DISClaimer: Randy Houser Brings “Intensity Of An Inferno” To New Track

/by

Randy Houser

It’s a testosterone fest with an all-male lineup today.

Fortunately, the boys have brought their “A” game — there are some simply dandy listening experiences for our enjoyment.

I’m giving especially high marks to Cody Johnson, Florida Georgia Line, LOCASH and our Disc of the Day winner, Randy Houser.

It’s always a good sign when there are lots of newcomers in the mix who are making music as good or better than established stars. Two of them tied for the DisCovery Award this week, Seth Ennis and the band Levon.

JAKE ROSE/Family
Writers: J. Rose/K. Kadish/N. Chapman; Producer: Kevin Kadish/Nathan Chapman; Publisher: none listed; Starts With Music
– Spoken verses, shouted/sung choruses, pop/rock track. Kinda irritating, but kinda cool at the same time. Despite its musical shortcomings and its non-country qualities, the lyric about crazy best buddies is appealing.

RANDY HOUSER/No Stone Unturned
Writers: Randy Houser/Dallas Davidson; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Stoney Creek
– Righteous and true. He wanders America in search of himself with “no stone unturned, no turn un-stoned.” As always, he sings with the intensity of an inferno. The super-tasty, crunchy production is ringing and magnificent. A fabulous track.

 

JON LANGSTON/When It Comes To Loving You
Writers: Jon Langston/Dan Isbell; Producer: Jody Stevens; Publishers: none listed; EMI (download)
– His vocal is way too compressed. The generic-romance song doesn’t do much for me.

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/Sittin’ Pretty
Writers: Nick Donley, Michael Hardy, Jake Mitchell; Producer: none listed; Publisher:MV2 Music / Nick Donley Publishing (BMI). All rights o/b/o MV2 Music and Nick Donley Publishing administered by Words & Music, a division of Big Deal Music Group./ Harding Road Music / Watsky Music LLC (BMI). All rights administered by Songs Of Kobalt Music Publishing./ New Writers Of Sea Gayle Music / West Pass Music (BMI). Both administered by ClearBox Rights.; Big Machine
– Gentle, mellow, romantic and wonderfully groovy. As soothing as a summer breeze.

 

CODY JOHNSON/On My Way To You
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Warner Bros./CoJo
– Cody won a DisCovery Award two years ago. This new effort confirms my faith in him. His has a simply gorgeous country voice, full of expressive warmth and deep emotion. His phrasing is exquisite. His range is terrific. The song is first rate. The production is loaded with dynamics. If this isn’t a star-to-be, I’ve never heard one.

SETH ENNIS/Call Your Mama
Writers: Seth Ennis/Michael Hardy; Producer: Seth Ennis/Jordan Reynolds; Publishers: none listed; Arista (download)
– Lilting, sentimental and very, very sweet. The rippling production, light tenor vocal and delicate lyric are all just perfect. Play this.

 

DAVID NAIL & THE WELL RAVENS/Come Back Around
Writers: none listed; Producers: David Nail/Andrew Petroff/Jason Hall; Publishers: none listed; One Five Sound
-It has an echoey, rocking chorus, but his searing vocal cuts through it all. This is more pop than we’re used to hearing from this guy, but it’s still as listenable as all get out.

BLACKBERRY SMOKE & OLIVER WOOD/Mother Mountain
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; 3 Legged
– Terrific vocal harmonies sung around a campfire with acoustic guitars strumming. Very CSN&Y.

 

LEVON/Ms. Marianne
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed: Publisher: none listed; Epic
– This handsome trio has a winner with this super-fun song. He flunks out of college, takes a job as a bartender and falls for a lady customer. Alas, his crush is unrequited, but the merry melody bubbles along anyhow. Ridiculously catchy.

LOCASH/Feels Like A Party
Writers: Preston Brust/Chris Lucas/Corey Crowder/Tyler Hubbard; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; BBR/Wheelhouse
– Pickup trucks, drinking, singing, country girls. Same old, same old. But you can’t deny the hooky, sing-along, irresistible vibe. It even comes with the instruction, “Hands up, side-to-side.” A hit.

 

DISClaimer: Morgan Evans, Cole Bradley Top New Tracks

/by

Pictured (L-R): Cole Bradley, Morgan Evans

We have three handsome young men who are new the column this week.

Actually, almost four, since it has been five years since we’ve heard from the still promising Justin Adams. Anyhow, the three vying for the DisCovery Award are Cash Campbell, Chance McKinney and our winner, Cole Bradley.

There’s no question about who ruled the listening session. Morgan Evans continues to impress, every time I see or hear him in performance. Give this former DisCovery Award winner his first Disc of the Day award.

JUSTIN ADAMS/How It Rolls
Writers: none listed; Producer: Derek Wells; Publisher: none listed; Flycatcher (track)
– He has a pleasant, earnest tenor. The song is country-love generic. The rocking track rumbles along nicely. Easy on the ears, if not exactly life changing.

SOUTHERN HALO/I Think Too Much
Writers: Natalia Morris/Roxie Dean; Producers: Catt Gravitt/Gerald O’Brien; Publishers: Southern Halo/Sweet 202, BMI/SESAC; Southern Halo
– Jaunty, sunny and sweetly harmonized. I have liked everything I have heard by this trio. Give ‘em a shot.

CHANCE McKINNEY/Take It Back
Writers: none listed; Producer: Kevin Ray Lawson; Publisher: none listed; CM (track)
– Deeply masculine sounding. The steady rocking tempo draws you in at the same time as his throaty baritone. Hale and hearty and well worth a listen.

CHERISH LEE/Ones You Leave Behind
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; CL
– The daughter of Johnny Lee and Charlene Tilton continues to make her own mark in Music City. Her new single is a trembling, shakily sung ballad about loss, addressed to her brother who died of a heroin overdose. Considering our national opioid abuse crisis, it’s quite timely.

