DISClaimer Single Reviews: Wynonna’s ‘Emotional Ballad’ Nabs Disc Of The Day

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Wynonna Judd. Photo: Thomas Crabtree

Women are in the driver’s seat in today’s DISClaimer column.

Leading the pack is Wynonna with her powerful Disc of the Day performance. Such sisters in song as Reba, Ashley Cooke, Emily Ann Roberts, Kaitlin Butts, Mae Estes, Tigirlily Gold and the dynamic duo of Jenny Tolman & Gretchen Wilson are adding their voices to this playlist.

The trend of the day is an avalanche of Dolly tribute tracks by Miley Cyrus, Pink, Chris Stapleton, Ella Langley, Alan Jackson, Celine Dion, Keith Urban, Rihanna, Jelly Roll, Ed Sheeran, and others. These tunes are apparently AI generated.

JENNY TOLMAN & GRETCHEN WILSON / “Honky Tonk Songs”
Writers: Dave Brainard/Jeff Silbar/Jenny Tolman; Producer: Dave Brainard; Label: Old Sol Records
– Tolman delighted the crowd at her album-release showcase at City Winery on Monday. She and her band were the picture of classy country stardom in their matching sparkled stage wear. The album, her third, is Music City Mutt, and it brims with country charm and wit on tracks like “Two Ring Circus,” “Retail Therapy” and “Big Mama.” On this frisky hillbilly celebration she enlisted the Redneck Woman, herself, as her perfect duet partner. Heartily endorsed.

WYNONNA JUDD / “Girl Who Could Sing”
Writers: Brant Colella/CACTUS MOSER/Clara Calaway/Melissa Forrette/Wynonna; Producer: CACTUS MOSER; Label: Anti/Epitaph
– When she was 30, Wy learned that she was the biological daughter of a man she never met. When he died, they found press clippings about her that he had saved. In this stunning, emotional ballad, she wonders if he was proud of her success and aches with the knowledge that she’ll never know why he didn’t make contact. Powerful stuff.

TODD SNIDER / “Solid Country Gold”
Writers: Jack Ingram/Jon Randall/Todd Snider; Producers: Joe Bisirri, Robbie Crowell, Todd Snider; Label: Aimless Records/Thirty Tigers
– Alt-country songwriting great Snider died suddenly last November at age 59. He left behind the vocals of the songs he intended for a new album. His band has flushed out the sound, and My Second Rodeo will be issued in October. In the meantime, its advance single gives off a bluesy, funky vibe. His quirky, drawling vocal meanders in a woosie wobble while the sidemen keep up with his shifting pace. Groovy and loosey goosey in all the best ways.

RILEY GREEN / “That’s Just Me”
Writer: Riley Green; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
– The title tune of Green’s forthcoming album is a heartache ballad with acoustic accompaniment and understated production. His role as a judge on season 30 of The Voice premiers on Sept. 21 on NBC. 

EMILY ANN ROBERTS / “Laundry”
Writers: Ben Williams/Emily Ann Roberts/Jessi Alexander/Wyatt McCubbin; Producer: Frank Rogers; Label: RECORDS Nashville/Sony Music Nashville
– He’s off cheating, while she’s doing dishes, washing clothes, and keeping house. The languid waltz is simultaneously accusatory and aching. Solidly country and undeniably listenable. Applause, applause.

REBA McENTIRE / “Tourist”
Writers: Brandy Clark/Jeremy Spillman/Travis Meadows; Producers: Buddy Cannon, Reba McEntire; Label: Rockin’ R Records
– Slow, mournful, and lovely. He abandoned her while she was in love and he was just passing by. Beautifully written and produced.

KAITLIN BUTTS / “I Wanna Be Bad”
Writers: Kaitlin Butts/Natalie Hemby; Producer: Tofer Brown; Label: Republic Records
– Frisky fun in a night on the town. With characteristic wit and verve, this youngster romps through this rockin’ honky tonker with plenty of saucy sass.

COLE SWINDELL / “Bronco”
Writers: Cole Swindell/Jameson Rodgers/Lauren Hungate/Seth Mosley; Producer: Seth Mosley; Label: Warner Records Nashville
– A bopping ode to his dad’s old truck. Infectious and summer-y.

THE KENTUCKY GENTLEMEN / “Dear Radio”
Writers: Brandon Campbell/Derek Campbell/Noah Henson/Paul Wrock; Producer: Noah Henson; Label: Neon Holler
– This is a decided change of pace for the duo. It’s a full-on heartbreak song, begging radio not to play sad things with steel guitars. It turns out that they are just as effective tugging at emotions as they are summoning us to the dancefloor.

MAE ESTES & SHENANDOAH / “Moon Over Georgia”
Writer: Mark Narmore; Producer: Paul Sikes; Label: Blue Highway Records
– Mae Estes jumps into the nostalgic trend for ‘90s country with this lilting performance of Shenandoah’s 1991 hit. She’s a heckuva country singer, as is the band’s Marty Raybon. Plus, the song’s a proven winner.

TIGIRLILY GOLD / “Something to Drink About”
Writers: Kendra Slaubaugh/Krista Slaubaugh/Pete Good/Shane McAnally; Producers: Pete Good, Shane McAnally; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– The duo gives a wandering beau fair warning. If he thinks he has a reason to drink now, just wait until they get done with his sorry ass. Cheers!

WAYLON JENNINGS / “Diamonds”
Writers: Glen Campbell/Waylon Jennings; Producers: Richie Albright, Shooter Jennings, Tony Joe White, Waylon Jennings; Label: Son of Jessi
– Shooter has unearthed more previously unreleased performances by papa Waylon. This tune is the advance title track for a second album of these, to be issued in November. It rumbles with outlaw energy and snarls with passion. Co-writer and fellow Hall of Fame member Glen Campbell provides the scampering guitar solo.

ASHLEY COOKE / “Famous to Frances”
Writers: Ashley Cooke/Johnny Clawson/Kyle Sturrock; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Big Loud Records
– Cooke’s “Baby Blues” single hit the top of the charts on SiriusXM’s The Highway chart earlier this year. This second track from her new album is written with wit and insight. Frances, you see, is her therapist, so the heartbreaker is well known to at least one other person. The lyric is laced with lively details and clever therapy language. Highly rewarding listening.

Robert K Oermann
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