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DISClaimer: Two Duets Tie For Disc Of The Day

September 29, 2016/by Robert K Oermann

Eric Church. Photo: Jensen Sutta

Today’s listening session is the way things ought to be, split almost evenly between male and female voices.

A few of those females come to us courtesy of male collaborations. And two of those finished in a dead heat for the Disc of the Day award. They are Pink singing with Kenny Chesney and Rhiannon Giddens singing with Eric Church. If you have not heard “Setting the World on Fire” and “Kill a Word” yet, drop what you are doing and listen to them now.

The other essential listening (and viewing) experience this week is, of course, the CMA’s multi-artist extravaganza “Forever Country.” It is awesome.

There is no DisCovery Award winner this week.

ERIC CHURCH & RHIANNON GIDDENS/Kill a Word
Writers: Eric Church/Jeff Hyde/Luke Dick; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publisher: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing/Longer and Louder Music/Little Louder Songs/Mammaw’s Friend Okra Music/Emileon Songs (BMI); EMI
– “I’d turn lies and hate to love and truth/If I could only kill a word.” To the accompaniment of a steady, thumping beat, Church chants one of his coolest songs to date. While he tries to wish away human unhappiness, Giddens shadows him in harmony, then lets fly with some wafting wailing. Love, love, love this.

BLAKE SHELTON/A Guy With a Girl
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Brian Simpson; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Publishers: Combustion Engine/Sadie’s Favorite/WB/Writers of Sea Gayle/Spirit Catalog Holdings/Spirit of Nashville, ASCAP/BMI; Warner Bros
– When he’s out with his darlin,’ she’s so beautiful that he becomes invisible. The rolling tempo never lets up for a second, but big-voiced Blake rides atop it like a pro.

AUBRIE SELLERS/Sit Here and Cry
Writers: Aubrie Sellers/Adam Wright; Producer: Frank Liddell; Publisher: Tiltawhirl/Casa de Casa, BMI; Warner Bros
– The song is a solid slab of hillbilly heartache. The dirty-guitar arrangement is a snarling garage-rock outing. Quite a combination.

RONNIE DUNN (With KIX BROOKS)/Damn Drunk
Writers: Liz Hengber/Alex Kline/Ben Stannis; Producer: Jay DeMarcus; Publisher: Starstruck Writers Group / Giving Out Wings Music/Vision Board Songs / Airplanes for Stars Music/The Stennis Mightier Music / Dead Aim Music / Young Guns Publishing (ASCAP/BMI/SESAC); Nash Icon
– Spectacularly well-written. Ronnie, as usual, sings the fire out of it. The pulsing production goes from a whisper to a scream, which puts you right on the edge of your seat. This is one righteous record.

KIM McABEE & TY HERNDON/Looking Back to See
Writers: Jim Ed Brown/Maxine Brown; Producer: Ty Herndon; Publisher: None listed; Soigne
– I have always loved this Jim Ed & Maxine Brown 1954 golden oldie. But part of its charm is the fact that it is such a bouncy, rapid-fire ditty. Slowing it down like this ruins it for me. Kim McAbee, by the way, is the featured singer with The Buckaroos and has opened The Bakersfield Music Hall of Fame. The venue will host its first induction ceremony next month.

KENNY CHESNEY Feat. PINK/Setting the World on Fire
Writer: Ross Copperman/Matt Jenkins/Josh Osborne; Producer: Kenny Chesney/Buddy Cannon; Publisher: EMI Blackwood Music Inc./Atlas Music/WB Music Corp/Smackville Music (ASCAP/BMI); Blue Chair/Columbia
– Rousing and resonant. This has a big, soulful sound, and both of them are singing their faces off. Massive airplay, please.

DOLLY PARTON/Head Over High Heels
Writer: Dolly Parton; Producer: Dolly Parton; Publisher: Velvet Apple, BMI; Dolly Records/RCA Nashville
– Cute and coy, with a slightly funky backbeat. She’s headed for a hot date with her honey, tricked out in all her finery.

GEORGE STRAIT/Goin’ Goin’ Gone
Writers: Wyatt Earp/Keith Gattis; Producer: Chuck Ainlay & George Strait; Publishers: Western Legend/Warner-Tamerlane/Gattis/Atta Baby, BMI; MCA Nashville
– A working man’s Friday-night plight, set to a bopping rhythm and accompanied by stuttering steel, twanging guitar and some rambunctious party people. His long vocal drawls are exquisite.

KELSEA BALLERINI/Yeah Boy
Writers: Kelsea Ballerini/Forest Glen Whitehead/Kelsea Timmer; Producer: Forest Glen Whitehead & Jason Massey; Publishers: Songs of Black River/KNB/Songs of Blue Guitar, ASCAP/BMI; Black River
– This is a pert, attractive come-on to a cute guy that arrives with built-in smiles and winks. Jaunty and likable. Open that car door and let her in for a ride.

JAKE OWEN/If He Ain’t Gonna Love You
Writers: Luke Laird/Shane McAnally/Chris Stapleton; Producers: Shane McAnally, Luke Laird & Ross Copperman; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Creative Nation/Universal/Smack Ink/WB/House of Sea Gayle, BMI/ASCAP; RCA
– A slamming rhythm track, an echoey production, some quasi-rapping, ghost background vocals and a dense soundscape are among the ingredients here. It ain’t exactly something you can sing along with, and it’s certainly not very “country,” but it is absorbing listening.

DISClaimer: Honoring The Heart Of Americana

September 22, 2016/by Robert K Oermann

This is the week of the Americana music convention in Nashville.

And make no mistake, Nashville is the headquarters of this burgeoning musical movement. As if to underscore that fact, most of the discs reviewed today are by Nashville area residents. In fact, with the exceptions of John McEuen and Shovels & Rope, all of them are.

The Disc of the Day award goes to Music Row tunesmith Sean McConnell. It turns out that he sings as well as he writes. Catch him Thursday night (Sept. 22) at 12th & Porter.

The DisCovery Award is a tie this week. Zach Schmidt is on his second album (I think the first might have been digital only), yet this is my first exposure to him. Check him out tomorrow at Acme Feed & Seed. Jared Hard, on the other hand, is a complete unknown. But he definitely has the goods.

All three of these guys are singer-songwriters. All three of them have superlative voices. All are talented song craftsman. And all of them will please you immensely.

