DisClaimer: No Denying Miranda Lambert And Rainey Qualley

miranda lambert smokin and drinkinThe tomatoes win this round.

Both of our award winners today come from female country artists. They had tough competition from the men of A Thousand Horses and Brushville. But there was no denying that the Miranda Lambert record with Little Big Town singing harmony is the Disc of the Day.

Similarly, no one even touched the hem of Rainey Qually’s gown as she swept up to the podium as this week’s DisCovery Award winner. Her “Me and Johnny Cash” rocks in all the right places.

ERICA NICOLE/I’m Making Mine
Writer: Emily Weisband; Producer: Kent Wells; Publisher: WB/Thankful for This, ASCAP; GTR (CDX) (www.ericanicolemusic.com)
I have liked several of this gal’s upbeat, danceable, tuneful performances in the past. It turns out that she’s equally potent when essaying stirring, thoughtful lyrics. 

BRUSHVILLE/Dangerous
Writer: Ben Hayslip/Rhett Akins; Producer: Klye Lehning; Publisher: WB/Get a Load of This/EMI Blackwood, ASCAP/BMI; Brushville (CDX) (www.brushville.com)
—It seems that what is “dangerous” isn’t risky driving, drinking, night swimming or even making love. It’s falling in love. Smartly executed in every way.

IRLENE MANDRELL/We Will Stand
Writer: Eric Homer; Producer: Pat Holt; Publisher: Blue Chameleon, ASCAP; CDX (www.irlenemandrell.com)
—She was always overshadowed vocally by sisters Barbara and Louise. But in her own modest and tentative way, Irlene holds her own on this patriotic outing.

ROWDY McCARRAN/Eyes Wide Open
Writer: none listed; Producer: Fred Vail; Publisher: none listed; RM (track) (615-297-0700)
—Veteran producer Vail’s latest discovery is a rootsy country romper with a personable drawl and a solid CD title song. Give this guy a deal.

THE KENTUCKY HEADHUNTERS & JOHNNIE JOHNSON/Meet Me in Bluesland
Writer: R.Young/G.Martin/A.Kenney/D.Phelps/F.Young/J.Johnson; Producer: The Kentucky HeadHunters; Publisher: BMG Firefly/Bughouse/Them Young Boys/Song Garden/BMG Bumblebee/Bug/Mr. Erik/I.B. Headed/JFJ, ASCAP/BMI; Alligator (track) (www.kentuckyheadhunters.com)
—The late Johnnie Johnson was Chuck Berrry’s right-hand man as a high-octane piano pounder and sometime songwriting collaborator. He was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 and died in 2005. His 2003 blues sessions with the HeadHunters are now being released as a CD with this stately outing as the title tune. His piano work still captivates, and his shouted, down-home blues vocal is equally riveting. The country group proves to be surprisingly adept as an r&b backing band.

JB AND THE MOONSHINE BAND/Shotgun, Rifle and a .45
Writer: J.B. Patterson; Producer: JB and The Moonshine Band; Publisher: JBMB, BMI; Thirty Tigers (track) (www.jbandthemoonshineband.com)
—Too busy. It sounds like a cluttered demo tape. Clean up your production.

MIRANDA LAMBERT & LITTLE BIG TOWN/Smokin’ and Drinkin’
Writer: Natalie Hemby/Luke Laird/Shane McAnally; Producer: Frank Liddell, Chuck Ainley & Glenn Worf; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/Wruckestrike/Songs of Universal/Creative Nation/Twangin and Slangin/Smack Ink, BMI/ASCAP; RCA (track)
—Strings sigh, a steel guitar moans and a drum kit shuffles along while electric guitar notes pierce the evening atmosphere. Languid, liquid vocals lounge in nostalgia and misty memory. Enchanting. Seductive. Dreamy.

RAINEY QUALLEY/Me and Johnny Cash
rainey qualleyWriter: Rainey Qualley/John Ramey/Jeffrey East; Producer: Russ Zavitson & John Ramey; Publisher: Zavitson/Rainey Qualley/Tazmaraz, ASCAP/BMI; Cingle (track) 
—This puts pedal to the metal and boasts a delicious backbeat, plus stuttering fiddle and banjo, deep-twang guitar and a wailing, wide-open vocal. A highway song for a red-hot summer. This is going places.

A THOUSAND HORSES/Drunk Dial
Writer: Michael Hobby/Corey Crowder/Neil Mason/Cale Dodds; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: Warner-Tamerlane/Carolina June/Greatshakin/Universal/Crowder Taylor/Nettwerk One B/Revelry/Nevada House/Cale Dodds, BMI/ASCAP; Republic Nashville (track) 
—“Smoke” was a dynamite career launcher. The follow-up, due at the end of the month, is just as cool. “(This Ain’t No) Drunk Dial” is sung with rough-edged soul and shrouded in echoey, mysterioso guitars. Ear grabbing in the extreme.

OLIVIA LANE/You Part 2
Writer: Danny Myrick/Ilya Toshinsky/Olivia Lane; Producer: Ilya Toshinsky; Publisher: Round Hill/Warren Piece/Liv Write Play/Lane Train, BMI/ASCAP/SESAC; Big Spark (www.olivialane.com)
—Choppy rhythms, a quasi-spoken vocal with a hip-hop vibe and a minimal melody. It’s too far on the pop side of things for my taste, but I won’t deny that it’s very listenable.

DisClaimer: Chris Young On Edge of Superstardom With Spicy New Song

chris young i'm comin overHandsome is as handsome does.

Sam Hunt, Chris Young, Shania Twain and Granger Smith are all undeniably good looking folks. That might get you in the door, but after that, it’s the sounds that count. And, happily, these four have the best records of today’s listening session.

The Disc of the Day award goes to Chris Young. His “I’m Comin’ Over” seasons his nice-guy personna with the spice of sensuality, and the result is the kind of record that can turn a hit maker into a superstar.

Texan Granger Smith is a veteran of seven self-released studio albums. Now, he’s teamed up with star-maker Frank Rogers (Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, Josh Turner). The result brings him a well-deserved (and long delayed) DisCovery Award.

LUKE BRYAN/Kick the Dust Up
Writer: Dallas Davidson/Chris DeStefano/Ashley Gorley; Producer: Jeff Stevens & Jody Stevens; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/Two Chord Georgia/EMI April/Combustion Engine/Sadie’s Favorite/WB, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol (CDX) 
—Stomp, stomp, stomp. Drink, drink, drink. Party, party, party. Who is this guy?