KEITH URBAN/Never Comin’ Down
Writers: Keith Urban/Josh Kerr/James Abrahart/Shy Carter; Producer: Josh Kerr/Keith Urban; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Maroma/Songs of Black River/Whistlepig Winners/James Abrahart/Artist 101/Songs of Kobalt/You Want How Much of What/BMG Rights, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol Nashville
– This ain’t country.

HARPER GRAE/Monster
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Jennifer Hanson/Nick Brophy; Grae Area
– Fearsome memories haunt her sleeping hours in this torrid tempo tune. The video makes it explicit that the “monster” was her mother’s alcoholism.

KATHY MATTEA/St. Teresa
Writers: None listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Captain Potato
-Mattea’s forthcoming Pretty Bird comeback album is heralded by this spooky, ethereal and utterly cool cover of a Joan Osborne gem. Lotsa crunchy, acoustic textures.

CASH CAMPBELL/Cannon Ball
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; CC
– Extremely well produced in a Euro-pop kinda way, but melodically repetitive and lyrically dull.

MORGAN EVANS/Young Again
Writers: Morgan Evans/Chris DeStefano/Josh Kear; Producer: Chris DeStefano; Publisher: none listed; Warner Bros.
– I dig this guy a lot, and he seems to be on his way. This extremely catchy, bopping anthem is another big step forward. Sing along and shout for joy. It needs to become huge.

COLE BRADLEY/Happy Hour
Writers: Cole Bradley/Sandy Chila/Michael Fitzgerald/Alex Dezen; Producer: Sandy Chila; Publishers: Warner-Chappell/Kala, no performance rights listed; Kala
– Summer fun beats, cute barroom lyrics and groovy spoken passages. The drinks are on Cole Bradley.

DISClaimer: Roots Music Veterans Take The Spotlight

/by

Pictured (L-R): David Olney, Phil Madeira

Nashville’s roots-music veterans grab the spotlight in this week’s Americana review column.

Two of them are sharing the Disc of the Day award. One of them is the eternally esteemed David Olney. The other is Phil Madeira, who is taking a radical left turn into jazz with his excellent new project.

Even the DisCovery Award winners have a vet connect. Rolling River Royalty includes Robert Jetton, who has been a Nashville fixture for 40+ years.

Also lending class to this listening session were such old faves as James House and Doug Green (a.k.a Ranger Doug).

JAMES HOUSE & THE BLUES COWBOYS/Long Way Down
Writers: James House; Producer: James House; Publisher: none listed; Producer: James House; Victor (track)
– James has long been a shape shifter. He began as a pop act in the ‘80s, achieved moderate success as country artist in the ‘90s (”This Is Me Missing You”) and then became a highly successful writer for others (”A Broken Wing,” “Ain’t That Lonely Yet,” “In a Week or Two”). Now he’s a steamy blues rocker with a new billing and a new CD. His new voice is a hoarse, strangulated, urgent squall, and the tracks are hot stuff. Recommended.

ROLING RIVER ROYALTY/Pissed
Writers: Robert Jetton/Wen Tilley; Publisher: Rocking Ranchero/Wendell Tilley, BMI; Producer: none listed; Kingfish/New Bohemian
– I am a longtime fan of Nashville singer-songwriter Robert Jetton. His latest project is a collaboration with a neighbor named Wen Tilley. Their debut CD features tunes that “Robo” has written with Dennis Lord and Delbert McClinton, a pair of Haggard covers and two traditional tunes, as well as some of the songs he’s created with his new confederate. This one is tongue-in-cheek honky tonker that will have you tapping your toes and smiling like a loon. The sound is charmingly uncomplicated, clear and clean, featuring tasteful guitar work, lilting mandolin, steel, twang and sweet harmonies.

DON MCLEAN/Botanical Gardens
Writers: Don McLean; Publishers: Benny Bird/Universal; Producers: Mike Severs/Don McLean/Pat Severs; BMG
– The title tune of this veteran’s new CD is a rumbling, echo-y, bluesy rocker. But all the cool, moody production in the world can’t change the fact that he sings in a white-boy folk voice.

BEN DE LA COUR/Dixie Crystals
Writers: Ben de aa Cour; Publisher: Flour Sack Cape, BMI; Producers: Ben de la Cour and Joe Lekkas; Flour Sack Cape
– This Music City sing-songwriter kicks off his new CD, The High Cost of Living Strange, with a bopping, fiddle-soaked, dark little vignette of meth addiction. It’s pretty “noir,” but pretty dang cool.

PHIL MADEIRA/Rich Man’s Town
Writers: Phil Madeira; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Phil Madeira; Mercyland
– This man does so many things well. He’s been a stalwart of Emmylou Harris’s Red Dirt Boys band, an ace session musician, a respected contributor to the CCM genre, a hit Americana music creator and a songwriter for the likes of Alison Krauss, Amy Grant, Toby Keith and The Civil Wars. Now he’s a piano-based jazzman with a CD about the tribulations of his working-class New England homeland. This track is a dazzling accomplishment, just one of many on his Providence collection. Essential.

JOHNNY RIVERS/I Stand Accused
Writers: Jerry Butler/Billy Butler; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Johnny Rivers; Soul City
– This ‘60s pop star has crafted a new EP that collects some of his longtime favorite songs. They come from the likes of Glenn Frey, Jack Tempchin and Roy Orbison. His own ballad, “Land of Dreams,” serves as the title tune. The set kicks off with this languid, soulful take on Jerry Butler’s 1964 oldie.