JARED HARD/10,000 Hydrogen Bombs
Writers: Jared Hard; Producer: Jeff Anderson; Publisher: none listed; JH (track)
– This is the title tune of a six-song EP by this Nashville singer-songwriter. It’s a folkie, strummy, sparsely accompanied, acoustic ballad about how hard love can hit ya. The slight echo on his vocal brings out its tenor resonance and poignant expressiveness. Utterly charming. Elsewhere on the set, he’s accompanied by a dandy, rootsy band featuring fiddle and organ. Throughout, his vocals are cooler than cool, and his songs are consistently splendid. This is a real find.

SHOVELS & ROPE/I Know
Writers: Michael Trent/Cary Ann Hearst; Producer: Michael Trent; Publisher: Famous Nightclub/Noberta Jean, BMI; New West (track)
-The new CD, Little Seeds, officially drops on Oct. 7, but this South Carolina duo did its release party at The Basement on Tuesday afternoon, presumably to capitalize on this being Americana Music Week. Shovels & Rope are previous Americana winners for Song of the Year (”Birmingham” in 2012) and Emerging Artist of the Year. This track is available for an advance listen on the duo’s website. As on prior records, their voices are right in your face and the production hits hard. An instant hit.

STEPHEN SIMMONS/West
Writers: Stephen Simmons; Producers: Eric Fritsch & Stephen Simmons; Publishers: Shiny Geode, SESAC; Locke Creek
-This Nashville veteran kicked off Americana Week with a show at Family Wash on Monday (Sept. 19). It celebrated his 10th CD, A World Without. Simmons was a rocker for years in Music City. His evolution to Americana suits his songwriting style, which is conversational and plain spoken, particularly on this track. It muses about cultural heritage, romance, family history and wanderlust, all in a warm, dusky voice that sidles up next to you like a long-lost friend.

SEAN McCONNELL/Holy Days
Writer: Sean McConnell; Producers: Ian Fitchuk/Jason Lehning; Publisher: Warner-Tamberlane/Little Beluga, BMI; Rounder (track)
– Sean salutes Americana Week with a hometown performance on Thursday night (Sept. 22) at 12th & Porter. His self-titled debut CD for Rounder kicks off with this punchy slab of nostalgia for a lost lover. It has more hooks than a tuna boat, which figures, since he’s a total songwriting pro with cuts by Tim, Brad, Martina, Brothers Osborne, Rascal Flatts, David Nail, Buddy Miller, Meatloaf and more. He sells it as a singer, too. This rocks in all the right ways.

JOHN McEUEN/Excitable Boy
Writers: Warren Zevon/Leroy Marinell; Producers: John McEuen/David Chesky; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Tiny Tunes, BMI/ASCAP; Chesky (track)
– This Nitty Gritty Dirt Bander surrounded himself with folks like David Bromberg, John Cowan, Steve Martin, John Carter Cash and David Amram. They recorded live in a Brooklyn church building and came out with a collection so rootsy that even Warren Zevon comes across as a hillbilly songwriter. McEuen’s CD release party for Made In Brooklyn will be next Tuesday, Sept. 27, at BMI at 5:00 pm.

ZACH SCHMIDT/Company Man
Writer: Zach Schmidt; Producers: James Maple/Zach Schmidt; Publishers: none listed, SESAC; ZS (track)
– Zach’s Americana Fest showcase is Friday (9/23) at Acme Feed & Seed downtown. He is a Pittsburgher transplanted to Music City, and his blue-collar roots show in this shuffling, steel-soaked ode to hard work that gets you nowhere. Twang with meaning.

BOB DELEVANTE/Kite On The Wind
Writers: Bob Delevante; Producers: Bob Delevante/Dave Coleman; Publishers: A Days Pay, SESAC; Relay (track)
– With his brother in The Delevantes, this guy initially made his mark in Music City via a series of stellar pop/rock albums. Now 20 years into his Nashville sojourn, he continues to bring rock urgency to rootsy Americana efforts such as his new Valley of Days collection. At least that’s what I hear on this opening track.

THE CANTRELLS/Goodbye Cool World
Writers: Emily Cantrell; Producers: Al & Emily Cantrell; Publishers: Sombrero Moon, BMI; Sombrero (track)
– Al and Emily Cantrell have been making entrancing sounds together for decades. Their latest is Weather Reports, and this track is definitely about weather, since it directly addresses the disaster of climate change. As always, Emily is a vocalist of uncommon ability. In the case of this track, she’s a slinky jazz chanteuse. Also as always, Al’s fiddle and mandolin work are exemplary. The rest of the folksy acoustic band is just as dandy. Jim Hoke, Barry & Holly Tashian, Mark Schatz and Al Goll, take a bow.

THE COAL MEN/The Singer (In Louisville)
Writer: Dave Coleman; Producer: Dave Coleman; Publisher: Four Minor, SESAC; Vaskaleedez (track)
– Their latest is titled Pushed to the Side. This track from it is kinda snarky, with a decided rocking edge and a dash of wry humor. In the lyric, the crowd isn’t treating the performer well, in between asking for “Fire and Rain” and closing down the bar. I have loved everything this outfit has ever recorded. Dave Coleman, incidentally, is the MVP in this column, since he’s also performing on the discs of Delevante and Simmons.

TATTLETALE SAINTS/Big City Women
Writer: Cy Winstanley; Producer: Josh Kaler; Publisher: none listed; Old Oak (track)
– These folks are New Zealanders now based in Nashville. Their new, self-titled, CD features this romping, innocent-sounding toe tapper about being ignored by sophisticated ladies. There are spices of twang and rockabilly behind the boyish, sweet lead vocal. Also worth a listen is the gently wistful ballad “Little Richard Is Alive and Well in Nashville, TN.”

DISClaimer: IBMA Contenders Showcase Sterling Tracks

September 15, 2016/by Robert K Oermann

Town Mountain

Today’s stroll through the field of bluegrass includes many of this year’s contenders for awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA).

For instance, three of the IBMA’s contenders for Emerging Artist of the Year are here. I’m voting for Town Mountain. The band is probably too wild and wooly to win, but in any case, I am giving it a DisCovery Award from this column.

The Disc of the Day award is a tie between current bluegrass kings The Earls of Leicester and the upstart O’Connor Band. Despite the presence of hardcore grass tracks such as Bill Monroe’s “Jerusalem Ridge” and The Osborne Brothers favorite “Ruby, Are You Mad at Your Man,” not to mention the traditional “Fishers Hornpipe,” the O’Connors do stray onto other turf on their excellent new CD. Maybe that’s why I like it so much.

The IBMA Awards will be presented on Sept. 29 in Raleigh, North Carolina.

