DISClaimer: Americana Music Highlights Blue-Eyed Soul

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With its 2018 award-nominations announcement, Americana music is in the news this week.

This roundup of the genre’s current offerings includes such stalwarts as Buffy Sainte-Marie and Riders in the Sky as well as hot newer acts such as Parker Millsap and Old Crow Medicine Show.

Both of today’s award winners are appearing in DisClaimer for the first time. Both of them display outstanding blue-eyed soul. Nathaniel Ratliff & The Night Sweats win the Disc of the Day. While Andrew Duhon is our DisCovery Award winner.

DON GALLARDO/Something I Gotta Learn
Writers: Gaallardo/Carey Ott; Producer: Don Gallardo; Publishers: Second Floor Storey/Long Story Short, SESAC/ASCAP; Rock Ridge (track)
– This punchy country-rocker kicks off this Nashville troubadour’s Still Here CD. He has a plain, rumpled-shirt singing voice and a wily way with words. Recorded in East Nashville, the collection features an esteemed cast of sidemen.

OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW/Whirlwind
Writers: Ketch Secor; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publishers: Blood Donor/Do Write, BMI; Columbia
– This wildly entertaining Grand Ole Opry string band jumps from lively, old-timey hoedowns to country-rocking toe tappers on its new Volunteer collection. This rolling, easy-going tune is a lilting, highly commercial romance ditty. I remain an immense fan.

LLOYD GREEN & JAY DEE MANESS/You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere
Writer: Bob Dylan; Producer: John Macy; Publishers: none listed; Coastal Blend
-Green and Maness have re-imagined The Byrds’ epochal Sweetheart of the Rodeo LP as an instrumental, steel-guitar outing. This signature Dylan tune occurs twice on the CD, once as a jaunty album-opening instrumental and once as an album-closing vocal performance (the only one on the album). This whole project makes sense, you see, because these two steel men appeared on the original 1968 album.

MARK OTIS SELBY/There’s Your Trouble
Writers: Mark Selby/Tia Sillers; Producers: Brent Maher, Mark Selby, Charles Yingling; Publishers: none listed; Naked Sessions
– Nashville singer-songwriter Mark Selby passed away last year. His song demos form the basis of a new album titled Naked Sessions. Frequent collaborator Kenny Wayne Shepherd appears (on the intense, highly recommended “Rise Up’). But as Selby demonstrated so often during his too-brief life, he has solo charisma to spare. This song of his turned out to be the breakthrough hit for the Dixie Chicks. His own version is punctuated with harmonica as well as his able guitar work. The album serves as the first of what is planned to be a series of similar, stripped-down troubadour collections. Heartily endorsed.

PARKER MILLSAP/Other Arrangements
Writer: Millsap; Producers: Shani Gandhi, Parker Millsap & Gary Paczosa; Publishers: Northwentz/Wixen, BMI; Okra Homa/Thirty Tigers
– The title tune of Millsap’s newest album is a choppy, guitar-embellished thumper featuring his always-gripping, soulful, strangulated, searing vocals. I love the way he vaults from gritty low notes to falsetto exclamations. If this man isn’t already on your musical radar, put him there now.

RIDERS IN THE SKY/Old New Mexico
Writers: Doug Green/Hoot Hester; Producer: Joey Miskulin; Publishers: Songs of the Sage/Buck Run, BMI; Riders Radio
– We think of these Opry favorites as cowboy-music revivalists. Their anniversary album, 40 Years the Cowboy Way, certainly bears this out with its reworkings of “Cimarron,” “Big Iron,” “Mule Train,” “Mollie Darling,” “The Blue Juniata,” “Press Along to the Big Corral” and the like. But this lovely ballad shows that the group is equally capable of crafting new songs in the classic manner. Also don’t miss Too Slim’s merry parody “I’ve Cooked Everything.”

NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS/You Worry Me
Writer: Nathaniel Rateliff; Producer: Richard Swift; Publisher: Born in the Flood, ASCAP; Stax
– This band is my latest passion. Their recipe includes a dash of Van Morrison stirred with flavors of The Band and Muscle Shoals and more than a pinch of cayenne pepper. This moody, relentlessly soulful track builds in intensity and drive as it plays. As far as I’m concerned, it could have kept on doing that forever. It comes from the group’s second Stax album, Tearing at the Seams. Stop what you’re doing right now and buy both it and the act’s eponymously titled Stax debut. You can thank me later. There’s a reason why Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats are nominated as Americana Music’s Group of the Year.

ANDREW DUHON/Comin’ Around
Writer: Andrew Duhon; Producer: Eric Masse; Publisher: none listed; AD (track)
– This New Orleans based artist traveled to Music City to craft his new False River collection. It kicks off with this rippling, swirling, rhythm-soaked fever dream. This is sound to get lost in, effortlessly soulful and jazzy in a breezy kinda way. The record officially drops a week from Friday. Get it.

BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE/The War Racket
Writer: Buffy Sainte-Marie; Producers: Chris Birkett/Buffy Sainte-Marie; Publishers: Caleb/Kobalt, ASCAP; True North (track)
– The album that contains this, Medicine Songs, won a Juno Award in Canada in March. The collection includes old favorites such as “Little Wheel Spin and Spin,” “Universal Soldier” and “My Country ‘Tis of Thy People You’re Dying” (but not her most famous songs “Until It’s Time For You to Go” or “Up Where We Belong”). Its new songs reveal that she is as committed to social justice and political commentary as ever. This stinging rebuke of capitalist violence finds her in a husky-voiced, accusative, quasi-spoken mode. We need more principled artists like her.

