DISClaimer Single Reviews: Amy Grant Shares A ‘Beautifully Done’ Ballad

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Amy Grant. Photo: Ed Rode

Joe Nichols, LeAnn Rimes, Preston Cooper, Brei Carter and Ernest are all singing of gentle things. Rising above them all is Amy Grant, who wins the Disc of the Day with her heartwarming “The Me That Remains.”

Also on the gentle side is Alyssa Micaela, who wins this week’s DISCovery Award.

Among our rockers today, Webb Wilder is the ruler.

PRESTON COOPER / “One More Place I’ve Never Been”
Writers: Preston Cooper/Brad Warren/Brett Warren; Producer: Brett Warren ; Label: Valory
– Bluesy and moody. The power ballad laments a lost love by citing unseen destinations. He wails convincingly and a screaming rock guitar punctuates the proceedings. Cooper plays the Nashville Palace next Wednesday (March 4) to showcase his debut album Toledo Talkin.

ERNEST / “Boat Named After You”
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Label: Big Loud
– A heartache wafting on ocean breezes. He’s floating alone on the boat he named for her wondering where she is and what she’s doing. His voice is as smooth as a milkshake, and the airy production is a simply brilliant, sparkling thing. I’m madly in love with this single.

49 WINCHESTER / “Pardon Me”
Writer: Isaac Gibson; Producer: Dave Cobb; Label: Lucille Records/MCA
– Simmering in Southern Rock, this roaring slab of sound wouldn’t sound out of place on a classic Allman Brothers album.

LUKE BRYAN / “Word on the Street”
Writers: Payton Smith/Josh Thompson/Justin Ebach; Producer: Jeff Stevens; Label: MCA
– He’s trying to tune out the gossip and rumors about their breakup. Out in nature, he doesn’t hear a thing. A nicely done thumper with cool guitar licks and an insistent rhythm track.

LANGHORNE SLIM / “We the People”
Writer: Langhorne Slim; Producers: Langhorne Slim, Sam F. Kiszka; Label: Dualtone
– To the accompaniment of scampering bluegrass fiddle and lickety-split strumming, Slim sings a protest song of brotherhood and of unity in the face of political repression. Last month, the East Nashvillian showcased it on The Daily Show. Programmers note: the lyric drops a few “f” bombs. This folkie Americana favorite performs his new album The Dreamin’ Kind at The Basement East this Saturday (Feb. 28).

ASHLEY McBRYDE / “Arkansas Mud”
Writers: Ashley McBryde/Jessie Jo Dillon/Chris Tompkins; Producer: John Osborne; Label: Warner Records Nashville
– McBryde rocks out, spitting the lyric with fiery conviction. She refuses to apologize for cigarettes and alcohol because substance abuse sticks to her soul like mud. Underneath her phony, shiny, goody image is her hell-raiser authentic self. The production kicks butt as forcefully as her vocal.

LeANN RIMES / “Wild Things Run”
Writers: LeAnn Rimes/Darrell Brown; Producers: LeAnn Rimes, Darrell Brown; Label: EverLe Records
– Rimes is currently startling viewers with her portrayal of “Dixie,” an embittered, psycho ex from hell, on ABC-TV’s 911: Nashville. She crafted this single inspired by her character. It’s a goose-bump ballad with awesome chords and an epic, muscular production that pounds while her soprano soars. A wronged woman who soars on eagle’s wings. 911: Nashville airs every Thursday evening. Watch for fleeting scenes of Music City locations as well as for her portrayal.

JORDAN DAVIS / “Like God Intended”
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Label: MCA
– He doesn’t believe that the Good Lord intended us to work ourselves to death. Instead, he has faith that relaxing, drinking beer, making love, fishing and enjoying a sunset out in nature are what he was born to do. The track has a funky, loopy attraction and the lyric references Travis Tritt’s “A Great Day to Be Alive.” Very cool.

BREI CARTER / “Country Lives In Me”
Writers: Brei Carter/Kim McLean; Producer: none listed; Label: BC
– A rippling acoustic guitar riff draws you into this gentle ode to pastoral peace. Carter’s silky, resonant voice has a conversational intimacy that’s soothing on the ear. This title tune of her new album is lovely and highly listenable. I remain a fan.

AMY GRANT / “The Me That Remains”
Writers: Amy Grant/Mac McAnally; Producer: Mac McAnally; Label: Thirty Tigers
– This six-time Grammy winner and 2022 Kennedy Center honoree is poised to release her first new album of original songs in 13 years. Collaborators on the collection will include Ruby Amanfu, Vince Gill, Michael W. Smith, the late Sarah Cannon, and producer/co-writer Mac McAnally. The album’s title tune references her traumatic brain injury from a 2022 bicycle accident, but is ultimately an ode to resilience and gratitude. Her warm soprano is framed by gentle piano notes and soft organ sighs on the touching, inspirational ballad. Beautifully done.

JOE NICHOLS / “Fighting the Good Fight”
Writers: Joe Nichols/Jason Sellers/Paul Jenkins; Producers: Joe Nichols, Jason Sellers & Paul Jenkins; Label: Quartz Hill
– This is an autobiographical strummer that explores his “tough love” upbringing, honky-tonkin’ wild days and his strength as a father to his daughters. His voice caresses the lyric while instruments sway along.

ALYSSA MICAELA / “Unfinished Quilt”
Writers: Alyssa Micaela/Olivia Rudeen/Autumn McEntire; Producers: Stormy Cooper, Will Braun; Label: Azteca Ranch
– Her sweet, youthful voice reminisces about her grandmother who, “left a lot of love and some shoes I’ll never fill.” The bopping ditty is the sound of innocence and affection.

WEBB WILDER / “Hillbilly Speedball”
Writer: David Grissom; Producers: Webb Wilder & George Bradfute; Label: Landslide
– Tasty! The title tune of Wilder’s current album is a snappy country rocker. The native Mississippian drawls the dark lyric with a snarling, outlaw, spoken-sung vibe. He’s headed down the wrong highway, but roars forward nonetheless. As with everything this artist has released, it’s heartily endorsed.

Robert K Oermann
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