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DISClaimer: Jennifer Nettles, Eric Chesser Shine

January 7, 2016/by Robert K Oermann

The fallout from Dolly’s triumphant Coat of Many Colors holiday TV movie continues into this first DisClaimer column of 2016.

The film hit an emotional home run and was such a ratings blockbuster that they aired it twice. By the time they add up all the streamed and TiVo’d views, it could wind up as the most successful TV movie in history.

Here’s why it relates to today’s reviews. You see, the two best singles in this stack come from people who were in that film. Jennifer Nettles played Dolly’s mom. Stella Parton had a role as one of her aunts. Both of these women shine like beacons on their new outings this week. Jennifer Nettles earns the Disc of the Day.

Our first DisCovery Award of the year goes to Eric Chesser. He’s a 27-year-old fellow from a town outside of Chicago who sounds to me like he’s launching a promising career as a country singer-songwriter. We wish him the best.

JENNIFER NETTLES/Unlove You
Writers: Jennifer Nettles/Brandy Clark; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Jennifer Nettles/House of Sea Gayle/Highway 508/Clearbox, ASCAP; Big Machine
-Stunning. This burning ballad builds to a crescendo of anguish. The relationship is going nowhere, but she can’t deny her smoldering feelings. Power and passion in every note.

COLE SWINDELL/You Should Be Here
Writers: Cole Swindell/Ashley Gorley; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Combustion Engine/Jodie’s Favorite/WB, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
-It’s a perfect day. Perfect in every way but one. A loved one who has passed on isn’t here to share it with him. Aching and moving.

ERIC CHESSER/I Can’t Read Your Mind
Writer: Eric Chesser; Producers: Larry Beard/Eric Chesser; Publishers: Eric James/BIG BIG, ASCAP; BIG BIG (CDX)
-He has a sturdy, resonant baritone, and he puts it to good use on this self-penned, well-crafted ballad. She’s in a mood, and he can’t figure out why or how. A strong debut.

STELLA PARTON/Mountain Songbird
Writers: Stella Parton/Tom T. Hall/Dixie Hall; Producer: Stella Parton; Publisher: Good Home Grown, BMI; Raptor (CDX)
-Sweet. This is a lovely, acoustic, Appalachian tune, rippling with delicate picking and floating on female vocal harmonies. Clear and pure as a woodland brook.

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE/Drink You Away
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; RCA (ERG)
-I’m a big fan of this guy. This is a real cool single, but I don’t hear it as all that “country.”

VIOLET DELANCEY/When The Clock Strikes Midnight
Writer: Violet Delancey; Producer: Brent Truitt; Publisher: Honky Tonk Fairytale, ASCAP; VD (track)
– The title tune to this gal’s CD is a toe-tapper with a nifty twang guitar (Bryan Sutton) and a steel (Paul Franklin) that “answers” her vocal phrases. Her voice is light, but she’s surrounded by such hot picking, harmony singing (Randy Kohrs and Brent Truitt) and production finesse that it’s easy to overlook. The piano solo by Jeff Taylor is cool too.

ALLIE LOUISE/It’s Gettin’ Old
Writers: Allie Louise/Doug Kahan; Producer: John Jaszcz; Publisher: none listed; Sixth Beat (track)
-Bopping and full of personality. It is also a very well-written girl-to-girl slice of advice.

JUSTIN MOORE/You Look Like I Need a Drink
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Matt Dragstrem/Natalie Hemby; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Publishers: Round Hill Works/Farm Town Songs/Big Loud Proud Crowd, BMI/ASCAP; Valory (ERG)
– Crunchy and thumping. His drawling, Dixie-fried delivery is just right to tell this tale of a good ol’ boy who’s knows he’s getting dumped.

LAURA McCORMICK/Just Around The Corner
Writers: Rick Rowell; Producers: Laura McCormick/Rick Rowell; Publisher: Kit, ASCAP; LMM (track)
-A lively country rocker, full of upbeat optimism, positivity and hope. The chorus voices and handclaps at the finale lift the already-inspiring tune even higher. A winner.

JIMMY CLAY FRIZZELL/Where Do I Go From Here
Writers: Jimmy Clay Frizzell/Jimmy Parker; Producers: Jimmy Clay Frizzell/David Frizzell; Publishers: Feat of Clay/Eastern Seaboard, BMI; Nashville America
-He’s the nephew of the illustrious Lefty, David and Allen Frizzell. Like them, he’s a hard country stylist. Alas, he’s not nearly as good a vocalist. In fact, he barely stays on melody.

DISClaimer: Indie Artists Offer Sterling Holiday Tunes

December 17, 2015/by Robert K Oermann

Maiden Dixie

The indie acts are sending holiday wishes today.

There was, in fact, a bumper crop of seasonal singles by indies this year. In addition to these 10, Eric Durrance, J. Michael Harter, Troy Johnson, The Sarah Dunn Band, Emily Vance, Stephanie Thompson, C.J. Garton, Allie Louise and more put out Christmas singles this year.

Of those in today’s column, Maiden Dixie wins a DisCovery Award. The band is base in Minneapolis, and I’d sure like to hear more from it.

There were several new novelty tunes in this stack of platters, such as “Motorcyle Santa,” “Cowboy for Christmas” and our Disc of the Day winner, “That Better Be Santa Claus” by a witty cowboy named Greg Sterling.

SARABETH/Cowboy For Christmas
Writers: Sarabeth Swagerty/Glen Mitchell/Tim Morgan; Producer: Glen Mitchell; Publishers: Delta Pearl/Mathis Mountain/Ameribrit, BMI/ASCAP; Circle S (CDX)
– It’s a western swinger, with loads of fiddle and steel. A cool, yule toe tapper.

TEEA GOANS/Christmas Time Is Here
Writers: Vince Guaraldi/Lee Mendelson; Producer: Terry Choate; Publisher: Lee Mendelson Film, BMI; Crosswind (CDX)
-One of our finest traditional country singers shows off her jazz chops on this dreamy ballad. Soothing and swaying.

HALEY & MICHAELS/The Very Merry Little Christmas Medley
Writers: none listed; Producers: Haley & Michaels/Brad Hill; Publishers: none listed; H&M (CDX)
-This male-female duet scampers over eight standards in less than three minutes. For the listener with attention-deficit disorder.

STEPHANIE RABUS/That Red Nosed Reindeer
Writers: Justin Peters/Steven Rupe; Producer: Justin Peters; Publishers: Justin Peters/ABET, BMI; Platinum Planet
-She sings well, but the song is too wordy.

