DISClaimer Single Reviews: Eddie Montgomery, Tanya Tucker Lead Week Full Of Strong Releases

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Eddie Montgomery. Photo: Michael Gomez

Today, we shower country record makers with a plethora of praises.

The award for Best Drinking Song goes to Adam Doleac. The honor for Best Comeback belongs to Pat Green. The Best Performance By a Superstar salute goes to Kenny Chesney. Best Production is Caitlyn Smith. Best Song is Tom Douglas. Elvie Shane gets the Best Rocker prize. Rayne Johnson wins the Best Topical Record award.

Returning to our traditional DISClaimer honors, the Disc of the Day goes to Eddie Montgomery & Tanya Tucker for their fiery duet. Happy listening.

CAITLYN SMITH / “High”
Writers: Caitlyn Smith/Miley Cyrus/Jennifer Erin Decilveo; Producer: Caitlyn Smith; Label: Monument
–Her earth-shaking vocal performance is backed by booming percussion, dancing fiddle and a celestial choir. Originally recorded by Miley on her Plastic Hearts CD, Smith reclaims the song by self-producing this whisper-to-scream epic. The definition of power ballad, this single confirms the widely admired songwriter’s status as a first-rate record maker. This gal has the goods in every department.

MORGAN WADE / “Run”
Writers: Morgan Wade/Sadler Vaden; Producer: Sadler Vaden; Label: Sony
–A repeated guitar figure and steady-state percussion hypnotize you. Then she lays on the drama of escaping from a bad relationship and finding freedom. Her hurtin’ vocal is an emotional bullseye. I remain a fan.

ELVIE SHANE / “County Roads”
Writers: Dan Couch/Elvie Shane/Oscar Charles; Producer: Oscar Charles; Label: Wheelhouse/BBR
–Elvie bites off a piece of snarling country rock, chews it well and sends it south. It’s about growing up wild and restless, learning about life and love on the streets. The pounding track will have you pumping your fist in the air, and his vocal performance will have you shouting, “Amen!” If this ain’t a smash, there’s no justice.

EDDIE MONTGOMERY & TANYA TUCKER / “Higher”
Writers: Jim “Moose” Brown/David Wade/Shane Grove/Erik Michael Westfall; Producers: Noah Gordon/Shannon Houchins; Label: Average Joes
–These two strike twin vocal matches and burn this duet to the ground. It sounds like neither one held anything back as they created this romantic inferno. Fierce and forceful from start to finish. Applause, applause, applause.

RAYNE JOHNSON / “Who-Dey Nation”
Writers: Eliot Sloan/Joe Jordan/Ronnie Vaughn/Kevin Fox/Michael Star/Greg Jackson; Producers: Mark Liggett/Jerry Lane/Ronnie Vaughn; Label: Mountain Road/Verge
–It’s official: The Bengals now have a bona fide anthem. It’s a smashing, crashing fusion of rock guitars, hip-hop beats and hillbilly sass. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I know where my heart is gonna be on Super Bowl Sunday. Rock on, Rayne.

BRANTLEY GILBERT / “How to Talk to Girls”
Writers: Brantley Gilbert/Brock Berryhill/Brian Wayne Davis/Brandon Day/Chase McGill/Josh Phillips/Michael Ray/Taylor Phillips; Producers: Brock Berryhill/Brantley Gilbert; Label: Valory
–Very nice. This artist has always excelled at the softer ballads, and this one is a pip. He knows how to ask for dates and how to use a good bar pick-up line. But when it comes down to the serious moment of asking her to be his bride, he’s tongue tied. And when it comes to talking to his daughter, he’s at a loss for words.

PAT GREEN / “Miles and Miles of You”
Writers: Jon Randall/John Scott Sherrill; Producer: Dwight A. Baker; Label: Empire
–Finally! This million-selling Texas fave hasn’t issued a new collection since 2015. Here’s the title tune of his comeback album, a gorgeous romantic ballad with wave-on-wave of echoey atmosphere and liquid ripples of mandolin. A welcome return.

KENNY CHESNEY / “Everyone She Knows”
Writers: Shane McAnally/Ross Copperman/Josh Osborne; Producers: Kenny Chesney/Ross Copperman; Label: Warner
–A steady thump and ringing guitars lead you into this toe-tapping ode of female independence. “She’s stuck between being 17 and everyone she knows.” This gal wants nothing to do with marriage, babies, sobriety and settling down. She enjoys the freedom of being single on Saturday night, even though the boys bore her and the men are too old. A portrait of a character you’re bound to love, sung by a master storyteller.

ADAM DOLEAC / “Drinkin’ It Wrong”
Writers: Adam Doleac/Cary Barlowe/Jordan Schmidt; Producer: Jordan Schmidt; Label: Arista
–This is a boatload of fun. The rump-shaking percussion and scampering banjo let you know you’re in for a good time on this rollicking rocker. If you’re still thinking about your worries and your work, you’re drinkin’ it wrong sez this hearty-sounding merry maker. The party anthem is a delightful change of pace for the newcomer.

IAN MUNSICK & CODY JOHNSON / “Long Live Cowgirls”
Writers: Ian Munsick/Aby Guitierrez/Phil O’Donnell; Producers: Ian Munsick/Jared Conrad; Label: Warner
–It’s a slow waltz with weaving fiddles and a languid mood. The singers swap verses in praise of the brave ladies of the west. Gently persuasive.

TOM DOUGLAS / “Van Gogh”
Writers: Tom Douglas/Allen Shamblin; Producers: Andy Skib/Alyson McAnally; Label: Monument
–This track teases a documentary titled Love, Tom that will start streaming on Paramount+ on Feb. 24. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member is joined on its soundtrack album by some of the folks who have made his works come to life (Miranda, Tim, Collin, Lady A, Chris Janson). But he’s singing solo here. Accompanied by sighing harmonica, he advises courage in the face of adversity. When you pour your heart into your work and they reject you, persevere. Soul piercing, touching and true.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Americana Releases Bring Warmth To Cold Nashville Winter

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Keb’ Mo’. Photo: Jeremy Cowart

The winter wind is chilling, but the sounds of Americana are warm indeed.

This week’s overview of the genre’s current music boasts the star power of Rodney Crowell & Lisa Morales, John Hiatt & Jerry Douglas, Old Crow Medicine Show and Jackson Browne.

Towering above ‘em all is Disc of the Day winner Keb’ Mo,’ an artist who never fails to impress.

The DISCovery Award this week goes to Sarah White of Richmond, Virginia.

JOHN HIATT WITH THE JERRY DOUGLAS BAND / “All the Lilacs in Ohio”
Writer: John Hiatt; Producer: Jerry Douglas; Label: New West
–The album is titled Leftover Feelings, but there is nothing “leftover” sounding about it. Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Hiatt unfurls yet another stunning set of his creations on this current collection. We generally think of him as a rocker, but with dobro master Douglas and his band “singing along” with their instruments, Hiatt touches the soul with aching ballads and, in this case, a lively bluegrassy pop outing with a bleak, lost-love lyric. This disc is presently nominated for a Grammy as the Americana Album of the Year.