DOYLE LAWSON & QUICKSILVER/Burden Bearer
Writers: Tammy James Robinette; Producer: Doyle Lawson; Publisher: MJ and 8, BMI; Mountain Home
-These fellows are (again) nominated as Vocal Group of the Year by the IBMA. Deservedly so: You will not find a more thrilling quartet of harmony singers this side of paradise. This is the title tune of the group’s current CD of bluegrass-gospel tunes. It will make want to shout, “Hallelujah!” The set mixes traditional songs with newly composed barn burners like this one.

THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS & LEE ANN WOMACK/I Believe
Writers: Infamous Stringdusters/Josh Shilling; Producer: Chris Goldsmith; Publishers: Peace Kings/Infamous Stringdusters/Josh Shilling, ASCAP/BMI; Compass (track)
– The idea behind the band’s Ladies & Gentlemen CD is to pair the band’s playing with female singers ranging from Mary Chapin Carpenter and Claire Lynch to Joan Osborne and Joss Stone. Music City’s Womack is lilting and soulful on this spiritual meditation with a rippling banjo/Dobro backing track.

THE LONELY HEARTSTRING BAND/The Tide
Writers: G. Clements/P.M. Gonigle; Producers: DAvid Travers-Smith & The Lonely Heartstrings Band; Publishers: none listed; Rounder (track)
– This new single/video from the band’s debut CD Deep Water is a wistful, folkie, mid-tempo, softly endearing outing. Imagine Simon & Garfunkel backed by bluegrass instrumentation and you’ll have the general idea. Highly recommended. This Boston band is nominated as Emerging Artist of the Year at the IBMAs.

THE BOXCARS/When Th Bluegrass Is Covered With Snow
Writer: Tip Sharp; Producer: The Boxcars; Publisher: Fayette, BMI; Mountain Home
-This track is riding high at No. 4 on the current Bluegrass Unlimited chart. It trips along in speedy grassy fashion with perfectly placed instrumental flourishes that make up for the group’s somewhat bland singing. The song appears on the group’s CD Familiar With the Ground, which also contains “Hogan’s Goat,” which is nominated as an IBMA Instrumental Performance of the Year.

THE EARLS OF LEICESTER/The Train That Carried My Girl From Town
Writers: none listed; Producer: Jerry Douglas; Publisher: none listed; Rounder (track)
– It ought to be illegal to have this much talent in one band. The Earls are the sensations of the bluegrass world with IBMA nominations as Entertainer, Vocal Group, Instrumental Group, Male Vocalist, Banjo Player, Dobro Player and Bass Player of the Year. This splendid track kicks off the group’s new Rattle & Roar CD. This is bluegrass music as it was meant to be played and sung.

TOWN MOUNTAIN/Comin’ Back To You
Writers: R. Greer/M. Bumgarner; Producers: Dirk Powell/Town Mountain; Publishers: Meat on the Bone/Two Chairs, BMI; LoHi (track)
– This wonderfully rollicking track is characteristic of this ragged-but-right North Carolina outfit. It’s bluegrass with a strong swig of honky-tonk attitude and more than a little boogie-woogie rambunctiousness. The album is called Southern Crescent, and it earned this joyously hard-driving foursome an Emerging Artist of the Year nod at this year’s IBMA Awards. Your ears will thank you for playing this.

JOE MULLINS & THE RADIO RAMBLERS/All Dressed Up
Writers: Jerry Salley/Diane Wilkerson; Producer: Joe Mullins; Publishers: Den What/Christian Taylor, SESAC/BMI; Rebel (track)
– The Ramblers latest is a bluegrass-gospel collection called Sacred Memories. This heartfelt number from it about a working man’s death earned the band an IBMA nomination as Gospel Performance of the Year. Heart-tugging stuff.

THE PRICE SISTERS/What Does The Deep Sea Say
Writer: traditional; Producer: Bill VornDick; Publisher: public domain; Rebel (track)
-These gals are twin college students who play mandolin and fiddle. This track on their self-titled debut is played with aplomb, but I thought their vocal harmonies were a tad on the sharp side.

O’CONNOR BAND/Coming Home
Writers: Forrest O’Connor; Producers: Gregg Field/Mark O’Connor/Forrest O’Connor; Publisher: Tall Tree Worldwide, BMI; Rounder (track)
– Mark O’Connor originally signed with Rounder as a 12-year-old fiddle prodigy. His subsequent journey as a stellar Nashville session musician, new acoustic music experimenter and classical composer has led him back to bluegrass, with a strong seasoning of Americana. His return to Rounder is with a family band featuring his troubadour mandolinist son Forrest and the fiddling/singing of both wife Maggie and Forrest’s partner Kate Lee (who has backed Martina, Lady A, Vince, Jennifer Nettles, Rascal Flatts and other Nashville luminaries). The title tune of the band’s album is an anthemic, toe-tapping road tune about heading back to a loved one. The whole collection is just as delicious.

STEVE GULLEY & NEW PINNACLE/Aim High
Writers: Jon Weisberger/Mark Simos; Producer: Steve Gulley; Publishers: Use Your Words/Devachan, BMI; Rural Rhythm (track)
– The title tune of this band’s current CD boasts lightning-quick picking, sky-high tenor singing and a positive-think message. It hit No. 1 on the Bluegrass Today chart in June, but even before it did, New Pinnacle’s forward momentum was propelling the band toward an IBMA nomination as Emerging Artist of the Year.

DISClaimer: Jennifer Nettles, The Band Perry Offer Charming New Tracks

September 8, 2016/by Robert K Oermann

Jennifer Nettles

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.

Today’s stack of platters contained two of the finest singles I’ve heard all year. It also held some true audio stinkers.

Those two “finest” singles finished in a tie for Disc of the Day. They belong to The Band Perry and to Jennifer Nettles. Both are essential listening. I wish there was a dead heat as cool as this one in every listening session.

There are several first timers in the stack. But none of them sounded compelling enough to crown with a DisCovery Award. Better luck next week.

ANDY ROSS & LITTLE TEXAS/Back on the Backroads
Writers: Andy Ross/Porter Howell/Brady Seals; Producers: Porter Howell/Doug Grau; Publishers: Buck Shot/Writer’s List/Gypsy Quilt, BMI/ASCAP; Buck Shot (CDX)
– Jaunty, bouncy and just a teeny bit funky. A true toe tapper.

THE BAND PERRY/Comeback Kid
Writers: Kimberly Perry/Reid Perry/Neil Perry; Producers: Benny Cassette, Kimberly Perry, Reid Perry & Neil Perry; Publishers:Sony-ATV Countryside/Pearlfeather/Famdamily/When I Go to the Moon, BMI; Mercury/Interscope (CDX)
– Very melodic and loaded with winsome charm. The harmonies are heavenly, the track is super inventive and the lyric is something special. I’m in. Who’s with me?