LEE ANNA McGUIRE/You and Me and the Christmas Tree
Writers: Constance/Lee Anna McGuire/Justin Peters; Producer: Justin Peters; Publishers: ABET/Platinum Planet/Justin Peters/Songs For The Planet, BMI; Platinum Planet
-Young sounding, with sprinkles on top.

THE NICKEL SLOTS/A Shot and a Beer for Christmas
Writer: Tony Bruska; Producer: The Nickel Slots; Publishers: Highway 113, ASCAP; Nickel Slots (CDX)
-This is a rockabilly romp with a bellowing vocal and a roaring track. Get up and jitterbug.

SKYLAR ELISE/Motorcycle Santa
Writers: Skylar Elise/Erik Halbig; Producer: Krik Halbig; Publishers: none listed, BMI; Lexi Dale (CDX)
-Rollicking contemporary country with a slammin’ beat and a offbeat lyric. Listenable.

MAIDEN DIXIE/O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Writers: traditional; Producer: Makoa Johnson; Publisher: public domain; Navigator (CDX)
-Nicely done. The ooomphy, echoey track surrounds the performance with drama. The male and female voices are equally strong and compelling on this imaginatively arranged standard. Send more.

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Greg Sterling

GREG STERLING/That Better Be Santa Claus
Writers: Chick Rains; Producer: Brandon Epps & Sam Martin; Publishers: Sony ATV Tree, BMI; Greg Sterling Music
-He surprises his wife by coming home early on Christmas eve in this irresistible tempo tune. She’s in a negligee he’s never seen before, and there’s a strange noise coming from the backyard. Very country. Very hilarious. Absolutely play it.

RUSTY RIERSON/The Reason for the Season
Writer: Nolan Kroeker; Producer: Rusty Rierson & Carter Green; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Record Ranch
-He doesn’t have much of a voice, and the track plods.

DISClaimer: Rhonda Vincent Tops Holiday Music Releases

December 10, 2015/by Robert K Oermann

The holidays will be here before you know it, so here’s the first installment of DISClaimer’s seasonal music guide.

There are some dandy tracks here, notably from John Berry, Mickey Guyton, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver and the duo of Kenny Rogers & Jennifer Nettles.

But nobody tops Rhonda Vincent. She has the uncontested Disc of the Day.

ROBBY JOHNSON/Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
Writers: John Lennon/Yoko Ono; Producer: James Stroud; Publisher: none listed; CMR
-His vocal is clear and strong, and he gives this plenty of country heart.

ERIC HEATHERLY/Christmas To Me
Writers: Eric Heatherly; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Psychobilly, ASCAP; Town & Country
-It has an r&b groove and a bluesy vamp. A bump-and-grind for the holidays.

LESLIE COURS MATHER/Santa Baby (You’ll Be Mine)
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Lion Eyes
-Saucy sounding. Best line: “I’m about to make your sleigh bells ring.”

RHONDA VINCENT/Dreaming of Christmas
Writer: Rhonda Vincent; Producer: Rhonda Vincent; Publisher: Sally Mountain; BMI; UM (track)
-Vincent’s Christmas Time CD has four of her original tunes alongside eight holiday standards. This lilting ditty kicks off the set with scintillating fiddle, mandolin, dobro and guitar work, lovely harmonies and an instantly lovable melody. Check out her all-star “Twelve Days of Christmas” featuring Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, the Oaks, Ronnie Milsap, Larry Gatlin, Jeannie Seely, Lorrie Morgan, Pam Tillis, Bill Anderson, Charlie Daniels, Gene Watson and EmiSunshine. Hands down, the best new Yule CD of 2015.

CLAIRE PETRIE & T. GRAHAM BROWN/He Would Be King
Writers: James Larson/Roger True; Producer: Mark Moseley; Publisher: Woodgrain, ASCAP; Mosrite
-Claire wisely lets his mighty T-ness take the lead most of the time, since his charisma is unstoppable. The song is quite uplifting.

JAMES ROBERT WEBB/Wonderful Christmas
Writer: Paul McCartney; Producers: James Robert Webb/Daniel Kleindienst; Publisher: MPL, ASCAP; Bison Creek (CDX)
-This McCartney favorite lends itself quite nicely to a country arrangement. Webb sings with warmth, and the session musicians are superb. Nice job.

KENNY ROGERS & JENNIFER NETTLES/Here It Is Christmas/Baby It’s Cold Outside
Writers: Kenny Rogers/Frank Loesser; Producers: Kyle Lehning/Warren Hartman; Publishers: Lilonsmate/Wixen/Frank, ASCAP; Warner Bros.
– As usual, Rogers is tops as a duet partner. Nettles does her part with deliciously jazzy phrasing. The strings are nicely done, too. Jennifer Nettles hosted ABC’s Country Christmas special last week, and tonight she’s in the spotlight on NBC in the TV movie of Dolly Parton’s “Coat of Many Colors.”

DOYLE LAWSON & QUICKSILVER/It’s Christmas Time
Writers: Charlie & Ira Louvin; Producers: none listed; Publishers: Central Songs, BMI; Mountain Home
-Lordy, these men can harmonize. This gorgeous ballad is decorated with both superb singing and poetic dobro and twin-fiddle accents. Spine tingling.

MICKEY GUYTON/Do You Want To Build A Snowman
Writers: Robert Lopez/Kristen Anderson-Lopez; Producer: Byron Gallimore; Publishers: Wonderland, BMI; Capitol (CDX)
-Swirling, echoey production backs a heavenly sweet vocal performance. Wistfully romantic.

JOHN BERRY/Blue Christmas
Writers: Billy Hayes/Jay W. Johnson; Producers: John Berry/Robin Berry; Publishers: Judy J Olmstead Trust/Universal Polygram, ASCAP; JB (CDX)
-Simple guitar, piano and brushed drums back him. And with a voice this splendid and a song this great, that’s all he needs. Masterful.

DISClaimer: Randy Rogers Band, Ray Price and Ashland Belle

December 3, 2015/by Robert K Oermann

Randy Rogers Band

The indie acts are in the spotlight today.

Whether they are big-label veterans like Randy Rogers Band and Ray Price, or freshly-minted newcomers, they are all plying their trade via independent companies.

The Disc of the Day belongs to Jamie Floyd, whose superbly-written songs have attracted an excellent-sounding group of supporting studio players. Music this good deserves major-league support. Somebody sign this woman at once and give her a ton of money.