RECKLESS JOHNNY WALES/Pipe Dream
Writers: Bob Saporiti/David Ross; Producers: Bob Saporiti, Brett R. Stewart and Chris Tench; Publishers: Songhenge/Songs of BossRoss, SESAC/BMI; Amerikandy (track)
– MusicRow Magazine founder David Ross came to town as a songwriter. Now, 40 years later, he has his first cut. It’s a collaboration with the iconoclastic rocker Reckless Johnny Wales. The track features a stirring, dark rhythm track and bright bursts of electric guitar beneath a compelling, passionate lead vocal. The new album is called Runaway Train of Thoughts. Saporiti used to be a WB exec, but he has successfully reinvented himself as an admirable, mighty entertaining roots rocker.

DISClaimer: The 1980s All Over Again

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DISClaimer receives a blast from the past this week.

It’s the 1980s all over again as Gene Watson, Karen Tobin, Gail Davies and Jim Chesnut all pop up with vibrant new sounds.

We also have a dandy crop of newcomers, including Dillon Carmichael, The Young Fables and our DisCovery Award winners, Blue Honey. Send more sounds, you two.

We have a tie for the Disc of the Day prize. Finishing in a dead heat are Joe Nichols and Michael Ray, both of whom are singing at the tops of their games.

THE YOUNG FABLES/Half As Good
Writers: L. Wright/W. Lunsford/K. Foster/P. Larney; Producers: Mitch Dane, Patryk Larney/The Young Fables; Publishers: none listed, BMI/SESAC; Hope Tree (track)
– Lauren Wright sings lead in a winsome soprano. Partner Wes Lunsford provides gentle harmony and some of the guitar in a twinkling, ear-catching production. They lyric is about making yourself happier by accepting romance in your life. The duo hails from Maryville, TN and is very, very promising.

JOE NICHOLS/Billy Graham’s Bible
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Red Bow
– This masterful country stylist has a new ballad about finding a home and peace in his lover’s arms. It’s a place as comfy as “Billy Graham’s Bible and that old guitar Willie plays.” Joe’s vocal sent shivers up my spine. Play this.

BLUE HONEY/August Without Us
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; BHM
-Comprised of the husband-wife duo of Troy Brooks & Kassie Jordan-Brooks, Blue Honey has a haunting, mid-tempo summer jam that’s as warm as sunshine. Lead vocalist Kassie has a smokey, blue-eyed-soul quality in her voice that is fascinating. As the song reaches its crescendo, Troy begins interjecting vocal “comments” and high “woo-hoos” that jack the excitement up ever higher. I dig this record a bunch.

RODNEY ATKINS/Caught Up In The Country
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Curb (CDX)
– Atkins returns with a rousing summer rocker. The multi-layered, everything-but-the-kitchen-sink production includes everything from vocoder interjections and spoken-word passages to gang shouts and massed drumming.

GAIL DAVIES/Beyond The Realm of Words
Writers: Ron Davies; Producer: Chris Scruggs/Gail Davies; Publisher: BMG Chrysalis, BMI; Little Chickadee
– The title tune of Gail Davies’ current collection is a lovely waltz composed by her late brother, Ron Davies (”Long Hard Climb,” etc.). Co-produced by her super talented son Chris Scruggs, the track is characterized by a classy, classic simplicity with just the right touch of twang. Gail has also recently published a new edition of her autobiography The Last of the Outlaws.

MICHAEL RAY/Her World Or Mine
Writers: Brett Beavers/Jamie Paulin/Travis Denning; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Atlantic
– This is a dynamite break-up ballad, loaded with hooky lines and lovely production touches. His deeply expressive vocal is infused with heartache. I remain a big fan.

JIM CHESNUT/Rode Hard and Put Away Wet
Writers: Jim Chesnut; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Jim Chesnut Muisc, BMI
– Chesnut had a flurry of chart activity in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s on ABC, MCA, UA and Liberty. Now back in his native Texas, he has a new, “golden-years” CD titled I Sure Do Miss My Hair. Its lead single is a lively two-step about still rocking while sliding into old age.

GENE WATSON/Old Roman Soldier
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Canyon Creek
– Everlasting, preeminent, honky-tonk immortal Watson already has a hit on the country Christian hit parade with this. No wonder. The intense roadhouse waltz is drenched with steel, fiddle and piano and boasts one of the most soulful vocals of this man’s already fabulous career. The parent album is My Gospel Roots, and it is essential. Put this man in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

DILLON CARMICHAEL/Hell on an Angel
Writers: Carmichael/Daniel Smalley; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publishers: none listed; Riser House (track)
– It’s easy to hear why producer Cobb was attracted to this Kentucky-bred vocalist. His baritone has resonance and power to spare. This is the soul-country title tune to a CD that drops in August.

KAREN TOBIN/Before It’s Too Late
Writers: none listed; Producers: Brian Soucy/Karen Tobin; Publishers: none listed; Sunnyland (track)
– Californian Tobin made her Nashville stand on Arista and Atlantic in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. She’s still out there making noise on the West Coast, as this title tune from her new CD attests. It’s a ringing meditation on love that reveals that her vocal delivery remains as expressive as ever, although it is maybe paced just a little too slowly.

‘Restoration’ Gets The DISClaimer Treatment

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And now for something completely different.

Restoration is billed as Nashville’s re-imagining of the stellar song catalog of living legend Elton John. In most publications it is being reviewed alongside Revamp, which is the pop/rock community’s similar effort. And in every case, the Nashville record comes out on top.

Credit the great Frank Liddell, who executive produced with Paul Kremen and lyricist Bernie Taupin. Also credit a stunning lineup of artists. From Rosanne Cash & Emmylou Harris’ thumping kiss-off “This Train Don’t Stop Here Anymore” to Miley Cyrus’ stormy rocker “The Bitch Is Back” to Kacey Musgraves’ twinkling waltz “Roy Rogers,” the set is loaded with jewels.