BILLY DAVIS & OIL COUNTRY/Roughneck
Writer: Alex Zanetis; Producer: Eric Zanetis; Publisher: none listed; Zanetis (track) (www.oilcountrysongs.com)
—The late Nashville songwriter Alex Zanetis wrote, sang and produced a 1964 concept LP titled Ballads of the Oil Fields. Fifty years later, his son Eric produced sonically updated versions of those songs, now collectively titled Oil Country: Songs of the Oil Fields. This toe-tapper illustrates how thoroughly contemporary he makes these antiques sound. Recommended.

CLARE DUNN/Move On
Writer: Clare Dunn/Jesse Frasure; Producer: Clare Dunn & Jesse Frasure; Publisher: BMG Gold/Leer Jet 87/Rio Bravo/Telemitry, ASCAP/BMI; MCA Nashville (CDX) 
—She has a dramatic, deep alto until she shifts into her upper-register overdrive on the choruses. Production-wise, it is strikingly “different” and loaded with echo and electronic effects. It is quite good, but I’m having a hard time hearing what is “country” about this record.

MIKEL KNIGHT/Roses & Mayhem
Writer: K Grisham/J. Cross/J. Deford/B. Mitchell; Producer: J. Cross & K. Grisham; Publisher: none listed; 203 (CDX) (www.mikelknight.com)
—I have always hated country rap. Especially when it’s under produced.

CHRIS YOUNG/I’m Comin’ Over
Writer: Chris Young/Corey Crowder/Josh Hoge; Producer: Corey Crowder & Chris Young; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/Goodbye Pants/WB/Songs From the Rose Hotel/EMI Foray/Write 2 Be Free, ASCAP/SESAC; RCA (CDX) 
—Millions of women answer, panting breathlessly, “Yes, PLEASE, drop by anytime.” In other words, this is totally hot. It’s also a stone smash.

SOUTHERN HALO/Little White Dress
Writer: Natalia Morris/Catt Gravitt/Gerald O’Brien; Producer: Catt Gravitt & Gerald O’Brien; Publisher: none listed, BMI/SESAC; Southern Halo (CDX) (www.southernhalo.net)
—The creamy female harmonies shimmer on the fabulously melodic choruses. The tuneless verses are a waste of time.

SAM HUNT/House Party
Writer: Sam Hunt/Zach Crowell/Jerry Flowers; Producer: Zach Crowell & Shane McAnally; Publisher: Universal/Three Mules/External Combustion/Who Wants to Buy My Pub/Atlas/Songs of Southside Independent/I Love Pizza/WB, ASCAP; MCA Nashville (CDX) 
—This is one rousing, romping good-time single. The track stutters and thumps  delightfully, and his vocal invites you to sing, shout and knock yourself out. Smiles for miles.

Granger Smith

Granger Smith

GRANGER SMITH/Backroad Song
Writer: Granger Smith/Frank Rogers; Producer: Frank Rogers & Granger Smith; Publisher: Climbing Windmills/House of Sea Gayle, BMI/ASCAP; Thirty Tigers (track) (www.grangersmith.com)
—He has a very attractive, intimate, smokey baritone, and his midtempo tune is irresistibly catchy. This gets my vote as a summertime song.

SHANIA TWAIN/Man I Feel Like a Woman
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Eagle Vision/Universal DVD (track) 
—Twain says she’s working on a new CD and has so many songs that she has to edit them down to a manageable group. In the meantime, we have the DVD of her Vegas residency, Still the One: Shania Twain Live From Vegas. That’s where you can see as well as hear her romp through this 1997 Grammy-winning smash. She not only looks and sounds great, the lighting, effects, dancing, camera work and staging are all simply first rate. The clip is on YouTube. It will more than convince you that this is one concert DVD that’s well worth the price of admission.

STEPHANIE QUAYLE/That’s What I’m Talking About
Writer: Lindsay Rimes/Emily Shackleton/Phil Barton; Producer: Ilya Toshinsky; Publisher: EMI Australia/Warner-Tamerlane/Better Boat/Sony-ATV, BMI; Rebel Engine 
—As if we don’t have enough men singing bro-country lyrics ….. now we have the chick version of that.

DISClaimer: Audio Delights From Nathan Chapman, Kristian Bush

Kristian Bush wins Disc of the Day.

Kristian Bush wins Disc of the Day.

The sounds of summer are upon us.

Logan Brill, Hunter Hayes, Jericho Woods, Emily Minor and Simon Andersson all have new tunes with sunshine built into their grooves. The Hayes and Brill songs were strong enough to compete for Disc of the Day, but were narrowly edged out by “Light Me Up” by Kristian Bush.

The DISCovery Award goes to someone who is already familiar to many of you, thanks to his accomplishments as a producer and songwriter. But now Nathan Chapman is stepping out as an artist with a CD that has audio delights around every corner.

WARD DAVIS/Last Monday in May
Writer: Bob Regan/Don Goodman/six war veterans; Producer: Bob Regan; Publisher: none listed; Operation Song (track) (www.operationsong.org)
Operation Song is a collection of compositions that Bob Regan and Don Goodman created with war veterans as therapy. Its touching single is a Memorial Day tribute to the fallen from battles throughout history. Essential.

SIMON ANDERSSON/How Did I Get Here
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; SA Music AB (www.simonandersson.net)
—Andersson is Swedish, but he displays a thorough understanding of country music on this compelling single. The throbbing rhythm and hooky tune are just right, and so is his performance of the lost-in-love lyric.

RAY SCOTT/Ain’t Always Thirsty
Writer: Ray Scott/Mark Stephen Jones; Producer: Dave Brainard; Publisher: Songs of Universal/Rayality/Harlan Howard, BMI; DeciBel (track) (www.rayscott.com)
—I remain a fan of this baritone neo-traditionalist. The first single from his new album stares at a dissipated life with raw honesty and unflinching emotion. A steel-soaked ballad to chill the bones.

JERICHO WOODS/She Don’t Need Me Anymore
Writer: J. Mitcham/K. Daniel/P. Priest/D. Spencer; Producer: Dustin Spencer; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Yellowberri (track) (www.jerichowoodsband.com)
—Clear, liquid country-rock from Kentucky, smoothly played and sung. The dobro lines are particularly ear catching.

Nathan Chapman earns the DISCovery Award.

Nathan Chapman earns the DISCovery Award.