The DisCovery Award goes to a band called Ashland Belle, a country-rock group based in Buffalo, New York, with booking and p.r. in Nashville.

RANDY ROGERS BAND/San Antone
Writer: Keith Gattis; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Publisher: Pioneer Town Songs/Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI); Tommy Jackson/Thirty Tigers
-The new Randy Rogers Band CD drops next month. The set, titled Nothing Shines Like Neon, features celebrity guests like Alison Krauss, Jerry Jeff Walker and Jamey Johnson. But on this rolling, breezy lead-off track, the band is on its own. And sounding better than ever.

RAY PRICE/No More Songs to Sing
Writers: Robert Ellis Orrall/Roger Springer/Tony Ramey; Producer: Fred Foster; Publishers: Ten Ten/Orrall Fixation/ole Red Cape/Drop Tyne/BMG Sapphire/Fast Horse, ASCAP/BMI; Amerimonte
-Ray Price’s final album is packed with emotional performances. This wistful, end-of-life ballad is one of its highlights. A keepsake from one of the all-time greats.

JAMIE FLOYD/The Blade
Writers: Allen Shamblin/Marc Beeson/Jamie Floyd; Producers: Brad Hill & Jamie Floyd; Publisher: WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)/Erin’s Dream Music (ASCAP)/Crazy Blue Egg (ASCAP). All rights admin. by WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)/Built On Rock Music (ASCAP) (admin. by ClearBox Rights)/Jamie Floyd Music (SESAC); JFM
-This former Epic artist is on her own now, with her own publishing company and label. Her six-song EP is called Sunshine & Rainbows and features this powerful throbber that is the title of the current Ashley Monroe album. Floyd’s own rendition trembles with emotion and aches with longing. Awesome.

ASHLAND BELLE/Fastest Car
Writers: Jimmy Yeary/Zac Maloy; Producer: Zac Maloy; Publisher: EMI Blackwood Music Inc./Great Day At THiS Music/Beattyville Music, BMI & Leo Rosewater/Warner Chapell, ASCAP; Ashland Belle

-This band shows real promise. There is fire and energy in the instrumental work, and the lead singer bites into the rebel-love lyric with gusto. This rocks in all the right places.

KAREN TAYLOR-GOOD/Hope in the Garden
Writers: Karen Taylor-Good/Rachael Good; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Abe’s Garden
-Abe’s Garden is now open on Woodmont Boulevard in West Nashville as an Alzheimer’s and Memory Care Center of Excellence. This is the title tune of a CD compiling songs about this tragic disease. It’s a lovely piano ballad with strings. Support this worthy charity.

CHLOE COLLINS/All Over Again
Writer: Chloe Collins; Producer: Mikey Reaves; Publisher: Collins House, BMI; Collins House
-She’s 15, and she solo-wrote all five songs on her EP. This lead-off track and first single is an instantly catchy ditty about a no-regrets romance. I dig her conversational delivery and her down-to-earth lyrics. This gal has the goods.

IMAJ/Colorblind
Writers: Ron Grimes/IMAJ/Jennifer Lynn; Producers: IMAJ & Mills Logan; Publisher: Timeless Creations/Love IMAJ/Jennifer Lynn, BMI/SESAC; Thomas Triomphe
-It’s a message ballad about spreading love and not being racist. She sings well, but the song is weak and repetitive. In mid-song, a news-announcer voice butts in and then she starts talking about her philosophy. Which is sonically totally weird.

SHALO LEE/Hometown Girl
Writers: Shalo Lee/Owen Sartori; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Owen Sartori & Shalo Lee; SL
-Recorded in Minneapolis, this is a pop-flavored female “attitude” number with a cool guitar figure running through it. It’s not gritty enough to be Americana, rhythmic enough to be pop/rock or twangy enough to be mainstream country.

JOHNNY REED FOLEY/Hillbilly Rockstar
Writer: Johnny Reed Foley; Producer: Billy Chapin; Publisher: Johnny Reed Foley, BMI; Inferential
-Have I mentioned how much I dislike country rapping?

TWO MILES SOUTH/Anywhere But Here
Writers: Billy Chapin/Matt McKeown/Camryn Wessner; Publisher: Funkamongus, BMI; Producer: Billy Chapin
-This is a female duo comprised of 18-year-old twins. The whole bouncy, boppy thing sounds slightly flat.

DISClaimer: Top-Notch Singers Reign Supreme

November 25, 2015/by Robert K Oermann

Keith Urban

Today’s field of airplay contenders is a crowded one.

Old Dominion, Drake White, Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan are all on hand, jostling for position. Leading the pack is Keith Urban, who has the Disc of the Day.

The DisCovery Award goes to a band that has evidently been on the road for 15 years, hence the title of its forthcoming January album, Fifteen. The advance single features the characteristic harmony singing of Green River Ordinance.

CHRIS LANE/Fix
Writers: Sarah Buxton/Jesse Frasure/Abe Stoklasa; Producer: Joey Moi; Publishers: Round Hill Works/Big Loud Proud Crowd/Bux Tone Music/Rio Bravo Music, Inc./Telemitry Productions/Year of the Dog; BMI/ASCAP; Big Loud (CDX)
-It ain’t all that “country.” It is quite catchy and bouncy.

KEITH URBAN/Break On Me
Writers: Jon Nite/Ross Copperman; Producers: Nathan Chapman/Keith Urban; Publishers: EMI April/Jon Mark Nite/EMI Blackwood/Songs By Red Room, ASCAP/BMI; Capitol/Hit Red
-Echoey droplets of sound fall around his aching ballad vocal. A simply beautiful record, one that explains why this guy is a superstar.

LUKE BRYAN/KAREN FAIRCHILD/Home Alone Tonight
Writers: Jody Stevens/Cole Taylor/Jaida Dreyer/Tommy Cecil; Producers: Jeff Stevens/Jody Stevens; Publishers: Sony ATV Tree/Universal/Red Vinyl/Words & Music/Sixteen Stars, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol
-Cool contemporary lyrics. Hooky melody. Admirably crunchy production.

