DISClaimer Single Reviews: Alison Brown & Steve Martin Are ‘Utterly Enchanting’

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It’s “Band Day” here at DISClaimer.

Groups tend to be pushed aside by solo stars every week, so I’m dedicating a whole column to survey what everyone’s been up to. Our entries come from Texas, Colorado, Chicago and New York, as well as Nashville.

They also come from the Americana, country, folk, rock and bluegrass fields. From the latter emerges the stellar sound of Steve Martin & Alison Brown. Joined by the everlasting troubadour Jackson Browne, they have the Disc of the Day.

Also in the hunt for our top prize this week were Needtobreahe, Shinedown, The Kody Norris Show, Flatland Calvary, The Band of Heathens and our DISCovery Award winners, the Clay Street Unit.

THE JACK WHARFF BAND / “Saved”
Writers: Garrett Howell/Jack Wharff/Ryan Atchison; Producer: Eddie Spear; Label: Big Machine Records
– Chopped rhythms and steady-state guitar strumming underscore a contemporary Christian song with a plaintive lead vocal.

PARMALEE / “How Do I Let You Go”
Writers: Casey Brown/David Fanning/Matt Thomas/Parker Welling; Producers: Casey Brown, David Fanning; Label: Stoney Creek Records
– The band pivots from the good-timey “Cowgirl” to a deeply personal song about dealing with grief. Echoey and soaring.

THE BAND OF HEATHENS / “High on Our Own Supply”
Writers: Ed Jurdi/Gordy Quist/Jesse Noah Wilson; Producers: Jim Vollentine, The Band Of Heathens; Label: BOH Records
– This genre-agnostic Austin group is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The Band of Heathens has built up a solid following by doing things its own grass-rootsy way and resisting conformity. Its upcoming album will be titled Country Sides, and this is its advance track. The earthy, crunchy, earnest, folk-rock sound is enormously endearing.

HEARTLAND / “Tractor Rolls”
Writers: Harrison Kindy/Jaron Boyer/Michael Tyler; Producer: none listed; Label: Yellowhammer Music Group
– Its an anthem for/about America’s farmers. Lots of screaming electric guitars.

RATBOYS / “Anywhere”
Writers: Dave Sagan/Julia Steiner/Marcus Nuccio/Sean Neumann; Producer: Chris Walla, Ratboys; Label: New West Records
– Chicago’s Ratboys are billed as “post country.” Despite its name, the band has a female lead singer, Julia Steiner. The sound is bright, bopping, thrashy, garage rock & roll.

SHINEDOWN / “Searchlight”
Writers: Brent Smith/Dave Bassett/Eric Bass; Producer: Dave Bassett, Eric Bass; Label: Atlantic Records
– The popular rock band introduced this on the Grand Ole Opry last month. It’s pretty cool sounding, with just enough guitar jangle to tickle country lovers’ ears. A melodic delight.

THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS / “Dancing on the Moon”
Writers: Andrew Falco/Andrew Hall/Christopher Pandolfi/Jeremy Garrett/Jon Weisberger/Josh Shiling/Travis Book; Producer: The Infamous Stringdusters; Label: Americana Vibes
– These Grammy and IBMA award-winning progressive bluegrassers are haunting and minor-key on this sophisticated, offbeat melody. The lyric describes the delirium of falling in love while dobro notes dribble all around.

CLAY STREET UNIT / “Rollin’”
Writer: Sam Walker; Producer: Chris Pandolfi; Label: Leo33
– This Colorado band is renowned for its incendiary live performances. On its Leo33 debut, the group sounds relaxed and contemplative about moving on after a breakup. Steel, mandolin, banjo and guitar notes sparkle, then in mid-song, the percussion shifts the song into high gear. Highly promising. Send more.

NEEDTOBREATHE / “Where You Call Home”
Writer: Bear Rinehart; Producer: Dave Cobb; Label: NEEDTOBREATHE
– Surviving life’s struggles sounds easy in this lilting, harmony-embellished, acoustic charmer. Hearty, warm and embracing. By all means, play this beautiful audio gift.

THE KODY NORRIS SHOW / “Waitress, Waitress”
Writer: Boudleaux Bryant; Producer: The Kody Norris Show; Label: Rebel Records
– I adore this band. The groovy retro stage wear, the warmly sincere vocals, and the overall attitude have always been first rate. This merry ditty about romancing a waitress comes with a built-in smile. The video was filmed at the Elliston Place Soda Shop and features cameo appearance by T. Graham Brown, William Lee Golden, John Berry and more. Bluegrass perfection.

STEVE MARTIN, ALISON BROWN, JACKSON BROWNE, JEFF HANNA / “Dear Time”
Writers: Alison Brown/Steve Martin; Producer: Alison Brown, Garry West; Label: Compass Records
– Steve and Alison’s twin-banjo duet and droll banter during their appearance as presenters on last month’s CMA Awards were a breath of fresh air. They’ve also been promoting their new album on Jimmy Kimmel, The View, NPR, Jimmy Fallon and the IBMA Awards, which they co-hosted. The album’s track with vocalist Browne and Hannah on harmony vocals is a standout moment on the Safe, Sensible and Sane collection. Wistful, thoughtful, nostalgic, melodic and utterly enchanting. Vince Gill, The Indigo Girls, Della Mae, Tim O’brien and other guests also celebrate the album.

THE LONE BELLOW / “Islands in the Stream”
Writers: Barry Alan Gibb/Maurice Ernest Gibb/Robin Hugh Gibb; Producer: Brian Elmquist; Label: Burly Bellow Music
– These enduring Americana favorites have always loved infectious hooks. This Kenny & Dolly oldie is packed with them. Long a fan favorite at live shows, now it’s a tuneful, trio-harmonized single. There’s also a live, acoustic video performance on YouTube. Sing along.

FLATLAND CALVARY / “Gone”
Writers: Aaron Eshuis/Cleto Cordero/Ryan Beaver; Producer: Dwight Baker; Label: Lost Highway
– This ode of a drifting vagabond is country to the core, from the fiddle solo to the twang guitar and drawled vocals. It’s another great illustration of this fine band’s “Easy on the ears, heavy on the heart” ethos. The group’s swirling sounds are brilliantly mixed and produced. Here’s toasting its new contract with Lost Highway with the sincere hope that this deserving group gets the accolades and attention it has long deserved.

BRYAN SUTTON & DOC WATSON / “Working Man Blues”
Writer: Merle Haggard; Producer: none listed; Label: Mountain Home
– The late Doc Watson is among the guitar heroes collaborating with six-string master Sutton on his From Roots to Branches series (also check out the Sierra Hull and Trey Hensley collabs). Doc sings, but it’s the brain dazzling acoustic guitar playing that makes this an utterly jaw dropping listening experience.

Robert K Oermann
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