MISSOURI MILE/Make Me Fall
Writers: Sheena Persons/Sheila Rochelle/Byron Hill; Publishers: Song Source/Triage/Rambler American/DHM, ASCAP/BMI; Producer: Byron Hill; BHP
– This sister duo has a flawless vocal-harmony blend and a strummy, acoustic-guitar sound. Think of a more folkie Judds. Their new CD, A Million Miles Away, begins with this gentle, airy, relaxing outing that will pleasantly lull your senses. In case you haven’t heard, their producer and songwriting collaborator, Byron Hill, is most deservedly being inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame this fall.

RANGER DOUG/The Blue Juniata
Writers: Marian Dix Sullivan; Publishers: public domain; Producer: Joey Miskulin; Rural Rhythm
– No, he hasn’t left Riders In the Sky. In fact, the other members of the group are very much a part of his “solo” Songs of the Frontier album. Four of the selections are traditional cowboy folk songs and all of the rest are so old they’ve slipped into the public domain, including this lovely 1844 tune that begins the proceedings. You’ll take a scenic audio ride into Americana western glories when you spin this disc.

MARK HUFF/Stars For Eyes
Writers: Mark Huff; Publishers: Zero Weather/BMG; SESAC; Producer: Chad Brown; Exodus Empire
– This fellow has been a singer-songwriter on the Nashville scene for about a decade. The title song of his newest CD boasts a sincere, soft, tenor lead vocal and a swirl of layered pop instrumentation. Engaging, if not exactly rootsy.

DAVID OLNEY/This Side Or The Other
Writers: David Olney/Annie McCue/John Hadley; Publishers: Reed Lily/Milkman’s Daughter/Hadley Six, ASCAP/APRA/BMI; Producers: Steve Dawson/DAvid Olney; Black Hen (track)
– This durable troubadour’s troubadour is back with another darkly expressive collection. As always, he is a mountain of vocal charisma as well as a stunning song poet. In addition to a clutch of originals, you’ll find a fascinating cover of The Zombies’ “She’s Not There” on the CD. The title tune waltz speaks of love until death to the accompaniment of sighing steel, chiming guitar and wistful harmonica. Check out the cast — Fats Kaplan, The McCrary Sisters, Charlie McCoy and the man’s own road warriors. This is a record to spend some quality time with, so get in line when it drops a week from Friday.

DISClaimer: Kenny Chesney Tops New Tracks With “Better Boat”

/by

How about a little Louisiana hot sauce with your music meal today?

That’s what is being offered by our DisCovery Award winners, Yvette Landy & The Jukes featuring Roddie Romero. They’re serving something zesty and different. Go ahead, give ‘em a taste.

Kenny Chesney takes home a Disc of the Day trophy. Give both the man and his new label props for letting his debut for the company be a benefit record for Caribbean hurricane relief.

Other worthy items on your plate today include singles by Jake Owen, the Calamity Janes and the splendid Danielle Bradbery/Thomas Rhett duet.

DALLAS REMINGTON/Never Turned Around
Writers: Dallas Remington/Regan Stewart; Producers: Kirk Willie/Kimo Forrest; Publishers: none listed; RoadWarrior
– Her vocal is just the teensiest bit flat. The punchy track is masterfully mixed.

HUNTER HAYES/Dear God
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Atlantic
– The lyric is very anguished. It reminds me of how conflicted and tormented we all felt as teenagers. The verses are semi-spoken, a style I have never liked much. But there are melodic moments in the choruses. All in all, an odd little single.

YVETTE LANDRY & THE JUKES/I Need Somebody Bad
Writers: B.J. Peters Jr.; Producers: Yvette Landry, Roddie Romero & Justin Tocket; Ben Peters, BMI; Soko Music (track)
– It’s an echoey ‘50s retro sound, complete with piano triplets, sighing steel guitar and softly punctuating sax. She has a cool, seductive voice that dips attractively into deep alto pockets. The track makes you feel like you’re in a bayou honky-tonk. And that’s a good feeling to have. The swampy, spicy album, featuring co lead vocalist Roddie Romero, is titled Louisiana Lovin.’ Seek it out.

 

JAKE OWEN/Down to the Honkytonk
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Luke Laird/Shane McAnally; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Big Loud
– Holy mackerel! Jake Owen has issued his most “country” tune ever, and you are going to love it. This is a barroom sing-along, a drinking anthem and a party pleaser. Steel guitar abounds. The chorus is classic. Grab a brew and stomp along.

JOHN SCHNEIDER/Can I Buy You A Beer
Writers: Mason Douglas; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Odyssey
– This sounds feeble. Find a producer.

TUCKER BEATHARD/Real World Hall of Fame
Writers: Tucker Beathard/Casey Beathard/Ryan Tyndell/Jordan Rigby; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; TB
– Written to salute his grandfather’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, it also recognizes that there are “Hall of Fame” people everywhere. The video shows footage of a teacher, a fireman, a soldier, a mom, a policeman and other folks, in addition to gridiron stars. Bobby Beathard, the granddad, was a g.m. and/or administrator of the Redskins, Chargers, Dolphins, Chiefs and Falcons during a three-decade career that included four Super Bowl wins.

E

 

CHRIS LANE & TORI KELLY/Take Back Home Girl
Writers: none listed; Producer: Joey Moi; Publishers: none listed; Big Loud
-Tuneless hip-hop. I hate it.

DANIELLE BRADBERY & THOMAS RHETT/Goodbye Summer
Writers: Thomas Rhett/Rhett Akins; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Valory Music
– They sound great together. This swirling, melodic outing showcases both voices beautifully. And both of them prove to be able harmonizers. This is headed straight to the top.

CALAMITY JANES/Light It Up
Writers: A. Childs; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed, BMI; CJ
– Love their harmonies. The gist of the languid, sensuous song is that sometimes it’s best to burn your bridges behind you.

KENNY CHESNEY & MINDY SMITH/Better Boat
Writers: Travis Meadows/Liz Rose; Publishers: none listed; Producers: Buddy Cannon/Kenny Chesney; WB/Blue Chair
– Gentle, acoustic, contemplative and completely lovely. Mindy’s harmony vocal is angelic. An exquisite listening experience.