Green River Ordinance

GREEN RIVER ORDINANCE/Red Fire Night
Writers: Green River Ordinance; Producer: Rick Beatto; Publishers: Green River Ordinance 2015, admin Kobalt Music Publishing; GRO (track)
-The lead vocal is rather ordinary, but when they sing together, the harmonies are outstanding. This band works constantly, opens for loads of country stars and has had music placements on more than 60 TV shows.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Heartbeat
Writers: Carrie Underwood/Zach Crowell/Ashley Gorley; Producer: Zach Crowell; Publishers: Carrie-Okie/External Combustion/Songs of Southside Independent/Who Wants to Buy My Publishing/Atlas/Combustion Engine/Sadie’s Favorite Songs/WB, BMI/ASCAP; Arista/19 (track)
-Disappointingly dull. Considering what a superb singer she is, it doesn’t have much of a tune. Sam Hunt sings harmony.

TOWN MOUNTAIN/Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo
Writers: Garcia/Hunter; Producer: Town Mountain; Publisher: none listed; TM
-This band covers Grateful Dead songs, country-style. The result is delightfully refreshing and utterly charming.

OLD DOMINION/Snapback
Writers: Matthew Ramsey/Trevor Rosen/Brad Tursi; Producer: Shane McAnally; Publisher: Carrot Seed Songs/Smackville Music/Smack Songs LLC; adm by Kobalt Songs Music Publishing. ReHits Music, Inc./Smacktown Music, a division of Smack Blue, LLC/Smack Songs LLC/Unfair Entertainment; adm by ReHits Music, Inc.; Songs of Big Deal/Wooden Ships Publishing; adm by BMG Rights Management (US) LLC; ASCAP; RCA (track)
-Very exciting. The jittery backbeat and rapid-fire lyric delivery carry you irresistibly forward. The whoa-whoa shouts are made for singing along. The finale electric guitar solo is sensational. The newcomers go two for two.

ROBBY JOHNSON/Hate Me Tonight
Writers: Jason Massey/Ryan Griffin/Mark Carson; Producer: James Stroud; Publisher: none listed; Contrast Music
-Nicely done. He sings with clear, direct force, and the production supports him at every turn. Worth your spins.

DRAKE WHITE/Livin’ The Dream
Writers: Tom Douglas/Jaren Johnston/Luke Laird; Producers: Ross Copperman/Jeremy Stover; Publishers: Sony ATV Tree/Tomdouglasmusic/Sony ATV Harmony/Texa Rae/Luke Laird Songs of Universal/Creative Nation, BMI/ASCAP; Dot
-The fact that this excellent performer isn’t a major star is a complete mystery to me. Here is yet another fine single from him, full of heart and energy and warmth. He sings of the joys of a simple life where having love is better than having material wealth. The track is rhythm happy. I remain a huge fan.

CHRIS STAPLETON/Nobody To Blame
Writers: Chris Stapleton/Barry Bales/Ronnie Bowman; Producers: Dave Cobb/Chris Stapleton; Publishers: WB Music Corp./House of Sea Gayle Music, admin. by ClearBox Rights; Quackhead Music; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing; ASCAP/BMI; Mercury (track)
-His relationship is busted, and he’s wailing the blues about it. And wail, he can. This man is a singin’ HOSS.

DISClaimer: Rhiannon Giddens, Plus Three Discs of the Day

November 19, 2015/by Robert K Oermann

DisClaimer takes a tour through the land of Americana this week and finds a lot to like.

So much so, that we’re giving out four prizes, instead of our usual two. The Disc of the Day honor is divided like an awards show. The Male Vocalist award goes to Tim O’Brien.

Our Female Vocalist winner is Andrea Zonn.

The Group prize goes to The Black Lillies.

One name stands tall as the winner of this week’s DisCovery Award. It is Rhiannon Giddens, whose solo CD should be in every home.

TIM O’BRIEN/Pompadour
Writer: Tim O’Brien; Publisher: No Bad Ham, ASCAP; Producer: Tim O’Brien; Howdy Skies
-Best known in bluegrass circles for his role in Hot Rize, O’Brien is also notable as a duet partner with artists such as Kathy Mattea and Darrell Scott. On his solo outings, he is an eclectic stylist, ranging through several roots styles. The title tune of his latest, for instance, is a wry, slightly goofy, blues outing about waking up with a brand new hairdo. It includes trumpet embellishments, yodeling and marimba playing. How’s that for eclectic?

LYNN TAYLOR & THE BAR FLIES/Hollow Man
Writer: Lynn Taylor; Publisher: None listed; Producer: Lynn Taylor; Lamon
-This Nashville outfit does regular club gigs showcasing the songs of its leader, who sings in a drawling, raspy, strangulated, soulful bawl. The title tune of its new CD wanders out of yer speakers with woozy, loosey-goosey, tipsy-sounding charm. Dobro and fiddle weave in and out of the mix.

DUKE ROBILLARD & SUNNY CROWNOVER/Evangeline
Writer: Robbie Robertson; Publisher: Medicine Hat, no performance rights listed; Producer: Duke Robillard; Stony Plain
-Blues-guitar champ Robillard has recorded his first acoustic collection. Titled The Acoustic Blues & Roots of Duke Robillard, it finds him sampling the catalogs of Big Bill Broonzy, Hank Williams, Jimmie Rodgers, Sleepy John Estes, The Delmore Brothers, W.C. Handy, Stephen Foster and more. Guests include Maria Muldaur, Jay McShann and Sunny Crownover, who handles lead vocals on this great swamp classic by The Band.

THE BLACK LILLIES/Hard to Please
Writers: Cruz Contreras/Bowman Townsend; Publishers: Black Lilly Music / Attack Monkey Productions; Producer: Ryan Hewitt; Attack Monkey
-For its fourth album, The Black Lillies enlisted an outside producer and Nashville guest musicians for the first time. The title tune delightfully mashes together thumping percussion, raucous electric guitar, saxophone, hand claps and soul-sister backup vocals on a rollicking r&b tune. Romping, stomping fun.

JIM LAUDERDALE/You Were Here
Writer: Jim Lauderdale; Publisher: Jim Lauderdale, SESAC; Producers: Jim Lauderdale/Luther Dickinson; Sky Crunch
-Lauderdale’s latest is an ambitious double CD called Soul Searching. One 13-track disc is Vol. 1 Memphis, and the other 13-track collection is Vol. 2 Nashville. The latter is not as “country” as you might expect. It kicks off with this moody, minor-key, rhythm-heavy moan. As you might expect, the musicianship is as outstanding as the songwriting. Also lend an ear to “Black Widow Spider,” “Tarzan Houdini,” “What Do I Know About Anything,” and “Why Does God Let That Happen,” the last named featuring The McCrary Sisters.

