DISClaimer Single Reviews: Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton Team For Disc Of The Day

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Country’s female artists take the spotlight today in DISClaimer.

Eight of our finest are in today’s playlist—Miranda, MŌRIAH, Dasha, Sacha, Brooke Lee, Carter Faith, Priscilla Block and Sara Evans. From their ranks come the prize winners. The Disc of the Day unquestionably belongs to Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton, but lend an ear to Ms. Carter Faith, who was also a mighty strong contender.

Brooke Lee takes the DISCovery Award. She’s good enough for Lukas Nelson, so she’s good enough for me.

Among our male discs, those by Russell Dickerson and the late Mike Henderson are the ones to definitely hear.

MIKE HENDERSON / “Weepin’ & Moanin’”
Writer: Mike Henderson; Producer: Kevin McKendree; Label: Qualified Records
– Mike Henderson held court every Monday night at The Bluebird Cafe for nearly 40 years until his sudden death in 2023. A veteran of The SteelDrivers (2005-2011) and The Bluebloods, he wrote hit songs with Chris Stapleton and crafted five solo albums showcasing his blistering slide guitar work and roadhouse sense of humor. The beloved entertainer is being saluted with Last Nite at the Bluebird, a posthumous compilation of some his best live tracks from those “Blue Monday” gigs. It kicks off with this self-composed grinder that includes his wry welcoming remarks. The set also includes such faves as “Pay Bo Diddley,” “Matchbox” and “Too Much Alcohol.” Friends and fans gathered to celebrate the CD and his memory this past Monday at the club.

MIRANDA LAMBERT & CHRIS STAPLETON / “A Song to Sing”
Writers: Chris Stapleton/Jenee Fleenor/Jesse Frasure/Miranda Lambert; Producer: Dave Cobb; Label: Republic Records
– Groove soaked and soulful. A stately, rump-shaking beat and some smokey, swirly guitar-organ-violin atmosphere back a masterpiece of duet singing. Stunning, beautiful and absolutely essential.

BRYAN RUBY / “Diggin’ (’Til the Corn Comes Up)”
Writer: John Trentes; Producers: Bryan Ruby, Smith Curry; Label: Rubies In The Rough Music
– This rocking hunk of sound roars the saga of a hard-working man trying to keep his head above water. It is drawn from Ruby’s Growing Season EP. The collection’s release party occurred at The Green Light Bar on Tuesday evening (July 15).

OLD DOMINION / “Making Good Time”
Writers: Brad Tursi/Matthew Ramsey/Ross Copperman/Ross Ellis/Trevor Rosen; Producers: Old Dominion, Shane McAnally; Label: Columbia Nashville
– A country rocker for the young at heart. The teenagers in these lyrics are hot to trot and also plotting to escape their “slow down town.”

BROOKE LEE & LUKAS NELSON / “Dandelion”
Writers: Bobby Hamrick/Brinley Addington/Brooke Lee; Producer: Derek Wells; Label: Spirit Nashville Recordings/2 Mix Music
– This has a cool, swampy groove and a lyric of resilience. A dandelion will push up through the smallest crack in the pavement and persevere. That flower is what she compares herself to. Nelson contributes guitar, a harmony vocal and solo spots.

MARCUS HUMMON & SARA EVANS / “I Taste a Liquor Never Brewed”
Writers: Emily Dickinson/Marcus Hummon; Producer: Marcus Hummon; Label: 3686 RECORDS
– Songs for Emily is an album comprised of songs marrying Emily Dickinson’s poetry to Marcus Hummon’s melodies. On this track, the poet was joyously enraptured by a summer day. Evans sings lead on the bopping number. Hummon takes over during the bridge and sings along elsewhere. Sunny sounding.

MŌRIAH / “Superwoman”
Writers: Ivory Lane/Mōriah Smallbone/Paul Mabury; Producer: Paul Mabury; Label: F2 Entertainment Group
– This ballad mourns the loss of youthful bravery. She misses the hopes and dreams and aspirations that made her feel like a super hero when she was a kid. She wants to fly again, but she’s earthbound now. MŌRIAH’s delivery is spell binding, going from a dusky, whispery alto to a yearning, airy soprano. Recommended.

DASHA / “Oh, Anna!”
Writers: Anna Dasha Novotny/Chris LaCorte/Emily Weisband/Hillary Lindsey; Producer: Chris LaCorte; Label: Warner Records
– This gentle bopper asks her little-girl self to come back and bring her innocent courage, optimism and confidence. Sprightly yet thoughtful. This gal is batting a thousand.

RUSSELL DICKERSON / “Happen to Me”
Writers: Chase McGill/Chris LaCorte/Jessie Jo Dillon/Robert Hazard/Russell Dickerson; Producers: Chris LaCorte, Josh Kerr, Russell Dickerson; Label: Triple Tigers
– Dickerson leads a dance party in a wild whirl of merriment. Along the way, he assures us that “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.” It will come as no surprise to learn that the track also has a dance remix.

SACHA & RESTLESS ROAD / “Shooting Star”
Writers: Cole Miracle/Colton Pack/Garrett Nichols/Sacha Visagie/Sam Martinez/Zach Beeken; Producers: Eric Arjes, Jimmy Robbins; Label: Sony Music Canada
– Sacha is a Canadian country chart topper, previously noted for “Hey Mom I Made It.” Teamed with the Restless Road trio, she sounds even better than before. The rolling, swaying country rocker sports electric-guitar licks galore as well as some fine vocalizing by both acts.

PRISCILLA BLOCK / “You’re Breaking My Heart (Cecelia)”
Writers: Chris Tompkins/Hailey Whitters/Jesse Frasure/Jessie Jo Dillon/Paul Simon; Producers: David Garcia, Jesse Frasure; Label: UMGN InDent Records
– This is a fascinating mash up of Simon & Garfunkel’s 1970 hit with her lyrics about a “Jolene” who’s up to no good. Pretty dang irresistibly catchy.

CHARLIE DANIELS & THE BEAU WEEVILS / “How We Roll”
Writer: Charlie Daniels; Producer: Casey Wood, James Stroud; Label: Blue Hat Records
– This Southern rocker with redneck pride was originally issued as by The Beau Weevils. Seven years later, the band’s ouput is being reissued, re-branded with the late Daniels’ name and re-tooled for digital consumption.

CARTER FAITH / “Sex, Drugs and Country Music”
Writers: Carter Faith/Lauren Hungate/Tofer Brown; Producer: Tofer Brown; Label: UMG Nashville
– An absolute delight. The lilting melody and her airy vocal sweetly reflect on the fact that “love is stupid” and that the best way to get through a heartbreak is with “Sex, Drugs and Country Music.” Winsome and wonderfully charming from start to finish.

Robert K Oermann
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