Since radio airplay is doubtful, this is going to be a press-driven project. Here are 10 reasons why you need to own it.

LITTLE BIG TOWN/Rocket Man
Writers: Elton John/Bernie Taupin; Producers: Frank Liddell/Mike McCarthy; Publishers: Universal Songs of PolyGram/HST/WAB/Dick James/Rouge Booze/Cow Dog, BMI/PRS/ASCAP; MCA Nashville
-As good as their performance of this was on the ACMs, it pales next to the recorded version. Jimi’s lead vocal gleams. The harmonies here are double and triple tracked to make the foursome sound like a massive heavenly choir. The outer-space production touches are sublime. Essential.

 

MAREN MORRIS/Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Writers: Elton John/Bernie Taupin; Producer: busbee; Publishers: Universal Songs of PolyGram/HST/WAB/Dick James/Rouge Booze/Cow Dog, BMI/PRS/ASCAP; MCA Nashville
-This longtime fan favorite from 1972’s Honky Chateau LP gets a yearning, stately reading here. I like the way she alternates whispery passages with soaring blasts. The spare, r&b flavored track leaves her plenty of room to emote.

 
DON HENLEY & VINCE GILL/Sacrifice
Writers: Elton John/Bernie Taupin; Producers: Henley/Gill; Publishers: Universal Songs of PolyGram/HST/WAB/Dick James/Rouge Booze/Cow Dog, BMI/PRS/ASCAP; MCA Nashville
– Pretty, but kinda disappointing. Elton’s gorgeous 1990 original had a certain soulful, behind-the-beat tenseness. That’s gone, and the song is transmogrified into a wistful Eagles ballad.

 

BROTHERS OSBORNE/Take Me To The Pilot
Writers: Elton John/Bernie Taupin; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: Universal Songs of PolyGram/HST/WAB/Dick James/Rouge Booze/Cow Dog, BMI/PRS/ASCAP; MCA Nashville
– When this tune appeared on the flip side of 1970’s hit single “Your Song,” Elton served notice that he was a rocker as well as a troubadour balladeer typical of that era. The Osbornes’ version turns up the song’s temperature by spitting out the lyric and adding blazing guitar solos and a sizzling rhythm track.

 

MIRANDA LAMBERT/My Father’s Gun
Writers: Elton John/Bernie Taupin; Producers: Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf & Eric Masse; Publishers: Universal Songs of PolyGram/HST/WAB/Dick James/Rouge Booze/Cow Dog, BMI/PRS/ASCAP; MCA Nashville
– Miranda mourns masterfully with revenge on her mind in this eulogy to a fallen Confederate soldier. Dripping with Southern nostalgia, it also has the “edge” of grinding guitar work in mid song. The chestnut is from 1970’s Tumbleweed Connection.

 

CHRIS STAPLETON/I Want Love
Writers: Elton John/Bernie Taupin; Producers: Dave Cobb/Stapleton; Publishers: Universal Songs of PolyGram/HST/WAB/Dick James/Rouge Booze/Cow Dog, BMI/PRS/ASCAP; MCA Nashville
– Stapleton is characteristically searing and soulful on this blue-eyed soul ballad. As such, he is arguably the collection’s closest vocal approximation of Elton John. Dating from 2001, the song is the most recent of Restoration’s revivals.

 

LEE ANN WOMACK/Honky Cat
Writers: Elton John/Bernie Taupin; Producers: Frank Liddell/Mike McCarthy; Publishers: Universal Songs of PolyGram/HST/WAB/Dick James/Rouge Booze/Cow Dog, BMI/PRS/ASCAP; MCA Nashville
– We all thought this 1972 hit was a country song in the first place, right? Now it is.

 

RHONDA VINCENT & DOLLY PARTON/Please
Writers: Elton John/Bernie Taupin; Producers: Frank Liddell/Mike McCarthy; Publishers: Universal Songs of PolyGram/HST/WAB/Dick James/Rouge Booze/Cow Dog, BMI/PRS/ASCAP; MCA Nashville
– Sublimely pleasurable listening. Even on a collection as loaded with spectacular performances as Restoration is, this track stands out. The lilting bluegrass instrumentation is awesome, and these two singers simply take your breath away. This 1995 Elton outing has one Taupin’s most straightforward lyrics, requesting a love that lasts into old age.

 

DIERKS BENTLEY/Sad Songs (Say So Much)
Writers: Elton John/Bernie Taupin; Producer: Jon Randall Stewart; Publishers: Universal Songs of PolyGram/HST/WAB/Dick James/Rouge Booze/Cow Dog, BMI/PRS/ASCAP; MCA Nashville
– Of all the revivals here, this one perhaps sticks closest to the arrangement of the original 1984 hit. Enjoyable, if a little pedestrian.

 

WILLIE NELSON/Border Song
Writers: Elton John/Bernie Taupin; Producers: Frank Liddell/Eric Masse; Publishers: Universal Songs of PolyGram/HST/WAB/Dick James/Rouge Booze/Cow Dog, BMI/PRS/ASCAP; MCA Nashville
– It is nearly forgotten today that this 1970 gem was Elton’s first American charting single. Willie is here to remind us of what a cool, gospel-y song it is.

DISClaimer: Tourmates Gretchen Peters, Kim Richey Top New Americana Tunes

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The Americana genre is bringing out some of its most stellar artists for the spring season.

Impressively, there is also gender parity in today’s overview of the style. Five male and five female acts are vying for your attention.

This week, the gals have the goods. Gretchen Peters and Kim Richey finish in a tie for the Disc of the Day award. Which is especially cool, since they are touring together.