NATHAN CHAPMAN/Revival
Writer: Nathan Chapman/Tyler Hilton; Producer: Nathan & Stephanie Chapman; Publisher: Songs of Universal/Art in the Pain/Ty Britt, BMI; Pain in the Art (track) 
—Best known as the producer of million-selling Taylor Swift records and/or as the co-writer of Darius Rucker’s No. 1 hit “Homegrown Honey” Chapman steps out as an artist with a stunning collection of self-penned gems. Its title tune is a gospel-flavored ode to redemption that’s blessed with an instantly memorable melody as well as a vocal full of heart. This stuff is so strong it could appeal to listeners well beyond country’s borders.

EMILY MINOR/Funky Feel Good
Writer: Minor/Williams; Producer: Scott Trayer; Publisher: none listed; EMM (track) (www.emilyminor.net)
—”Funky” is not a word we ordinarily find in country music. This sunny, smiley, highly polished, white-girl ditty is anything but.

HUNTER HAYES/21
Writer: Dallas Davidson/Kelley Lovelace/Ashley Gorley/Hunter Hayes; Producer: Dann Huff & Hunter Hayes; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/Two Chord Georgia/EMI April/Don’t Have to Be Music/External Combustion/Songs of Southside Independent/WB/Atlas/Ogden Avenue/Songs of Universal,  BMI/ASCAP; Atlantic 
—When was the last time you heard a great birthday-party song? Well, Hunter has one, and it’s full of bopping energy and upbeat intentions. Dance along.

RISSI PALMER/Sweet, Sweet Lovin’
Writer: Rissi Palmer/Andrew Ramsey/Shannon Sanders; Producer: Andrew Ramsey & Shannon Sanders; Publisher: none listed; Baldilocks (track) (615-782-0078)
—The child’s voice is her daughter Grace. The song has a bluesy tinge that is appealing. There’s something somehow “Southern” sounding about it. The new five-song EP is titled The Back Porch Sessions. Recommended.

KRISTIAN BUSH/Light Me Up
Writer: Kristian Bush/Jesse Rice; Producer: Kristian Bush & Tom Tapley; Publisher: Songs of the Architect/Songs of Artist Revolution/ole, BMI/SESAC; Streamsound (track) 
—This fellow continues to delight my ears. The sunny, romantic song is irresistible, and the warmth of his voice is completely enveloping. The icing on the cake is a brilliant production loaded with tiny, perfectly placed touches that shine like little jewels.

LOGAN BRILL/Shuteye
Writer: Ryan Tindell/Bryan Simpson; Producer: Oran Thornton & Matthew Miller; Publisher: none listed; Carnival (track) 
—The loose-limbed rhythm track is the real scene stealer here. It rumbles through the song like a drunken pachyderm. Brill’s sexy, sultry vocal performance is dandy, too. By far her most accomplished record to date. Check out the rest of the Shuteye CD’s 10 tunes: I think you’ll be as impressed as I am.

 

DISClaimer: Steven Tyler Is Tops

Steven TylerIt’s the world turned upside down.

Just about everything in this week’s column is unexpected. I never thought I would be giving an award to the likes of Steven Tyler. First off, I am philosophically opposed to carpetbaggers from pop going “country.” Secondly, it seems counterintuitive to give a newcomer award to a member of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. But facts are facts. His single is tops, and this is the first time he’s been in this column. So he gets a DISCovery Award.

Despite the presence of heavy hitters like Thomas Rhett, Zac Brown and Thompson Square, the Disc of the Day winds up being a dead heat between two much lesser known acts. So come to the podium, Tebey and Old Dominion.

THOMAS RHETT/Crash and Burn
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Valory (ERG) 
—It has a somewhat ‘60s retro quality, what with the hand claps, background vocal grunts, whistling and bright, pop chorus melody. Quite listenable.

THOMPSON SQUARE/Trans Am
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Broken Bow 
—A shuddering guitar, a quirky-jerky tune, electro-processed vocal touches and shouted “Hey’s” are stirred together in this ode to a sporty ride. Bouncy.

TEBEY/When the Buzz Wears Off
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Road Angel (ERG) 
—Ear catching, thanks to a warmly personable vocal, a rushing-forward arrangement, a hooky melody, a youthful vibe and an imaginative lyric. I dig this a whole big bunch. Credits, please.

Old Dominion

Old Dominion

OLD DOMINION/Break Up With Him
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; RCA (ERG) 
—I’m a big fan of this group, so I’m delighted to see it getting a major-label shot. From the spoken-word verse introductions to the super melodic choruses, this has everything it takes for success. As catchy as the dickens.

ZAC BROWN BAND/Loving You Easy
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Big Machine (ERG) 
—Jaunty and ultra romantic. His lead vocal is loaded with friendliness, and the band’s signature harmony singing is as flawless as ever. This goes down so smoothly, it’s bound to be a hit.

JOE SCHMIDT/Jesus Loves Me
Writer: Joe Schmidt; Producer: Mark A. Burch; Publisher: none listed, BMI; JS (CDX)  (www.joeschmidtmusic.net)
—Yes, it’s the familiar Sunday-school song, dressed up with some new lyrics and sung in a chesty, macho baritone. Pass.

STEVEN TYLER/Love Is Your Name
Writer: Lindsey Lee/Eric Paslay; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: Hound Hill Works/Hear Candy/Riding Songs/Spirit Catalog Holdings/s.a.r.l./Five Stone/Spirit Two, BMI/ASCAP; Dot 
—I’ve been dreading the country debut of Aerosmith’s lead singer. Surprise: It doesn’t suck. Aided by a tuneful, extremely well written song and a sprightly, choppy production, Tyler sends his tenor skyward amid mandolin flourishes and sunny harmony singers. Very, very playable.

COUNTRY JACK HARPER/I’d Say We’re Even
Writer: Jack Harper; Producer: Gene Breeden; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP; CJH (track) 
—Plain-jane country, unadorned with today’s pop production touches. Old fashioned and wobbly sung, but sweetly intentioned.

TYLER FARR/Withdrawals
Writer: Josh Kear/Gordie Sampson/Hillary Lindsey; Producer: Julian King & Jim Catino; Publisher: Global Dog/Lunalight/Words & Music/Bughouse/Dash8/BMG Rights/Hillarodyrathbone, ASCAP; Columbia (track) 
—“They don’t have a rehab for heartbreak.” He’s going through withdrawal, now that it’s over between them. Sung with passion, at the top of his range. With lots of screaming electric guitars around him to add to the “excitement.”