DISClaimer: Runaway June Offers A Runaway Hit

/by

Country’s guys and gals are going head to head this week.

Kelly Willis and Cassadee Pope are duking it out with Chase Rice and the Wild Feathers, not to mention darkhorse contender R.J. Comer (who is checking in with his second stunning album in a row). In this contest, we listeners are the winners.

The ladies snare the Disc of the Day prize, thanks to the splendidly catchy release by Runaway June.

The men have the DisCovery Award winner, an interesting new singer-songwriter named Justin Fabus.

JUSTIN FABUS/Remedy
Writers: J. Fabus; Producers: Matt Very, Austin Ostiguy, Justin Fabus; Publishers: none listed; JF (track)
-His voice is a fizzy, ear-catching tenor and the CD title track has a nice, r&b feel. Unfortunately, the tempo is tediously sluggish. There are better single choices on this collection.

CHASE RICE/Eyes On You
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Chase Rice/Chris DeStefano; Producer: Chris Destafano & Jacquire King; Publishers: Sony-ATV Countryside/Jack Daniels/EMI April/CDS Words and Music/WB/Combustion Engine/Sadie’s Favorite, BMI/ASCAP; BBR/Jack Daniels
– Nicely romantic. Wherever they go, whatever they do, he only has eyes for her. I like the way his vocal is mixed with so much intimacy and presence. The title is repeated about 30 times too often for my taste, but it’s still a nifty little record.

THE BAND STEELE/Sit Awhile
Writers: Bo Steele/Ben Rubino; Producers: Rob Burrell/Stacy Savola; Publishers: FRMG/Kadence Faith/B Rubino, BMI; Fire River
– This has a richly masculine sound. It’s about reflecting and meditating and letting grief take its time. It’s a good thing the vocals are so strong, because the production isn’t much.

KELLY WILLIS/Don’t Step Away
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Premium/Thirty Tigers
– Love it! The r&b backbeat, steady throb and sensuous groove push alla my buttons. As always, her Texas-country vocal phrasing, slightly saucy tone and gentle confidence are utterly charming.

SARAH LAWTON/Sticks and Stones
Writers: none listed; Producer: Kenny Zaridar; Publishers: none listed; SL
– This has plenty of sass and attitude. But the song does nothing for me, and there’s not much about the irritating production that I would characterize as “country.”

CASSADEE POPE/One More Red Light
Writers: Cassadee Pope/Kelly Archer/Emily Shackelton; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; CP
– Punchy and propulsive. Loaded with energy and drive.

BAILEY JAMES/Kiss Me Goodbye
Writers: Bailey James Koehler/Jeannie McQuinn/Shelby Lee Lowe; Producer: Jeffrey Teague; Publishers: none listed, ASCAP/BMI, BJ
– She sings with moxie. The song is too wordy. The arrangement just lays there.

WILD FEATHERS/Stand By You
Writers: none listed; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: none listed; Warner Bros.
– I love this Nashville band. I liked ‘em when they were rockers, and I think it’s very cool that they’ve shifted gears into country. This thing has more hooks than a tuna boat. If the track doesn’t make you want to get up and bop around the room, you need a rhythm injection. Ridiculously catchy.

R.J. Comer/One Last Kiss
Writers: R.J. Comer; Producer: Shawn Byrne; Publishers: Pack of Three, SESAC; Growling Moon
– The title tune of Comer’s new CD is a doomsday dirge of despair. But it was so compelling that I couldn’t turn away. Death has seldom sounded more fascinating. Recommended, especially at midnight.

RUNAWAY JUNE/Buy My Own Drinks
Writers: Hannah Mulholland, Jennifer Wayne, Naomi Cooke, Hillary Lindsey, Josh Kear; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: 2018 BMG Platinum Songs (BMI) admin by BMG Rights Management (US), LLC, BMG Silver Songs (SESAC) admin by BMG Rights Management (US), LLC, BMG Gold Songs (ASCAP) admin by BMG Rights Management (US), LLC, Rezonate Music (ASCAP) admin by BMG Rights Management (US), LLC, BIRB Music (ASCAP) admin by BMG Rights Management (US), LLC, Champagne Whiskey Pub (ASCAP) admin by Downtown DLJ Songs, Downtown DLJ Songs (ASCAP). All rights reserved. Used by permission.; BBR/Wheelhouse
-Feisty and frisky. She’s got a busted heart, but she’s going out to the neon lights to party all by herself. The rollicking tempo, triple harmonies and deliciously crunchy production are all just fabulous. Make this a smash.

 

DISClaimer’s Day For New Beginnings: Mason Ramsey, Sarah Ross, Riley Green, Tenille Arts

/by

Pictured (clockwise from bottom left): Riley Green, Mason Ramsey, Sarah Ross, Tenille Arts

This is a day for new beginnings.

Today, DISClaimer presents a flurry of deserving newcomers. Mason Ramsey, Sarah Ross, Riley Green and Tenille Arts are all staging worthy disc debuts. In a very, very tough competition, I’m giving a DISCovery Award to Riley Green.

Considering that it’s July, it is somewhat surprising to find that two of the three contestants for Disc of the Day are ballads. Morgan Evans has the day’s top uptempo tune, which leaves two blue-eyed soulmen seething in downbeat misery—Ryan Kinder and our winner, Randy Houser.

TENILLE ARTS/I Hate This
Writer: Tenille Arts/Adam Wheeler; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Reviver 
—The shuffled-brush drumming and dobro embellishments are way cool. She harmonizes with herself throughout the performance, and since she’s such a strong singer, that’s double the pleasure. The lyric is about taking a break in a relationship and not enjoying that one little bit. A terrific debut disc.

