DISClaimer Single Reviews (5/16/12)

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All stars, no waiting.

Music Row brings out the big guns this week with new entries by George Strait, Rascal Flatts, Little Big Town, Randy Travis, Keith Urban and The Mavericks. And here’s the kicker: Everybody sounds good.

So much so, that we’re dividing up the DisClaimer awards this week. Little Big Town wins the Disc of the Day for group performance. The female Disc of the Day belongs to rising star Gwen Sebastian. And in an extremely tight race, Randy Travis edges out Strait and Urban to take home the Disc of the Day in the male division. But absolutely program all three.

The DisCovery Award goes the newcomers Florida Georgia Line. They’re saying, “Here comes summer” in a big way.

RASCAL FLATTS/Come Wake Me Up
Writer: Sean McConnell/Johan Fransson/Tim Larsson/Tobias Lundgren; Producer: Dann Huff & Rascal Flatts; Publisher: none listed; Big Machine (track)
—This lustrous ballad has it all — a gorgeous melody, terrific audio dynamics, emotional lyrics, towering vocals, pop-crossover potential. In short, the second single from the group’s new Changed CD is a home run.

THE MAVERICKS/Born to Be Blue
Writer: Raul Malo/James House; Producer: Raul Malo & Niko Bolas; Publisher: Big Machine/Raul Malo/Super 98/Notorious Women/Songs of Kobalt, BMI; Valory Music
—It’s in Raul’s nouveau-Orbison mode, full of throb and drama. Irresistibly hooky, if somewhat muffled sounding.

GWEN SEBASTIAN/Met Him in a Motel Room
Writer: Rory Feek/Jamie Teachenor; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Flying Island (www.gwensebastian.com)
—Longtime MusicRow indie fave Sebastian gained a much higher profile this year as a contestant on TV’s The Voice and as Blake Shelton’s opening act on the road. To capitalize, she’s chosen a superb story song. Her spirited vocal is matched by a brightly bopping track and a lyric about finding God in the strangest places. Thank the Gideons for this one.

GEORGE STRAIT/Drinkin’ Man
Writer: George Strait/Bubba Strait/Dean Dillon; Producer: Tony Brown & George Strait; Publisher: Day Money/Hori Pro/Living for the Night/Sixteen Stars/Sony-ATV, ASCAP/BMI; MCA Nashville (track)
—There’s no happy ending here: He is trapped in the vice of alcohol and finds no way out. Steel licks swirl, fiddles sigh, guitars ripple and a piano adds grace notes as Strait’s weary, sad vocal leads us through a minor masterpiece. You young people take note: This is real country music.

MARTY RAYBON/Dirt Road Heartache
Writer: Melissa Ann Peirce/Jerry Dean Salley; Producer: Marty Raybon; Publisher: Chatawa/Songs of Peer, LTD; Rural Rhythm (track)
—Marty’s hillbilly tenor fits this uptempo bluegrass romp like the proverbial glove. The fleet-fingered instrumental support is dazzling.

JESSIE JAMES/Military Man
Writer: Clint Lagerberg/Cary Barlowe/Jessie James/Nicky Chinn; Producer: Mark Wright; Publisher: Big Loud Songs/Big Loud Bucks/Extreme Freedom/Castle Bound/Bummerman/In La La Land/Nicky Chinn/Ten Ten, ASCAP/SESAC; Show Dog Universal
—She’s the daughter of a man in uniform. She sings well, but the melody just lays there, and the lyric is way too wordy.

KEITH URBAN/For You
Writer: Monty Powell/Keith Urban; Producer: Dann Huff & Keith Urban; Publisher: Crane Song/Toreador/ole/Songs of Universal/Mary Rose, SESAC/BMI; Capitol (CDX)
—The intriguing, involving, minor-key melody draws you in. The lyric of a soldier willing to lay down his life speaks directly to thousands of contemporary Americans. Stirring.

RANDY TRAVIS /More Life
Writer: Mike Reid/Rory Bourke; Producer: Kyle Lehning; Publisher: Rivers and Roads/Rory Bourke, ASCAP/BMI; Warner Bros. (CDX)
—Two of the great voices of our time are together on this disc, with Don Henley adding high harmonies to Randy’s lead vocal. The icing on the cake is that the song is simply awesome and breathtaking. Facing the end, a man wishes only for “More Life,” to “love stronger, stay in the moment one moment longer.” This moved me to my core.

LITTLE BIG TOWN/Pontoon
Writer: Natalie Hemby/Luke Laird/Barry Dean; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/Wruckestrike/Universal-Careers/Barrytones, BMI; Capitol (CDX)
—The production magic of Jay Joyce gives the LBT voices renewed style. The crunchy groove and relaxed party atmosphere are right on the money for summertime. It goes without saying that the singing and harmonies are pluperfect bliss.

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/Cruise
Writer: Kelley/Rice/Rice/Hubbard/Moi; Producer: Joey Moi; Publisher: none listed; Big Loud Mountain (www.floridageorgialine.com)
—After an a cappella intro, this takes off like a speedboat on a glassy lake. The track is rushing and wooshing, and the voices are sprightly. What more do you want? Get on board.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (5/9/12)

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Disc of the Day goes to Lady A; and the DisCovery Award goes to Grady Skelton

It might be optimistic and springtime outside, but it’s sad-ballad day here at Music Row.

Blake Shelton, Heidi Newfield, Chris Webb and Lady A are all singing downbeat fare on their latest singles. But only one of them is essential listening. That would be Lady Antebellum, nailing the Disc of the Day award with ease.

Of our more upbeat entries, Mark Collie, Grady Skelton, the Agave Posse Band and Rodney Atkins are all worth some spins. Texan Grady Skelton wins the DisCovery Award with his “Girl I Love.”