TORI MARTIN/Woman Up
Writer: none listed; Producer: Chuck Ebert; Publisher: none listed; Martin 3 (www.torimartinofficial.com)
—Bluesy and stomping, with a female-empowerment lyric. Her vocal is a little bit shakey, but it’s the attitude that counts here.

DISClaimer: Triumphant Returns

Ashley-Clark-Greyhound-FeaturedOnce a fan, always a fan.

Today’s listening session was dominated by the welcome returns of four folks who charted in prior decades. I am happy to report that all of them still sound as strong as ever. They are former Arista artist Michelle Wright, former Curb signee Philip Claypool, former Sony chart-topper Collin Raye and the ageless John Anderson, who has been on just about every label imprint in Music City.

A tip of my hat and a warm embrace to John Anderson, along with a Disc of the Day salute.

This week’s DisCovery Award goes to Ashley Clark. He is a former member of The Clark Family Experience and a fiddler in Carrie Underwood’s band. It doesn’t say so on the CDX, but his (excellent) producer is none other than Mutt Lange.

CHRISTIAN LOPEZ BAND/Leaving It Out
Writers: Christian Lopez; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: Christian Lopez, SESAC; Blaster (track)
-He has a charmingly earnest tenor voice. The band is unimaginative but adequate. The song does nothing for me.

John-Anderson1

John Anderson

JOHN ANDERSON/I Work A Lot Better
Writers: John D. Anderson/Josh Turner; Producers: John Anderson & Joe Spivey; Publishers: none listed; Bayou Boys (track)
-The blander country music gets, the more I yearn for personality vocalists like this one. Anderson remains one of the greatest stylists we’ve ever had, and he’s at his best on good-humored songs like this honky-tonking romp. That’s a huge smile you see on my face as it crashes to a close. Love him. Love this.

2-BIT PALOMINO/Things I Dream About
Writers: Sheryn Cassiday/Andrea C. Renfree; Producer: Don Richmond; Publisher: none listed; Howlin’ Dog (track)
-The title tune of this trio’s CD throws a spotlight on its strengths — a poetic sensibility, an emphasis on melody and sterling harmonies. The main drawback is that all three voices are a bit too “pretty” and pop-perfect, which is underscored by the pristine-precious picking.

COLLIN RAYE/Rock and Roll Never Forgets
Writers: B. Seger; Producer: Cradle Concepts LLC; Publisher: Gear, no performance rights listed; Goldentone (track)
-Collin’s new CD is Greatest Hits Live. Its one non-hit is the rousing, rocking closing track wherein he exhorts the crowd to sing along with him on the familiar 1977 Bob Seger classic. You don’t hear them doing so, but his top-of-his-range tenor shriek comes through loud and clear. As does the extended ovation at the finale.

THE PAT WATTERS BAND/I’m Your Buddy
Writers: Pat Watters; Producers: The Pat Watters Band; Publishers: none listed; PWB (track)
-I gather from the credits that these guys hail from Wisconsin. They’re not exactly instrumental virtuosos, nor vocal volcanos. But the good-natured approach and the clever songwriting are both very winning. I bet they’re a barroom full of fun in a live show.

MICHELLE WRIGHT/Laugh A Little
Writers: Jason Sellers/David Lynn Hutton/Terri Jo Box; Producer: Jason Barry; Publishers: This Is Magic Mustang/Big Loud Bucks/Troy D/Sony-ATV Cross Keys, ASCAP; Savannah (CDX)
-This Canadian thrush made her mark in the early ‘90s with hits like “Take It Like a Man” and “He Would Be 16.” She still has the goods as a throaty, emotive vocalist. Another big plus is the solidly written song with its hooky, good-message choruses. Play this excellent comeback single.

ASHLEY CLARK/Greyhound
Writers: Ashley Clark/Austin Clark; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; I.R.S. (CDX)
-He had me from his first notes. This guy is a for-real singer, with lung power to spare and an excellent sense of dynamics. The chorus rushes by its title so quickly that it hardly registers. But I got so caught up in his performance and the terrifically wooshy production that I didn’t care. I’m a believer.

SMITH N WESTERN/Call Me
Writers: Travis C. Smith; Producer: Jason Plummer; Publisher: 80 Proof Poetry and Truth, BMI; 80 Proof (CDX)
-This new duo pushes its way onto the country scene with a song that has more hooks than a tuna boat. The vocals are a little “dry,” and there’s not much production finesse, but there’s no denying the potency of the material. Well worth your attention.

PHILIP CLAYPOOL/Three More Beers
Writers: Philip Claypool/Jeff Silbar; Producer: Michael Lloyd; Publishers: none listed, ASCAP/BMI; PC (CDX)
-The hillbilly in the bar is getting so plastered that he’s mistaking the gal making eyes at him for Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, J-Lo, Ga-Ga, Angaleena Jolie and Pamela Sue Anderson. All of whom he manages to not only name-check but rhyme in the lyric. A must-listen rockabilly fiesta.

RICK MONROE/Great Minds Drink Alike
Writers: Rick Monroe/Dan Adams; Producer: Sean Giovanni; Publishers: Jindo Dog/Broken Yellow Line, ASCAP/BMI; MRG (CDX)
-This oomphy rocker is produced and sung with great gusto. And who can argue with a title this witty? Shut up and dance.

DISClaimer: Janson’s “Boat” Is Sailing High

ChrisJansonThere’s a new sheriff in town.

Actually, he’s been around awhile, performing often at the Grand Ole Opry, writing songs beaucoup, issuing records on an independent label and earning a reputation as a highly entertaining stage performer. Now Chris Janson not only has a major-label shot, but has the most delightful new song of the season. Give that man a Disc of the Day award.

Also lend your ears to the singles by The Cadillac Three, Jason Michael Carroll, Lee Brice and Steven Ybarra. Not to mention The Bigsbys. I know next-to-nothing about these guys, except that their raw oomph won them my DisCovery Award. Judging by their touring schedule, I’d say they are Texans.

CHRIS JANSON/Buy Me A Boat
Writers: Chris Janson/Chris DuBois; Producers: Chris DuBois/Brent Anderson/Chris Janson; Publishers: Red Vinyl/Buckkilla/House of Sea Gayle, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
-Where do I begin? The shuddering-twang guitar work; the hillbilly-accented delivery; the wildly inventive lyric; the hook-filled melody; the blue-collar message. It’s all here, and then some. In a word, brilliant. The rest of you gathered here today for my listening enjoyment might as well pack your bags.