LISA MORALES & RODNEY CROWELL / “Flyin’ and Cryin’”
Writers: Lisa Morales/Rodney Crowell; Producer: David Garza; Label: LM
–This single is a teaser for Morales’s upcoming album. With an ultra-subtle production of sighing strings, gently brushed drums and acoustic strumming, the duet achingly delineates a lost relationship. Rodney’s seasoned tones match Lisa’s resonant delivery exquisitely. She was half of Sisters Morales until sailing on as a solo with two prior CDs. Her sibling Roberta died of cancer last year. Mexican American Lisa Morales hails from Tuscon and is a cousin of the legendary Linda Ronstadt.

OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW / “Bombs Away”
Writer: Ketch Secor; Producers: Matt Ross-Spang/Old Crow Medicine Show; Label: ATO
–The string band rampages through this divorce song with breakneck fearlessness. If you’re going through the Big D, the best approach is to dive into the unknown with guts and glory, say these Opry stars. That’s Molly Tuttle providing the hot-damn banjo licks. Raucous and delightful, this is the second single from the band’s upcoming CD, following in the footsteps of the title tune, “Paint This Town.”

KEB’ MO’ / “Good to Be (Home Again)”
Writers: Kevin Moore/Mark Ramos Nishita; Producers: Kevin Moore/ Vince Gill; Label: Rounder
–Languid and loose-limbed, this contemplative groover celebrates the artist reconnecting with his roots. (The Nashvillian recently bought his childhood home in Compton, California and renovated it.) It is the title tune of an album that dropped last Friday. You’ll find collaborations with Darius Rucker, Kristin Chenoweth and Old Crow Medicine Show on the new collection, but as this sterling track demonstrates, Keb’ Mo’ soars even higher when he’s on his own. He remains one of the Americana genre’s greatest song craftsmen. Put this one on “repeat” again and again.

JACKSON BROWNE / “Downhill From Everywhere”
Writers: Jackson Browne/Jeff Young/Greg Leisz; Producer: Jackson Browne; Label: Inside
–Browne’s comeback Downhill From Everywhere is Grammy nominated as 2021’s Americana Album of the Year. Its title tune is a punchy folk rocker with a downcast ecological, anti-pollution lyric bolstered by intense vocal bursts. It’s very much in tune with his classic sound. He’s still that Laurel Canyon boomer you’ve known for all these years.

SARAH JAROSZ / “Mama”
Writer: Sarah Jarosz; Producer: Sarah Jarosz; Label: Rounder
–Sarah’s current Blue Heron Suite has a Best Folk Album Grammy nomination this year. This ethereal lead-off track has a lovely simplicity with her deftly plucked acoustic guitar backing her breathy, wistful, poignant soprano.

NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS / “Survivor”
Writers: Nathaniel David Rateliff/Patrick Blair Meese/Sam Cohen; Producer: Brad Cook, RMB & Elijah Thomson; Label: Stax
–Drawn from this act’s new album, The Future, this dramatic funk-rock track mixes shuddering horn blasts with stinging electric guitar zaps and a stop-start undertow rhythm track. Atop it all is the front man’s seering, fierce lead vocal. It’s a wild ride.

KATIE GUSTAFSON / “See Me Now”
Writers: Katie Gustafson/Sam Ashworth; Producer: Sam Ashworth; Label: Mother Trucker
–Her echoey soprano vocal is surrounded by a swirl of electronics and a deep pool of twang bass. The introspective lyric took on extra significance to the Nashville singer-songwriter when she overcame breast cancer last year.

BRENT COBB / “When It’s My Time”
Writers: Brent Cobb/Layne Cobb/Mike Harmeier; Producer: Dave Cobb; Label: Ol’ Buddy
–Already one of the Americana genre’s standout singer-songwriters, Cobb turns his talent to gospel music on his upcoming CD. This advance track luxuriates in his captivating Georgia-accented phrasing with stately church keyboards and guitars. Not to mention soulful, Southern-fried backing vocals. Righteous in the extreme. Essential listening.

ELI PAPERBOY REED / “Mama Tried”
Writer: Merle Haggard; Producer: none listed’ Label: Yep Roc
–Now here’s a concept. White soul singer Reed is releasing an entire album of Merle Haggard songs, reinterpreted as horn-punctuated R&B tunes. It’s not my cup of tea, but you have to admit that it is intriguing. His blistering vocal attack threatens to overwhelm the story telling in “Mama Tried,” but otherwise the soul-music setting brings out new shades in the Hag’s hit.

TYLER CHILDERS / “Long Violent History”
Writer: Tyler Childers; Producers: Tyler Childers/Jesse Wells; Label: Hickman Holler
–This is the title tune of Childers’s 2021 CD, which is somewhat oddly nominated as a Best Folk album at this year’s Grammy Awards. His stone-country vocal on this struggling-Appalachia lyric is backed in waltz time by twin fiddles, perfectly picked banjo, mandolin chops and thumped bass. I don’t care what you call it, this man’s music is simply electrifying.

SARAH WHITE / “Different Drum”
Writer: Michael Nesmith; Producer: Stewart Myers; Label: White Star Sound
–White’s cover of this Linda Ronstadt/Stone Poneys classic is an intriguing introduction to a creative alto vocalist. Her slightly behind-the-beat phrasing and conversational pauses are wonderfully ear catching. The deep twang in the production is cool, too. It’s a marvelous tribute to the late, great Michael Nesmith.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Dolly Celebrates Her Birthday With A Disc Of The Day Award

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Dolly Parton. Photo: Rob Hoffman

DISClaimer has the best of the new mixed with the best of the vets today.

Our new female contenders include Priscilla Block and Hailey Whitters, both of whom have personality-packed singles for your edification. Among the promising males are Logan Mize, Aaron Lewis, Connor Smith and Seaforth with Jordan Davis.

But veterans claim the two top prizes. Taking home the DISCovery Award is Andrew Farriss. This is his debut solo effort, but he has logged plenty of miles in the Oz rock band INXS (”New Sensation,” “Suicide Blonde,” “Need You Tonight,” etc.).

Yesterday was Dolly Parton’s birthday. My present is a Disc of the Day award for her fresh sounding “Big Dreams and Faded Jeans.”

PRISCILLA BLOCK / “My Bar”
Writers: Priscilla Block/Stone Aielli/Lexi Hayden; Producers: Robbie Artress/Jake Curry/Justin Johnson; Label: Mercury
–She’s wonderfully feisty while claiming her space at her favorite watering hole. When an ex walks in, she lets him know he’s intruding. The track rumbles splendidly and her vocal has personality to the max. Love this.

AARON LEWIS / “Get What You Get”
Writers: Aaron Lewis/Ira Dean/Dan Tyminski; Producers: Aaron Lewis,/Ira Dean/Ben Kitterman; Label: Valory
–This man’s honky-tonk singing voice continues to impress. The ballad’s premise is that sooner or later you have to take the consequences for the choices you make. Stop lying to others and to yourself. The album drops at the end of the month, and this makes me eager to hear it.

DOLLY PARTON / “Big Dreams and Faded Jeans”
Writers: Dolly Parton; Producers: Richard Dennison/Tom Rutledge; Label: Butterfly/UMG
–The instrumental track is hot and tight in Dolly’s finest record production in years. The punchy, rolling tempo underscores the yearn of a gal headed to Music City to pursue her dreams. With her “Scent from Above” perfume, re-launched ice cream flavor, chart-topping Christmas album, multi-Platinum international certifications and gospel Grammy Award, the superstar is as relevant as ever. This dandy tune was inspired by her debut novel, written with James Patterson. The book and album–titled Run, Rose, Run–are both due the first week in March. Other merch with the launch includes guitar picks, stickers, t-shirts, bookmarks, shoe laces, aprons and a red-marbelized vinyl version of the LP.