MELISSA BROOKE/Sticky Situation
Writers: Minnie Marianne Murphy/Pat Murphy/Ted Hewitt; Publishers: Montage/Machinafree/Pakimo/Ted Hewitt, ASCAP; Producer: Bill Green; Label: BGM (www.melissabrooke.com)
—This Texas teen takes the tune at a plodding, march-like tempo. It’s about a blind date that goes wrong, thanks to a girlfriend’s mix-up. Brooke’s pert singing needs some seasoning to sound more womanly.

RODNEY ATKINS/Just Wanna Rock n’ Roll
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Chris Tompkins; Publishers: Big Red Toe/Amarillo Sky/Big Loud Songs/Angel River/Big Loud Bucks, BMI/ASCAP; Producers: Ted Hewitt & Rodney Atkins; Label: Curb
—Despite the title, it’s a lilting, attractive invitation to party, country style. Well produced and highly listenable.

TJ BROSCOFF/Bigger, Better Than You
Writers: TJ Broscoff, Bill Green, BMI; Producer: Bill Green; Label: BGM (www.tjbroscoff.com)
—His singing and the band’s playing seem to be in different time signatures. A mess.

MARK COLLIE & HIS RECKLESS COMPANIONS/One More Second Chance
Writers: Mark Collie/T Graham Brown/Steve Schuffert; Publishers: Daniel Island/EMI Blackwood/Leipers Fork/River of Time, BMI; Producers: Tony Brown, Mark Collie & David Z; Label: Wilbanks (www.markcollie.com)
—In 2001, Collie went to the notorious Brushy Mountain State Prison with a batch of tunes about crime and punishment. His show, which also featured Kelly Willis, was recorded, but not released until this month. The Tennessee prison closed in 2009, but its energetic, in-concert album has found new life. It kicks off with this snappy, rockabilly romp that has the inmates whistling and shouting in appreciation. Alive at Brushy Mountain also includes versions of “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Why Me, Lord” and “Gospel Train,” but the bulk of the repertoire was freshly penned by Collie and his collaborators. Highly recommended.

GRADY SKELTON/Girl I Love
Writer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Clayton Corn; Label: Gamagrass (www.gradyskelton.com)
—The current single from Skelton’s Live Simply CD is a hearty, drawling, endearing and irresistibly jaunty ditty that rumbles along with such good will that you can’t help smiling. Feel-good Texas music, tailor made for summertime. Producer Corn is Pat Green’s keyboard player and Skelton has also worked with folks associated with Robert Earl Keen, Jerry Jeff Walker, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Eli Young Band and other mainstays of the Lone Star State.

LADY ANTEBELLUM/Wanted You More
Writers: Dave Haywood/Charles Kelley/Hillary Scott/Jason Gambill/Matt Billingslea/Jonathan Long/Dennis Edwards; Publishers: Warner Tamerlane/DWHaywood/Radiobulletspublishing/EMI Foray/Hillary Dawn/Songs to Make Out To/Christina Marie/Ebug/Donelson/Sussman & Associates, BMI/SESAC/ASCAP; Producers: Paul Worley & Lady Antebellum
—Swirling and magical, this has a deeply sensual vibe. The multi-layered percussion, midnight-hour vocal echo, super strings and full-throttle production make this one fabulous listening experience. Co-writers Gambill, Billinslea, Long and Edwards are in the Lady A band, so that’s extra cool.

CHRIS WEBB/D.J. Please
Writer: Chris Webb; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Producer: Gary Sadker: Label: Red Ridge (www.chriswebbcountry.com)
—It’s a plea to a D.J. to play a tune about romance. His smooth, baritone vocal on this ballad is solid, but the tempo is taken so slowly he’s practically having to drag his knuckles along the ground

BLAKE SHELTON/Over
Writers: Paul Jenkins/David Elliott Johnson; Publishers: Sony-ATV Cross Keys/Touch My Music, ASCAP/BMI; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Label: Warner Bros.
—The amped-up choruses on this power ballad are thunderously over the top. He’s a country singer, so give him a country song.

AGAVE POSSE BAND/We’ll Get It On
Writer: Chad Beedy; Publisher: Agave, BMI; Producer: none listed; Label: Agave Posse (www.agaveposse.com)
—Garage country, sounding like it was recorded live in a shed made of corrugated metal. That said, the rhythm-happy band sounds like a raucous good time, and the vocalist has a slap-on-the-back friendliness that’s hard to deny. Worth a spin around the dance floor.

HEIDI NEWFIELD/Why’d You Have to Be So Good
Writers: Jeffrey Steele/Jeremy Popoff; Publisher: Jeffrey Steele/BPJ/EMI April/Jagermaestro, BMI/ASCAP; Producer: Blake Chancey: Label: Sidewalk/Curb
—Her vocal performance burns the house down. The song puts a wet blanket on the blaze.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (5/2/12)

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(L-R): Ice Cream Sundae, Jack White

It looks like Nashville is going to continue to rule the top of the pop album charts, with Jack White predicted to replace Lionel Ritchie at No. 1 next week in the U.S. and knocking even Adele from that perch in the U.K.

Jack’s Third Man Records label is in the spotlight of this week’s pop/rock “DisClaimer” column. His debut solo disc is here, as are such company products as Jeff the Brotherhood and Karen Elson. Naturally, all of them are available on vinyl.

As good as they are, they have plenty of competition from such Music City pop-rockers as Dave Barnes, Etta Britt and our DisCovery Award winning Ice Cream Sundae.

But as for Disc of the Day? That one has to belong to Jack White alone.

ICE CREAM SUNDAE/Video Games
Writer: Zak Monnet; Producer: Bryan Clark; Publisher: none listed; Rainfeather (track) (www.icecreamsundaemusic.com)
—Ice Cream Sundae is singer-songwriter and Belmont grad Zak Monnet, aided and produced by his former college professor Bryan Clark. This track from their debut We’re Just As Sweet CD is a frothy, electro-pop chamber tune featuring synth blurps, twizzles, strings and wooshes, plus percussion hiccups and an airy, wafting tenor vocal that pleads to be allowed to play, yes, video games. Definitely different.