NATASHA BORZILOVA/Wilder Days
Writer: Natasha Borzilova; Producers: Natasha Borzilova/John Caldwell; Publisher: Uncle Hadley, ASCAP; Hadley Music
-The title tune of this former Bering Strait frontwoman’s fourth solo outing is kissed with mandolin twinkles and crunchy guitar chops. It takes a good while to get to the hook. But the getting-there sure is listenable.

THE CADILLAC THREE/White Lightning
Writer: Jaren Johnston; Producers: Dann Huff/Justin Niebank; Publishers: Sony-ATV/Texa Rae, ASCAP; Big Machine
-Not to be confused with the George Jones/Sawyer Brown chestnut, this is a love song where emotion hits him with the force of a thunderstorm. Well written, produced with panache and performed with intense believability. Groovy in the extreme. This trio has so far issued nothing but excellent records. It is high time you played them.

RANDY ROGERS & WADE BOWEN/In The Next Life
Writers: Wade Bowen/Randy Rogers; Producer: Lloyd Maines; Publishers: Theycallmepaul/Warner-Tamerlane/Trouble Songs, ASCAP/BMI; Lil’ Buddy Toons
-These two longtime buddies have teamed up on a CD titled Hold My Beer Vol. 1. It kicks off with this autobiographical thumpy jangler. Their brotherhood/friendship glows in every note. And, boy, is this country, country, country. My kinda music. In case you’re wondering: What happens “in the next life,” is “we’re gonna be ourselves again.”

ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL & THE TIME JUMPERS/Faded Love
Writers: Bob Wills/John Wills; Producers: Ray Benson/Sam Seifert; Publishers: none listed; Bismeaux (track)
-Asleep at the Wheel’s latest Bob Wills tribute CD is called Still the King. You’ll find Lyle Lovett, Brad Paisley, Merle Haggard, Old Crow Medicine Show, George Strait, Willie Nelson, Jamey Johnson and more on its 22 tracks. The most poignant one is this — the all-time western-swing classic performed by the two bands on earth that understand this music best, highlighted by a soul-piercing vocal by Dawn Sears. The Jumpers’ singer died last December, so this is her fitting epitaph.

The Bigsbys

The Bigsbys

THE BIGSBYS/Keep You Waiting
Writers: Alex Smith/Jonathan Tyler; Producer: Jonathan Tyler; Publisher: Swanson Hill, no performance rights listed; Shiner
-This four-piece combo lets fly with a robust, muscular, country-rocking sound. The single features a deep, deep bass rhythm track and three-part harmony choruses. There is a scrappy energy here that I find enormously endearing. Recommended.

LEE BRICE/That Don’t Sound Like You
Writers: Lee Brice/Rhett Akins/Ashley Gorley; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Curb (track)
– Admittedly, following “I Don’t Dance” and “Drinking Class” is daunting. For any other artist, this would be a perfectly good single. But by comparison with its predecessors, the song is ordinary.

SCOTT DEAN/In My Arms
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; SDC (track)
-This guy works the Texas market. To go further, I’d recommend a more imaginative production approach.

JASON MICHAEL CARROLL/God Only Knows
Writers: J.M. Carroll/P. Good/A.J. Babcock; Producer: J.M. Carroll; Publishers: none listed; For the Loney/Malaco (track)
-Not to be confused with The Beach Boys classic with the same title, this is a country rocker about a no-good man who loses his gal because of his carousing. The track bristles with energy, and his singing has never sounded stronger. Well done.

STEVEN YBARRA/What I Really Want To Say
Writers: Steven Ybarra/Diane Waters; Producers: Steven Ybarra, Chris Rodriguez, Dran Michael & Chad Jeffers; Publishers: none listed; Pacific (track)
-The title tune of this fellow’s CD kicks off the collection with some ear-opening, thunderous, stark drum pounding. But by the time he swings into the chorus, it’s sunny fiddling, soaring guitars and tenor vocal gliding all the way. Polished, promising and highly professional.

DISClaimer: A Potpourri of Americana

Jerry Lawson

Jerry Lawson

Today’s journey through Americana music is a potpourri of sounds.

Marquee country names such as Shelby Lynne and Lee Ann Womack are here. But so are soul singer Jerry Lawson, rhythmic folkies The Kennedys and veteran troubadours Greg Trooper and John Moreland. I’m not sure just how to describe Nataly Dawn, but the adventurous listeners among you need to hear her.

The Disc of the Day belongs to Pokey LaFarge. His jazzy, razamatazzy style makes you feel good all over.

The same might be said for the burnished glow of the voice of Jerry Lawson. He might be a veteran of The Persuasions, but this is his solo debut. And for that, he wins the DisCovery Award.

BLACKBERRY SMOKE/Too High
Writers: none listed; Producer: Brendan O’Brien; Publishers: none listed; Rounder (track)
-Country-rock with a slightly “outlaw” rumble. The hard-luck lyric has the protagonist giving up in the face of economic and social forces. Very country and very effective. I dig this band.

SHELBY LYNNE/I Can’t Imagine
Writers: Shelby Lynne/Pete Donnelly; Producer: Shelby Lynne; Publishers: Swampyblu/Pete Donnelly, BMI; Rounder (track)
-The tempestuous diva returns, still smoldering with emotion. The title tune to her new CD finds her moaning the blues in her upper vocal register, backing by weeping steel guitar. I remain a fan.

SHANNON McNALLY/I Must Be in a Good Place Now
Writers: none listed; Producer: Shannon McNally & Mac Rebennack; Sacred Sumac
-I am extremely late in getting to this, but I can’t let a tribute record to the late Bobby Charles slip by without a mention. The swamp-pop great is evocatively recalled in this drawling, languid ballad that closes the set. Flute and violin notes flutter around her laid-back vocal delivery. Elsewhere on the Small Town Talk CD, you’ll find Vince Gill, Dr. John, Derek Trucks and Luther Dickinson dropping by for instrumental support.

JERRY LAWSON/I’ll Come Running Back to You
Writers: William Stovall Clark; Producer: Eric Brace; Publishers: Sony-ATV/Big Billy, BMI; Red Beet (track)
-This outstanding soul singer was previously the lead vocalist in the a cappella group The Persuasions. He came to Nashville to craft his first solo album, which salutes such predecessors as Sam Cooke, David Ruffin and Bobby “Blue” Bland. With gently strummed acoustic guitar and soft harmony voices, Lawson is effortlessly captivating on this rolling, swaying track. Throughout the I’m Just a Mortal Man CD, his sandpapery, gospel-inflected delivery is gripping. The McCrary Sisters, Jim Lauderdale, Peter Cooper and Thom Jutz are among the cast members. If you love classic soul music, this is essential.