CONNER SMITH / “Didn’t Go Too Far”
Writers: Connor Smith/Mike Dragstrom/Matt Jenkins; Producer: Zach Crowell; Label: Valory
–The “Learn From It” and “I Hate Alabama” man released his debut EP this week. This is the title tune, a thumper about a guy with a busted heart who can’t get away from an ex. That’s because they both live in town so small that “there’s only one bar, only one church.” Hence, “The one that got away didn’t go too far.” Give this man a full album at once.

JASON ALDEAN / “Trouble With a Heartbreak”
Writers: Kurt Allison/Brett Beavers/Tully Kennedy/John Morgan; Producer: Michael Knox; Label: Macon/Broken Bow
–The rock production is slathered in echo. The song just barely has a melody.

HAILEY WHITTERS / “Everything She Ain’t”
Writers: Hailey Whitters/Bryan Simpson/Ryan Tyndell; Producers: Hailey Whitters/Jake Gear; Label: Pigasus/Songs & Daughters/Big Loud
–Peppy and clever. He doesn’t know what he’s missing, so she’s spelling it out for him. Hailey went back to her Iowa high school to film the video, which is as cute as the song. The hand claps, the saucy delivery, the staccato fiddle and banjo notes, the pert tempo–everything works here.

LOGAN MIZE / “Follow Your Heart”
Writers: Logan Mize/Lynn Hutton; Producer: Daniel Agee; Label: Big Yellow Dog
–This country rocker has cool, deep-and-low drum pounding beneath his pleading vocal and some ethereal guitar chimes and organ sighing. The resulting toe tapper is as catchy as can be. Well worth your spins.

SYLVIA / “Every Time a Train Goes By”
Writers: Sylvia Hutton/John Mock/Thom Schuyler; Producers: John Mock/Sylvia; Label: Red Pony
–This is lilting and rootsy, featuring minor-key mandolin and lovely stacked harmonies by Sylvia’s multi-tracked voice. Brushed drumming propels the production. Airy, luminous and crystal clear. The track is drawn from her forthcoming Nature Child album, which drops on “Twos-Day.”

SEAFORTH & JORDAN DAVIS / “Good Beer”
Writers: Tom Jordan/Mitch Thompson/Rocky Block/Jordan Dozzi; Producer: Tom Jordan; Label: Arista
–The Aussie duo teams up with Davis on this charming, light-hearted ditty. In case you’re wondering, “A good beer is a cold one.” This sunny, bouncy outing will have you feeling like springtime, or at the very least will leave you with a big smile on yer face.

LOVE AND THEFT / “Accidentally on Purpose”
Writers: Eric Gunderson/Stephen Barker Liles/Bree Doster; Producer: none listed; Label: ONErpm
–Gunderson and Liles are back. They still sing beautifully, and they are still totally pop.

ANDREW FARRISS / “Drifting”
Writers: Marti Frederiksen/Andrew Farriss; Producer: Andrew Farriss; Label: BBR
–Farriss is a former member of the huge rock band INXS. This tempo tune occurs on his debut solo album, and it has an open-air, California-country vibe. It’s an attractive, gypsy/bohemian thing with wafting strings way off in the distance.

THE BRETHREN / “Chevelle”
Writers: Brian White/Casey Parnell/Chad Chapin/Corey Parnell/Lonnie Chapin; Producer: none listed; Label: DistroKid
–This act is two sets of brothers, the Parnells and the Chapins. All four have pop and/or CCM backgrounds, and that shows in their polished, creamy harmonies. This languid, smooth tune evokes nostalgia for an old teen romance. Think Poco or America from the ‘70s.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Female Country Artists Start 2022 Strong

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Gabby Barrett. Photo: Gus Black

Fully half of today’s tunes in DISClaimer feature vocals by country females.

Surely, this is some kind of mistake, since the industry so consistently refuses to give women their due. Even wilder, the Disc of the Day award goes to a female artist. That would be Gabby Barrett, who creates things so groove-soaked and hooky that even country radio has to accept her. Play on, lady.

The DISCovery Award goes to Fancy Hagood. This is an artist whose publicity describes him as a “queer pop/country hybrid enigma.” I only know that he’s a terrific singer and a gifted songwriter. His duet partner, Devon Gilfillian, isn’t a country artist. But he’s a DISCovery, too.

CAITLYN SMITH / “The Card You Gamble”
Writers: Hillary Lindsey/Lori McKenna/Liz Rose; Producers: Adam Anders/Peer Astrom; Label: Arista/Monument
–This is the theme of Monarch, the new Fox country-music drama series (that was just delayed to premiere in the fall). Singer Smith is noted for writing tunes recorded by Garth, Dolly, Miley, Jason Aldean and others. Here, she demonstrates a sassy, tart soprano style with an echoey, twangy “Spaghetti Western” rumbling track to back her up, complete with whistling. Highly engaging. Play it.

CLAY WALKER / “Catching Up with an Ol’ Memory”
Writers: Clay Walker/George Birge/Jaron Boyer/Lalo Guzman; Producers: Michael Knox/Jaron Boyer; Label: Show Dog
–Nicely done. The production has a tasteful throb and swirling echoes. A steel guitar sighs sympathetically as Walker gives a wistful reading of the honky-tonk heartache lament. Super melodic.

TENILLE TOWNES / “When’s It Gonna Happen”
Writers: Steph Jones/Stephen Wrabel/Tenille Townes; Producer: Pete Good; Label: Sony
–The tin-pan percussion is ear catching, as is the tune. As usual, Townes is a terrifically individualistic vocalist. While the beats shuffle around her, she expresses her yearning for a relationship. I remain a big fan.

FANCY HAGOOD & DEVON GILFILLIAN / “Let Me Be”
Writers: Fancy Hagood/Lucas Arens; Producer: Lucas Arens; Label: Concord
–Here’s some splendid soul singing, with both men bringing longing and ache to this gospel-flavored song. It has a soaring, anthem-like quality as it delivers a message of brotherhood. Lovely listening. Fancy’s other country tunes include “Forest,” “Southern Curiosity,” “The Same Thing” and “Good Man,” and they are just as cool. Devon is a Nashville R&B artist, noted for his re-recording of Marvin Gaye’s classic album What’s Going On, plus his own collection, Black Hole Rainbow.

GABBY BARRETT / “Pick Me Up”
Writers: Ross Copperman/Gabby Barrett/Jon Nite; Producers: Ross Copperman/Zach Kale; Label: Warner
–Dubbed “the face of Gen-Z country,” Gabby is the mistress of such ear worms as “I Hope” and “The Good Ones.” She goes three-for-three with this fabulously catchy pop-country ditty. Put this one on “repeat.”

MADDIE & TAE / “Strangers”
Writers: Maddie Font/Taylor Kerr/Adam Hambrick/Jimmy Robbins/Tofer Brown; Producers: Jimmy Robbins/Derek Wells; Label: Mercury
–Sweet sounding. It’s bolstered by an oomphy production, but it still seems kinda dull.

TRACY LAWRENCE / “Angelina”
Writers: Joe Collins/Rick Huckaby; Producers: Tracy Lawrence/Julian King; Label: TL
–Generic hillbilly rock.