DAVE BARNES/Mine to Love
Writer: Dave Barnes; Producer: John Fields & Dave Barnes; Publisher: No Gang/Razor & Tie, ASCAP; Razor & Tie (track) (www.davebarnes.com)
—Fresh from his across-the-board success with “God Gave Me You,” Barnes returns with a new collection titled Stories to Tell. Its beautifully melodic lead-off single finds his engaging, earnest tenor soaring above a churning, rhythmic track with insistent, jangling guitar work, softly sighing strings and a percussive pulse that just doesn’t quit. If this doesn’t make your heart beat a little faster, you haven’t got one.

RON BRUNK/Dance Floor
Writer: Ron Brunk; Producer: Paul Allen; Publisher: Ugly Brunk Dog, no performance rights listed; RB (track) (www.ronbrunk.com)
—This veteran Nashvillian returns with a 13-tune batch called Funk the Brunk. He exhorts listeners to “let it burn” out on the dance floor while an electric guitar grinds out the repeated riff and electronic beats propel the track. It’s maniacally repetitive but somehow weirdly likable.

JACK WHITE/Sixteen Saltines
Writer: Jack White; Producer: Jack White III; Publisher: Third String Tunes, BMI; Third Man  (www.jackwhiteIII.com)
—Yes, we loved The White Stripes, The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather, but what we’ve wanted all along is a Jack White solo album. Now we have Blunderbuss, and lo-and-behold, it’s a chart-topping hit. Some are saying that Nashville is rubbing off on White via his incorporation of Fats Kaplan’s fiddle and steel into some of its tracks. But this kick-off single (available as a 45 rpm, just as the album is available on vinyl) rocks with as much snark as anything he’s ever recorded. Plus, it’s short and snotty, like a Ramones tune. There are actually two singles available from the new collection. The other is the haunting, minor-key “Love Interruption,” featuring Ruby Amanfu’s harmony singing.

CHRISTINA RECKARD & RAUL MALO/Each Other
Writer: Alan Miller/Raul Malo; Producer: Eddie Perez & Christina Reckard; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/Toto Tunes/Winning Circle, no performance rights listed; Velvet Fusion (track) (www.christinareckard.com)
—Christina is a pop-Latin Nashville singer and dancer who puts on quite a show, I am told. Her CD is titled Kaleidoscope. The esteemed Mr. Malo offers both his vocal and composing talents on this steamy slow samba while trumpets and guitars trill along. Elsewhere on the set, the salsa beats are even more throbbing and frenetic. Music City’s diversity rules!

ETTA BRITT/Dog Wants In
Writer: Don Von Tress/John Brannen; Producer: Bob Britt; Publisher: War Pony/Savannah Son/Harry Barker, BMI/SESAC; Wrinkled (track) (www.ettabritt.com)
—Etta and her rock-guitarist hubby Bob have been heating up Nashville nightspots for years, both with her solo shows and her gigs with fellow Kentucky Thunder members Vickie Carrico, Sheila Lawrence and Jonell Mosser. Her new solo CD is Out of the Shadows. This single from it perfectly captures her blue-eyed, soul-sister style. “Out of the shadows,” my eye: This is straight outta the swamp. The album’s cast includes not only Mosser, Lawrence and Carrico, but Delbert McClinton, Bekka Bramlett, The McCrary Sisters, Jimmy Hall, Scat Springs, John Jarvis, Chad Cromwell and Tom Bukovac. Yowsah.

JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD/Whatever I Want
Writer: Jake Orrall/Jammin Orrall; Producer: Jack White III; Publisher: Infinity Cat/Automatic Bzooty/Otissery, ASCAP; Third Man (www.thirdmanrecords.com)
—After years of making their mark on the Nashville pop/rock scene on their own Infinity Cat imprint, the alt-rock Orrall brothers have been taken on by Jack White’s Third Man label. Jeff the Brotherhood’s Jack-produced single is a minimalist, buzzy  guitar grinder with the act’s typically quirky lyrics and shifting tempi.

ERISA REI/Black Ball
Writer: Erisa Rei Kopp; Producer: Mike Kyle, Neil Kyle & Trey Gray; Publisher: Pesky Fly, no performance rights listed; Pesky Fly (track) (www.erisareimusic.com)
—Erisa is showcasing her new CD on Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Hard Rock Cafe. Its title tune is a dark thumper that spotlights her throaty lower register as well as her piercing upper tones. Passionate sounding.

KAREN ELSON/Vicious
Writer: Lou Reed; Producer: Jack White III; Publisher: Spirit One/Oakfield Avenue, no performance rights listed; Third Man (www.karenelson.com)
—Jack produced a surprisingly fine LP called The Ghost Who Walks for his fashion-model-turned-songwriter wife in 2010. Now amicably divorced, the couple re-teamed for this superbly rocking single as well. The band cooks with gas, and Karen has a born-to-rock voice full of attitude, elan and natural rhythm. Buy this at once at the Third Man Record Shop (623 7th Avenue South, behind the Union Mission). While you’re there, check out the label’s fine offerings by everyone from The Greenhornes and The Black Belles to Wanda Jackson and Jerry Lee Lewis.

JAS PATRICK/I Know
Writer: Jas Patrick; Producer: Jas Patrick; Publisher: Tiny Lion, BMI; Tiny Lion (track) (www.jaspatrick.com)
—This Nashvillian’s five-song EP is titled Tributaries. It seems to be a real d.i.y. affair, since he writes, sings, produces and plays drums, guitar and keyboards on it. The lead-off track features a Winwood-type, blue-eyed-soul vocal on a cool, catchy, pop/rock tune. It manages to be simultaneously relaxed and almost jazzy, yet urgent and forceful. Promising.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (4/25/12)

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This is the time to shine for Lee Brice.