JAMES HAND/Why Oh Why
Writer: James Hand; Publisher: Slim Hand, BMI; Producer: Deborah J. Perry; Slim Hand.
-The latest by this countrier-than-country Austin artist is Stormclouds in Heaven, a bluegrassy gospel collection. He still sounds like George Jones, but this time he’s surrounded by mandolins and fiddles instead of steel guitars, as this lead-off track attests.

RHIANNON GIDDENS/Tomorrow Is My Turn
Writers: Charles Aznavour/Marcel Stellman/Yves Stephane; Publisher: None listed; Producer: T Bone Burnett; Nonesuch
-For her solo CD debut, this former member of The Carolina Chocolate Drops applies her liquid voice to songs originated by everyone from Dolly Parton and Odetta to Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Patsy Cline. The title tune is associated with the great Nina Simone. Giddens performs it as a languid, haunting, cabaret chanson that thoroughly hypnotizes. Essential listening. Also available on vinyl, by the way.

SHAWN MULLINS/My Stupid Heart
Writers: Shawn Mullins/Chuck Cannon; Publishers: Roadieodie/Warner Chappell/Chuck Cannon, BMI; Producer: Lari White; Sugar Hill
-I remain a fan. The excellent title tune of this singer-songwriter’s latest collection has him singing in a baritone whisper as it begins, then rising in intensity and volume as the ballad aches even deeper. The cello, steel and electric guitar effects are brilliantly blended. Applause for everyone involved.

ANDREA ZONN/Rise
Writers: Luke Bulla/Andrea Zonn; Publishers: Redding Theory/Zondrea/BMG Bumblebee, ASCAP/BMI; Producer: Andrea Zonn; Compass.
-This Nashville vocalist, songwriter and musician is best known for backing superstars like James Taylor and Vince Gill. Judging from her new solo CD, she has an address book to die for. Taylor and Gill appear, as do Keb Mo, Jerry Douglas, Mac McAnally, Sam Bush, Alison Brown, John Cowan and Bryan Sutton. Guest Trace Adkins is particularly awesome on the beautifully written “Ships.” The album’s atmospheric title track, “Rise,” has her lilting soprano offering a lyric of hope and optimism amid storm and danger.

KYLE FREDERICK/Eventide
Writer: Kyle Frederick; Publishers: Vandermont/Cry Angel/Melody Chief, BMI; Producers: Byron House/Kyle Frederick; Melody.
-This Nashville veteran has recorded in contexts ranging from country to rock. The title tune of his new collection finds is a doomy, urgent, echoey rocker with swirling organ, lumbering rhythm and deep-twang guitar, plus a harmony vocal by Emmylou Harris. Intriguing.

DISClaimer: CMA Awards Week Brings Out Top-Notch Releases

November 5, 2015/by Robert K Oermann

Florida Georgia Line

It seems the stars are out in more ways than one during this Country Music Week.

They twinkle at awards shows left and right. They sparkle at free concerts. And they also blaze brightly when they time record releases to happen during this media-saturated week.

The great Eric Church dropped a “surprise” album into the mailboxes of fans and friends on Tuesday, titled Mr. Misunderstood. Tim McGraw (Damn Country Music), Old Dominion (Meat and Candy) and Hunter Hayes (The 21 Project) introduce their new collections on Friday. Chris Young’s I’m Comin’ Over is out next week. Carrie Underwood (Storyteller) made a sales splash with hers last week.

And so it is that we find new discs by Frankie Ballard, Florida Georgia Line and Ashley Monroe in today’s review column. Not to mention well-timed releases by Opry stars Charlie Daniels and John Conlee. Even former pop princess Leigh Nash is getting in on the action.

Florida Georgia Line wins the Disc of the Day. Young Californian Callie Twisselman gets a DisCovery Award.

DEBBIE COCHRAN/Before We Met The World
Writer: Debbie Cochran; Producer: Kent Wells; Publisher: DMC Anniston, BMI; Go Time
-This former DisCovery Award winner has a lustrous country alto and a nicely warm, conversational, plain-spoken delivery. This rolling two-step charmed me at every turn. Get up and slowly shuffle around that Texas dance floor.

FRANKIE BALLARD/It All Started With A Beer
Writers: Jaren Johnston/Neil Mason/Jeremy Stover; Producer: Marshall Altman; Publishers: Sony-ATV Harmony/Texa Rae/Netwerk One B/Revelry/Nevada House/ole Red Cape Songs/Real Big Red Tunes; ASCAP/BMI; Warner Bros.
-I think this guy is a star. His relaxed, intimate delivery of this nostalgic and romantic tune certainly sounds like one. The production sways and soothes. The song is a well-written gem.

Callie Twisselman

CALLIE TWISSELMAN/Hung Me on the Line
Writers: Ford Thurston/Brynn Marie; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed, BMI; Sugar Cube
-Her bright soprano delivery is a wee bit sharp. The male harmony singers help, but the clippety-clop rhythm track doesn’t. Still, there is personality here, plus some nice electric-guitar work.

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/Confession
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Ross Copperman/Matt Jenkins; Producer: Joey Moi: Publishers: Big Red Toe/Farm Town Songs/Big Loud Bucks/EMI Blackwood Music/Songs By Red Room/Sony/ATV Music Publishing/WB Music Corp./Who Wants To Buy My Publishing/External Combustion Music, BMI/ASCAP; Republic (track)
-Troubled and adrift, a guy stares out at highway scenery and searches for solace. His thoughts swirl and become a confession to a cold beer. The track shudders, thuds and crashes around the vocals brilliantly. The drawling lead vocal brings out the terrifically arty lyric. I’m totally into this, and definitely hear pop-crossover potential.

HAILEY WHITTERS/Black Sheep
Writers: Hailey Whitters/Adam Wright; Producer: Derek Wells; Publishers: Scrambler/Tiltawhirl/Casa de Casa, BMI; Carnival (track)
-The title tune to this gal’s CD is a brooding, thumping, moody, minor-key gem. She sings with sizzle. The track swirls around her. The lyric is packed with clever nursery-rhyme references, such as, “Go tell that Little Bo Peep, don’t come in with this black sheep.” “Who wants to be white as snow?” she asks. “There’s always a little black wool/Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full.” This is the second time this writer-artist has pinned my ears back. Listen and believe.