KANE BROWN / “Whiskey Sour”
Writers: Adam Craig/Jaxson Free/Josh Hoge; Producers: Ilya Toshinskiy/Kane Brown; Label: Sony
–Tender and touching. He’s broken hearted over her, so he drinks alone while a fiddle, and an acoustic guitar pluck gently along. This change-of-pace ballad demonstrates his expansiveness as a talent. I’m in.

JOE NICHOLS / “Good Day for Living”
Writers: Dave Cohen/Bobby Hambrick/Neil Mason; Producers: Mickey Jack Cones/Derek George; Label: Quartz Hill
–The title tune of Joe’s new CD is a rouser with loads of forward momentum and a can’t-miss chorus. As always, he sings his face off.

MAREN MORRIS / “Circles Around This Town”
Writers: Jimmy Robbins/Julia Michaels/Maren Morris/Ryan Hurd; Producer: Greg Kurstin; Label: Sony
–Her vocal should be mixed hotter and the production toned down, but her personality still shines through on this chunky-beats, getaway ode. The deep-twang guitar solo and the enormously catchy song are both irresistible.

COLIN LILLIE & CATHERINE BRITT / “The Road”
Writers: Catherine Britt/Colin Lillie; Producer: Catherine Britt; Label: Beverly Hillbilly
–Aussie newcomer Lillie enlisted the aid of veteran Britt to create his debut album. She also joins him as his duet partner on this ballad of wanderlust and fidelity. They are both fine singers, and the understated production is just right. It has a languid simplicity that is quite relaxing.

ELI YOUNG BAND / “Love Talking”
Writers: Mike Eli/Eric Arjes/Jeffrey East; Producers: Eric Arjes/Jimmy Robbins/Scott Borchetta/J.R. Schumann; Label: Valory
–Rolling along down a country road with your buds. The echo gives the sound some extra juice, and the band is as proficient as ever.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Lady A Starts 2022 With A ‘Flawless Single’

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Lady A

We start the New Year off right here at DISClaimer.

Vying for our first 2022 Disc of the Day winner are the Zac Brown Band, Brett Eldredge, Conner Smith and our winner, Lady A, with their anthemic album title tune “What a Song Can Do.”

We have four notable collaborations today. They include Ernest with Morgan Wallen, Leigh Nash with Tanya Tucker, and Robert Plant with Alison Krauss. The fourth one gives us our DISCovery Award winner, Chayce Beckham, who is collaborating with Lindsay Ell.

SHOOTER JENNINGS / “Gene’s Song”
Writers: Shooter Jennings/Waylon Albright Jennings; Producer: none listed; Label: Black Country Rock
–This horn-embellished rocker is a tribute to Shooter’s high-school art teacher. It starts with his unaccompanied voice introducing the song in a hushed, intimate tone. Then it blasts open into a fiery frenzy of a sound collage. Cool, in a very left-field kinda way.

ZAC BROWN BAND / “Out in the Middle”
Writers: Ben Simonetti/Jonathan Singleton/Luke Combs/Zac Brown; Producers: Ben Simonetti/Zac Brown; Label: Warner
–Stompin’ and swampy. The theme is a familiar one–getting down and making do out in the sticks. But this band’s outstanding musicianship and stunning harmony vocals make the thing an epic adventure. Joyously listenable.

ROBYN OTTOLINI / “Boujee on a Budget”
Writer: Robyn Ottolini; Producers: Erik Fintelman/Mark Schroor; Label: Warner
–Full of personality and wit. She’s looking her best and spending less. Loaded with clever lines–cutting her hair with mama’s kitchen scissors, Gucci for $5, etc.–and performed with conversational vocal moxie. Ear catching, for sure.

LADY A / “What a Song Can Do”
Writers: Charles Kelley/Sam Ellis/Ryan Hurd/Laura Veltz; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: BMLG
–Surely everyone can relate to this. Everyone who loves music, that is. Charles’ soulful voice leads the way, and the choruses are a celestial celebration of group harmony singing. The rolling tempo is irresistible. A flawless single.

CHAYCE BECKHAM & LINDSAY ELL / “Can’t Do Without Me”
Writers: Jordan Walker/Michael Carter/Trannie Anderson; Producer: Ross Copperman; Label: BBR
–The vocal blend is perfect, and it’s refreshing to hear a country duet that is truly an equal partnership. The song isn’t great, but the energy is splendid and their performance is passionate. Radio ready.

BRETT ELDREDGE / “Holy Water”
Writers: Brett Eldredge/Heather Morgan/Mark Trussell; Producer: Dave Cobb: Label: Warner
–Soaked in gospel influence. He’s singing like a man lost in the spirit. The choir’s harmonies lift the mood even more. Her love is like a religious balm. Amen.

WILLIE JONES / “Slow Cookin’”
Writers: Hank Williams/Jason Afable/Phillip Fender/Willie Jones/Zak Waters; Producer: Jason Afable; Label: Penthouse/Empire
–This bopper folds in Hank’s “Hey Good Lookin’” with Willie’s own riffs. Like most of his output, it is quite repetitive. But it’s unmistakably country and undeniably catchy. Did you know that Willie’s 2020 LP Right Now was a camo-colored vinyl exclusive? It included his timeless “Bachelorettes on Broadway,” among other delights.

ERNEST & MORGAN WALLEN / “Flower Shops”
Writers: Ernest Keith Smith/Ben Burgess/Mark Holman; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud
–The relationship has gone to hell: She’s split, and he’s on booze & pills. So let’s bring on the flowers. Millions of them. “It’s a bad day for love/But a good day for flower shops.” Both men are singing this honky-tonk heartache lament for all they are worth.

LEIGH NASH & TANYA TUCKER / “Never Again, Every Time”
Writers: Leigh Nash/Stephen Wilson Jr.; Producer: Butch Walker; Label: Orchard/Visionary/BMG
–Well, it might have sounded like a good idea. But the fey pop soprano and gritty country alto don’t exactly blend smoothly. The jumbled production doesn’t help much, either.

CONNER SMITH / “I Hate Alabama”
Writers: Drew Green/Hunter Phelps/Lee Starr/Nick Columbia; Producer: Zach Crowell; Label: BMLG
–He can’t stand to hear “Sweet Home…” by Skynyrd or watch the Crimson Tide, because the state of Alabama is where he lost her. Georgia Bulldogs, Tennessee Vols, Arkansas Razorbacks, Texas Aggies, LSU, Mississippi, Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, Auburn, Vandy and South Carolina fans will want to make this their football National Anthem.

ROBERT PLANT & ALISON KRAUSS / “Searching For My Love”
Writers: Robert Moore; Producer: T Bone Burnett; Label: Rounder
–Stunning and magical. I approached this with some trepidation, because I loved the 1968 R&B original by Bobby Moore & The Rhythm Aces so much. But these two turn the tune into a stately strut and weave their voices together so wonderfully that I shouldn’t have worried. Plant does the lead vocal, while Krauss adds haunting harmony flourishes.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: The Nashvillains, Megan Barker, Rich & Rowe

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The Nashvillains. Photo: Annie Noelker

Our emphasis today is on original holiday songs from Nashville. No standards. No sing-alongs. No familiar tunes. But the listening will still bring the season to your door.

Head and shoulders above all else here is “Christmas In a Bottle” by The Nashvillains. It’s a stunning reminder that seasonal tunes can be just as powerful as songs from any other time of the year. The band wishes to raise awareness about mental-health issues that accompany the holidays. Needless to add, it is the Disc of the Day.