CLEDUS T. JUDD/Weight’s Goin’ Up Down Up Down
CTJM
—He always makes me smile. This comeback single humorously addresses his eternal battle of the bulge. Just so you know: At his heaviest, he weighed 291, and he has dieted down to as low as 168. He’s somewhere in between, nowadays. Whatever the pounds, he’s out to have some goofy fun, this time at the expense of Morgan Wallen and FGL.

RAELYNN/Tailgate
Writer: RaeLynn/Canaan Smith/Corey Crowder/Tyler Hubbard; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Warner Bros. 
—Sprightly, youthful and endearing. Teen fun, country style.

SARAH ROSS/Nervous Breakdown
Writer: Shane McAnally/Kacey Musgraves/Trevor Rosen/Brandy Clark; Producer: Jim Kaufman; Publisher: Little Blue Egg/Kobalt/Smack Songs/351/Warner-Tamerlane/Rehits/Smacktown, GMR/BMI/ASCAP; Average Joe’s
—Swirling and dizzy-sounding, featuring a production packed with dark rhythmic power, unexpected melodic twists and catch-’em-quick lyrics. Brilliantly written, frenetic and fascinating.

RANDY HOUSER/What Whiskey Does
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; BBR/Stony Creek
—This is a searing barroom weeper from a man whose voice can turn a lyric inside out. Country music hallelujah amen.

RYAN KINDER/Stay
Writer: Ryan Kinder/Fred Wilhelm/Luke Sheets; Producer: Ryan Kinder & Luke Sheets; Publisher: none listed; Crimson Garden
—Ferociously soulful. He tears into this torrid ballad like his very life depends on it. The gal he is pleading to will surely succumb.

MASON RAMSEY/Famous
Writer: Corey Crowder/Canaan Smith/Sarah Buxton/Tyler Hubbard; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Warner-Chappell/BMG Rights; Atlantic/Big Loud
—In general, I hate kiddie acts. Unless they are/were Stevie Wonder or Brenda Lee or Judy Garland. Well, it turns out that the yodeling Walmart kid can really, really sing. So not only is this a wonderful Cinderfella story, it is accompanied by music with legs. His debut single is delivered in a solid, winning fashion and an uncomplicated directness that is marvelously refreshing.

MORGAN EVANS/American
Writer: Morgan Evans/Chris DeStefano/Josh Osborne; Warner Bros.
—Stirring and anthemic. You’ll shake your butt, bob your head, tap your toes, pump your fist and want to sing along. This man has the goods.

WILLIAM SHATNER & JEFF COOK/Friends Don’t Let Friends Drink Alone
Writer: Corey Lee Barker/Gary Hannan; Producer: Brian Curl, Jeff Cook & William Shatner; Publisher: Heartland/Never Forgotten; Heartland
—A throw-back honky tonker with barrelhouse piano, bouncing fiddle bow, woozy steel and thumped drums. Shatner recites the verses while Cook tries to salvage things by singing the choruses. An amusing diversion.

RILEY GREEN/There Was This Girl
BMLG
—Bubbling, boiling and shooting off steam. The rollicking rhythm, country-boy vocal delivery and unstoppable energy are a dynamite combination. Stardom awaits.

DISClaimer: Top Tracks Go To David Nail, Radney Foster, Ry Bradley

/by

Today’s honored discs don’t belong to the biggest country stars.

Despite the presence of titans Eric Church and Blake Shelton, both of whom have dandy new efforts, I’m tossing bouquets at David Nail and Radney Foster.

David has always moved me with his mighty voice. His new sound is splendid.

And leave it to country music and to Radney to show decency, love, caring and true Christian charity to people who have been treated as sub-humans by our government. “Godspeed,” indeed.

These two share this week’s Disc of the Day award.

The DisCovery Award honoree is Southern California country rocker Ry Bradley.

RY BRADLEY/Hard Not To Feel
Writers: Ry Bradley/Justin Busch; Producer: Justin Busch; Publishers: Grade One View, ASCAP/BMI; Grade One View
– Pretty dang cool. It has a throbbing, irresistible rhythm and double-time delivery of its verse lyrics. His voice ranges from a gritty growl to a shouted tenor, which gives the disc loads of dynamics. Toss in a sizzling electric guitar solo and an electronic effect or two and you’ve got a mini audio sensation.

CAM/Road To Happiness
Writers: Cam/Tyler Johnson/Hillary Lindsey; Producer: Tyler Johnson; Publishers: none listed; RCA
– This is quite a switch from that barn-burner “Diane,” which I adored. It’s a low-key, philosophical ballad with an acoustic-guitar accompaniment. Very pretty, but I’m fearful of its chances at radio. In a word, disappointing.
 

E

 
CODY JINKS/Must Be The Whiskey
Writers: Cody Jinks/Josh Morningstar; Producer: Joshua Thompson/Arthur Penhallow Jr.; Publishers: Late August/Sad Smiles, BMI; Rounder
– This bearded Texas baritone is a real-deal country singer. This steel-soaked barroom toe tapper mines familiar boozy country ore. Spare and ear catching. His second Rounder single is more languid, a ballad titled “Somewhere Between I Love You and I’m Leavin.’” Play this one instead.

ERIC CHURCH/Desperate Man
Writers: Eric Church/Ray Wylie Hubbard; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Londer and Louder/Snake Farm/BMG Rights, BMI/SESAC; EMI
– Urgent sounding. A nervous, choppy rhythm track sets the mood. Church comes in shouting like a latter-day Mick Jagger while the production builds in volume and intensity. Rocking and roaring. Co-writer Ray Wylie Hubbard is featured in the tune’s “vinyl-heist” video, which also offers beaucoups footage of Church without sunglasses (!).
 

 
BUCKY COVINGTON/I Probably Won’t
Writer: Bucky Covington; Producer: Bucky Covington; Publisher: none listed; Barefootin’
– A wistful heartache ballad that unfortunately reveals a rather thin singing voice.