ASHLEY MONROE/Bombshell
Writers: Ashley Monroe/Gordie Sampson/Steve McEwan; Producers: Vince Gill/Justin Niebank; Publishers:Monroe Suede/Songs of Kobalt/BMG Firefly/Dash8/EMI Blackwood/Birds With Ears/Sony ATV, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
-Ashley’s The Blade is one of the year’s finest country albums. On this haunting ballad she conjures a spell like a singing sorceress. The echoey production underscores every line of this doomed-relationship lyric. This Pistol Annie shoots straight and hits an emotional bulls eye here.

THE CHARLIE DANIELS BAND/Southern Boy
Writers: Charlie Daniels/Travis Tritt; Producer: Bob Wright; Publishers: CDB/Wooley Swamp/Post Oak, BMI; Smith (track)
-The CDB kicks off a new live album with this blazing, mile-a-minute country rocker. You can definitely hear the influence of co-writer Travis Tritt in the song.

LEIGH NASH/Doing It Wrong
Writers: Leigh Nash/Brendan Benson; Producer: Brendan Benson; Publishers: BMG Silver/Woman Hollering/BMG/Chrysalis/Gladsad, SESAC/ASCAP; One Son/Thirty
-Leigh has enjoyed a highly successful pop career in Sixpence None the Richer, noted for “Kiss Me” (1998) and “There She Goes” (1999). She’s originally from Texas, so she endeavored to make a country record with The State I’m In. As pert and clever as this is, she isn’t really a country vocalist.

JOHN CONLEE/Walkin’ Behind The Star
Writers: Ronny Scaife/Phil Thomas; Producer: Bud Logan; Publishers: Universal Songs of PolyGram/Virgin Timber/Feel’s Hunny Hole, BMI; RCR (CDX)
-It’s a pro-police song.

ERIC CHURCH/Mr. Misunderstood
Writers: Eric Church/Casey Beathard; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree/Longer and Louder Music/Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music/Six Ring Circus Songs; (BMI); EMI (track)
-Yes, I am one of the lucky few who got one. I am the envy of the office, since we are all tremendous fans. The title track of Eric’s “surprise” album is a spare outing with a terrific lyric about a boy who lives inside his favorite music and makes all kinds of left turns in life. It has a raucous, rocking charm with a speed-up, slow-down arrangement. All of the instrumentation on the collection is provided by his road band. Assorted tracks feature Joanna Cotten, Rhiannon Giddens and/or Susan Tedeschi.

DISClaimer: The Cox Family, The Hillbenders Offer Some of The Best in Bluegrass

October 29, 2015/by Robert K Oermann

The Hillbenders

People are always asking me what I’m listening to.

Well, in recent weeks, some of the coolest new records have been coming from bluegrassy acts like Donna Ulisse, The Cox Family, Dailey & Vincent, Ron Block and The Tennessee Mafia Jug Band.

Unquestionably the best of these is Gone Like the Cotton by The Cox Family. It isn’t traditional bluegrass, since several tracks feature drums, piano, steel or electric guitar. But it the Disc of the Day, whatever you call it.

The DisCovery Award goes to The Hillbenders for their audacious reimagining of a rock-music classic.’

THE HILLBENDERS/Pinball Wizard
Writer: Pete Townsend; Producer: Louis Jay Meyers; Publisher: Fabulous/Spirit One, BMI; Compass (track)
-You read that correctly. The Hillbenders are on the bluegrass charts with The Who’s “Pinball Wizard.” Not only that, the whole album is a reinterpretation of the classic Tommy, billed now as “a Bluegrass Opry.” The vocals work surprisingly well. The banjo accompaniment takes a little getting used to.

RON BLOCK/Smartville
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; RB (track)
-The longtime Union Station banjo man has a new solo instrumental CD titled Hogan’s House of Music. It kicks off with this lively, bouncing ditty that has a built-in smile. Guests on various tracks on the album include Stuart Duncan, Alison Krauss, Sam Bush, Sierra Hull, Adam Steffey and Tim Crouch. Highly recommended.

RALPH STANLEY, BUDDY MILLER AND JIM LAUDERDALE/I Am the Man, Thomas
Writers: Larry Sparks/Ralph Stanley; Producers: Buddy Miller/Jim Lauderdale; Publishers: Zap, BMI; Cracker Barrel/Red
-This patriarch’s new CD finds him collaborating with country stars such as Dierks Bentley, Josh Turner and Lee Ann Womack, bluegrass celebrities like Del McCoury and Ricky Skaggs and even rock stars Elvis Costello and Robert Plant. On this rousing gospel chestnut, co-producers Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale harmonize with gusto.

DONNA ULISSE/Hard Cry Moon
Writers: Donna Ulisse/Rick Stanley; Producer: Bryan Sutton; Publishers: Uncle Hadley/Pop ‘N Paw, ASCAP; Hadley Music
-Ulisse’s new CD is No. 1 on the Roots Music Report chart and No. 3 on the Euro Americana chart. I can certainly hear why. Its title tune is a mournful, melodic ballad with a gently caressing lead vocal and some gorgeous harmony singing from Jerry Salley and Rick Stanley. Heart melting.

DAILEY & VINCENT/We’re All Here To Learn
Writers: Karen Staley/Jamie S. Dailey; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Bluegrassambassador/Hobo Lizard, BMI; Pillar
-This award-winning group’s debut live CD is a Cracker Barrel exclusive. Recorded at a concert in a Virginia performing arts center, the set opens with this uplifting, inspirational and hard-driving performance. The bluegrass ensemble is backed by The George Mason University Student Orchestra. The sound is majestic.

THE TENNESSEE MAFIA JUG BAND/Lester’s Loafin’ Lounge
Writers: Mike Webb; Producer: Eric Heatherly; Publishers: none listed, BMI; TMJB (track)
-This good-time string band is a perennial favorite on Marty Stuart’s RFD-TV series. Its new CD’s title tune is about a real place that’s situated near Goodlettsville, Tenn., where good food and pickin’ parties abound. Owner “Lonesome” Lester Armistead passed away last year. This album and this song are dedicated to him. Fear not: Tennessee Mafia Jug Band member Mikey Armistead now maintains the Lounge’s traditions. If you can’t make the trip there, get this CD, and you’ll have a taste of its hearty cheer.