The runners up belong to Jamie O’Neal, Ryan Shupe & The RubberBand, Keith & Kristyn Getty with Ricky Skaggs and Timmy Brown. Check ‘em all out.

The DISCovery Award goes to Megan Barker.

DANIELLE CORMIER / “Merrier With You”
Writers: Danielle Cormier/Karlie Bartholomew; Producer: Karlie Bartholomew; Label: DC
–The vibe here is Christmas noodling with everyone involved seeming to wander around in the studio. Her breathy, folk/Americana soprano keeps the performance from wafting up and disappearing into the clouds.

RICH & ROWE / “Santa’s Got a Dirty Job”
Writers: John Rich/Mike Rowe; Producer: none listed; Label: Oswald Entertainment
–Country music’s John Rich teams up with TV’s Mike Rowe (host of the series Dirty Jobs) on this lively rocker. They aren’t billed, but The Oak Ridge Boys steal the show from both of them.

TIMMY BROWN / “Rudolph Drank All the Rumple”
Writers: Minze Timmy Brown/Joshua Gleave/Alex MacGillivray; Producer: Joshua Gleave; Label: TB
–This light-hearted ditty, complete with whistling, tells the tale of Christmas occurring one day late because the lead reindeer got trashed. Brown is a country-music New Englander with a warm, jaunty, earnest, enormously likable delivery.

JAMIE O’NEAL / “Christmas You”
Writers: Jamie O’Neal/Corey Lee Barker; Producer: Jamie O’Neal & Rodney Good; Label: BFD/The Orchard
–Noted for her country classic “There Is No Arizona,” O’Neal takes a side journey on a jazzy road for her original Yule tune. Tinkling keyboard, brushed snare and tight harmony vocals accompany her confident, swinging lead. Very cool.

RYAN SHUPE & THE RUBBER BAND / “In Bethlehem”
Writers: Ryan Shupe; Producer: Ryan Shupe; Label: RS
–This band has been going strong for 25 years and nine albums. Shupe is a fiddler, guitarist and mandolin player, but the emphasis here is on the fantastic. flawless, acappella quartet vocals the group lays down on this live track. It’s the title tune of a Christmas EP. A highly original audio delight. Essential listening.

JAMIE KYLE / “Night of Nights”
Writers: Jamie Kyle; Producer: Jamie Kyle; Label: Radio Rocket
–Nashville rocker Kyle has written songs for Heart, Rita Coolidge, Air Supply, Faith Hill (”Wild One”), Lee Greenwood, Ian Matthews and others, all the while maintaining her solo career. Her original Christmas tune is a sweet little ditty with a kiddie chorus. The song originally appeared on the soundtrack of an Amazon Prime movie called The Least of These: A Christmas Story.

KEITH & KRISTYN GETTY AND RICKY SKAGGS / “Brightest and Best”
Writers: Reginald Heber; Producer: Ben Shive, Keith & Kristyn Getty; Label: Getty Music
–Keith & Kristyn Getty are prolific Irish hymn writers noted for “In Christ Alone” and other favorites. Their take on the Christmas story is loaded with flowery, highly poetic language (“Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid,” etc.). Both of them sing well, but the track truly comes alive when Skaggs adds his distinctive harmony voice. The minor-key melody is haunting and highly recommended. The duo’s “Sing! An Irish Christmas Tour” happens at 7:30 this evening (Dec. 23) at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center downtown.

MARA LEVINE / “Straw Against the Chill”
Writers: Bob Franke; Producer: Mara Levine, Joe Jencks & Bob Harris; Label: Bell Buckle
–Very pure, pristine and folkie. Taken at a gentle, deliberate pace with low-key acoustic accompaniment, which allows Levine’s clear, bell-like lead to shimmer. The trio harmonies are lovely.

MEGAN BARKER / “Missin’ Mistletoe”
Writers: Bill Diluigi/Megan Barker; Producer: none listed; Label: MB
–Her sweet, light country soprano is accompanied by a small jazz combo of piano/brushed snare/electric guitar on this gently wistful outing. The mood is utterly dreamy.

INTERSTATE COWBOY / “Christmas Cafe”
Writers: Tim Champlin; Producer: none listed; Label: Raanch Ruckus
–Country bandleader Tim Champlin is a Colorado firefighter. His original holiday composition has been described as a “Hallmark Movie Love Song” because it tells the story of a long-haul driver who fell for a truck-stop waitress on Christmas Day. His singing voice is a somewhat shaky baritone, but he is on firm ground when he talks the lyrics in the verses.

THE NASHVILLAINS / “Christmas In a Bottle”
Writers: Brett Boyett/Troy Johnson/Scott Lindsey; Producer: Brett Boyett; Label: Fate Entertainment
–Collectively, this band’s members have written for The Chicks, Keith Urban, James Taylor, Lauren Alaina and Cassadee Pope, among others. Their downbeat seasonal ballad is for all the lonely souls at Christmastime. The earthy, slightly raspy baritone lead vocalist is joined by aching harmony vocals from his bandmates while mandolin, guitar, cello and piano notes drop sadly around them. An awesome performance of a deeply moving song. A vivid reminder that not everyone feels merry and bright at this time of the year.

SARAH MAE CHILTON / “Merry Happy Everything”
Writers: Jan Buckingham/Thom Gimbel; Producer: John Willis; Label: SMC
–Chilton makes her living singing at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge on Lower Broadway, where she also hosts weekly open-mic nights. Her toe-tapping holiday offering is a simple bouncy ditty with a childlike innocence. Cute and cuddly.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Brett Eldredge, Raleigh Keegan, Mickey Guyton

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Brett Eldredge. Photo: Andrew Eccles

As usual at this time of year, the country stars are out in full force with holiday music.

This genre has created a bountiful harvest of enduring Christmas standards in the past–”Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “Blue Christmas,” “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Tennessee Christmas,” “Christmas Time’s A-Comin,’” “Mary Did You Know,” “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer,” “There’s a New Kid in Town” and the Gene Autry classics “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” and “Frosty the Snowman,” to name just a few. If there’s a song here that could join that hit parade, it might be “New Star Shining” by Orleans.

The Disc of the Day in this second installment of our holiday-music overview belongs to Brett Eldredge, “Mr. Christmas,” himself.

Give a DISCovery Award to Raleigh Keegan. Happy Holidays.

KENTUCKY HEADHUNTERS / “Let’s All Get Together and Fight”
Writers: Richard O. Young/Greg Martin/Doug Phelps/Fred K. Young; Producer: none listed; Label: Practice House
–Sung in a woozie, boozie drawl, this has built-in humor. The jazzy phrasing bends blue notes and lags behind the beat, creating a stoned atmosphere that makes it sound all the merrier. In case you’re wondering, Grandma throws the first punch at the holiday family reunion.

CODY JOHNSON / “Pretty Paper”
Writers: Willie Nelson; Producer: Trent Willmon; Label: Warner Music Nashville/CoJo
–Cody has this year’s stone-country Yuletide collection, A Cody Johnson Christmas. On it, you’ll find the Texan’s honky-tonk takes on “Away in a Manger” and other traditional favorites, as well as this holiday weeper originally popularized by Roy Orbison in 1963. I love the sad Christmas songs. This one, penned by Willie, tells the tale of the down-and-out pencil salesman who weeps while everyone else celebrates. Cody’s country phrasing on it is superb.