The DisCovery Award goes to the acoustic female trio I’m With Her. Rounder Records strikes again.

KIM RICHEY/Chase Wild Horses
Writers: Kim Richey/Mike Henderson; Producer: Brad Jones; Publishers: BMG/Red Equals Luck/Five Window/Warner-Tamerlane, BMI; Yep Roc (track)
– This rumbling country rocker addresses maturing and adulthood. Her sense of melody is exquisite, and her voice remains a soaring and deeply affecting instrument. An A-plus effort from her new Edgeland album. Buy it.

KYLE FREDERICK/Already November
Writers: Kyle Frederick; Producers: Byron House/Kyle Frederick; Publishers: Melody Chef/Byron House, BMI; Belody Chef
– The title tune of this artist’s new collection raises a glass at a wake for lost youth. He sings in a hoarse, almost strangulated fashion. The backing track features choppy percussion and electric-guitar growls.

BRANDI CARLILE/The Joke
Writers: Brandi Carlile/Phil Hanseroth/Tim Hanseroth/Dave Cobb; Producers: Cobb/Shooter Jennings; Publishers: Southern Oracle/WB/Old No. 7/Warner-Tamerlane, ASCAP/BMI; Elektra (track)
– She has one of those warm, conversational singing voices that’s always welcome. Here, it is bathed in echoey atmosphere and cushioned with lush strings. The ballad is an anthem for outsiders who will ultimately triumph in life. It appears on this Nashvillian’s excellent CD By the Way, I Forgive You.

BILL LLOYD/It’s Happening Now
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Whole In One
-Lloyd’s current release is an acoustic effort. Its romantic, lilting title song finds his still-boyish tenor wafting over jangly guitar and sighed backup vocals. He’s as tuneful as ever.

DULCIE TAYLOR/Halfway To Jesus
Writers: Taylor; Producer: George Nauful; Publishers: Raven in the Window, ASCAP; Black Iris (track)
– This is a dramatic, minor-key, cautionary ode about the damages we have inflicted on our natural world and of the cataclysmic climate that results. Swirling and compelling.

JOHN PRINE/Boundless Love
Writers: John Prine/Dan Auerbach/Pat McLaughlin; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publishers: Tommy Jack/Corn Country/Hour Box, BMI; Oh Boy (track)
– The new Prine CD, The Tree of Forgiveness, is like a warm greeting from an old friend. This tune of acceptance and grace is just one of its many pleasures. His drawling, distinctive folky singing voice still charms. And his lyrics continue to contain delightful gems like, “Sometimes my old heart is like a washing machine/It bounces around ‘til my soul comes clean/And when I’m clean and hung out to dry/I’m gonna make you laugh until you cry.”

GRETCHEN PETERS/Disappearing Act
Writer: Peters; Producers: Doug Lancio, Gretchen Peters & Barry Walsh; Publishers: Circus Girl, ASCAP; Scarlett Letter
– Here, she inhabits the character of a world-weary middle-aged woman whose husband passes away, her babies die and her soldier son’s soul vanishes in Iraq. Her voice is appropriately downtrodden, and the electro-pop production underscores the resigned, defeated mood. You’ll find it on this Americana goddess’s new CD Dancing With the Beast.

BOB REA/Southbound
Writers: Bob Rea/Erik Stucky; Producer: Steve Daly; Publisher: none listed; Shiny Dime (track)
– The title tune of this singer-songwriter’s album is a breezy, rolling ode to gal who is traveling free and easy. The dobro solo is dandy, as is his drawled delivery. Recommended.

I’M WITH HER/See You Around
Writers: Sara Watkins/Sarah Jarosz/Aoife O’Donovan; Producers: Ethan Johns/I’m With Her; Publishers: Fiddle & Fall/SoRaw/Cosmic Seed, ASCAP/BMI; Rounder (track)
– This female trio’s CD title tune and lead-off track is an airy, soprano-led song about shattered dreams and shards of heartbreak. There’s a lot to like in these picturesque lyrics and flawless vocal harmonies. Jarosz is a Grammy winning Americana solo artist. Watkins is a veteran of Nickel Creek. O’Donovan has a solo career and has collaborated with classical music’s Yo-Yo Ma. All three are accomplished instrumentalists, but their shining vocals together are what you’ll remember. Other gems to admire on the album include the sunny “Ain’t That Fine” and the dazzling single/video “Game to Lose.”

ANDERSON EAST/All On My Mind
Writers: Anderson East/Ed Sheeran/Johnny McDaid/Aaron Raitiere; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publishers: Farmland/Ed Shearan/Sony-ATV/Spirit B Unique/Polar Patrol/Kobalt/Warner-Tamerlane/One Tooth/Super LCS, BMI/PRS; Elektra (track)
– I remain a fan. His ferocious, blue-eyed soul singing pierces through a dark, rock rhythm track, massed strings and keyboard flourishes on this searing, fevered dream of obsession. It can be found on his new album titled Encore.

DISClaimer: Carrie Underwood Returns With “Powerful” New Track

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Spring is in the air, and country comes alive with some fresh sounds for the season.

Good things come in “threes” this week. We have three promising newcomers that deserve your attention — Mason Lively, Szlachetka and our DisCovery Award winner, Vince Moreno.

We also have three contenders for the week’s top prize — Chris Stapleton, RaeLynn and our Disc of the Day winner, Carrie Underwood.

Happy listening.

VINCE MORENO/You Live In This House
Writers: Vince Morena/Mary Welch Francis; Producers: none listed; Publishers: Bluwaboo, ASCAP; VM
– It has a dark, bluesy groove. His macho baritone drawls and spits and moans as he delivers the goods in this lyric of a haunted, lonely heartache. Promising in the extreme.