GREG TROOPER/All the Way to Amsterdam
Writers: Greg Trooper; Producer: Keith Gary; Publishers: 52 Shakes, BMI; 52 Shakes (track)
-Trooper’s latest is Live from the Rock Room. It contains in-concert versions of many of the veteran’s most memorable songs. This word portrait of a hopeful pair of losers jangles in all the right places, and the singer-songwriter’s crystal-clear vocal performance drives home every poetic line.

LEE ANN WOMACK/Trouble In Mind
Writers: Richard M. Jones; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Universal, no performance rights listed; Sugar Hill (track)
-Womack wanted to create something special for her Record Store Day release. So she went into the studio with just ace guitarist Richard Bennett to make a three-song vinyl release. Its title tune is this 1937 blues classic. Her magical voice weaves a sorcerous spell.

THE KENNEDYS/West
Writers: Pete Kennedy; Producer: Pete and Maura Kennedy; Publishers: Parade of Echoes, BMI; Kennedys (track)
-Pete and Maura Kennedy have been at it for 20 years now. The title tune of their latest collection features loads of deep-twang guitar, steady rhythm, melodic hooks and their trademark twin vocal harmony work. Country music laced with a folk sensibility.

JOHN MORELAND/Cherokee
Writers: John Moreland; Producer: John Moreland; Publishers: FTWSNGS, BMI; Old Omens (track)
-This troubadour’s latest is titled High on Tulsa Heat. It includes this longtime concert favorite, an addict’s fevered dream of redemption and healing. Between the ballad’s gripping lyric and his rasp-groan vocal, I guarantee it will haunt you.

NATALY DAWN/Araceli
Writers: Nataly Dawn; Producer: Jack Conte; Publishers: Nataly Dawn, ASCAP; Nonesuch (track)
-Now here’s something from out of left field. The eccentric-sounding track has a galumphing, herky-jerky rhythm. The lyric name-drops figures from Greek mythology. Her vocal is all over the melodic scale. Fascinating, to say the least.

Pokey LaFarge

Pokey LaFarge

POKEY LaFARGE/Something In The Water
Writers: Pokey LaFarge/Jimmy Sutton/Scott Ligon/Casey McDonough; Producers: Jimmy Sutton & Pokey LaFarge; Publishers: Pokey LaFarge/Chesterboy/Legmusic/Bardough, BMI/ASCAP; Rounder (track)
-Former Jack White / Third Man Records protege Pokey LaFarge makes his Rounder debut with a delightful collection. Its lead-off track and title tune samples elements from swing, ragtime, blues and country for an utterly charming sonic gumbo. Happily, it is symptomatic of the whole jazzbo album. If he sounds familiar, perhaps you caught him warbling on the soundtrack of TV’s Boardwalk Empire. Whatever the case, you need this music in your life.

DISClaimer: An Eclectic, Star-Studded Lineup

Brett Eldredge

Brett Eldredge

Is it because of Sunday’s ACM telecast that so many stars are lined up for this week’s column?

George Strait, Brett Eldredge, Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan are all on tap. As are such familiar names as Emerson Drive, Kid Rock and Little Texas.

Sure enough, one of them has the Disc of the Day. It’s Brett Eldredge. By the way, the reason there are so many writers and publishers listed on the disc is that it interpolates some of the 2006 Gnarls Barkley pop smash “Crazy.”

The winner of this week’s DisCovery Award is a burly-looking Indiana fellow named Allan Craig Miller. I don’t know when I have heard a debut single that is this consistently excellent on so many levels.

LUKE BRYAN/Games
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Capitol Nashville
-They play juvenile head games with one another, to the point where he doesn’t know if he’s winning or losing. Who cares? How come they always wind up at the same bars and the same parties? And why is this performed as if this was all something deeply profound?

KID ROCK/First Kiss
Writers: R.J. Ritchie/M. Young; Producer: Kid Rock/Dann Huff; Publishers: RJR/Kobalt/Jo Ray Dean/Bluewater, BMI; Warner Bros.
-Blue-collar rock, like most of his singles. He doesn’t have much range as an artist, but what he does, he does well.

GEORGE STRAIT/Let It Go
Writers: George Strait/Bubba Strait/Keith Gattis; Producers: Chuck Ainlay/George Strait; Publishers: Day Money/Horipro/Living for the Night/Sony-ATV Tree/Pioneer Town, ASCAP/BMI; MCA Nashville
-The loping, lackadaisical pace suits his laid-back delivery and the song’s easy-going philosophy. He still sounds great. I wish there were more like him.

COREY SMITH/Feet Wet
Writers: Corey Smith; Producer: Keith Stegall; Publisher: Shooting Moon, ASCAP; Sugar Hill (track)
-Ten albums into his career, this singer-songwriter turns to country pro Stegall as his producer. The result is a wonderfully catchy single with built-in sunshine. Come on in, the water’s fine.

BRETT ELDREDGE/Lose My Mind
Writers: Brett Eldredge/Heather Morgan/Ross Copperman, others; Producers: Ross Copperman/Brett Eldredge; Publishers: Sony-ATV Countryside/Paris Not France/EMI Blackwood/Songs by Red Room, BMI, others; Atlantic
-I love how “alive” and in-your-face his vocal sounds. That’s especially cool because of the really snazzy production that’s behind it. A very, very hip and forward-looking record.

Allan Craig Miller

Allan Craig Miller

ALLAN CRAIG MILLER/Between Saturday & Sunday
Writers: Erik Halbig/Todd Taylor; Producer: Erik Halbig; Publishers: Curucu/Magic Mustang, BMI; Gray Area (CDX)
-This is a splendid, jaunty, bouncing, blue-collar thumper just made for dancing. The lyric hook is ultra-cool: “I need one more day between Saturday and Sunday.” Don’t we all? Play this. Country fans are gonna love it a heap.

LITTLE TEXAS/Can’t Get In A Hurry Here
Writers: D. Gray/P. Howell/D. O’Brien; Producers: Anthony Martin/Little Texas; Publishers: Del Yeah/P-90/Writer’s Den/Songs O’Brien, ASCAP; Cleopatra (CDX)
-Listless and sleepy. Maybe that’s the whole idea behind the song, but I still wanted to nod off.