ORLEANS / “New Star Shining”
Writers: John & Johanna Hall; Producer: Lance Hoppen/Michael Malfesi/John Hall/Fly Amero; Label: Sunset Blvd.
–The group’s John Hall has settled back in Nashville, and the durable pop/rock band is working again. The title track of its first Christmas album became an instant classic when it was recorded by James Taylor and Ricky Skaggs 35 years ago. The Orleans version is drenched in beautiful stacked vocal harmonies and accompanied by delicate acoustic guitar plucking. Get this fine record via the band’s website.

THE HOBBS SISTERS / “Please Come Home for Christmas”
Writers: Charles Brown/Gene Redd; Producer: none listed; Label: HS
–This Nashville country duo dusts off this classic Charles Brown blues tune from 1960. It’s a somewhat white-bread outing, compared to the original. But it goes down smoothly.

JOSH TURNER / “Soldier’s Gift”
Writers: Tom Douglas/Scooter Carusoe; Producer: Kenny Greenberg; Label: MCA Nashville
–Catch Turner on Monday (Dec. 20) starring in A Belmont Christmas on PBS. This is also a chance to see inside the school’s gorgeous new Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. The country baritone’s holiday album King Sized Manger contains this heart-tugging salute to those who serve our country. The beautifully produced track is guaranteed to bring a lump to your throat, and the rest of the album is just as dandy.

BRETT ELDREDGE / “Mr. Christmas”
Writers: Ross Copperman/Brett Eldredge; Producer: Jay Newland/Rob Mounsey; Label: Warner Music Nashville
–This is the title tune of Brett’s second holiday album (following 2016’s Glow). Like its predecessor, it is a pop tuxedo-crooner collection. At first, I was put off by his ditching the twang, but I have gradually come around to his stylistic shift for Christmas recordings. “Call me Mr. Christmas, I’ll make your spirits bright,” he sings while a brass section blazes and the finger-popping tempo carries you along. You know what? This country Sinatra does make your spirits feel bright. Play and smile.

RALEIGH KEEGAN / “Blue Christmas”
Writers: Billy Hayes/Jay Johnson; Producer: Raaleigh Keegan/ Chad Judd; Label: RK
–He sings so well. The pace is excruciatingly slow, but be patient with it. His phrasing and the production’s tastefulness will eventually win you over. “Blue Christmas” was introduced by country stars Doye O’Dell (1948) and Ernest Tubb (1950), then immortalized by a rather sloppy Elvis rendition in 1957. Raleigh makes the holiday standard his own.

STEVE WARINER / “Feels Like Christmas Time”
Writers: Rick Carnes/Steve Wariner; Producer: none listed; Label: Selectone
–Steve’s middle name is Noel, because his birthday is Christmas Day. Who better to have a holiday album? It’s a festive mix of classics, new tunes and guitar instrumentals. The title tune is a delightfully jazzy ditty, sung with lilting sincerity and embellished with wafting woodwinds and his dazzling string dexterity. Get it on vinyl at the Opry gift shop.

ALEX HALL / “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
Writers: Hugh Martin/Ralph Blane; Producer: Alex Hall/Pete Good; Label: Monument
–Alex turns in the best vocal performance of his career to date on his reading of this wistful evergreen. Song was originally introduced by Judy Garland in the excellent 1944 family film Meet Me in St. Louis.

MICKEY GUYTON / “O Holy Night”
Writers: Public Domain; Producer: Karen Kosowski; Label: Capitol
–I usually associate this classic with power-voiced divas who can send shivers up your spine with the finale octave leap. Mickey isn’t a leather-lunged belter, but she brings exciting soul shadings and terrific vocal inventiveness to her version of the song. Well done.

STEVE HOLY / “A Christmas to Remember”
Writers: Joe H. Hunter/Sam Hunter; Producer: none listed; Label: Curb
–The title tune of Holy’s Christmas album is an original song that twinkles with good will. His gentle vocal is framed by a soft orchestral arrangement. An easy-listening outing.

CLARE DUNN / “Wanna Go Home for Christmas”
Writers: Clare Dunn; Producer: Clare Dunn; Label: Big Yellow Dog
–I remain a fan. She’s a sensational singer, and she rocks out splendidly on this original holiday tune.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Lori McKenna, Katie Pruitt, Dan + Shay

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Lori McKenna. Photo: Thomas Heney

It’s that time of year again.

As usual, Nashville musicians have an abundance of holiday offerings, so welcome to the first of the DISClaimer Christmas review columns. Today, we have super worthy efforts by Exile, the Pistol Annies, Dan + Shay and Amanda Shires.

The Disc of the Day belongs to Lori McKenna, for co-writing the strongest new holiday song in this stack and singing it with her customary yearning loveliness. For sheer inventiveness, Katie Pruitt wins the DISCovery Award.

TIGIRLILY / “Where Are You Christmas”
Writers: James Horner/Mariah Carey/Wilbur Jennings; Producer: Louis Newman; Label: Monument
–The sister duo updates Faith Hill’s wistful holiday ballad with tinkling piano and lilting fiddle to start with. A full string section gradually builds the arrangement into an oomphy anthem.

DAN + SHAY / “Officially Christmas”
Writers: Dan Smyers/Dave Barnes/Jordan Reynolds/Nicolle Galyon; Producer: Dan Smyers/Scott Hendricks; Label: Warner
–Over the past couple of years, these guys have become country music’s go-to Christmas heralds. Their holiday songs are top downloads. This year’s entry is a joyous-sounding fiesta, complete with horns, violins and sleighbells. As usual, they sing their faces off. There’s a promotional video, too.

KATIE PRUITT / “Merry Christmas Mary Jane”
Writers: Katie Pruitt; Producer: Katie Pruitt & Mike Robinson; Label: Rounder
–At last! A holiday stoner song! This Nashville singer-songwriter lays down a bluesy groove on this slow jam: “My Christmas spirit’s running low, so I might as well get high.” She knows those decorative holiday lights are going to look super good that way. Check out this talented gal’s cool guitar solo, too. Pruitt will be peddling her special holiday gummies at her Dec. 16 show at the Basement East.

EXILE / “Joyful Noise”
Writers: J.P. Pennington/Sonny LeMaire/Sharon Vaughn; Producer: Exile; Label: Clearwater
–In a word, gorgeous. These guys still have the goods in every department. The vocals are flawless, the songwriting is splendid, the playing is perfect and the mood is toasty warm on this sparkling ballad. Miss this one at your peril.

THE PRIMITIVE QUARTET / “Carolina Mountain Christmas”
Writers: Reagan Riddle; Producer: Greg Bentley; Label: Mountain Home
–This North Carolina gospel quartet wraps its harmonies around four classics and four newly written songs on its Christmas collection. Among the latter is this toe-tapping hearty wish for good holiday times to one and all.

PISTOL ANNIES / “Hell of a Holiday”
Writers: Angaleena Presley/Ashley Monroe/Miranda Lambert; Producer: Frank Liddell/Eric Masse; Label: RCA
–What a gift. The rumbling backbeat grabs ya from the get-go. Their feisty vocal charms soon take over in this uptempo audio delight. It’s the title tune from the trio’s Christmas CD/LP, embellished with sax, electric guitar and percussion. Essential accompaniment for dancing around the tree while you hang ornaments and drink eggnog.