JEREMY BOWMAN/Like A Song on the Radio
Writers: Juan (Johnny) Garcia/Charlie Allen/Dave Gibson/Jay Brunswick; Producer: Johnny Garcia; Publishers: Busy at Play/The Beer’s Still Cold/Swat, BMI; Funky Cowboy
– The chunky, funky track and its cool backbeat are way more interesting than the pedestrian lyric. Plus, his singing voice is kinda oaf-ish.

JENNIFER NETTLES/Hey Heartbreak
Writers: Sara Haze/Shane McAnally/Jimmy Robbins; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Songs of Universal/House of Sea Gayle/Highway 508/Clearbox Rights, ASCAP; Big Machine (track)
– Extremely catchy. The burbling beat, her soaring delivery and the hooks-a-plenty choruses are all first rate. Wildly listenable on every level.

GRACIE METHENY/Unspeakable
Writer: Gracie Metheny; Producer: Gracie Metheny; Publisher: none listed; GM (CDX)
– You sing flat, dearie. I think you’re trying to say something in this lyric, but the mix is so muddy it’s hard to figure out what.

LARRY GATLIN & THE GATLIN BROTHERS/Stand Up and Say So
Writer: Larry Gatlin; Producers: Larry Gatlin, Steve Gatlin & Rudy Gatlin; Publishers: Terrengat LLC, BMI; Gatlin (CDX)
– Unrelentingly negative, with a peppy rhythm track.

DARYLE SINGLETARY/We’re Not Going to Hell for Having a Hell of a Time
Writers: Greg Hudik; Producer: Greg Hudik; Publisher: Double Dos Platinum, BMI; Platinum (CDX)
– Country, country, country. His bent-note phrasing, the steel-guitar backing, the twang production and the honky-tonk lyric are all classic sounding.

JON PARDI/Dirt On My Boots
Writers: Rhett Akins/Jesse Frasure/Ashley Gorley; Producers: Bart Butler/Jon Pardi; Publishers: EMI Blackwood/Brooks Country Boy/Rio Bravo/Telemitry/Combustion Engine/Sadie’s Favorite/WB, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol Nashville (track)
-After a hard day’s farm labor, he’s going out for a good time with his honey. The melody is rather choppy, awkward and odd, but his drawling delivery is right on the money.

KEVIN MAC/#Winning
Writers: Kevin Mack/Neal Coty; Producers: Keith Stegall/Larry Goetz/John Kelton; Publishers: Where Da Kasz At/Laughing Gull, BMI; Dreamlined/Star Farm (CDX)
– Boyishly bopping with a vintage pop feel.

RICK TREVINO/Cowboys Like Me
Writers: Rick Trevino/Alan Miller; Producer: Rick Trevino; Publishers: Luke & Live/Miller’s Tale, BMI/ASCAP; Campo Negro (CDX)
– The breezy track shuffles along nicely. His soft, breathy vocal never quite gets on top of it, but it’s still easy on the ears.

DISClaimer: David Nail, Brandy Clark, Billy Ray Cyrus Stand Out

September 1, 2016/by Robert K Oermann

David Nail

As summer drags on relentlessly, we find relief in fresh country sounds.

Our vocal collaboration du jour is the awesome new single by David Nail featuring Brothers Osborne. Our most fabulous female is the brilliant Brandy Clark. Our surprise male winner is the wonderfully humorous performance by Billy Ray Cyrus. Give all three a Disc of the Day honor.

The DisCovery Award goes to Margo Price. She performed “Four Years of Chances” on The Tonight Show on Aug. 2 and introduced “Hurtin’ (On the Bottle)” and “Since You Put Me Down” on SNL earlier this year. All three are on her new Midwest Farmer’s Daughter vinyl album. Way to go, TV broadcasters.

CURTIS BRALY/Love You Down
Writers: Jeremy Bussey/Tom Tillman/Jayce Hein; Producer: Kent Wells; Publisher: none listed, SESAC/BMI, Go Time/Briley (track)
– His clinging to pitch for dear life. Despite his shaky vocal performance, the track pumps mightily behind him and the song is solid.

DAVID NAIL Featuring BROTHERS OSBORNE/Good At Tonight
Writers: TJ Osborne/John Osborne/Troy Verges/Barry Dean; Producers: Frank Liddell/Chuck Ainlay/Glenn Worf; MCA Nashville
– Thrilling. As you might expect, the voices are on fire with conviction. What is just as great is the fact that the song is a total barn burner, loaded with pounding percussion, churning electric guitars and passionate lyrics. Play it again.

WAYLON JENNINGS/Young Widow Brown
Writers: Waylon Jennings/Sky Corbin; Producers: Robby Turner; Publishers: Heart of the Hills/Trio/Fort Knox, no performance rights listed; Country Rewind
– Finding new Waylon music is always a good thing. He and a bunch of other country acts recorded a series of short, military-recruitment radio shows in 1970. These tapes have recently been rediscovered. Former Waylon band member Robby Turner put new instrumentation on the performances to bring them up to date. Most of the tunes on the resulting The Lost Nashville Sessions CD are early Waylon hits such as “Just to Satisfy You,” “Only Daddy That’ll Walk the Line,” “Mental Revenge” and “Brown Eyed Handsome Man.” This tasty country rocker is more obscure, the tale of a man who inherits a lusty gal he can’t keep up with. Delightful.

BRANDY CLARK/Love Can Go To Hell
Writers: Brandy Clark/Scott Stepakoff; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: House of Sea Gayle/Highway 508/Clearbox Rights/Nettwerk One-A/Ten Ten, ASCAP; Warner Bros.
– I am on board with the fact that she’s a country songwriting genius. What is frequently overlooked is that she is also a singer of flawless phrasing, liquid tone and silky listenability. This lightly bopping, tinkling, twinkling outing about an ended relationship is audio ecstasy on every level. I am in love with this woman’s music.

SOUTHERN HALO/Rewind
Writers: Chancie Neal/Gerald O’Brien/Catt Gravitt; Producers: Catt Gravitt/Gerald O’Brien; Publishers: none listed; BMI/SESAC; Southern Halo
– Smiley. Sunshiny. Summery. Swaying.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Dirty Laundry
Writers: Zach Crowell/Ashley Gorley/Hillary Lindsey; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: Atlas/External Combustion/Songs of Southside Independent/HillarodyRathbone/BMG, ASCAP; Arista/19 (track)
– That ain’t her shade of lipstick. She doesn’t drink the red wine that’s on his shirt. That’s not the smell of her perfume. He’s trying to sneak in late, again. You’re in trouble, pal. She’s pissed off and rocking.