DAVID NAIL & THE WELL RAVENS/Heavy
Writers: none listed; Producer: Jason Hall; Publisher: none listed; One Five Sound
– This man was born to sing. In his latest incarnation, he’s surrounded by a gripping, taut, echoey band. But that soulful, searing voice remains the gripping centerpiece of the sound as he pleads fiercely for a lover to stay. Charisma on the hoof.
 

 
KATHY MATTEA/I Can’t Stand Up Alone
Writers: Martha Carson; Producer: Tim O’Brien; Publishers: none listed; Captain
– Mattea’s comeback is a dip into gospel waters. The production is acoustic and minimal, which throws the spotlight on her performance and on the classic song. Rootsy and listenable.

BLAKE SHELTON/Turnin’ Me On
Writers: Blake Shelton/Jessi Alexander/Josh Osborne; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Thankful For This/Damn Country/WB/Anderson Fork in the Road/Smackville/Smack Songs/Kobalt, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
-Kinda steamy and a little swampy. It’s a swirling, fevered dream of desire.
 

 
KAREN WALDRUP/Justified
Writers: Brian Kolb/Karen Waldrup; Producer: Garth Fundis; Publisher: none listed; The Fuel Music
– It says here that she is a viral sensation thanks to her online videos of “I Hope You Dance,” “Me and Bobby McGee” and her vivacious originals. Her new album’s soul-rock title tune showcases a potent, wailing, penetrating vocalist with moxie and fire. It’s about how getting on stage and making music gives her life meaning and reason. Be prepared to be energized.

RADNEY FOSTER/Godspeed (Dulces Suenos)
Writer: Radney Foster; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; RF
– This brought me to tears. Radney’s bi-lingual musical prayer for the children at the border is gorgeous, heartbreaking and intensely moving. It’s a rewrite of his 1998 lullaby to his son, and the proceeds go the charity RAICES Texas. Lift this man up for his decency, heart, soul and compassion.

DISClaimer: Powerful New Tunes From David Lee Murphy, Rachel Wammack

/by

David Lee Murphy and Rachel Wammack

This week, we say howdy to several of our old pals.

John Scott Sherrill, Pam Tillis, Lorrie Morgan, Sylvia, David Ball and Larry Stewart are all artists that I have followed affectionately for years. So is David Lee Murphy, and he has the rockin’ Disc of the Day.

I reviewed one of Rachel Wammack’s tracks earlier this summer. Now with her official debut single, “Damage,” she’s an official contender. This lady is the most deserving DisCovery Award winner I have had in many a moon.

DAVID BALL/I Got A Broken Heart In The Mail
Writers: none listed; Producer: David Ball; Publishers: none listed; Public
– Kinda spare sounding and lo-fi, but full of hillbilly personality. And the echoes of Buck Owens in his vocal delivery are delightful.

SYLVIA/Nobody
Writers: Kye Fleming/Dennis Morgan; Producers: John Mock/Sylvia; Publishers: none listed; Red Pony
– Sylvia’s latest CD is titled Second Bloom: The Hits Re-Imagined. She still sings with immense verve, and the songs still sound sturdy. Her biggest tune is given an arrangement that puts more spotlight on the personality in her voice and on the song’s tightly crafted lyric. Highly recommended listening.

JON PARDI/Night Shift
Writers: Tofer Brown/Phillip LaRue/Billy Montana; Producers: Bart Butler; Publishers: Maxx/Let the Road Pave Itself/Razor & Tie/Bicycle/Mike Curb/Rain Town, BMI; Capitol
-It’s a wailing, workingman’s-romance country rocker. It’s been a tough week, but the weekend lovin’ is gonna make the overtime worthwhile.

 

ANITA COCRHAN/Fight Like A Girl
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; AC
– The multi-talented Anita has been battling breast cancer for all of this past year. This is her survivor anthem, with a powerfully throbbing rhythm, a rocking production and a piercing, high-voiced chorus. The gal needs medical bucks, folks. Buy this and/or contribute to her GoFundMe page.

DAVID LEE MURPHY/I Won’t Be Sorry
Writers: David Lee Murphy/Paul Jenkins/Jason Sellers; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Reviver/Blue Chair
– This seriously rocks. Murphy looks at life with the pedal pushed firmly to the metal, knowing that he’ll go out in a blaze of glory with nary a backward glance. This has summertime branded on its hiney.

RACHEL WAMMACK/Damage
Writers: Rachel Wammack/Tom Douglas/David Hodges; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: none listed; RCA
– Wow. This packs an emotional wallop. A splendid illustration of how real and artistic this genre can be, it’s a the tale of a bartender who sees the grief and loss and ruin that comes from our mighty human capacity for love. Essential listening. This is the second straight time that this woman has pinned my ears back. Make her a star.

 

JOHN SCOTT SHERRILL/Mr. Honky Tonk
Writers: Sherrill/Robbins/Wright; Producers: John Scott Sherrill, Josh Matheny, Brad Stella; Publishers: Lobo Libre/TreCor/Blair’s Boy/ClearBox Rights, BMI/ASCAP; Lobro Libre/DeFacto
– Scotty has been writing giant hits for others for four decades. But apart from his stint in Billy Hill, he hasn’t made records. This is the title tune of a debut solo album that changes all that. Sung in a pleading folkie tenor, it’s a solid country two-step produced with finesse. The CD is dominated by new tunes, but also contains ear-opening versions of JSS hits better known in versions by such stars as Patty Loveless (”Nothin’ But the Wheel”), Josh Turner (”Would You Go With Me”), Steve Wariner (”Some Fools Never Learn”) and John Anderson (”Wild and Blue”).