As a singer, songwriter and record maker, he is firing on all eight cylinders. As a singer, he had Billboard’s most-played country single of 2010 with “Love Like Crazy.” As a songwriter, he had Billboard’s most-played country single of 2011 with The Eli Young Band’s rendition of his “Crazy Girl.” That same song earned him the 2012 ACM award for Song of the Year. You will recall that in 2007, he was the cowriter of “More Than a Memory” by Garth Brooks, the only song to debut at No. 1 on the charts. Yesterday, his Hard 2 Love CD hit the stores with a bang. Its leadoff single, “A Woman Like You” rules the hit parade at No. 1. In addition, this week, Lee Brice lands his first Disc of the Day award from “DisClaimer” with the album’s title tune.

And he’s not the only one with a happening track today. The Lionel Richie & Billy Currington duet, Sawyer Brown, Bucky Covington and Due West all gave Lee a run for his money.

Our DisCovery Award goes to Herrick. The four-piece band enlisted Michael Bonagura of Baillie & The Boys to produce 10 tracks of its album, plus four “bonus” tunes produced by Buddy Cannon. Not too shabby, eh? The group’s debut full-length CD is titled New Dance. It will pin your ears back.

LOCASH COWBOYS/C.O.U.N.T.R.Y.
Writer: Chris Lucas/Preston Brust/Jeffrey Steele; Producer: Jeffrey Steele; Publisher: Sony-ATV Cross Keys/Sony-ATV Tree/Jeffrey Steele/BPJ, ASCAP/BMI; R&J
—This is not the same song that Joe Diffie had with this title in 1996. No indeedy. This one is an amped-up, super-electrified rocker that has next to nothing to do with actual country music. I’ll take Diffie’s tune any day.

CRAIG MORRISON/Fences
Writer: none listed; Producer: Mark Moffatt; Publisher: none listed; CMM (track) (www.craigmorrisonmusic.com)
—This Aussie cracks the U.S. country marketplace with a gently rolling social statement about the nature of barricades in our lives. Well written and expertly produced, it’s a mighty promising debut.

BUCKY COVINGTON/I Wanna Be That Feeling
Writer: Jimmy Yeary/Ben Hayslip; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Black to Black/Get a Load of This/Warner Chappell, BMI/ASCAP; Entertainment One (www.buckycovington.com)
—Hearty and engaging, this comeback single has plenty of melodic oomph and production excitement. With pile-driving punch a-plenty, it’s exceedingly radio friendly. A real contender.

DUE WEST/Things You Can’t Do in a Car
Writer: Brad Hull; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Hull to Pay/Offer You Can’t Refuse, BMI; Black River
—In praise of pickup trucks, this jaunty little number bubbles and bounces in all the right places.

SAWYER BROWN/Ain’t Goin’ Out That Way
Writer: Robert Ellis Orall/Stephen Barker Liles/Brad Douglas Warren/Brett Daniel Warren; Producer: Mark Miller; Publisher: Orall Fixation/It’s a Birthday Party/Rockapop/Stylsonic/EMI Blackwood, ASCAP/BMI; Beach Street (CDX)
—The country-rock arrangement is sunny and bright, yet the gritty, poor-boy lyric is a downbeat contrast. I dig the dogged, determined message as well as the insanely catchy track.

PAT GREEN/All Just to Get to You
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Sugar Hill (ERG)
—The song is terrific, as is his vocal delivery. He should have been surrounded with a more lustrous or muscular production instead of this somewhat spare one. But the performance and composition are so strong that they carry the day nevertheless.

MARK WAYNE GLASMIRE/I Like You
Writer: Mark Wayne Glasmire; Producer: John Albani & John Wayne Glasmire; Publisher: Traceway, ASCAP; Traceway (track) (www.markwayneglasmire.com)
—I have consistently enjoyed this artist’s releases. But this faux-beach, pseudo-Buffett style of country music is among my least favorites. Pass.

LEE BRICE/Hard to Love
Writer: Billy Montana/John Ozier/Ben Glover; Producer: Kyle Jacobs & Matt McClure; Publisher: Mike Curb/Dandon Ranch/Over the Bar/91 One/Arose/EMICMG, BMI/ASCAP; Curb (track)
—Lee is coming off a chart topper (”A Woman Like You”) and remains a strong up-and-comer, so this release is crucial to his forward momentum. I think it will do the trick just fine. The insistent tune, steady rhythm, earnest vocal and true-to-life lyric are all ear tickling. Up, up, up it goes.

HERRICK/Cry Memphis
Writer: Donna Herrick/Kerry Herrick/David Walker; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Publisher: none listed; BreakAway (track) (www.herricklive.com)
—I like it, I like it. The song has a cool, moody, minor-key tune and a dramatic, girl-gone-wrong lyric. Donna’s lead vocal is supported by the band’s ultra-haunting harmonies. Captivating.

LIONEL RICHIE & BILLY CURRINGTON/Just for You
Writer: Lionel Richie/Paul Barry/Mark Taylor; Producer: Tony Brown & Lionel Richie; Publisher: none listed; Mercury Nashville (track) ()
—The songs on Richie’s new Tuskegee CD of country duets are his familiar classics. Except for this one. Evidently, it was a hit in Europe, but it only got to No. 92 on the U.S. pop charts (in 1994). Leave it to song-magnet Currington to wind up with this deliciously melodic, hypnotically rhythmic jewel as his selection on the disc. No one, but no one, writes songs this perfectly pristine as Lionel Richie does. Music to make your heart sing.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (4/18/12)

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Top: The Grascals; Bottom: Cumberland River

We’re overdue for an overview of what our bluegrass brothers and sisters are up to, so here’s a batch of CDs that are currently picking and grinning out there.

The Disc of the Day belongs to The Grascals. Life Finds a Way is the band’s first for Mountain Home Records, and I think it’s one of the ensemble’s best efforts ever.

This edition’s DisCovery Award goes to Kentucky newcomers Cumberland River. They’re already being featured on a television soundtrack and are hip enough to recognize the power of a music video. Go, boys, go.