RUSTY RIERSON/Something ‘Bout You
Writer: Kevin Welch; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Sony/ATV Cross Keys; RecordRanch
-This Kansas-bred country boy has a delivery that goes down easily. He has a natural warmth and an instantly likable sound. The rolling groove of this Kevin Welch song fits him like a glove. If there’s such a thing as a baby Strait, this guy is it.

MARGO PRICE/Four Years Of Chances
Writer: Margo Price; Producers: Alex Munoz/Matt Ross-Spang; Publisher: Peach Pit, SESAC; Third Man (track)
– It’s a slow build, starting with a stark little guitar figure and her plaintive, accusatory voice. The rhythm track picks up steam as the rest of the band comes creeping in. But no matter what is going on with the track, it’s her piercing, riveting delivery that commands the spotlight. A very cool little record.

KAREN RICHARDS/Ladies Man
Writer: Karen Richards; Producers: Frank Green/Jim Sanford; Publisher: none listed; Krystal Mac (track)
– Yikes. The echo chamber only emphasizes her shortcomings. And they are too numerous to list here.

BILLY RAY CYRUS/Hey Elvis
Writer: none listed; Producers: Brandon Friesen/Noah Gordon; Publishers: none listed; Blue Cadillac (track)
– Billy Ray’s upcoming Thin Line collection is loaded with celeb guests — Shelby Lynne, Joe Perry, Shooter Jennings and children Branson Cyrus and Miley Cyrus, for starters. This fantastically catchy, rocking track features Bryan Adams and Glen Hughes singing backup on its wildly clever lyrics. Its video, available on his website, is comprised of hilarious footage from his wacky CMT television sit com Still the King. Heartily recommended.

DISClaimer: Lori McKenna, Josh Farrow Lead Americana Releases

August 25, 2016/by Robert K Oermann

Lori McKenna. Photo: Becky Fluke

The Americana festival and convention will be here before we know it, so it’s high time we surveyed what’s in this genre’s review-me pile.

The names to remember today are John Gorka, Chip Taylor and those of our dual Disc of the Day winners, Lori McKenna and Liz Longley.

Today’s newcomers include Angie & The Deserters, Andrew Leahey & The Homestead and our DisCovery Award winner, Josh Farrow. The East Nashville troubadour will be performing at Live on the Green on the Metro Courthouse Square on Sept. 2. Be there or be square.

CHIP TAYLOR/I’ll Carry For You
Writer: Chip Taylor; Producers: Goran Grini/Chip Taylor; Publisher: Back Road, BMI; Train Wreck (track)
– “Wild Thing,” “Angel of the Morning,” “I Can Make It With You,” “Step Out of Your Mind,” “Make Me Belong to You,” “Son of a Rotten Gambler,” “Storybook Children,” “Try (Just a Little Bit Harder),” “I Can’t Let Go,” “Worry,” “Anyway That You Want Me,” and other vintage pop classics earned Chip entry into the national Songwriters Hall of Fame earlier this year. But he is also a very contemporary, engaging and prolific writer-artist in the Americana genre. This title tune to his latest is inspired by his love of golf. More than that, it is a stately ode to sisterly love, perseverance, striving and being brave. Speaking of prolific, he has two current CDs, the other being Little Brothers, which salutes his family. Trivia fact: He’s actor Jon Voight’s brother and Angelina Jolie’s uncle.

LIZ LONGLEY/Rescue My Heart
Writers: Liz Langley/Ian Keaggy/Jodi Marr; Producer: Bill Reynolds; Publishers: Luckelizz/ISK/Little Ruth, ASCAP; Sugar Hill (track)
– I adored this singer-songwriter’s Sugar Hill Records debut disc. Her songs stick in your head long after they end because of their inescapable hooks. Her second album for the label, titled Weightless, drops this week. It finds her recording in Nashville in a more pop/rock direction. She remains a captivating mistress of melody. On this track, the sound is stripped down to just her voice and piano. I remain an enormous fan. Essential listening.

JOHN GORKA/I Know
Writer: John Gorka; Producer: Jim Rooney; Publisher: Blues Palace, ASCAP; Blue Chalk (track)
– This Americana veteran recorded the tracks that comprise his new Before Beginning CD in Music City in 1985. At the time, he was a newcomer who had won the songwriting contest at the Kerrville Folk Festival. Nanci Griffith admired his work and recommended he go to Nashville to record with producer Rooney, who assembled an all-star band at Jack Clement’s studio. Gorka was used to playing solo and wasn’t sure what he thought of his resulting debut album. Years later, he listened again. So now, here it is. This is one of his best known early songs, presented with top-flight pickers, just as it originally was recorded 30 years ago. It is a jewel of lilting picking, earnest singing and crisp production. The rest of the CD is too. He was clearly nuts not to put it out, back in the day.

DAVE INSLEY/Just The Way That I Am
Writer: none listed; Producer: Dave Insley; Publishers: none listed; dir (track)
– This solid country vocalist has surrounded himself with a who’s-who of Austin folks on his new CD. The cast includes Kelly Willis, Dale Watson, Rick Shea and Redd Volkaert. The title tune is a plain-spoken ballad that asks for simple acceptance. It’s not in the least flashy, just honest sounding.

LORI McKENNA/Humble and Kind
Writer: Lori McKenna; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Hoodie, BMI; CN/Thirty Tigers
– This divine Massachusetts wife and mom returned to Nashville to craft her latest, The Bird and the Rifle. It includes her own version of this justly revered Tim McGraw hit she wrote. Lori is best known in Nashville as a songwriter of “Stealing Kisses,” “Girl Crush,” “Fireflies,” “God Made Girls” and “I Want Crazy.” But this and the other performances on this collection reveal her as an extraordinarily communicative, warm and womanly vocalist. “Wreck You,” ”If Whiskey Were a Woman,” “Old Men Young Women” and especially “Halfway Home” are particularly recommended. Lend her your ears. Then go get all of her other albums too.

ANDREW LEAHEY & THE HOMESTEAD/Little In Love
Writers: Andrew Leahey; Producer: Ken Coomer; Publisher: none listed; Skyline/Thirty Tigers
– He’s a roots rocker with country leanings and a Tom Petty kinda vibe. This lead-off track from his debut CD chimes in all the right places. The collection is titled Skyline in Central Time and was recorded in Nashville on either side of the artist’s life-threatening brain surgery. Produced by Wilco’s Ken Coomer, it sounds as hearty as Andrew is today.