LORRIE MORGAN & PAM TILLIS/Come See Me and Come Lonely
Writers: Red Lane; Producer: Richard Landis; Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree, BMI; Goldenlane
– This was a terrific 1978 single by Dottie West that I have always loved. Its revival as a duet by these two sterling voices is a splendid listening experience. It is the title tune of an album that also revisits such gems as K.T. Oslin’s “Do Ya,” Skeeter Davis’ “End of the World,” Roy Orbison’s “It’s Over,” Dwight Yoakam’s “Guitars Cadillacs,” Billie Jo Spears’ “Blanket on the Ground” and more. Joy abounds.

LARRY STEWART/What’s That Cowgirl See In Me
Writers: none listed; Producers: Gordon Kennedy; Publishers: none listed; 5West
– Lilting and innocent sounding, with just the right seasoning of Larry’s usual vocal “heart.”

SCOTT SOUTHWORTH/Hey Hillbilly Singer
Writers: Scott Southworth/Marc Alan Barnette; Producers: Buddy Hyatt; Publishers: none listed, SESAC/ASCAP; Scott Likes Pie
– As you might expect from the title, this is a bawling, honky-tonk, beer-drinkin’ blazer. It doesn’t get more in-your-face country than this.

 

DISClaimer: The Perfect Country Record?

/by

Is there such a thing as a perfect country record?

Thriving bluegrass darlings Darin & Brooke Aldridge might have created just such a thing. With the assistance of former Statler Brother Jimmy Fortune, they have breathed new life into The Louvin Brothers classic “Everytime You Leave.” It thrilled me so much that I played it five times in succession.

Needless to say, it is the Disc of the Day.

The rest of our DisClaimer bluegrass survey today reveals excellent works by The John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band, by David Davis & The Warrior River Boys, by Balsam Range and by banjo maestro Ned Luberecki.

The DisCovery Award goes to Sideline, who have it all going on in every department.

DAVID DAVIS & THE WARRIOR RIVER BOYS/He Rambled
Writers: Will Handy; Producers: Robert Montgomery & David Davis; Publisher: PD; Rounder (track)
– The band’s latest is a tribute to the music of the legendary Charlie Poole (1892-1931). They take his old-time tunes and ably reinterpret them as bluegrass numbers. In addition to this lively romp, the set includes versions of such timeless faves as “If the River Was Whiskey,” “Sweet Sunny South,” “White House Blues” and “May I Sleep In Your Barn Tonight Mister,” but oddly not Poole’s most famous song, “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down.” Recommended.

O’CONNOR BAND/Emily’s Reel
Writers: Mark O’Connor; Producers: Mark O’Connor/Forrest O’Connor; Publishers: M.O.M.I., BMI; OMAC (track)
– Grammy winner O’Connor continues his journey with his family band with a live album. It kicks off with this triple-fiddled toe tapper. A smile and a delight.

HIGHER GROUND/Ned Luberecki & Dale Ann Bradley
Writers: Kelley Luberecki/Dale Ann Bradley; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Clement Luberecki/Dale Ann Bradley, BMI; CLM (track)
– Take Five is Luberecki’s deluxe banjo album. He’s bolstered on it by such guests as Missy Raines, Chris Jones & The Night Drivers, Amanda Smith, Becky Buller and, here, the splendid Kentucky bluegrass diva Dale Ann Bradley. Steve Martin and Tony Trischka provide liner notes, which should give you some idea of how classy this project is.

JOHN JORGENSON BLUEGRASS BAND/Beautiful Sound
Writers: John Jorgenson/Chris Hillman; Producer: John Jorgenson; Publishers: Jorgensongs/Bar None, BMI; Cleopatra (track)
– Jorgenson is best known to country fans via his work in The Desert Rose Band. But his talent has also led to stints with everyone from Elton John to Bob Dylan. Willie, Emmylou, Cash, Hank Jr., Seger and Bonnie Raitt have also tapped his multi-instrumental abilities. His latest project, titled From the Crows Nest sets him in a stellar bluegrass band with Herb Pedersen, Jon Randall and Mark Fain. It drops on July 13. Randall takes the lead on this tune, which sounds like a an instant anthem for the entire bluegrass industry. Indeed, the whole CD seems to be filled with songs that could become classics of the genre — “I Will Shelter You,” “Travelin’ Angels” and “Die Tryin,’” for instance.

LARRY CORDLE/I’ll Meet You In The Morning
Writers: Albert E. Brumley; Producer: Larry Cordle; Publishers: ClearBox Rights, no performance rights listed; MightyCord (track)
– A cappella gospel quartet singing done with panache. Larry’s lead vocal is backed by The Joyful Noise Quartet — Carl Jackson, Val Storey and Bradley Walker. The album is titled Give Me Jesus.

BECK BULLER/Calamity Jane
Writers: Becky Buller/Tim Stafford; Producer: Stephen Mougin; Publishers: Goodnight Sparky/Daniel House, BMI; Dark Shadow
– Fiddler-singer Buller sits at No. 1 on the Bluegrass Unlimited chart this month with this rapid-fire dazzler. That’s Rhonda Vincent singing high harmony. The female-outlaw song is on Buller’s current Crepe Paper Heart collection. In addition to Vincent, it is packed with celebs including Rob Ickes, The Fairfield Four, Claire Lynch and Sam Bush.

RALPH STANLEY II & THE CLINCH MOUNTAIN BOYS/Raining In My Heart
Writers: Ralph Edmond Stanley II/Alex Leach/Joe Rose; Producer: John Rigsby; Publishers: Two Pop S, BMI; Stanley Family
-Pleasant, easy-listening ‘grass. As a singer, he lacks his famous father’s Appalachian “edge.”

SIDELINE/Thunder Dan
Writer: Josh Manning; Producer: Tim Surrett; Publishers: Daynezanezinn, BMI; Mountain Home
– This has just entered the top-10 on the Bluegrass Unlimited chart. It has a very cool backbeat and a groovy, minor-key mode. Not to mention a murder lyric, a keening tenor lead vocal and sizzling mandolin, fiddle and banjo chops. Sign me up for the fan club.