CHRIS STAPLETON/Millionaire
Writer: Kevin Welch; Producers: Dave Cobb/Chris Stapleton; Publisher: none listed; Mercury (track)
– Searing and soulful. Wife Morgane shadows him on high harmony throughout this ballad’s ode to enriching romance. A home run.

MASON LIVELY/Lonely Comes Back Around
Writer: Mason Lively; Producer: Pat Manske; Publishers: none listed; ML (track)
– This is a lively country rocker about escaping from a broken heart by running, running, running. For a young newcomer (Lively is just 20 years old), he displays great vocal confidence and quite adept songwriting skills. You’re on the right path, son.

RAELYNN/Queens Don’t
Writers: RaeLynn/Corey Crowder/James Abrahart; Producer: Josh Kerr; Publishers: none listed; Warner Bros.
-Delightful. It’s a terrific female empowerment anthem that builds from gently produced verses to layered, cool, echoey choruses. This sounds decidedly like a big breakthrough record.

 

ANTHONY POWER/The Photographer
Writer: Anthony Power; Producers: Power/Agostino; Publishers: none listed; AP (track)
– He’s an Australian singer-songwriter who accompanies himself on ukulele. This title track from his current CD has a simple, sing-songy melody. It’s more folk ditty than country.

THOMAS RHETT/Life Changes
Writers: Thomas Rhett/Rhett Akins/Jesse Frasure/Ashley Gorley; Producers: Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure & Thomas Rhett; Publishers: EMI Blackwood/Cricket on the Line/Sony-ATV/Warner-Tamerlane/Ritten By Rhettro/Telemitry Rhythm House/Songs of Roc Nation/WB/Sadie’s Favorite/Combustion Engine, BMI/ASCAP; Valory (track)
– I love how he’s used the facts of his own life story to craft this. And it sure doesn’t hurt that it is ridiculously catchy.

SZLACHETKA/Heart Of My Hometown
Writers: Matthew Szlachetka/Jamie Kent; Producer: David Blanco; Publishers: Francis Marie/Lama TuMama, SESAC/ASCAP; MS (track)
– He used to be in a Los Angeles band called The Northstar Session that made some noise in Americana music with five albums. His solo outing takes a turn toward mainstream country. This title tune rolls along with admirable country-rock energy and a highly engaging melody. Think Jackson Browne meets Nashville.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Cry Pretty
Writers: Carrie Underwood/Hillary Lindsey/Lori McKenna/Liz Rose; Producers: David Garcia/Underwood; Publishers: Carrie-Okie/BIRB/BMG Rights/Maps An Records/Creative Pulse/These Are Pulse/Warner-Tamerlane/Songs of Crazy Girl, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol (download)
– Powerful stuff. Her vocal goes from a quiet, delicately phrased intro into a soprano-shout crescendo. It’s a power ballad with a pounding heart. Listen and believe.

 

JEFF CLAYBORN/Good Bar Attender
Writers: Jeff Clayborn/Doug Wright/Chuck Ebert; Producer: Chuck Ebert; Publishers: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; Axon
– A honky tonker that should have been better, but is dragged down by a muffled production and a thin-sounding vocalist.

SCOTTY McCREERY/This Is It
Writers: Scotty McCreery/Aaron Eshuis/Frank Rogers; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Triple Tigers
– Cool, sparkly production touches. The song is an extremely well written invitation to romance that could easily become an enduring wedding favorite. The ex American Idol winner grows up, and how.

DISClaimer: Ryan Hurd’s Star-Making Single

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Welcome to the first all-downloaded edition of DisClaimer.

Everything was compressed and played through my tiny computer speakers, so nothing sounded especially full bodied.

That said, here’s the good news. Ryan Hurd has released a star making single and triumphs over the competition to take home the Disc of the Day award.

I’ve enthusiastically reviewed the Music City band The Wild Feathers in pop/rock columns before. But their new single sounds like a bid for country acceptance, so they win the DisCovery Award.

LUCAS HOGE/Power of Garth
Writers: Matt Roger/Terry McBride; Producer: Matt McClure; Publishers: BMG Platinum Songs (BMI), Jam Writers Group (BMI), SWMBMGBMI (BMI), TMc Daddy Music (BMI), Ole’ Canalco Publishing (ASCAP), Rebel Engine
– It’s a fine ballad about nostalgia and memory. He was a boy when his parents played Garth Brooks records, and those sounds are still “wrapped around my heart.” Well produced and expressively sung.

DEVIN DAWSON/She Burns
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Atlantic (download)
-This echoey, spellbinding cover of Foy Vance’s tune fits him like a glove. I never thought he was all that “country” to begin with, so it makes perfect sense.

OLD DOMINION/Hotel Key
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; RCA (download)
– Jaunty and bopping as all get out. Stuttering guitars, rapid-fire lyric delivery, sunny attitude, sexy imagery. Go for it.

BLACKBERRY SMOKE/Flesh and Bone
Writers: Charlie Starr; Producer: Blackberry Smoke; Publishers: none listed; 3 Legged/Thirty Tigers
– Doomy and darkly rocking. Guitars grind in your face. The lead vocal is buried in the mix. Pass.

SMITH & WESLEY/Hook Line & Sinker
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed;
-Yet another Jimmy Buffett sonic rip off. However, they do sing well.

RYAN HURD/Diamonds Or Twine
Writers: Ryan Hurd/Laura Veltz/Mark Trussell; Producer: Aaron Essuis; Publishers: none listed; RCA (download)
– Superb. The melody is just lovely, and the lyric is ultra romantic. He wrote it for his bride, Maren Morris, and the video features lotsa footage of the lovebirds. He sings like he is head-over-heels. When you hear it, you will be, too.