SARA WATKINS/Move Me
Writers: Sara Watkins; Producer: Gabe Witcher; Publishers: Fiddle & Fall, ASCAP; New West (track)
– The fiddler/singer from the former Nickel Creek has shed her progressive-bluegrass roots for an all-out pop band sound on her entirely self-composed Young in All the Wrong Ways collection. On this punchy track, she pushes her soprano to sound harder and more forceful than it has before. Courageous.

JOSH FARROW/Devil Don’t You Fool Me
Writer: Josh Farrow; Producer: Dexter Green; Publisher: Southern Drag; JF (track)
– This drawling, bluesy tenor singer stomps his way through this soulful, rhythmic outing with aplomb. It comes from his Trouble With Me CD, which has a cast that includes The McCrary Sisters, Ruby Amanfu and Elizabeth Cook, among others. On this track, Rebecca Lynn Howard and Ashley Wilcoxson wail in the background.

BRIAN LANGLINAIS/You Can’t Say I Don’t Love You
Writer: none listed; Producers: D.L. Duncan/Brian Langlinais; Publisher: none listed; Patoutville (track)
– Music City stalwart Langlinais recaptures his R&B Louisiana roots on his new Right Hand Road CD. But he proves you don’t have to physically go back there to do it. His Nashville session sidemen, including The Inglewood Horns, put plenty of heat behind him. This opening track is a classic-sounding blues rocker, complete with squalling sax and soul-sister background shouting.

ANGIE & THE DESERTERS/Country Radio
Writers: Angie Bruyere/Guy Griffin/Nigel Mogg; Producer: Jeff Huskins; Publishers: none listed; Topanga Canyon
– Love the band name. The sound on this saucy track is nouveau rockabilly with a throaty alto lead vocal alternating phrases with gritty electric guitar riffs, sizzling fiddle work and organ trills. The act has a slightly raggedy, amateurish sonic vibe, but nothing a little production polish couldn’t improve.

DISClaimer: Dolly Parton, Drake White Are Bright Spots This Week

August 18, 2016/by Robert K Oermann

What a bunch of junk.

I can’t remember the last time I was so numbed by a listening session. The bright spots were precious and few. In fact, I can count them on two fingers.

The first is the always entrancing Dolly Parton. She gets the Disc of the Day. The second is Drake White. But since his song isn’t a single, he doesn’t qualify for the competition. By the way, both of these artists’ albums drop on this Friday (Aug. 19), and both are terrific.

Despite the fact that there are five newcomers in this column, there is no DisCovery Award this week. Back to the drawing board, people.

DOLLY PARTON/Pure and Simple
Writer: Dolly Parton; Producer: Dolly Parton; Publisher: Velvet Apple, BMI; Dolly Records/RCA Nashville
– Her voice still sparkles like champagne. The fact that she’s still writing so wonderfully six decades into her career is mind bending. This sweet, lilting love song is the title tune of her new CD. All hail a classic stylist.

SAMMY SADLER/In America
Writers: Tom Paden/Dwayna Litz; Producer: Tom Paden/Publishers: Paden Place/Cal IV, BMI/ASCAP; Workhorse 615
– Rah-rah patriotism. The gist of it is we shouldn’t be complaining about stuff, because we’re living where everybody else in the world would love to be.

SHAWN B. WELLS/As Long as I’ve Got You
Writer: Shawn B. Wells; Producers: Shawn B. Wells & Dustin Bannister; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Shawn Wells
– Muddy and jumbled sounding. Get back in the studio and remix this whole thing.

DRAKE WHITE/Waitin’ on the Whiskey to Work
Writers: Drake White/Tony Lane/Philip Pence; Producers: Andrew Petroff & Adam Schwind/Publishers: EMI April/Reverend Jack/Sony-ATV/BMG Gold/Heytone/We Jam Writers Group/Nury3000, ASCAP/SESAC; Dot Records
– “Livin’ the Dream” is still the single. But Sirius/XM has been playing this barroom, heartache ballad. Like everything he does, it seethes with charisma. Drake is usually pretty upbeat, so this downer is a very cool change of pace. His debut CD, Spark, drops on Friday. It is essential listening. Make this man the star he deserves to be.

LONNIE SPIKER/Things Only a Fool Would Know
Writers; Mary Welch Francis/Larry McCoy; Producer: Curt Ryle; Publishers: Jenerlin/Universal Careers, BMI; Menalith
– Extremely well written. It’s a solidly country shuffle, and we can always use more of those.

AUSTIN LUCAS & LYDIA LOVELESS/Wrong Side of the Dream
Writers: Lucas/James; Producers: Joey Kneiser & Austin Lucas; Publisher: None listed; Last Chance/At the Helm
– It has a somewhat retro-country vibe. The vocals are a tad bit sharp, particularly hers. Not ready for prime time.

DEE JAY SILVER & AUSTIN WEBB/Just Got Paid
Writers: Jared Sciullo, John Purdue, Austin Webb, Tebey Ottoh; Producers: Dee Jay Silver/Jared Sciullo; Publishers: Riley Payton Publishing/Dee Jay Silver Music/Red Vinyl/Songs For Elle/BMG Platinum Songs, BMI/SESAC. RCA Nashville
– Funky, slinky and groove-soaked. A relaxing, mid-tempo ditty, tailor made for after-work Fridays.

MISSISSIPPI DOUG MAYS/Mississippi Funk
Writer: Doug Mays; Producer: Barry Beckett & Roger Hawkins; Publisher: none listed; E&A Entertainment
– It says here that this is a hit in Latin America. It does have an undeniable groove.

MARKET JUNCTION/All I Really Need
Writers: Matt Parrish/Justin Lofton; Producer: Justin Lofton & Matt Parrish; Publisher: Incandescent, BMI; Market Junction
– Bland. Tuneless. Boring. I almost nodded off.

TERRA BELLA/You’ve Got That Somethin’
Writers: Joseph Michael Costa/Martina Elizabeth Otterbeck/Joshua Marshall Dunne; Producer: Johnny Garcia; Publisher: Swatt Music Group, BMI; Dax
– The bass-heavy production is ear catching, and the dual male-female band vocals are cool. A melody with more than two notes would have been nice.

DISClaimer: Keith Urban’s “Blue” Ballad Stands Out In A Rock Crowd

August 11, 2016/by Robert K Oermann

Keith Urban

It’s a testosterone festival.