BALSAM RANGE & THE ATLANTA POPS ORCHESTRA ENSEMBLE/Trains I Missed
Writers: none listed; Producer: Balsam Range; Publishers: none listed; Mountain Home
– “Trains I Missed” was the IBMA Song of the Year in 2011, and Balsam Range is a longtime favorite in the genre. Its current Mountain Overture project places the band’s biggest songs in an orchestral context. Needless to say, I approached this with skepticism. In general, the Atlanta Pops ensemble stays in the background, out of the way, adding washes of strings behind the band and providing evocative sighs of sound. Of course, the songs are still wonderful. So the experiment works.

DARIN & BROOKE ALDREDGE & JIMMY FORTUNE/Everytime You Leave
Writers: Charlie & Ira Louvin; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Mountain Home
– Exquisite in every way. Brooke is the reigning IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year. But Darin has always touched my heart with his Deep-Dixie vocal harmony and dexterous guitar work. They begin this in classic Louvin duet mode, which is heavenly. Then Fortune stepped in with a third harmony part and the top of my head lifted off. Absolutely essential listening. There’s a video, too.

DISClaimer: Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne, Mags Top New Releases

/by

It’s a country-rocking day here at DisClaimer.

Ashley McBryde, Luke Combs, newcomer Chuck Edson and Darius Rucker and his pals are all offering tempo tunes for your summer playlists.

So are Disc of the Day winners Dierks Bentley & Brothers Osborne, as well as DisCovery Award winner Mags.

Rock on, citizens.

RYAN SIMS/American Things
Writer: Ryan Sims; Producer: Justin Gray; Publishers: none listed; High 4
– There is something muffled and cloudy about this sound. He has a rather raspy vocal delivery to start with, and a mix this muddy doesn’t enhance it in the least. The abundant, rocking electric guitar and too-busy drumming are also demerits.

DIERKS BENTLEY & BROTHERS OSBORNE/Burning Man
Writers: Luke Dick/Bobby Pinson; Producers: Ross Copperman & Jon Randall Stewart; Publishers: Emileon/Little Louder/Songs of Kobalt/New Writers of Sea Gayle/Not a Track Guy/ClearBox Rights, BMI; Capitol (BMI)
– A frothing inferno of excitement. Fiery, intense, furiously rocking, blazing, fabulously sweaty and brilliant. If this isn’t a No. 1 country summer hit, I’ve never heard one.

MAGS/Strong Enough
Writers: Mags McCarthy/Michael Anthony/Ryan Martinez; Producer: Michael Anthony; Publishers: none listed; Emerald Fields
-Upbeat in the face of heartbreak. He might be splitting, but she’s a tough cookie. “You took my time, but not my heart.” A stuttering, nervous rhythm track and a propulsive arrangement underscore her survivor mood.

 

ASHLEY MCBRYDE/Radioland
Writers: Ashley McBryde/Autumn McEntire/Chris Roberts; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: Songs of Song Factory/Catch This, BMI/ASCAP; Atlantic (track)
– The joys of living in the heavenly audio of the family’s car radio. The peppy production and her sunny delivery put a big ol’ smile across my face. This is one dreamy, dynamite performance. Play the heck out of it.

SHENANDOAH/That’s Where I Grew Up
Writers: Neil Thrasher/Ashley Gorley/Kelley Lovelace; Producer: Jay DeMarcus; Publishers: Sony-ATV/Warner-Chappell/BMG Rights Management, no performance rights listed; BMG/WMG
– Marty’s voice can still melt solid rock. And given a solidly country lyric this powerful and heartfelt, this band still stands head and shoulders above the rest. This is lump-in-throat stuff. It also blows the earlier Kenny Chesney version of the song right out of the water.

LUKE COMBS/She Got The Best Of Me
Writers: Luke Combs/Rob Snyder/Channing Wilson; Producers: Scott Moffatt; Publishers: Big Music Machine/50 Egg/Straight Dimes/Little Extra Songs and Such/No Cats Round Here/Kobalt/Heart Scarred/Super LCS/Warner Tamerlane, BMI/ASCAP; River House/Columbia (track)
– His hearty singing voice has never sounded better. The song is a super hooky heartache lament with plenty of oomph in the tempo. He’s a mighty, mighty man.

 

CHUCK EDSON/Let’s Go For A Ride
Writer: Chuck Edson; Producer: David Hammonds; Publisher: none listed; Charles Eugene Edson (track)
– The throbbing, steady tempo sets the “outlaw” mood from the get-go. His drawling, urgent delivery of the wanderlust-biker lyric is solid. A little bit of echo would give the vocal a “wet” quality it needs to be more effective.

SHOOTER JENNINGS/Rhinestone Eyes
Writers: none listed; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publishers: none listed; Low Country Sound
– And speaking of outlaws, here’s a strummy, jangling, toe-tapping evocation of that era from a man who grew up in it. Unless I miss my guess, that’s his mom Jessi Colter singing harmony. Classic sounding.

DAVID FRIZZELL/MARTY HAGGARD/Lefty, Merle & Me
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Nashville America
-More nostalgia. This time recalling honky-tonk great Lefty Frizzell and working-man poet Merle Haggard. Both singers phrase like their illustrious relations, but with more vibrato. The arrangement is languid and perhaps a tad too slow. The Hawaiian steel is super.

 

DARIUS RUCKER & THE TROUBLEMAKERS/Straight To Hell
Writer: Kevin Kinney; Producer: Ross Copperman; Publisher: Universal Songs of Polygram, BMI
– The Troublemakers are Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Charles Kelley. The four whip up a bad-boy, rebel-rousing, honky-tonk sound. The religious right might bristle at this celebration of sin. But it sure is catchy.