JASON ALDEAN/Tonight Looks Good On You
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Broken Bow (ERG)
-The terrific, deep-sonic, echoey, full-blooded production is the finest of his career to date. It creates the perfect cushion for his delivery of the deliriously romantic lyric. A smash.

GARTH SHAW/California Dreamin’
Writers: John Phillips/Michelle Phillips; Producers: Garth Shaw/Dan Mitchell; Publisher: Universal, ASCAP; Roadie (track)
-He’s billed as, “the original singing roadie.” Shaw has been road managing for decades with stars such as Kenny Rogers, Sawyer Brown and The Starland Vocal Band. Now, at age 65, he’s releasing his first EP. It contains three of his original tunes, a couple of Rick Nelson covers and this Mamas & Papas classic. The original had those big echo-chamber vocals. Shaw’s “dry” delivery gives the familiar song the quality of a folk tune.

EMERSON DRIVE/Who We Are
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Big Star (ERG)
-In praise of everyday folks who go to happy hour, wear ball caps, save their pennies and treat each other kindly. Nice thump in the backbeat, banjo droplets and spoken-word encouraging interjections. Quite listenable.

DISClaimer: Outlaws and Loser’s Lyrics Sound Good

Whitey-Morganfeatured

Whitey Morgan

Spring has sprung, and country sounds fill the air. My favorite thing about this listening session is that there was no shortage of worthy DisCovery Award contenders. New to the column this week are 2 Steel Girls, Rainey Qualley, Bryan Hayes and Monty Byrom, any one of whom could have captured the crown.

But I’ve gotta go with the outlaw sound of Whitey Morgan & The 78s. This is the “honky-tonk alter ego of Eric David Allen,” who grew up in hard-luck Flint, Mich., and cut his extraordinary CD in Texas. Welcome to the party, son: You’ve got the goods.

The Disc of the Day belongs to Thomas Rhett, who manages to marry a loser’s lyric to a winner’s audio sunshine.

MONTY BYROM/Meet Me at Midnight
Writers: Monty Byrom/Paul Kalman; Producer: Monty Byrom; Publishers: Byrom, SESAC; WTF (track)
-Remember the Bakersfield band Big House and its groovy 1997 hit “Cold Outside?” The group’s Monty Byrom now leads The Buckaroos at The Crystal Palace once a month and has his own blues-rocking combo The Road Pilots. With the latter, he has recorded his debut solo CD, 100 Miles South of Eden. That’s where you’ll find this swampy, soulful ballad beckoning a belle to sex and sadness. Very cool. The album’s last track, by the way, features the late Buck Owens singing with Byrom on a 1998 version of “Big In Vegas.”

COLE SWINDELL/Let Me See Ya Girl
Writers: Cole Swindell/Michael Carter/Jody Stevens; Producer: Michael Carter; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/243/Sony-ATV Cross Keys; BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
-He wants to see her “dance” in the bed of his truck, “movin’ your hips like the wind moves cotton.” It may not be the most romantic invitation in the world, but it is lively and tuneful.

BRYAN HAYES/Farther Down the Line
Writers: Bryan Hayes; Producer: Andy Hunt; Publishers: none listed; BMI; BH (track)
– The title tune to his new CD finds this tenor Tennessee troubadour questioning the future of a relationship with plenty of catchy hooks. It has been seven years since his last collection because he wrote these 11 new songs while serving in Iraq. Welcome home, bro.

Thomas-Rhettfeatured

Thomas Rhett

THOMAS RHETT/Crash and Burn
Writers: Jesse Frasure/Chris Stapleton; Producers: Dann Huff/Jesse Frasure; Publishers: Rio Bravo/WB/Ken Tucky; BMI/ASCAP; Valory
– Jaunty and bopping, featuring hand claps, whistling and a dandy rhythm track. The lyric is about a love crashing and burning, but heartache has never sounded quite this bouncy. Delightful.

RAINEY QUALLEY/Turn Me On Like The Radio
Writers: Rainey Qualley/John Ramey/Jeffrey Easy; Producers: Russ Zavitson/John Ramey; Publishers: Russ Zavitson/Rainey Qualley/Tazmaraz, ASCAP/BMI; Cingle (track)
– Instantly familiar, with a melody that grabs your ears and won’t let go. An automatic add and a sure-fire hit for a newcomer with a winning, throaty, alto range.

LIVEWIRE/Quit You
Writers: Andy Eutsler/Danny Bell/Jeffrey Joseph East; Producers: Paul Carabello/Clif Doyal; Publishers: Real Man/Parrot Island/Tazmaraz; BMI; Way Out West
-I remain a fan. This time, LiveWire takes on a dark ballad with the theme of love being like an addiction. Slowly insinuating.

WHITEY MORGAN & THE 78s/Waitin’ ‘Round to Die
Writers: Townes Van Zandt; Producer: Ryan Hewitt; Publisher: Silver Dollar, ASCAP; WM (track)
-Morgan previews next month’s Sonic Ranch CD with a video of this dark, doom-drenched and completely gripping ballad. You’ll hang on every line, probably because it’s written by a master song craftsman. In addition to Van Zandt, the singer-songwriter covers tunes by Tom T. Hall, Frankie Miller and Waylon Jennings, with whom he shares a dramatic “outlaw” vocal personna. Highly recommended.

2 STEEL GIRLS/Mad Black Magic
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; 2SG
-This is a mother-daughter duo — Allison and Krystal Steel — who competed on Team Blake during the 2012-13 season of The Voice. Their new single combines deep-thump rhythm and feisty-female “attitude” vocals. It drops on Tuesday, April 21. I’m intrigued.

TY BATES/Tongue Tied
Writers: Ty Bates/Thomas Archer; Producer: Rogers Masson; Publishers: none listed; TB (track)
– I dig his Georgia drawl. The song’s idea is a clever play on stuttering and kissing. I like it, even though it is somewhat wordy and could use a more memorable chorus.

ADRIAN DUFFY & THE MAYO BROTHERS/United We Fall
Writers: Adrian Duffy/Melvin Duffy; Producers: Adrian Duffy/Melvin Duffy/Matt Kemp; Publishers: none listed; SR (track)
– The three Duffy brothers from Ireland have been tantalizing me with their excellent singles for a couple of years. Now they have a crowd-funded full album at last. Its title tune is chock full of harmony vocals, ringing guitars and echoey atmosphere. These guys have vocal, songwriting and production chops in abundance.