JUNIOR SISK & RAMBLERS CHOICE/A Far Cry from Lester & Earl
Writer: Tim Massey/Rick Pardue/Harry Sisk Jr.; Producer: Wes Easter & Ramblers Choice; Publisher: Dixie Breeze/Mitchell River/Dreamin’ Creek, BMI; Rebel (track) (www.juniosiskandramblerschoice.com)
—This track is presently No. 1 on the Bluegrass Unlimited popularity chart. It decries how bluegrass is drifting too far away from the classic sounds of The Stanley Brothers and the men of the song’s title. “We’re way down below that high-lonesome sound” sings Junior in this lively toe tapper. Sisk’s CD is titled The Heart of a Song, and it’s hardcore bluegrass all the way.

CHRIS JONES & THE NIGHT DRIVERS/Final Farewell
Writer: Chris Jones/Jon Weisberger; Producer: Chris Jones; Publisher: Gal Sal/Use Your Words, BMI; Rebel (track) (www.rebelrecords.com)
—I’m a big fan of guitarist-singer Jones. This yearning, midtempo, romantic outing is drawn from his current Lost Souls & Free Spirits, which is a compilation of his finest work for Rebel, plus three new tracks. As always, he sings with understated warmth and unforced soulfulness. Heartfelt.

THE STEEP CANYON RANGERS/Nobody Knows You
Writer: Graham Sharp; Producer: Gary Paczosa & The Steep Canyon Rangers; Publisher: Enchanted Barn, ASCAP; Rounder (track) (www.steepcanyon.com)
—Because of backing Steve Martin last year, the Rangers won the IBMA Entertainer of the Year award with him. This title tune to the band’s just-released (4/10) new album that it kicks plenty of butt without the banjo-playing superstar. In addition to hearty harmonies, it features some wonderfully scampering fiddle work and a throbbing bass line. Fresh sounding.

THE GRASCALS/Life Finds a Way
Writer: Jamie Johnson/Dierks Bentley/Ronnie Bowman; Producer: The Grascals; Publisher: Country Gentleman/Little Johnson/Big White Tracks/Sony-ATV, SESAC/ASCAP/BMI; Mountain Home (track)
—This rolls along gently as the sweetly romantic title tune of The Grascals’ latest collection. Jamie Johnson and Terry Eldredge remain two of the genre’s finest young lead vocalists. Kristin Scott Benson’s award-winning banjo work is just stellar. I also like the way this band consistently looks “outside the box” for material. In this CD, you’ll find bluegrass reworkings of “Mystery Train” and “Sweet Baby James” alongside terrific songs by writers like Harley Allen and Jerry Salley. And get a load of the writer credits on this tune.

BRAND NEW STRINGS/Other Side of Lonesome
Writer: Randall Massengill; Producer: Preston Schmidt & Brand New Strings; Publisher: Eastern V, BMI; Rural Rhythm (track) (www.brandnewstringsband.com)
—I think the concept here is to combine traditional high-lonesome vocals with ultra-modern instrumental flash. Because these five guys can all play their fingers off. The seven-song mini-album is titled Stay Tuned. I will.

CUMBERLAND RIVER/Cold and Withered Heart
Writer: J. Dean; Producer: Steve Gulley; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Rural Rhythm (track) (www.cumberland-river.com)
—It’s a brave new world out there — bluegrass groups now make music videos. This tune from this new band’s The Life We Live CD has its own clip. So does the album’s tune “Justified,” the theme song of an FX TV show by that name. From an audio standpoint, these fellows sing with urgency and abandonment here that keep you on edge as a listener. Cumberland River hails from Harlan, KY. Two of its members are for-real coal miners. Four of them are cousins. Now that’s country.

DAILEY & VINCENT/Living in the Kingdom of God
Writer: Jaimie Dailey; Producer: Darrin Vincent & Jaimie Dailey; Publisher: Bluegrass Ambassador, BMI; Rounder/Cracker Barrel (track) (www.daileyandvincent.com)
—This is the lead-off song and first charting track from this team’s second bluegrass-gospel collection. As before, the set is co-marketed by Rounder in partnership with Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores. This is a lickety-split, happy-happy celebration of being born again. Elsewhere on the CD are well-chosen tunes by Dolly Parton, Buck Owens, Jimmy Fortune, Willie Nelson (“Family Bible”) and Carl Perkins (“Daddy Sang Bass”). An all-star cast of sidemen is on hand.

THE CROWE BROTHERS/He Could Pick the Hound
Writer: Steve Watts; Producer: Steve Thomas, Josh Crowe, Wayne Crowe & Steve Sutton; Publisher: Redbud Ridge, ASCAP; Rural Rhythm (track) (www.crowebrothers.com)
—New on the Bluegrass Unlimited chart this month is this track from Bridging the Gap by The Crowe Brothers. As you might expect, the sibling harmony is spot-on. But what really drives this number is the fleet-fingered banjo playing of Steve Sutton.

CAROLINA ROAD/A Light in the Window, Again
Writer: Dixie Hall/Tom T. Hall; Producer: Lorraine Jordan; Publisher: Good Home Grown, BMI; Rural Rhythm (track) (www.carolinaroadband.com)
—This wistful mountain tune is currently on the chart for the smooth-sounding Carolina Road. Producer Jordan is the band’s able mandolinist and high-harmony vocalist. Guitarist Tommy Long has a marvelously evocative lead voice that is a gentle persuader. Back to My Roots is the second Rural Rhythm outing for this super band. It’s a total winner, thoroughly listenable, track after track.

NU-BLU/Other Woman’s Blues
Writer: Kira Small; Producer: Nu-Blu; Publisher: Gerry Bruce, ASCAP; Pinecastle (track) (www.nu-blu.com)
—Thanks to breakthroughs by Alison Krauss, Rhonda Vincent, Dale Ann Bradley, Laurie Lewis and others, female lead singers in bluegrass are more common than ever. Add Nu-Blu’s Carolyn Routh to that list. She brings a pleading, plaintive tone to this minor-key gem. Promising.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (4/11/12)

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Just about everything sounds ridiculously good to me this week.