There are way too many guys in the mix today. Plus, there’s much too much rock music on hand. Trace Adkins, Kane Brown and Chase Rice are all rocking their brains out. So is Jason Aldean, but at least he has the good taste to do so melodically and with production finesse.

Thus, it comes as no surprise that the single that stands out today is a ballad performance. Give Keith Urban the Disc of the Day award.

The DisCovery Award performance belongs to a former college rugby player from North Carolina. Lend Luke Combs your ears. I think you’ll enjoy his sound as much as I did.

LUKE COMBS/Hurricane
Writers: Luke Combs/Thomas Archer/Taylor Phillips; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; River House (track)
– She wrecked his world by coming on like a super storm. The stately pace, echoey atmosphere, macho vocal and screaming guitars come together to cast a dramatic spell. Recommended.

TOBY KEITH/A Few More Cowboys
Writers: Toby Keith/Bobby Pinson/Dean Dillon; Producer: Toby Keith/Bobby Pinson; Publishers: Tokeco/Bobby’s Lyrics Land & Livestock/Do Write/Sixteen Stars/Tenorado/HoriPro, BMI; Show Dog (CDX)
– Adding echo to a voice this powerful is kinda like gilding the lily. But this has a mighty melody and a mighty message. So sing away, bub. Echo and all.

AARON GOODVIN/Woman In Love
Writers: Aaron Goodvin/Bart Butler/Brice Long; Producer: Bart Butler; Publishers: WB/Goodvin Fifty One/Bill Butler/Golden Vault/Woodspring/Blongsongs, ASCAP/BMI/SESAC; Warner Music Canada (AJG) (CDX)
-Pleasant, if ordinary.

JASON ALDEAN/A Little More Summertime
Writers: Jerry Flowers, Tony Martin and Wendell Mobley; Producer: Michael Knox; Broken Bow (ERG)
– Less bombastic and more melodic than usual, which is a welcome change of pace. Also, he wears heartache well. The icing on the cake is a delightful, swirling production.

RYAN FOLLESE/Float Your Boat
Writers: Ryan Follesé, Adrienne Follesé, Jamie Follesé, Keith Follesé, Cameron Montgomery; Producer: Cameron Montgomery; Publishers: Sony/ATV Music Publishing, LLC / Black Saturday Music; BMI; Big Machine (ERG)
– I liked him better when he was a pop artist. That said, this is crunchy and catchy and clever.

TRACE ADKINS/Lit
Writers: Mickey Jack Cones, Monty Criswell, Derek George; Producer: Mickey Jack Cones; Wheelhouse (ERG)
– It lists the ways that things are hot while the production blazes. But it’s all rocked up with no place to go.

KANE BROWN/Thunder In The Rain
Writers: Kane Brown, Josh Hoge, Matthew McVaney; Publishers: Songs of Universal/EMI Foray Music/B Frank Entertainment; BMI/SESAC; RCA (ERG)
– More crashing rock. His vocal performance is kinda cool, but there’s just too much noise around it.

CHASE RICE/Everybody We Know Does
Writers: Jeremy Bussey, Travis Denning; Publishers: Universal Tunes/I’m About To Go Red On Ya Music; SESAC/BMI; Columbia (ERG)
– It’s one of those “country-and-proud-of-it” thangs with a raucous party vibe.

ERIC SOWERS BAND/My Kind of Country
Writers: Eric Sowers; Producer: Gary Carter; Publishers: none listed, BMI; ESB (track)
– This northern Ohio band has a hearty warmth and an engaging earnestness. Welcome to the dance, boys.

KEITH URBAN/Blue Ain’t Your Color
Writers: Steven Lee Olsen/Hillary Lindsey/Clint Lagerberg; Producers: Dann Huff/Keith Urban; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/Songs of the Corn/HillaroddyRathbone/BMG/House of Sea Gayle/Clearbox/Spirit Two, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol Nashville
– I dig the “old school” vibe on this ballad. The first time you hear it, the song sounds like a classic. Urban goes four-for-four from the Ripcord album.

DISClaimer: Reckless Kelly Bashes And Blazes

August 4, 2016/by Robert K Oermann

Reckless Kelly

Here we are in the blazing heat of a Southern summer, but the sounds from the country world aren’t nearly as hot.

The new single by Reckless Kelly is a dandy, and the latest from Lucas Hoge is well worth some spins, too. But most of the rest of what is in today’s column is not really essential listening.

One exception is the Disc of the Day winner, “Wildflowers” by Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris, our eternally excellent Trio.

I also liked newcomer Shawn Byrne. He’s a singer-songwriter who has everything it takes to succeed. Give him a DisCovery Award.

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE & TIM McGRAW/May We All
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Jamie Moore; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; BMLG Records
– Yearning and nostalgic, yet still very breezy and romantic. The vocals and production are very “processed” sounding, but there is “heart” here as well. Nicely done.

AMERICAN YOUNG/God Sends a Train
Writers: Kristy Osmunson/Bob Regan; Writers: Jon Stone, Justin Niebank & Lee Brice; Publishers: Getting Grown/Osmunson/Dixie Stars/Tahoe Kid/HoriPro, BMI/ASCAP; Curb
– It’s an atmospheric story song about a woman who is delivered from an abusive relationship by a railroad tragedy. Spooky and cool.

LUCAS HOGE/Boom Boom
Writers: Philip LaRue/Ben Glover; Producer: Matt McClure; Publishers: Razor & Tie/Aroise/9t One Songs, BMI/ASCAP; Rebel Engine
– Jaunty and romantic, with a nifty, bubbling, burbling percussion track. Easily his most commercial outing yet. Infinitely programmable.

KELSEY WALDON/All By Myself
Writer: Kelsey Waldon; Producer: Michael Rinne; Publisher: none listed; Monkey’s Eyebrow
– This moody, downbeat ballad has a hypnotic appeal with its ghostly echo-chamber guitar and her hushed, haunted vocal delivery. Intriguing, despite some problems with the band keeping tempo. This gal has real promise.

SHAWN BYRNE/Lonesome Ol’ Guitar
Writers: Shawn Byrne/Chuck McCarthy/Todd Elgin; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; SB (track)
– I like this guy. His baritone voice has a warm resonance. The production is admirably spare. And there’s something about this lonely-troubadour performance that keeps you hanging on every line.