AMANDA SHIRES & THE McCRARY SISTERS / “Gone for Christmas”
Writers: Amanda Shires; Producer: Lawrence Rothman; Label: Silver Knife/Thirty Tigers
–This Americana favorite slam dunks an R&B groover with this merry track from her debut holiday album. For her Christmas-present wish list, she cites a bunch of clever stuff (her own radio station, a massage on a beach), but mostly she wants him gone from her life. While the beat stomps relentlessly, the McCrarys echo her sentiments with soul-sister harmonies. Rockin.’

MITCHELL TENPENNY / “Don’t Hang the Mistletoe”
Writers: Jordan M. Schmidt/Kyle Clark/Mitchell Tenpenny; Producer: Mitchell Tenpenny/Jordan M. Schmidt; Label: Riser House/Columbia
–His furry, burnished voice is perfect for this. It’s a slow jam with distinct R&B flavors and romance on the brain. Tenpenny’s holiday album is titled Naughty List.

TAMMY ROGERS & THOMM JUTZ / “Dancing in the Snow”
Writers: Tammy Rogers/Thomm Jutz; Producer: none listed; Label: Mountain Fever
–Bluegrass rhythms and harmonies abound in this sprightly wintery romp. The team plans an entire album of their cowrites next month, to be titled Surely We’ll Be Singing.

LORI McKENNA / “Still Christmas in Nashville”
Writers: Lori McKenna/Jordyn Shelhart/Dustin Christensen; Producer: Lori McKenna/Luke Laird/Barry Dean; Label: CN Records
–Lori introduced her Christmas Is Right Here EP with a sterling showcase at the Hutton’s Analog venue on Tuesday. It is a heart-tugging outing with some of her original sad holiday tunes (my favorite kind), plus a version of Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime” and this stately waltz. It’s an ode to “the city that dreamers built.” You’ll smile when you hear her name checking “meat-and-threes” and “John Prine” in this terrific tune. Have I mentioned that I adore her?

DON AMERO / “Sometimes a Whisper”
Writers: Adam Crossley/Bill Diluigi/Dave Tough; Producer: none listed; Label: MDM
–This Canadian is an indigenous country artist who is much applauded north of the border. His seasonal CD is titled Amero Little Christmas and contains this softly sung inspirational ballad that could easily live well beyond Yuletide.

ROD & ROSE / “Mary Had a Little Lamb”
Writers: Rodney Atkins/Rose Falcon/Brandon Hood/Skip Ewing; Producer: Brandon Hood; Label: Curb
–Rodney Atkins and Rose Falcon offer this beautifully sung, heartfelt ballad that sums up The Reason for the Season. Rod sings lead while Rose shadows him in perfect vocal harmony. Hang on for when they are joined by the angels-we-have-heard-on-high echoey chorus. Definitely your religious musical choice.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Chris Stapleton Sings With Adele & Taylor Swift

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Chris Stapleton

As the year winds down, country steps into the national spotlight.

The genre’s stars seem to be everywhere on TV specials and at media events these days. Which is the perfect time to be releasing headline-making new music.

Stepping up the the plate today are Alan Jackson, Old Dominion, Walker Hayes, Kameron Marlowe and Taylor Swift, all with superb fresh sounds. The Disc of the Day goes to Adele with our own Chris Stapleton, adding more than a little to the pop superstar’s performance.

I don’t know much about her, but the DISCovery Award winner is Madeline Edwards.

AMERICAN BLONDE / “Quicksand”
Writers: Jimmy Nash/Natalia Morris; Producer: Cliff Downs; Label: AB
– The Mississippi-bred Morris sisters are feisty and fierce on this downbeat rocker about a dissolving relationship. The tune is rather repetitive, but there’s plenty of energy and attitude.

ADELE & CHRIS STAPLETON / “Easy On Me”
Writers: Adele Adkins/Greg Kurstin; Producer: Greg Kurstin; Label: Columbia
– The simple piano-and-rhythm accompaniment stays in the background to let both voices shine in the spotlight on this stunning ballad. The harmony performance by Stapleton is exquisite. Supple, soulful and powerful. There are few vocalists who can stand toe-to-with Adele, but this mighty man can. And does.

DALLAS SMITH / “Hide From a Broken Heart”
Writers: Mark Holman/Lauren LaRue/Ernest Keith Smith/Geoff Warburton; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud
– Smith was just named Canada’s country Entertainer of the Year for the third consecutive time. Judging by his current single, I can’t explain it. The formulaic song, jumbled production and generic vocal performance went in one ear and out the other.

WALKER HAYES / “AA”
Writers: Walker Hayes/Shane McAnally/Luke Laird; Producer: Joe Thibodeaux/Shane McAnally/Scott Johnson; Label: Monument Records
– Hardly anything in the lyric rhymes. The track is a looped groove. He doesn’t really sing. But you know what? As was the case with “Fancy Like,” this guy taps directly into a blue-collar mindset that is absolutely the Truth. He’s just trying to get along like an ordinary fella, resisting the lure of alcohol while raising his kids, making a living and loving his wife. I hear ya, bro.

MADELINE EDWARDS / “Best Revenge”
Writers: Joy Lippard Hanna/Klare Essad/Madeline Edwards; Producer: Gena Johnson; Label: ME
– She was the “unknown” in the vocal trio on the CMA Awards with Mickey Guyton and Brittney Spencer. Her sultry, midtempo single reveals a husky, throaty vocalist with a tremendous intimacy that communicates really well. The song is cool, too: “The best revenge is moving on.”

OLD DOMINION / “No Hard Feelings”
Writers: Matthew Ramsey/Trevor Rosen/Whit Sellers/Geoff Sprung/Brad Tursi/Shane McAnally; Producer: Old Dominion/Shane McAnally; Label: Arista
– Ridiculously catchy and utterly irresistible. If the rump-shaking rhythm doesn’t get you, the jaunty, melodic singing will. Galloping talent from the Vocal Group of the Year.

COLE SWINDELL & LAINEY WILSON / “Never Say Never”
Writers: Cole Swindell/Jessi Alexander/Chase McGill; Producer: Zach Crowell; Label: Warner
– Both singers are coming off huge hits (”Single Saturday Night” and “Things a Man Oughta Know,” respectively). This choppy, bombastic, loud effort doesn’t measure up to either of its predecessors. It also has one of those irritating, shrieking rock guitar solos. Pass.

HAILEY WHITTERS / “Heartland”
Writers: Hailey Whitters/Nicolle Galyon/Forest Whitehead; Producer: Jake Gear/Hailey Whitters; Label: Big Loud
– This troubadour has proved herself as a major talent over and over again. Her current tune is a winning meditation on life and love. As always, she is delightfully melodic and endearingly sincere. She has just landed a Song of the Year Grammy nomination as a co-writer on “A Beautiful Noise” (sung by Alicia Keys & Brandi Carlile). There are eight (!) writers credited on the song, so you know somebody is getting a free ride. I’m guessing it’s not her.

ALAN JACKSON / “Racing the Dark”
Writers: Alan Jackson/Mattie Jackson Selecman; Producer: Keith Stegall; Label: ACR/EMI
– Daughter Mattie wrote the lyrics, and daddy Alan put them to music and then recorded this extraordinary, beautifully country, vocal performance. It’s mini-masterpiece about healing, which is something Mattie has learned about following the tragic death of her husband. She also has an inspirational book exploring grief and God, titled Lemons on Friday.

