nostalgia washed over me at hearing great new sounds from heritage artists Bill Anderson, Ray Benson and Dwight Yoakam. Modern veterans Miranda Lambert and Luke Bryan are still swinging for the fences.

And then there are the youngsters—Julie Williams, Justin Moore, Carl Ray, Post Malone and their contemporaries. They have new sounds you need to hear, too. Riding atop this group are Lukas Nelson, Sierra Ferrell and The Travelin’ McCourys, whose outstanding collaboration brings us our Disc of the Day.

LUKE BRYAN / “Country Song Came On”
Writers: Ryan Beaver/Dan Alley/Neil Medley; Producer: Jeff Stevens, Jody Stevens; Label: Capitol
– The single remains “Love You, Miss You, Mean It,” but Bryan has been issuing further preview tracks from his upcoming (Sept. 27) album. This one is about how hearing country music makes him want to drink. Really? I guess if you say so.

BRELAND / “Icing”
Writers: Breland/Jared Griffin/Rufio Hooks/Autumn Buysse; Producers: Sam Sumser, Sean Small & Noby Sidez; Label: Atlantic
– Wildly entertaining. The rapid-fire lyric, interjected screams, finger snaps, relentless tempo and non-stop energy are the recipe for a frothing audio stew.

CARL RAY / “Caney Fork”
Writers: Carl Ray Williams/Wood Newton/Daniel Johnson; Producer: Mike Loudermilk; Label: Sucarnochee
– Innocent, sunny, jaunty, acoustic, charming and country, country, country. Young love sounds so sweet in this outdoorsy tune. Carl Ray is a Black bluegrass artist who stages a mighty bid for mainstream country exposure here.

MIRANDA LAMBERT / “Dammit Randy”
Writers: Miranda Lambert/Brendan McLoughlin/Jon Randall; Producer: Miranda Lambert & Jon Randall; Label: Republic
– Postcards From Texas drops tomorrow as Miranda’s new collection, her first for Republic. This ultra-confident, twanging, feisty performance from it celebrates female independence with verve. Platinum personality on parade.

LUKAS NELSON feat. THE TRAVELIN’ McCOURYS & SIERRA FERRELL / “Someone Like You”
Writers: Dan Wilson/Adele Adkins; Producer: none listed; Label: LN
– Yes, it’s the 2011 Adele pop hit delivered by super country stylists Nelson and Ferrell, backed by the bluegrass picking of the McCourys. First of all, it is utterly enchanting. Second of all, I would love to hear these two singers together more often. Third of all, drop what you are doing and glue your ears to this when it drops tomorrow. A single that’s truly an event.

JUSTIN MOORE / “Love Your Hometown”
Writers: Justin Moore/Will Bundy/Randy Montana/Jeremy Stover; Producers: Jeremy Stover, Scott Borchetta & Paul DiGiovanni; Label: Valory
– It’s a love letter to an overseas soldier, reminding her that her hometown still thinks the world of her and that he’s patiently waiting. With its range and emotion, this is arguably Moore’s finest vocal to date.

JETT HOLDEN / “Scarecrow”
Writer: Jett Holden; Producer: Will Hoge; Label: Black Opry
– He sings with fierce commitment. The song uses the characters of the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion to communicate his emotional turmoil in coming out as gay to his Jehovah’s Witness family. As I have mentioned before, his songwriting needs a professional collaborator/editor to make it less wordy and more commercial.

DWIGHT YOAKAM & POST MALONE / “I Don’t Know How to Say Goodbye”
Writer: Dwight Yoakam; Producer: Dwight Yoakam; Label: Via Records/Thirty Tigers
– Yoakam is breaking his silence of nine years to issue a new album in November. Its advance single is a twang-fest two stepper embellished with stuttering steel and bounced fiddle bows. Post Malone keeps up with the neo-traditionalist in the hilibilly vocal department. A joyous collaboration. Country excellence on the hoof.

DENITIA / “Sunset Drive”
Writers: Denitia/Brad Allen Williams; Producer: Denitia & Brad Allen Williams; Label: Denitia
– Denitia has had a fine year, staging her debut at the Opry, being in CMT’s Next Women of Country class, touring with the Black Opry Revue, headlining at Nashville Pride and issuing her debut album last week. Its title tune perfectly weds her lilting soprano to a gently breezy rhythmic track and a sweet/sad relationship lyric. Very pretty listening.

BILL ANDERSON / “The Last One I’ll Forget”
Writers: Bill Anderson/Steve Dorff; Producer: Steve Dorff; Label: MCA Nashville/UMe
– The timeless Opry veteran emotes beautifully on this softly contemplative ballad of enduring love in old age. I promise that this will tug at your heartstrings. He’s still got the goods.

JULIE WILLIAMS / “Just Friends?”
Writers: Julie Williams/Melody Walker; Producer: Jonathan Smalt; Label: JW
– I have long been a fan of this country stylist. Her songwriting has always had a poignant vibe, and her soprano singing is exemplary. This eloquently produced, twinkling, alt-folk tune is accompanied by an overtly queer-female video treatment.

RAY BENSON / “Get Your Kicks on Route 66”
Writer: Bobby Troup; Producer: Doctor Dread & Tony Garnier; Label: RB
– I know this sounds impossible, but this is an audio fusion of western swing and reggae. Believe it or not, it works. Benson’s jazzbo phrasing and the swinging sounds of Asleep at the Wheel members bump up against a funky Caribbean rhythm track. The album, Swingin’ and Swankin,’ features guest appearances by everyone from Willie Nelson and Lucky Oceans to Warren Haynes and Stanley Jordan.

Robert K Oermann
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