So much so that I’m giving out Disc of the Day prizes in the Male, Female and Duo/Group categories. Our male performance unquestionably belongs to Jake Owen. This man is inches away from superstardom. Kelly Clarkson’s fiery voice nails down the female award. And everybody already knows that the dynamic duo of Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw has the release to beat this week.

The DisCovery Award goes to Josh Grider. Send more sounds.

JOSH ABBOTT BAND/Touch
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Lonestar Music (track)
—This group’s Small Town Family Dream CD drops on April 24. In the meantime, we have a teaser single/video that suggests we’re in for a treat. This haunting, minor-key and compelling slab of sound has an undertow rhythm pattern, a fevered performance and a sexy lyric. Absolutely a winner. More credits about who is responsible for this gem, please.

MONTGOMERY GENTRY/So Called Life
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Average Joe’s (track) (www.montgomerygentry.com)
—Raucous and romping, this rocks the working-man’s blues.

MELANIE ROSE DYER/Too Fast for Traffic
Writer: Melanie R. Dyer/Marc A. Rossi; Producer: Melanie R. Dyer & Daniel Cooper; Publisher: Fanetta/Marc My Words, ASCAP; Sugarplum (track) (www.melaniedyer.com)
—The track kicks up some dust, but her so-so vocal is almost buried in the mix. Also, her smoky style isn’t well suited to uptempo material.

KENNY CHESNEY & TIM McGRAW/Feel Like a Rock Star
Writer: Chris Tompkins/Rodney Clawson; Producer: Buddy Cannon & Kenny Chesney; Publisher: Big Loud Songs/Angel River/Big Red Toe/Amarillo Sky/Big Loud Bucks, ASCAP/BMI; BNA
—The Brothers of the Sun sound like they’re having a ball on this energetic, electrified stomper. I like the rapid-fire lyric on the chorus finales.

JOSH GRIDER/Slow
Writer: Josh Grider/Ben Stennis; Producer: Josh Grider; Publisher: G-Ride/Pickin’/Songs of Kicking Bird/Bug/Songs of Windswept Pacific, ASCAP/BMI; Smith Music Group (track) (www.smithmusic.com)
—Most of Grider’s new double CD was recorded live at Billy Bob’s Texas. The exception is this studio track and single release, which was cut west of Music City at Brave Studios in Pegram. It’s a blue-collar ballad about romantic relaxing on the weekends. His singing is immensely warm, welcoming and expressive. Plus, he shows real talent as a tunesmith. If he doesn’t have a hit with this hooky number, someone sure should.

JAKE OWEN/The One That Got Away
Writer: Dallas Davidson/Jake Owen/Jimmy Ritchey; Producer: Joey Moi & Rodney Clawson; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/String Stretcher/Universal Careers/Shiitoke Moki/Vibe Room/Jimbalaya/BPJ, BMI; RCA (track)
—Jake is hot, hot, hot. He is coming off two consecutive chart toppers, is in the current Entertainment Weekly music issue as one of “The 30 Greatest Artists Right Now” and is now engaged to wed. This new single bristles with energy. His vocal on it has brawny, chesty confidence, soaring above furious electric-guitar pyrotechnics and heart-pumping drumming. In short, this has as much heat as his career does.

MICHELLE TURLEY/Orange Blossoms in Phoenix
Writer: M. Turley/C. Turley; Producer: C.F. Turley; Publisher: none listed; Victorio (track)
—The track is in a lilting, acoustic-folkie style, which suits her wafting, breathy soprano. Pleasant sounding.

KELLY CLARKSON/Mr. Know It All
Writer: Brian Seals/Ester Dean/Brett James/Dante Jones; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: B-Uneek/Universal/Dat Damn Dean/Songs of Universal/WB/External Combustion/Brett James/All for Melodie, ASCAP/BMI; RCA/19
—The country version of Clarkson’s big pop hit features steel guitar but retains the song’s tremendous energy and super hooks. Her vocal delivery is simply electrifying. Essential listening. Kelly Clarkson is also featured on the same Entertainment Weekly list that Jake Owen is on. In fact, more than a third of the top-20 are Nashvillians. Besides Owen (#19) and Clarkson (#18), they include The Black Keys (#7), Taylor Swift (#2), Jack White (#6), The Civil Wars (#15) and Carrie Underwood (#4). Toss in London-based Americana faves Mumford & Sons (#9) and it’s a real community kudo.

AARON EINHOUSE/Good to Be Home
Writer: Aaron Einhouse; Producer: Walt Wilkins; Publisher: none listed, BMI; AE (www.aaroneinhoue.com)
—His vocal is recorded on the “dry” side, and the spare, simple band sounds live. It probably isn’t “produced” enough for most programmers, but there’s undeniable Texas verve here.

BILL GENTRY/That Kind of Life
Writer: Matthew T. Ramsey/Trevor Rosen/Josh Osborne; Producer: Chad Carlson; Publisher: Praley/Unfair Entertainment/Songs of BIMS/Tunes of Bigger Picture/Intunes, ASCAP; Tenacity (www.BillGentryNation.com)
—Very well written, with nicely crafted verses about growing up and an extremely catchy chorus. The production has plenty of crunch and bite, and his vocal performance is perfectly feisty and charming. Play it again.  

DISClaimer Single Reviews (4/04/12)

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Jerrod Niemann, Joni Rae Jack

There are lots of new faces to greet us this day.

Newcomers to the column include Chelsea Bain, The Coleman Brothers, L.D. Whiehead & The 80 Proof Band and our DisCovery Award winner, Joni Rae Jack.

Missouri’s LiveWire continues to impress. In between helping its hometown of Joplin rebuild from tornado devastation, the band continues to issue extremely listenable singles. “Gone” got to me. Similarly, Glen Templeton continues his winning ways. Both of these indie acts deserve your support.