WALKER HAYES/Craig
Writers: Walker Hayes; Producers: Hayes/Shane McAnally; Publishers: Songs of Kobalt/Songs of Smack/Smack Songs/Spark In Your Pocket/Rare Spark, BMI, Monument
– Sentimental rapping with a sparse rhythm track.

THE WILD FEATHERS/Big Sky
Writers: none listed; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: none listed; Warner Bros.
-This Nashville rock band emphasizes its stellar vocal harmonies on this airy and utterly charming tune. Evocative of California country-rockers The Eagles or of Crosby, Stills & Nash. Highly recommended.

CASSADEE POPE/Take You Home
Writers: Paul Digiovanni/Ben Hayslip/Emily Wesiband; Producer: Corey Crowder; Publishers: none listed; Fusion
– She’s a strong singer, so I don’t understand why her vocals are so processed here. Let the lady loose.

PARMALEE/Hotdamalama
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Stoney Creek
– The summer party season starts early with this rocking release. It ain’t exactly hillbilly music, but the kiddies will dig it.

DisClaimer: Moon Taxi, Big Shoes Offer Top Pop/Rock Tracks

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Moon Taxi

It’s a sunny season for the Nashville pop/rock community.

With Kelly Clarkson judging on The Voice, Jack White on the cover of the current Rolling Stone, blues rocker Mike Henderson cowriting with million-selling Chris Stapleton and The Shadowboxers out on the road opening for megastar Justin Timberlake, this side of Music City is definitely having a Moment.

Today’s listen to the community’s current sounds includes the legendary Peter Frampton, a comeback record by Raging Fire and a new album by my enduring favorite Beth Nielsen Chapman.

Taking home the Disc of the Day award is Moon Taxi. This former indie act is now on the RCA star-maker roster.

The DisCovery Award goes to the party band Big Shoes.

JACK WHITE/Connected By Love
Writers: Jack White III; Producer: Jack White III; Publishers: Third String Tunes, BMI; Third Man/Columbia
-His new Boarding House Reach collection kicks off with this shuddering throbber featuring ear catching percussive effects, rippling piano, soul-chorus backup singing and a passionate, shredded, top-of-his-range vocal performance. Gripping.

MOON TAXI/Two High
Writers: Moon Taxi; Producer: Spencer Thomson; Publishers: No More Worry, BMI; RCA (track)
– Joyous. This smile-a-minute bopper beckons us to raise our hands to the sky and celebrate life. A surprise, stuttering-sax section enters in mid song and gives the already ecstatic track an extra jolt of energy. I love this band. The album is called Let the Record Play. It’s available on vinyl. Buy it now.

MORGAN HERITAGE/Selah
Writers: M. Heritage/P. James; Producers: Morgan Heritage/Shannon Sanders; Publishers: Heritage 4 Life/Dubsmuggla, ASCAP; CTBC/Empire
– This Grammy Award winning family reggae band calls Middle Tennessee home. The members are the sons of Jamaican star Denray Morgan. On this single/video from its current Avrakedabra album, the group mixes traditional reggae beats with cool electronic touches, a segment of rapping and layered singing vocals. The track will make you want to move your body.

NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS/Prayer For Peace
Writers: Luther Dickinson/Cody Dickinson/Oteil Burbridge; Producer: Dickinson Brothers; Publishers: Vibratone/Tandem Liberi/Ausar Auset, BMI;
– Judging by their name and the fact that their dad was a Memphis music mainstay, you wouldn’t expect these sonic wunderkinds to be Nashvillians. But there they are, right there in West Meade. This is the title tune of the group’s current album (which is available on vinyl, hallelujah). It’s a hypnotic stew of blues, gospel, trance and pop that will set you free. By the way, their late father Jim Dickinson’s book I’m Just Dead I’m Not Gone is a pip.

BETH NIELSEN CHAPMAN/Come To Mine
Writers: Beth Nielsen Chapman/Graham Gouldman/Kevin Montgomery; Producer: Sam Ashworth; Publishers: Songs of Prismlight/Union Square/BMG Rights Management/Winona Blvd., SESAC/PRS/ASCAP; BNC (track)
– This Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer’s new Hearts of Glass CD drops next month.It leads off with this percolating, rhythm-happy pop tune about living life to the fullest while we’re here. “Bring your smile with its light/Bring what’s wrong we’ll make it right.” Bop along and believe.

WOOTEN CHAMBERS FRANCESCHINI/Trypnotyx
Writers: none listed; Producer: Victor Wooten; Publishers: none listed; Vix (track)
-Victor Wooten is best known for his work in Bela Fleck & The Flecktones. But he has an independent reputation as one of the best electric bass players on the planet. The title track to his current trio CD with funk drummer Dennis Chambers (Bootsy Collins, Santana) and sax man Bob Franceschini (Paul Simon, Mike Stern) is a dizzy, complex, whirlwind of percussive picking and stop-start jazz rhythms. Brain tingling.

RAGING FIRE/After Loving One Man From East Texas
Writers: none listed; Publishers: Pristine/BMI; Producers: Mike Purcell/Raging Fire; Pristine (track)
– Back in the 1980s, these folks were among Nashville’s finest punk rockers. The first album in more than 30 years by Raging Fire is titled These Teeth Are Sharp. This track from it stings and bristles with snarling energy and snarky attitude. They’ve still got the goods. I loved them then. I love them now.

KELLY CLARKSON/ I Don’t Think About You
Writers: Andre Davidson/Sean Davidson/Jessica Ashley Karpov/Michael Pollack; Producer: The Monarch; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/Numbers Don’t Lie/The Fraternity Music Group/Songs of Kobalt/Jessica Ashley Karpov/Evan And Eman Publish This/What Key Do You Want It In/Songs With a Pure Tone, BMI; Atlantic (track)
– Nashville’s reigning pop diva has just issued this torrid ballad as a single/video from her current Meaning of Life collection. Her high-soprano chops are on full display. Some gospel-y backup vocals are the icing on the cake.