MIKE AULDRIDGE, JERRY DOUGLAS, ROB ICKES/The Three Bells
Writers: Jean Villard/Bert Reisfeld; Producers: Mike Auldridge/Jerry Douglas/Rob Ickes; Publisher: Southern, ASCAP; Rounder (track)
-This trio won the Instrumental Recorded Performance award at the International Bluegrass Music Awards earlier this month. No wonder: The three greatest Dobro masters of our lifetime are all on the same record together. Heaven sounds something like this.

LORRAINE JORDAN & CAROLINA ROAD AND THE KENTUCKY HEADHUNTERS/Runnin’ Water
Writers: The Kentucky Headhunters; Producers: Josh Goforth/Lorraine Jordan; Publishers: Them Young Boys/ I.B. Headed, no performance rights listed; Pinecastle (track)
-Jordan and her Carolina Road boys have titled their new CD Country Grass. It features them collaborating with John Conlee, Lee Greenwood, T.G. Sheppard, Eddy Raven, Crystal Gayle and the late Jim Ed Brown and Lynn Anderson, among others. They are midway up the Bluegrass Unlimited chart with this rip-roaring, lickety-split outing with The Kentucky Headhunters. Yee-hah!

THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS/American Girl
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Lumenhouse
-The Infamous Stringdusters’ new Undercover five-song EP entered the Billboard bluegrass chart at No. 1. It features the group reinterpreting the songs of Johnny Cash (”Big River”), Bob Dylan (”Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right”), Jimmy Webb (”Highwayman”) and, yes, Pink Floyd (”Fearless”). Their version of Tom Petty’s “American Girl” has a pinched-nose lead vocal, woozy fiddle lines and slightly sour harmonies. But the long instrumental ride at the song’s end is outstanding.

THE COX FAMILY/Gone Like The Cotton
Writers: Sidney Cox/Suzanne Cox; Producer: Alison Krauss; Publisher: ANSALLY/Marla, BMI; Rounder (track)
-Let me just state up front that I adore this group. The title tune of its new CD is a wistful waltz about loved ones who have passed away. The blood-harmony trio voices on the choruses are lump-in-throat listening ecstasy. Elsewhere on the set are cool reworkings of songs made famous by The Louvin Brothers (”Cash on the Barrelhead”), Bread (”Lost Without Your Love”) and Crystal Gayle (”I’ll Get Over You”). The album, by the way, is a completion of one that they began recording for Asylum back in 1998. Good music is truly timeless.

DISClaimer: Brett Eldredge, Backroad Anthem Offer Captivating New Music

October 22, 2015/by Robert K Oermann

Veterans and newcomers are in the mix this week, in equal portions.

Representing the first category are Jack Scott, T.G. Sheppard, George Jones and the enduringly awesome Don Henley.

New to the column are Mike & The Moonpies, AJ Kross, Alexandra Demetree and Backroad Anthem, all of whom show much promise. Backroad Anthem, a country band from Fayetteville, Arkansas, wins the DisCovery Award.

The Disc of the Day belongs to the red-hot Brett Eldredge.

BRETT ELDREDGE/Drunk on Your Love
Writers: Brett Eldredge/Ross Copperman; Producers: Copperman/Eldredge; Publishers: Sony-ATV Countryside/Paris Not France/EMI Blackwood/Ross Copperman, BMI; Atlantic
-I like the stacked vocal harmonies on the choruses very much. This instantly catchy thing is headed straight to the top. Take it to the bank.

ALEXANDRA DEMETREE/Outta My Head
Writers: Mark Oakley/Cherie Oakley; Producer: Bobby Huff; Publisher: MCRadio, ASCAP; SSM
-Nice work all around. The production is punchy and propulsive. The song is extremely well written. She sings like a bird in the sunshine. The key change in the bridge is super ear catching.

T.G. SHEPPARD & GEORGE JONES/It’s A Man Thing
Writers: Frank Solesby/Kelly Lang; Producer: Denny Diante; Publisher: Kelly Lang, BMI; Goldenlane (track)
-T.G.’s new CD is titled Legendary Friends & Country Duets. On it, the veteran hit maker teams up with Jerry Lee, the Oaks, Merle, Willie, Delbert, Crystal Gayle, Ricky Skaggs, Lorrie Morgan, B.J. Thomas, Mickey Gilley and even the late Conway Twitty and, here, George Jones. The departed Possum sounds surprisingly good with T.G. on this light hearted, charming ditty. Twangy, uptempo fun.

Backroad Anthem

BACKROAD ANTHEM/Torn
Writers: Thomas Archer/Jay Brunswick/Josh Bryant/Tommy Cecil/Toby Freeman/Jody Stevens/Craig Strickland; Producers: Jody Stevens/Tommy Cecil; Publishers: HoriPro, BMG, Swat, Sony/ATV; BA (track)
-Very modern and electronic sounding. The track throbs with energy, and youthful voices ring on the ultra tuneful song. Imaginative, listenable, professional and extremely commercial. Somebody sign these guys.

MIKE & THE MOONPIES/Smoke ‘Em If You Got ‘Em
Writers: Mike Harmeler; Producers: Michael Kingcaid/Mike Harmeler; Publishers: none listed; BMI; MM (track)
-Breezy-easy, smooth country rock from the Lone Star State. Open-highway music, if a bit on the bland side.

DON HENLEY/Words Can Break Your Heart
Writers: Don Henley/Stan Lynch/Steuert Smith; Producers: Don Henley/Stan Lynch; Publishers: Wisteria/Warner-Tamerlane/Matanzas/Ratshoes/Granite, GMR/ASCAP; Capitol (track)
-The production is superbly pristine, with a heartbeat rhythm, sighing steel, chiming guitar work and echoey open spaces. The song sounds like a country classic. Henley’s vocal is, as always, a thing of perfect wonder. Goddess Trisha Yearwood shadows him in angelic harmony. You will not find a better recording on the market today than this legend’s Cass County. Buy it.

AJ KROSS/People Gonna Talk
Writers: none listed; Producers: Steffon Hmulack & Eric Torrez; Publishers: none listed; AJK
-He has a warm, inviting singing voice. The song is a solid, sturdy construction. The production builds beautifully around his performance. I like this a lot. Who is this guy?

JACK SCOTT/Tennessee Saturday Night
Writer: Billy Hughes; Producer: Olli Haavisto; Publisher: Unichappell, BMI; Blulight (track)
-You music nerds out there are going to be thrilled when I tell you that the great Jack Scott is back with his first new album in 50 years. Canada’s finest classic rock-and-roll stylist immortalized “My True Love,” “Burning Bridges,” “Leroy,” “The Way I Walk,” “Goodbye Baby,” “What In the World’s Come Over You” and more in 1958-61. Still touring on the rockabilly circuit, he went to Finland to record his Way to Survive comeback CD, which mainly consists of country chestnuts. He kicks it off with a snappy, rockabilly reworking of this 1948 Red Foley oldie. For a 79 year-old guy, he sounds pretty good.