DISClaimer: Americana Packs Musical Firepower

Liz-Longleyfeatured

Liz Longley

The Americana genre is bringing out its big guns this spring.

Such core artists as Steve Earle, former spouse Allison Moorer, the duo of Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell, the late Jack Clement and such stalwarts as the McCrarys and Mike Henderson are all bringing forth new albums.

Singer-songwriter-guitarist Liz Longley has evidently released three prior CDs, but her Sugar Hill debut is the first I’ve heard. This week’s DisCovery Award winner is booked at City Winery on April 22. Let a word to the wise be sufficient.

The Disc of the Day prize goes to the divinely gifted McCrary Sisters. Their record is out now, and as soon as May 12 rolls around, I urge you to also buy the latest by Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell.

EMMYLOU HARRIS & RODNEY CROWELL/The Traveling Kind
Writers: none listed; Producer: Joe Henry; Publishers: none listed; Nonesuch (track)
-Their new CD drops on May 12, but is available digitally now. Its title tune and lead-off track finds their iconic voices harmonizing flawlessly throughout a wistful, loping, gently swaying ode to wandering spirits. As if their singing and the beautifully poetic song weren’t enough, the acoustic track ripples like a breeze-kissed pond.

SUGARCANE JANE/Home Nights
Writers: Crawford/Cason; Producer: Buzz Cason; Publishers: Dirt Roads End/Buzz Cason, BMI/ASCAP; ArenA (track)
-This haunting, minor-key gem gleams with sonic polish. It can be found on Dirt Road’s End, the debut CD by Sugarcane Jane. Nashvillians with good taste and long memories will recall this duo’s Anthony Crawford as a solo artist and as the ultimate sideman for folks like Neil Young, Steve Winwood, Dwight Yoakam, Steve Forbert, Rosanne Cash, Vince Gill and more. After leaving Music City, he settled on Alabama’s Gulf Coast with the other half of Sugarcane Jane, his wife Savana Lee.

STEVE EARLE & THE DUKES/You’re The Best Lover That I Ever Had
Writer: Steve Earle; Producer: R.S. Field; Publishers: Exile on Jones Street, ASCAP; New West (track)
-Earle’s new Terraplane CD is a blues collection. On this low-key moaner, he sings in a brushy, husky, soft drawl that ranks among his most expressive performances in years. The whole collection is essential listening.

AMY SPEACE/Better Than This
Writers: Amy Speace/Kate Kim; Producer: Neilson Hubbard; Publishers: Amy Speace/Katherine Kim, ASCAP/BMI; Windbone (track)
-Baltimore-bred Speace is a Nashvillian who purposefully recorded her new That Kind of Girl in three days, live with such stellar Americana sidemen as Will Kimbrough, Dan Mitchell, Garrison Starr and producer Hubbard. She wished to capture the emotional immediacy of its song cycle about a failed romance and its aftermath. Here, she offers herself hope in a rushed, breathy vocal that seems to be a chin-up message to a bruised heart.

THE FAIRFIELD FOUR/Rock My Soul
Writers: traditional; Producers: The Fairfield Four/Lee Olsen; Publishers: public domain; Fairfield Four
-Established in 1925, this a cappella Nashville institution’s current lineup is Levert Allison, Larrice Byrd, Bobbye Sherrill and Joe Thompson. Without an instrument in sight, they stir up a mighty, rhythmic, urgent sound on the lead track of their Still Rockin’ My Soul CD. With a legacy that includes a 1997 Grammy Award and a high-profile appearance in the 2001 movie O Brother Where Art Thou, the “new” Fairfield Four carries the name forward in triumph with this disc. Lee Ann Womack drops by to sing soulfully with the fellows on “Children Go Where I Send Thee.” Buy and believe.

LIZ LONGLEY/Outta My Head
Writer: Liz Longley; Producer: Gus Berry; Publishers: Luckelizz/Welk; ASCAP; Sugar Hill (track)
-I think I’m in love. As she spooled out this wafting, pulsing saga of romantic regret, I got completely lost in its delicious melody and her hooky chorus. Her supporting instrumentalists include such Nashville A-listers as Tom Bukovac, Michael Rhodes, J.T. Corenflos and John Hobbs. This lady has it all — tense vocal finesse, songwriting chops, dynamite production. Also check out “Bad Habit” and “Memphis.” Along with this track, they’re available as downloads on iTunes. I guarantee you’ll be as smitten as I am.

COWBOY JACK CLEMENT/I’ve Got A Thing About Trains
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; I.R.S. (track)
-Recorded just before his death in 2013, For Once and For All finds Clement in surprisingly robust form singing versions of his songwriting classics “Miller’s Cave,” “Just a Girl I Used to Know,” “I Know One” (my favorite), “Just Between You and Me,” “Let the Chips Fall” and the like. The collection leads off with this baleful bit of nostalgia from the legendary Hall of Famer.

The McCrary Sisters

The McCrary Sisters

THE McCRARY SISTERS/By The Mark
Writers: Gillian Welch/David Rawlings; Producer: Buddy Miller; Publishers: Cracklin/Irving/Say Uncle/Buddy Miller, BMI; MCC/Thirty Tigers (track)
-If these gals can’t give you goosebumps, you must be clinically dead. Harmonizing as only siblings can, the four McCrarys are arguably — individually and collectively — the greatest soul singers in Music City. Their new Let’s Go collection finds them simply and sympathetically produced by Americana star Buddy Miller. Choosing listening tracks among these 16 gems is a fruitless enterprise, since each one captivates. Just play ‘em all.

THE MIKE HENDERSON BAND/I Wanta Know Why
Writer: Mike Henderson; Producer: Kevin McKendree; Publishers: none listed, BMI; EllerSoul (track)
-He’s in the running as World’s Coolest Human, since Henderson used to play ace bluegrass music in The SteelDrivers while still holding down his Monday-night residency at The Bluebird Cafe as our favorite blues rocker. It is in this latter guise that he has recorded the simmering slab of sound If You Think It’s Hot Here. The comeback collection leads off with this scorcher and doesn’t let up from then on. By the time you hit the halfway point, your ears are sweating. In addition to a clutch of new Henderson originals, the band covers Robert Johnson, Sonny Boy Williamson, Muddy Waters and other bluesmen. We’re so lucky to have this group in our community.