BIG SHOES/Walked Out The Front Door
Writers: Mark T. Jordan/Rip Stock; Producer: Andy Peake; Publishers: none listed; Biglittle (track)
– Big Shoes is a seven-man blues-rock band comprised of top-tier Nashville and Muscle Shoals studio musicians. Its Music City notables include keyboardist Mark T. Jordan and singer-songwriter Rick Huckaby. The group’s Step On It! debut CD features this Jordan tune originally recorded by Bonnie Raitt. Their arrangement gives the number a certain New Orleans/funk vibe that’s mighty groovy. Collectively, these guys’ credits include Van Morrison, Etta James, Taj Mahal, Delbert McClinton and Bobby “Blue” Bland, as well as Raitt. So you know they know what the deal is.

PETER FRAMPTON/Black Hole Sun
Writers: Chris Cornell; Producers: Peter Frampton/Gordon Kennedy; Publishers: You Make Me Sick I Make, ASCAP; Phenix Phonograph
– Frampton’s Grammy-winning Fingerprints album has been reissued on vinyl this year. The Nashville resident guitar wizard demonstrates he has lost none of his power on this moody, dense, echoey instrumental that builds to a searing crescendo.

DisClaimer: Eric Paslay Tops New Releases

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Eric Paslay. Photo: Joseph Llanes

Today’s stack of discs features returning vets, current superstars and shiny new faces.

The blasts from the past are Ronnie McDowell and John Schneider. The hottest hitmakers are Keith Urban, Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert. And our baby acts include Lonny Ray, Risa Binder and our DisCovery Award winner, Tenille Arts.

Despite their many merits, none of the above takes home this week’s championship ring. The Disc of the Day honor goes to Eric Paslay.

TENILLE ARTS/Moment of Weakness
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; 19th & Grand
– Nicely done. The ringing piano, thumping percussion and echoey atmosphere on this melodic power ballad underscore a penetrating soprano performance. Lend this your ears.

CHRIS STAPLETON/Midnight Train To Memphis
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Mercury (ERG)
– The grinding guitar and relentless percussion announce a ferocious Southern-rock outing. Yet another hair-raising vocal performance from this powerhouse.

MIRANDA LAMBERT/Keeper of the Flame
Writers: Lambert/Hemby/Rose; Producers: Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf & Eric Masse; Publishers: Pink Dog/Sony-ATV/Happygowrucke/Creative Pulse/These Are Pulse Songs/Warner-Tamerlane/Songs of Crazy Girl, BMI; RCA (track)
– Miranda’s double CD The Weight of These Wings is full of awesome tunes. This irresistible toe tapper is a deliciously listenable song of strength and survival. She’s such a pistol.

JOHN SCHNEIDER/Fish
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Maven Music (ERG)
– An attempt at good-humored funkiness. The production is appropriately jaunty/goofy, but there’s a certain built-in seriousness in his voice that doesn’t do “cute” well.

KEITH URBAN & JULIA MICHAELS/Coming Home
Writers: Keith Urban/J.R. Rotem/Nicole Galyon/Merle Haggard/Julia Michaels; Producers: Urban, Rotem; Publishers: none listed; Capitol
– Haggard’s guitar licks kick it off, but after that it is tongue-tripping, burbling electro-pop all the way. Cleverly produced and crisply performed.

MIDLAND/Burn Out
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Big Machine (track)
– Is it just me, or does this sound like a clone of “Drinkin’ Problem?”

ERIC PASLAY/Young Forever
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; EMI (ERG)
– I love the way it starts out simply and then builds into such a joyous anthem. This is a bona fide hit, amen.

LONNY RAY/I’m Right Here
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; BMI, LR (track)
– It’s a baritone ballad with a mellow, r&b vibe and some cool guitar filigrees. Well written and sung with warmth.

RONNIE MCDOWELL/Crazy Crush
Writers: McDowell; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Richland Station, no performance rights listed; RM (track)
– This has a retro-country feel. The falsetto yodel each time he gets to the chorus word “crazy” is particularly ear catching.

RISA BINDER/You Came Along
Writers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Warehouse (CDX)
– The day’s strongest rocker boasts a “nervous” guitar run, a rumbling rhythm track and a sunny, soaring soprano chorus. Bright sounding.

DISClaimer: Willie Nelson’s Voice Remains “An Instrument Of Perfect Wonder”

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It’s a real horse race for today’s top-ranked new country sound.

Coming around the far turn and galloping into the home stretch are the records by The Frontmen, Jagertown, Tyler Rich and Josh Gracin. They’re running neck-in-neck for the Disc of the Day prize.

But coming from behind is a wise old pro who knows just when to turn up the heat. It’s Willie Nelson crossing the finish line first and leaving the youngsters in his dust.

The talented colt who takes home this week’s DisCovery Award is a young son of Texas named Zach Stone. Lend him your ears.

TYLER BOOTH/Hand Crankin’ People
Writers: Phil O’Donnell/Josh Thompson/Kendell Marvel/Justin Moore; Producer: Phil O’Donnell; Publishers: 16 Stars/Rooster Pecked/Sony-ATV/ole Songs of Better Angels/Blank Sheet/Georgia Buggy/Marvelicious/Big Music Machine/Double Barrel/Ace, BMI; TB (track)
-He sounds like Bocephus wading through molasses.

JAMES HOUSE/Leading Me Home
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Victor House (CDX)
– The vocal performance is spectacular, but the backing track is mixed too hot.