You know what I like about Jerrod Niemann? I mean, besides the fact that he spells his last name with two “n’s.” He’s such a cool artist because he isn’t afraid to be different. His records don’t sound like they come from a factory. They sound hand-crafted. And that’s why he wins this week’s Disc of the Day honor. That, and the fact that “Shinin’ on Me” is the catchiest song in this stack.

KIX BROOKS/New to This Town
Writer: Kix Brooks/Marv Green/Terry McBride; Producer: Kix Brooks & Jay DeMarcus; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Arista (CDX)
—“Every street’s a memory/Of how things used to be.” Everywhere he goes, he sees her and remembers what they once had. Kix drawls this with conviction, and the track crackles with power and clarity. Rascal Flatts star DeMarcus continues to impress as a record producer.

JERROD NIEMANN/Shinin’ on Me
Writer: Jerrod Niemann/Lee Brice/Rob Hatch/Lance Miller; Producer: Jerrod Niemann & Dave Brainard; Publisher: none listed, BMI/SESAC; Sea Gayle/Arista (CDX)
—Quirky and funky, this has a loose-limbed charm that’s hard to deny. The bluesy vocal has immense personality, and the bright horn blasts, Dobro solo and organ riffs are all ear-opening. I remain a fan.

JONI RAE JACK/Maybe You’ll Love the Way I Leave
Writer: Wynn Varble/Randy Hardison; Producer: Shayne Morrison & Greg Hunt; Publisher: WB, ASCAP; Ah Ha (www.joniraejack.com)
—Lickety-split stuttering guitar. Pert, personable hillbilly vocal. Twinkling piano plunking. Rapid, bopping, backbeat percussion. Sizzling steel and fiddle work. This rocks splendidly.

MARTY RAYBON/I’ve Seen What He Can Do
Writer: Lee Black/Sue C. Smith/Kenna Turner West; Producer: Mark L. Carman; Publisher: Christian Taylor/BMG/House of Blacks/Universal/Brentwood-Benson/CCBT, no performance rights listed; Rural Rhythm (track) (www.ruralrhythm.com)
—Marty’s Hand to the Plow CD has already yielded one big Christian hit, his self-penned “You’ve Got to Move.” Its second single is a lovely, melodic ballad that glorifies the beauties of nature, the wonders of the human spirit and the power of love to prove the existence of the Almighty. As always, this man’s voice reaches right into your soul. He’s a hoss.

LIVEWIRE/Gone
Writer: Daniel Bell; Producer: Justin Woods; Publisher: Country Party, BMI; Way Out West (615-319-1863)
—I like their silvery harmonies, the catchy tune, the chiming tone, the sterling electric guitar work and the thumping rhythm. I even like the “kiss my ass” line. Definitely worth some spins.

NEAL McCOY/Shotgun Rider
Writer: Rhett Akins/Dallas Davidson/Keith Anderson/Ben Hayslip; Producer: Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton & Brent Rowan; Publisher: none listed; Blaster (www.nealmccoy.com)
—The songwriting and production credits sure are impressive. In this friendly, innocent-sounding bopper, he wants to cruise in the country with her in the title role.

GLEN TEMPLETON/Sing That Song Again
Writer: Ben Hayslip/Deric Ruttan; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Sony-ATV/Warner Chappell, no performance rights listed; Black River Entertainment
—The songs in question are “Brown Eyed Girl” and “Glory Days,” both of which are certainly worth singing again. Yes, radio plays the soundtrack of our lives, which is what this rocking, romantic sound celebrates. Solid.

THE COLEMAN BROTHERS/Tribute to a Firefighter
Writer: Mike Black/Judy Kellersberger; Producer: Greg Cole; Publisher: Gaylord/Blanco River, no performance rights listed; American Sounds (www.thecolemanbrothers.net)
—At last, someone has rhymed something with “orange.” Here’s how: “The sky is ghostly orange/This ain’t no false alarm.” As the title indicates, it is a straightforward, literal ode to the heroism of these public servants. Complete with sirens.

CHELSEA BAIN/Rockin’ That Trailer
Writer: Peter J. Sallis/Brian Gene White/Karyn Kristyne Williams/Mark David Carson; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Jobe/Rock Ridge
—Another rock performance trying to pass itself off as “country” by name-checking “Hank” and “the truck” and “trailer” and all such as that. Loud, in-your-face and headache inducing.

L.D. WHITEHEAD & THE 80 PROOF BAND/Mexico
Writer: Larry Doyle Whitehead II; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed, BMI; 80 Proof (www.80proofband.com)
—There’s ability here in the writing, the instrumental support and the vocal. But it sounds kinda like a demo. A little more production polish, please.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (3/28/12)

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(L-R): Jessie James, Matraca Berg

Sometimes less is more.

And sometimes you have to vote for class rather than flash. Matraca Berg’s “The Dreaming Fields” is a very simple production, but it packs a big emotional wallop. There are more famous record makers in this week’s stack, but this Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member wins the Disc of the Day.

Both of the DisCovery Award contenders are Universal products. Greg Bates records for Republic, and Jessie James is on Show Dog. In a tight contest, I’m giving the nod to Jessie James.

I don’t give out an Album of the Day award. But if I did, it would most certainly go to Tuskegee by Lionel Richie and his country pals. Those songs of his are just so enduringly extraordinary.

EDEN’S EDGE/Too Good to Be True
Writer: Gordie Sampson/Hilary Lindsey/Troy Verges; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: No Such Music/Bug/Music of Windswept/BMG Chrysalis/Songs of Southside Independent/Raylene/Songs of Universal/Songs From the Engine Room, SOCAN/ASCAP/BMI; Big Machine
—This is a trio, but somebody decided to make it sound like a female solo performance with some background vocalists. Next time, bring the other two voices up in the mix. The song is cool and so are the Dobro licks.

DANIEL SMITH/Sometimes Love
Writer: Daniel Smith; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Daniel Smith, ASCAP; DLS (www.danielsmithmusic.net)
—I’ve always liked this guy in the past. This new ballad is about the sad side of love that you discover when a loved one passes away. He aches in all the right places.

