DISClaimer Single Reviews: Jamie O’Neal Is ‘Country Music Eloquence’

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Jamie O’Neal. Photo: Kala C

It’s always nice to catch up with old friends.

Dropping by this edition of DISClaimer are Eric Heatherly, the Kentucky HeadHunters, Andy Griggs and Jamie O’Neal. The last-named was especially welcomed, since she came bearing the gift of the Disc of the Day.

This week’s DISCovery Award goes to Emily Scott Robinson from the Oh Boy Records stable of artists.

KAT LUNA / “Back to You”
Writers: Billy Dawson/Emmi Elliott/Kat Luna/Sara Bares; Producer: Nathan Chapman; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– There’s a lot to like here. Her alto delivery is utterly lustrous; the production is pristine perfection; the Spanglish passages are an ear tickling delight. A single to get lost in.

SOUL CIRCUS COWBOYS & ANDY GRIGGS / “Life’s Highway”
Writers: Frank Joseph Myers/Gary Baker/Tammy Rogers; Producer: Frank Myers; Label: Kismet Nashville
– Soul Circus frontman Billy McKnight is a mighty, mighty ferocious vocalist. Match him with gritty Griggs and you have an outlaw, country-rock track that stings and bites in all the right places. Highly recommended.

EMILY SCOTT ROBINSON / “Appalachia”
Writer: Emily Scott Robinson; Producer: Josh Kaufman; Label: Oh Boy Records
– Enchanting. The title tune of Robinson’s forthcoming album is a shimmering, acoustic performance showcasing her deft guitar fingering and a quasi-yodeled folk-soprano vocal. The song is about her homeland’s resilience in the face of natural disasters.

COLE SWINDELL / “Make Heaven Crowded”
Writers: Blake Pendergrass/Cole Swindell/Greylan James/Joel Hutsell; Producers: Greylan James, Zach Abend; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– Yearning for peace and light in a dark world. Mellow and comforting.

JILLIAN JACQUELINE, CAITLYN SMITH & LUCIE SILVAS / “Little Sparrow”
Writer: Dolly Parton; Producer: Bryan Brown; Label: JJ
– Recorded in an echoey space, this is a flawlessly trio-harmonized a cappella performance that sends shivers up the spine. A haunting sound.

MITCHELL TENPENNY / “Therapy”
Writers: Andy Albert/Chris DeStefano/Mitchell Tenpenny/Thomas Archer; Producer: Chris DeStefano; Label: Sony Music Nashville/Riser House Records
– Pretty cute. He’s wishing nothing but bad for his ex. Mostly, he hopes she winds up in therapy because of the lousy way she’s treated him. A banger with smiles for miles.

JAMIE O’NEAL / “Ole Heartache”
Writers: Ed Hill/Jamie O’Neal/Shaye Smith; Producer: Jamie O’Neal, Rodney Good; Label: BFD
– Languidly paced, to underscore the lonesome blues in the soaring tune. Deep twang guitar and aching harmonica work back her terrific vocal performance. Country music eloquence.

JAMEY JOHNSON & RILEY GREEN / “Smoke”
Writers: Erik Dylan/Jamey Johnson/Riley Green; Producers: Jim “Moose” Brown, Kyle Lehning; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– Heartbreak with a southern-rock accent.

TIGIRLILY GOLD / “Mess Out of Me”
Writers: Benjamin Daniel Goldsmith/Emily Shackelton/Kendra Slaubaugh/Krista Slaubaugh; Producer: Pete Good; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– The duo tackles this ballad with assurance. It plods a bit, but the singing is strong.

KENTUCKY HEADHUNTERS / “Big Boss Man”
Writers: Al Smith/Luther Dixon; Producer: Tom Long; Label: Hickory Records
– About 20 years ago, the HeadHunters recorded a dozen classic songs from the Sony-ATV publishing catalog. The long-lost album has been resurrected on the band’s own label. It kicks off with this rocked up rendition of a Jimmy Reed/Elvis oldie.

ERIC & LINDSEY HEATHERLY / “American Love Affair”
Writers: Eric Heatherly/Lindsey Heaherly; Producer: none listed; Label: Deko Entertainment
– Actually, the husband-wife duo is now billed as “American Love Affair,” the same as their song. The Heatherlys remain resolutely, totally-cool, old-school, retro stylists with Duane Eddy -style, deep-twang guitar tones and laid-back, sultry singing. Very groovy.

CHARLEY CROCKETT / “Dollar a Day”
Writers: Dick Glasser/Vincent LePar; Producer: Charley Crockett, Shooter Jennings; Label: Island Records
– The title tune of Crockett’s new collection is a cowboy’s lonely lament, performed solo with rippling acoustic guitar accompaniment. As always, he is a beacon of country creativity.

ATLUS / “Devil Ain’t Done”
Writers: David Garcia/Geoff Warburton/Sean Haywood; Producer: Andrew Baylis, David Garcia; Label: Stoney Creek Records
– An anguished sinner seeks redemption. Everything here sounds way too electronically processed, but this guy is loaded with talent.

Robert K Oermann
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