JOSH GRACIN/Nothin’ Like Us
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Revel (CDX)
-Sung with gusto, this has plenty of oomph. The rhythm track is dynamite. The song is loaded with hooks. Everything works. Definitely worth your spins.

THE FRONTMEN/If It Wasn’t For The Radio
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Frontmen (CDX)
– Now here’s some singing for ya. Individually, Larry Stewart (Restless Heart), Richie McDonald (Lonestar) and Tim Rushlow (Little Texas) have enough vocal firepower to send any song heavenward. As it happens, this one is a hit waiting to happen. Together, these three are an embarrassment of riches. And give a gold star to whoever produced the potent track.

TYLER RICH/The Difference
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Valory (download)
– Kinda pop-ish. Kinda catchy. Kinda clever. Ear candy.

JAGERTOWN/Rearview
Writers: Preston Creed; Producer: Matt McClure; Publishers: none listed; JCT
– I dig this. The fierce lead singer has bite and grit. The band plays with fiery conviction and lotsa punch. The kiss-off song packs a wallop. A winner.

MIDLAND & JAY DE LA CUEVA/Drinkin’ Problem
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Big Machine
-It’s their breakthrough hit, sung in Spanish. Whatever…..

MAGGIE ROSE/It’s You
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; MR (download)
– I have been a fan of this lady for a long time. Her ear-opening new music is a fusion of her country roots and old-school soul. Piercing, righteous passion.

ZACH STONE/Four Letter Word
Writers: Zach Stone/Will Stone; Producer: Sam Martinez; Publishers: Jetpack/Ripcord South, ASCAP
– His voice is quite wonderful, characterized by baritone warmth, expressive phrasing and controlled volume. His songwriting is just as impressive, because this is as polished and professional and hooky as any works by country’s master tunesmiths. This Belmont alumnus is ready for the big time.

WILLIE NELSON/Me and You
Writers: Willie Nelson/Buddy Cannon; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Publisher: none listed; Legacy (download)
– Willie rocks! This irresistible toe tapper percolates like a coffee pot. His voice remains an instrument of perfect wonder as he drawls out the wry, witty lyric. Play it again. And again.

DISClaimer: Sir Rosevelt, Southern Halo Offer Top Performances

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There’s strength in numbers.

Both of today’s award winners come from groups. We have strong solo performances here from Jillian Jacqueline, Luke Bryan and Shane Owens. But threesomes rule the roost in this listening session.

The Disc of the Day belongs to those three studs fronting Sir Rosevelt.

The DisCovery Award goes to those three blonde lovelies in Southern Halo.

JILLIAN JACQUELINE/Reasons
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Big Loud (ERG)
It has a very “thick,’ heavily produced sound and is admirably “different.” Penetrating through the sonic rumbling is a true, clear, personable vocalist with a winning song about a turbulent relationship.

SIR ROSEVELT/Something ‘Bout You
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Warner Bros.
– Hearty and masculine, with some very cool, pulsing rhythmic undertows. Sensuous and romantic and highly listenable.

 

SOUTHERN HALO/Anything Is Possible
Writers: Catt Gravitt/Carl Falk; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Razor & Tie/Ink Pen Mama/BMG, SESAC/ASCAP; SH
– The brightly rocking production is first rate, and so is this female trio’s superbly harmonized performance. Turn it up and twirl around the room.

THE OAK RIDGE BOYS/Brand New Star
Writers: Adam Raitiere/Mando Saenz; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publishers: Super LCS/Warner-Tamerlane/Scrambler/Carnival, BMI/ASCAP; Lightning Rod
– Hand clapping, toe tapping gospel. Of course, the quartet harmonies are splendid. A veteran act returns to its roots.

 

MICHELLE LEBLANC/Loving A Hurricane
Writers: Michelle LeBlanc/Amy Gerhartz; Producer: Nick Buda; Publishers: none listed; BMI/SESAC; MLP
– The tempo plods like it’s having an opioid overdose. Her pitch wanders and warbles every whichaway.

SHANE OWENS/Lie
Writers: Brian Callihan/Trent Tomlinson/Wayne Underwood; Producers: Steve Popovich Jr./Joe Kelly; Publishers: none listed; Amerimonte
– MusicRow’s 2017 Indie Artist of the Year kicks off 2018 with a lively country rocker. The totally cute lyric offers winking advice on how to get the best out of a weekend pickup.

 

WHISKEY WOLVES OF THE WEST/Lay That Needle Down
Writers: Jones/Powell/Ward Gunther; Producer: Leroy Powell; Publishers: none listed; Rock Ridge (track)
– This has a rootsy, bar-band country-rock approach. The lead singer has a kinda greasy, earthy sound. The lyric attempts to use nostalgic images to woo his gal, but doesn’t quite work.

LUKE BRYAN/Most People Are Good
Writers: David Frasier/Ed Hill/Josh Kear; Producers: Jeff Stevens/Jody Stevens; Publishers: SB21/Purdy Beard/Bluewater/Songs of Amylase/Five Hills/Do Write/Year of the Dog/Champaghe Whiskey/Downtown DLI, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol (track)
– I’m way into this. Wise and tender sentiments, delivered with smooth sincerity and backed by a wafting, breezy production. His strongest single in quite some time is already a well-deserved hit.

 

VINCE YOUNG/My Turn
Writers: Bernie Faulkner/Keith Harling; Producer: Bernie Faulkner; Publishers: Fancy Pants/Harling, BMI
– He’s trying awfully hard, but all the shouting in the world can’t save this overly rocking earache.

DOM WIER/Doses
Writers: none listed; Producers: Matthew Miller/Dom Wier; Publishers: none listed; DW (track)
– This rolls along with a steady beat. He sings well. Alas, the song is a muddled dud.