BREELAN ANGEL/Nothing Cuts Like A Diamond
Writers: Julia Carlson/Courtney Dashe/Sarah Allison Turner; Producer: Trent Wilmon; Publishers: Red Vinyl/No Bull About It/Dixie Stars/True Bearing, BMI/ASCAP; MisBehavin’ (track)
-She tries to give the ballad a plaintive, heartbroken delivery. I was unmoved. There was something rather mannered and mechanical about it.

THE MAVERICKS/Pardon Me
Writers: Raul Malo/Alan Miller; Producers: Raul Malo/Niko Bolas; Publishers: Big Machine/Raul Malo/Miller’s Tale, BMI/ASCAP; Valory (track)
-This time out, the Mavs executive an echoey ballad of romantic anguish. Deep twang guitar and searing tenor vocals give it a glowing, simmering heat.

DISClaimer: Showcasing Great Country Singers

October 15, 2015/by Robert K Oermann

Toby Keith

What is this, Great Country Singers Week?

It is inspiring and overwhelming how many great hillbilly vocal stylists we have on hand today — John Conlee, Shane Owens, Joe Nichols, Dylan Scott and the trio of Charles Kelley, Dierks Bentley and Eric Paslay. What a bonanza.

Taking home the Disc of the Day is another great one. Toby Keith is at the top of his game as a romantic balladeer with “Beautiful Stranger.”

Adrian Johnston

It says under her name on her record label that she is “just another blonde.” I beg to differ. With her perfect delivery of a great lyric, Adrian Johnston is this week’s DisCovery Award winner.

JOE NICHOLS/Freaks Like Me
Writers: Lynn Hutton/Monty Criswell/Josh Thompson; Producer: Mickey Jack Cones; Publishers: New House of Sea Gayle Music/Vestal Boy Music/Sony/ATV Publishing /Dixey Bar Music/Big Music Machine (BMI)/Two Laine Collections, ASCAP/BMI; Red Bow (ERG)
—Stuttering uptempo guitar twanging backs him as he catalogs the everyday-guy behavior that makes him a “freak.” This guy can sell a song like few others. Lend him your ears on this spiffy, percolating new single, guaranteed to charm.

DYLAN SCOTT/Crazy Over Me
Writers: Dylan Scott/Matt Alderman; Producers: Matt Alderman/Jim Ed Norman; Publisher: Curb/Curb Congregation, ASCAP/SESAC; Curb (CDX)
—His resonant baritone is a splendid vehicle for this toe-tapping romance ditty. Warm, gentle and human.

CHARLES KELLEY, DIERKS BENTLEY & ERIC PASLAY/The Driver
Writers: Charles Kelley/Eric Paslay/Abe Stoklasa; Producer: Paul Worley; Publishers: WB/30A Getaway/Spirit Catalog Holdings/Five Stone/Sprit Two/Year of the Dog/Words &l Music, ASCAP; Capitol (CDX)
—Charles steps out from Lady A for an outing with buddies Dierks and Eric. The stately waltz about life making music on the road has a terrific vibe, like an anthem for every music lover who’s ever lived. It begs you to link arms and sing along. Each guy takes a verse, and the instantly memorable choruses are for all of us.

SHANE OWENS/Where I’m Comin’ From
Writers: Kerry Kurt Phillips/Jerry Salley; Producer: James Stroud; Publisher: Dixie Stars, ASCAP; Amerimonte (CDX) (www.shaneowenscountry.com)
—Wow. What a singer. Somewhere, Keith Whitley is smiling, because this guy has the phrasing of a great, timeless country stylist. The uptempo song has dandy lyrics about what it means to be a common man. There’s just one misstep, songwriters: Contrary to the relentless fearmongering of the N.R.A., nobody is coming to take away your gun. Otherwise, you hit every line perfectly.

JOHN CONLEE/Bread and Water
Writers: Leslie Satcher/Vince Gill; Producer: Bud Logan; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Leslie Satcher/Kobalt/Vinnie Mae, BMI; RCR (CDX) (www.johnconlee.com)
—Hooray! An awesome country story song and a man who sings the fire out of it. A homeless drunk wanders into the mission and finds both sustenance and salvation. Brilliantly written and masterfully performed.

ADRIAN DUFFY & THE MAYO BROTHERS/Let Somebody Love You
Writers: Adrian Duffy/Martin Van Hoof Jenkins; Producers: Adrian Duffy/Matt Kemp; Publishers: none listed; SR (www.adrianduffy.com)
—This group has pleased me several times in the past. But I don’t like the way this somewhat out-of-meter song scans.

TOBY KEITH/Beautiful Stranger
Writers: Toby Keith/Bobby Pinson; Producers: Toby Keith & Bobby Pinson; Publishers: Tokeco Tunes/Bobby’s Lyrics Land & Livestock/Do Write, BMI; Show Dog
—This is a breathtaking, heart-in-throat performance. Toby’s vocal swoons in heavenly romance, and the strings wash over the ballad like a soothing mist. Exquisitely done.

MADDIE & TAE/Shut Up and Fish
Writers: Maddie Marlow/Taylor Dye/Pete Sallis/Aaron Scherz; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Super Big/Big Machine/Song Alert/Tunes of R and T Direct/Razor & Tie, ASCAP/BMI/SESAC; Dot
—Sprightly and pert. He gets her alone on the lake and puts the moves on her. This crowds her casting arm, so she dumps him in the water. Cute as the dickens.

MAKENNA & BROCK/Burnin’ the Night Down
Writers: Makenna Sullinger/Brock Vincent Wade; Producers: Paul Carabello & Clif Doyal; Publishers: none listed; ASCAP; Soundbyte (www.makennaandbrock.com)
—Pop-tinged tempo for your playlist. These X Factor alumni rock out on their debut single. Drums pound as they wail the tune. Both singers deliver plenty of passion.

ADRIAN JOHNSTON/It’s a Song
Writer: Maloy/Galyon/Dezen; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Dallas, TX
—Lovely. The song is a beautifully crafted evocation of what hearing a favorite tune is like. She sings it with heart, and the anthem’s production is absolutely perfect.