KAMERON MARLOWE / “Steady Heart”
Writers: Kameron Marlowe/Jessi Alexander/Dan Isbell; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Columbia
– OMG, how romantic is this? His soulful singing has always pierced my heart, but never more so than on this terrifically warm, tender paean to True Love. A song to make you dreamy, soft, grateful and swoony.

TAYLOR SWIFT & CHRIS STAPLETON / “I Bet You Think About Me”
Writers: Taylor Swift/Lori McKenna; Producer: Aaron Dessner/Taylor Swift; Label: Republic/MCA
– She’s the working-class gal who married the upper-crust dude, and it didn’t work out. Like, spectacularly wrong. So she wrote a song excoriating him (surprise). The hilarious video (directed by Blake Lively) is a fantastic mini movie. The previously unreleased song dates from her country-music days, and the addition of Stapleton’s harmony voice underscores the point.

CALLISTA CLARK / “Real To Me”
Writers: Callista Clark/Cameron Jaymes/Laura Veltz; Producer: Nathan Chapman; Label: Big Machine
– She sings so well. She’s only 18, and this soul-pop stomp points the way toward something more promising than her current radio tune.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Keb’ Mo’, Caleb Lee Hutchinson, Olivia Evans

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Keb’ Mo’. Photo: Jeremy Cowart

Nashville artists dominate this overview of current Americana recordings.

Admittedly, I’m mixing in some pop with this column, notably by durable Music City rocker Tommy Womack and new popster Olivia Evans. But there’s no denying the Americana bona fides of our own singer-songwriters Erin Enderlin, Gary Burr and Kent Blazy.

Nor those of our Disc of the Day winner, Keb’ Mo’, whose new album I eagerly await. The DISCovery Award goes to the majestic young alt-country vocalist, Caleb Lee Hutchinson, also a Nashvillian.

They’re all competing in a worthy field that also includes Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Single Girl Married Girl and Nathan Bell.

NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS / “Survivor”
Writers: Nathaniel Rateliff/Sam Cohen/Patrick Meese; Producer: Brad Cook, RMB & Elijah Thompson; Label: Stax
–I was initially put off by this. The choppy tempo and oddball melody just didn’t seem to work with the horn blasts and riffs. But the more I listened, the more it grew on me. The stop-and-go vibe actually becomes quite addictive. As always, Rateliff puts his whole soul into the lead vocal.

OLIVIA EVANS / “Leave It Behind”
Writers: Nash Overstreet/Olivia Schelske/Shane Stevens; Producer: none listed; Label: Interstreet/Middle Gypsy
–Olivia is the daughter of country star Sara Evans, but the sound on her debut EP Level is pop all the way. Her vocal on this sweet-sad heartbreak ballad is a folkie soprano layered with enchanting stacked harmonies. Elsewhere on the CD, you’ll find thumpy rhythm tunes, R&B balladry and hip-hoppy tuneful bangers. Extremely promising.

KEB’ MO’ / “Lean On Me”
Writers: Bill Withers; Producer: Keb’ Mo’, Vince Gill & Tom Hambridge; Label: Rounder
–Nashville’s leading bluesman pays tribute to his buddy Bill Withers, whom we lost last year. Keb’ Mo’ takes this familiar refrain at a gentle, steady pace with a nicely shaded vocal embrace embellished by lovely gospel-quartet harmonies. It is drawn from his forthcoming (Jan. 21) album Good To Be, which will feature collaborations with Darius Rucker (”Good Strong Woman,” the set’s first video), Old Crow Medicine Show (”The Medicine Man”) and Broadway’s Kristin Chenoweth (”Quiet Moments”). Meanwhile, he has landed on Toby Keith’s new album with his song “Old Me Better.”

ERIN ENDERLIN / “If I’m Not In Hell”
Writers: Erin Enderlin/Kimberly Kelly/Kayla Ray; Producer: Erin Enderlin; Label: Black Crow
–As a songwriter, Enderlin has cuts by Alan Jackson (”Monday Morning Church”), Reba, Bill Anderson, Terri Clark, Lee Ann Womack (”Last Call”), Randy Travis, Rodney Crowell, Rhonda Vincent, Luke Bryan (”You Don’t Know Jack”) and more. As a record maker, she specializes in deeply etched portraits of honky-tonk pain. This hard-country ballad is super cool, telling the tale of a grieving woman who drinks away the pain while her life falls apart around her. What a line: “If I’m not in Hell, I’m headed that way.”

TOMMY WOMACK / “Pay It Forward”
Writers: Tommy Womack; Producer: Tommy Womack & Jonathan Bright; Label: Schoolkids
–Longtime Nashville rock hero Tommy Womack turns up the heat on his new CD I Thought I Was Fine. The set kicks off with this deep-twang, frothing track with Tommy’s droll, dry vocal contrasting with the driving tempo. I have loved him since his days in Government Cheese and The Bis-Quits in the ’90s. He’s survived cancer and a car crash and is still rocking splendidly, I am pleased to report. Buy this record.

CALEB LEE HUTCHINSON / “Slot Machine Syndrome”
Writers: Caleb Lee Hutchinson/Brent Cobb; Producer: Brent Cobb; Label: CLH
–This young Nashville singer-songwriter displays his wondrously deep, warm, country baritone on this swampy, twangy, melancholy honky-tonk ballad. It’s guaranteed to hook you and is the title tune of his new EP, which I heartily recommend.

GARY BURR / “Shout a Little Louder”
Writers: Gary Burr; Producer: Gary Burr; Label: GB
–Gary’s pal Ringo Starr plays drums on this track, but the real reason to listen is the songwriter’s passionate performance of the anti-war lyric. You’ll find the stately peacenik anthem on Gary’s self-penned and produced new CD Shout. He remains one of the coolest dudes in town. Ridiculously talented, too.

KENT BLAZY / “The Future Ain’t What It Used to Be”
Writers: Kent Blazy/Garth Brooks; Producer: none listed; Label: KB
–This new Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee has a CD appropriately titled Me & My Guitar. The stark, simple musical settings make the lyrics jump out at ya. Especially on this country lyric about an empty, hollow, haunted guy who lost his wife and home and now looks forward to nothing. Blazy’s tender, tremulous vocal quivers with sadness while acoustic guitars ripple around him.

SINGLE GIRL MARRIED GIRL / “Wreck Cut Loose”
Writers: Daniel Morosi; Producer: Tom Gardner; Label: SGMG
–This folk-pop band’s latest is titled Three Generations of Leaving because it is a song cycle about the trials and tribulations of a mother, daughter and granddaughter who deal with everything from insecurity to drug dependency. Although the album chronicles this in a semi-narrative fashion, the songs can also stand on their own. Lead vocalist Chelsea Coy carries this languid, mournful, mesmerizing track with minor-key organ and guitar accompaniment. Elsewhere, you’ll find girl-group harmonies, Appalachian banjo, a hillbilly waltz, jazzy chords and more.

NATHAN BELL / “Retread Cadillac”
Writers: Nathan Bell; Producer: Brian Brinkeroff & Frank Swart; Label: NeedtoKnow
–Bell is an intense showman who champions working people, takes Fascists to task, waves a BLM banner and honors truth in the political, poetic lyrics of his new collection Red, White and American Blues. Guest vocalists include Aubrie Sellers, Patty Griffin and Nashville’s supreme soul sister Regina McCrary. The last named is heard on this slow-burn ode about a Black ex-con who makes his bitter way through a new life on the road while blues guitars moan along. Gripping.