EMMYLOU HARRIS, DOLLY PARTON, LINDA RONSTADT/Wildflowers (alternate version)
Writer: Dolly Parton; Producer: George Massenburg; Publisher: Velvet Apple; Rhino
– The 1988 and 1999 Trio masterpieces by Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris will be the basis of a triple-CD reissue by Rhino next month. One disc will have the original album. The second will contain the tracks from its follow-up. A third disc will contain 12 previously unheard tunes and 8 alternate takes, plus “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues” and “Mr. Sandman” (Trio performances which appeared on Harris LPs). This previously-unheard alternate take of Dolly’s poetic song, available as a lyric-video download, has each woman singing a verse, full-throated trio harmonies and a bouncier, more twangy arrangement than the original. On the hit version, 28 years ago, Dolly sang lead throughout, the arrangement was more Appalachian/acoustic and she and Linda sometimes did duo harmonies. At any rate, I still tingle all over whenever I hear these three sing together, and the song is enduringly wonderful. I cannot WAIT to hear the rest of what is coming out of the vaults.

JEREMY & THE HARLEQUINS/Into the Night
Writers: Jeremy Fury; Producer: Jeremy & The Harlequins; Publisher: none listed; Yep Roc
– Galloping and pop-ish, with plenty of oomph and echo. The relentless tempo is very exciting, and the lead vocalist isn’t afraid to let the fur fly.

KENNY DAVIN FINE & THE TENNESSEE TEXANS/Ballad of the Tennessee Texans
Writer: Kenny Davin Fine; Producer: Michael Lloyd: Publisher: FinerMusic, BMI; Higher Ground
– A cheesy attempt at a retro sound that falls flat, largely because the song is as dull as mud. Also, the band’s playing is sloppy.

SMITH & WESLEY/You’re the One
Writer: Scott Smith; Producer: Shane Hill; Publisher: Dream Walkin,’ ASCAP; Garage Door (CDX)
– This is a change-of-pace love ballad for these Southern rockers.

RECKLESS KELLY/How Can You Love Him (You Don’t Even Like Him)
Writers: Willy Braun; Producer:Willy Braun, Cody Braun & David Abeyta; Publishers: Fah-Q Music; No Big Deal
– The band bashes and blazes in a tight, jangle-filled arrangement highlighting harmonica, organ, throbbing bass, cascading piano notes and shuddering guitars. The drawling, conversational vocal is just right. This would sound absolutely great on country radio. So nice I played it twice.

DISClaimer: Miranda Lambert Lights Up Radio With “Vice”

July 28, 2016/by Robert K Oermann

Miranda Lambert. Photo: Becky Fluke

Some days, the decisions are as clear as a bright blue sky.

There is no question, for instance, that the Disc of the Day award belongs to Miranda Lambert. In a sea of songs about beer drinking, hot honeys, pickup trucks and being proud to be redneck, she has a lyric about real life. She has always had an edge that other artists lack. No more so than she does today.

We have a number of newcomers in today’s column. But, again, the choice is easy. Cody Johnson triumphs over the competition to win the DisCovery Award.

MAGNOLIA BELLE/Lucky Number
Writers: none listed; Producer: Kimo Forrest; Publisher: none listed; Heartland (track)
– It’s kinda synth-y and pop, but very sunny, upbeat and bright sounding. Enjoyable.

FRANKIE BALLARD/Cigarette
Writers: Kip Moore/Chris Stapleton/Jaren Johnston; Producer: Marshall Altman; Publishers: WB/Cool Change/Music of the Corn/Spirit Catalog Holdings/Spirit Two/Sony-ATV Harmony/Texa Rae, ASCAP; Warner Bros.
– Get a load of those writer credits. Too bad he couldn’t get anybody talented involved. This is the song of a man in lust, loaded with steamy vocal phrasing and intensely atmospheric production. A hit.

ZACH SEABAUGH/Nothing Good Happens After Midnight
Writers: Bruce Burch/Wally Montgomery; Producers: Zach Seabaugh, Jason Pendley & Bruce Burch; Publisher: none listed; Open Roads
– This Georgia teenager competed on The Voice last year. His solid baritone carries this uptempo romantic number with confidence and aplomb. The thumping rhythm track is especially cool. A contender, for sure.

VINCE GILL/Me and My Girl
Writer: Vince Gill; Producers: Vince Gill/Justin Niebank; Publishers: Vinne Mae/Songs of Kobalt, BMI; MCA Nashville
– A gentle rhythm carries this along like a summer breeze. It’s a lovely “road” song about traveling side-by-side with the one you adore, heading for nowhere under a yellow moon. In a word, enchanting.

MIKE SMITH/Green Eyed Girl
Writer: Mike Smith; producer: Nioshi Jackson; Publisher: Color Blind, ASCAP; EMS (track)
– The track rumbles along nicely. He’s not the strongest singer I’ve ever heard, but he gets the job done without drifting off pitch or meter.

CODY JOHNSON/With You I Am
Writers: David Lee/Cody Johnson/Trent Willmon; Producer: Trent Willmon; Publisher: Mood Merchant Music/4 Cow Ranch Songs/Cojo Country Publishing/Ascamp/Barnes and No Bull Music, ASCAP/BMI; Cojo (track)
– I dig this guy. He has a smooth-as-silk delivery, a relaxing warmth and an instantly likable vocal personality. The lyric of this mid-tempo charmer is about a man who changes his ways because of love.

AARON LEWIS/That Ain’t Country
Writers: Aaron Lewis; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Publisher: WB/Greenfund, BMI; Dot
– Country, country, country, complete with stuttering electric guitar, whining steel and a classic shuffle rhythm. Waylon, Jones, David Allan Coe, Johnny & June, Hank Jr., Haggard, Willie and Charlie Daniels all get name-checked along the way. What he wants, you see, is a return to heartache and gritty real life that he used to hear in country music.

BOO RAY/Sea of Lights
Writers: none listed; Producer: Noah Shain; Publisher: none listed; BR (track)
– The mix is kinda muddy. But the song about a country boy with shattered dreams in Hollywood is right on the money.

BAILEY JAMES/Kiss Me
Writers: Koehler/Norris/Haws; Producer: David Norris; Publisher: Bailey James/Norrisong/Harry Haws, ASCAP/BMI; BJ (track)
– I have admired this neo-traditionalist in the past. Her new entry is a straightforward invitation to romance. As before, she’s a forceful vocalist.

MIRANDA LAMBERT/Vice
Writers: Miranda Lambert/Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne; Producers: Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf & Eric Masse; Publisher: none listed; RCA (download)
– Dark, sordid, simmering with sin…..and thoroughly fabulous. She’s trapped in a soul-killing vortex of drinking and promiscuity, and there is no escape. A Record of the Year contestant, and certainly one of the greatest performances of her career.