MATRACA BERG/The Dreaming Fields
Writer: Matraca Berg/Gary Harrison; Producer: Matraca Berg; Publisher: Songs of Universal/Hannaberg, BMI; Dualtone (track) (www.matracaberg.com)
—The yearning title tune of Matraca’s lustrous album mourns the loss of her grandparents’ farm. Her trembling, highly emotional vocal is accompanied only by her piano playing and a sighing, moaning cello. Which makes it all the more moving. The song has just become the subject of her new video.

LIONEL RICHIE & SHANIA TWAIN/Endless Love
Writer: Lionel Richie; Producer: Nathan Chapman & Lionel Richie; Publisher: none listed; Mercury (track)
—Thirteen songs from Lionel’s awesome catalog have become country duets on his new CD Tuskegee. Some of the biggest stars of the genre eagerly participated — Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Willie Nelson, Jason Aldean and Rascal Flatts among them. Shania takes the Diana Ross part on what was a massive, massive hit in 1981. She has a fuller, richer voice than the reedy Supremes diva, so this raises genuine goose bumps. This is a thrilling performance by both partners. The whole album is one delight after another. And I have always believed that Lionel Richie was really a country artist.

RACHELE LYNAE/Party ‘Til the Cows Come Home
Writer: Rachele Lynae/Stephanie Bentley/Jamie O’Neal/Jimmy Murphy; Producer: Jamie O’Neal; Publisher: Rachele Lynae/Fru Fru/Sugar Dumplin/Pakimo, ASCAP; Momentum (www.rachelelynae.com)
—It sounds pretty much like you’d expect it to, given the title. Lots of screaming guitar work, pumping percussion and crowd shouting. Pass.

SCOTTY McCREERY/Water Tower Town
Writer: Cole Swindell/Lynn Hutton/Tammi Kidd; Producer: Mark Bright; Publisher: Sony-ATV/House of Sea Gayle/Mike Curb, BMI/ASCAP; Mercury/19 (track)
—The production on this celebration of small-town life rocks brilliantly. Scotty keeps up with it, but sounds like he’s having to make an effort.

JESSIE JAMES/When You Say My Name
Writer: Marshall Altman/Dylan Altman/Rose Falcon; Producer: Mark Wright; Publisher: Sons of the Galt Line/Razor and Tie/Music of Cal IV, BMI; Show Dog Universal
—Lively and tuneful, this has the sound of young romance running all through it. James has an intriguing vocal delivery, throaty in her lower register and brightly sunny on her soprano notes. Very radio ready.

DIERKS BENTLEY/5-1-5-0
Writer: Jim Beavers/Brett Beavers/Dierks Bentley; Producer: Brett Beavers & Luke Wooten; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Beavertime/BMG/Chestnut Barn/Big White Tracks, BMI/IMRO/ASCAP; Capitol Nashville (track)
—The girl is driving him insane, and he can think of nothing else. It’s Dierks in his upbeat rocker mode, accompanied by plenty of stuttering, twang guitar and thumping beats. Highly infectious.

JASON STURGEON/Time Bomb
Writer: Jason Sturgeon; Producer: Greg Archilla & Jason Sturgeon; Publisher: Jason Sturgeon, BMI; Tool Pusher (www.jasonsturgeonmusic.com)
—It’s a roaring, rocking car song. It also has no melody.

GREG BATES/Did It for the Girl
Writer: Greg Bates/Lynn Hutton/Rodney Clawson; Producer: Jimmy Ritchey; Publisher: Super Effusion/Big Music Machine/Bates ‘N’ Hooks/Songs of Universal/House of Sea Gayle/Big Red Toe/Big Loud Bucks/Amarillo Sky, BMI/ASCAP; Republic Nashville
—This sways like a summer hammock in the backyard. He cleans up to look sharp for her. He shines his car for her. He plays his favorite George Strait tunes for her. He dances, sips Corona, enjoys the moonlight, lights candles and drives slow. Let’s face it, the boy is dizzy in love. An excellent debut.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (3/21/12)

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Chris Young rules — the title tune of his CD and newest single is a potent dose of audio magic.

As thrilling a listening experience as “Neon” is, it has to share the spotlight for ballad beauty with “Marry Me” by Martina McBride and Pat Monahan. And completely on the other side of the country spectrum is the frothing new rocker by Toby Keith, “Beers Ago.” Any of these three could easily be crowned a Disc of the Day. But I’m sticking with the man from Murfreesboro. Someday soon, he’s going to be as big a star as Martina and Toby already are.

Capitol Nashville’s Jon Pardi grabs the DisCovery Award.

ERIC PASLAY/If the Fish Don’t Bite
Writer: Eric Paslay/Dylan Altman; Producer: Daniel Hill & Billy Lynn; Publisher: Cal IV/Five Stone/Music of Cal IV, ASCAP/BMI; EMI (CDX)
—Bright and sunshiny, with plenty of verve and upbeat energy. The lovey-dovey lyric isn’t the deepest thing in the world, but it’s perfect for summertime.

JON PARDI/Missin’ You Crazy
Writer: Jon Pardi/Bart Butler/Monty Holmes; Producer: Bart Butler & Jon Pardi; Publisher: Song Factory/Golden Vault/Bill Butler/EMI April/Funky Merle, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol (CDX) ()
—Righteously rocking. The fiddle and steel solos sizzle, and his vocal has real personality. Promising.

BRIAN MILSON/Country Life
Writer: Jim McCormick/Randy Houser; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Alternator/Bug, BMI; Permian/
Quarterback (www.brianmilson.com)
—We’re poor, but we’re happy making do with what we have. Boring song. Boring production. Colorless singer.

CHRIS YOUNG/Neon
Writer: Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne/Trevor Rosen; Producer: James Stroud; Publisher: Crazy Water/Kobalt/Want a Fresh One Mysuc/Black River/Unfair Entertainment/BIMS, ASCAP; RCA (track) ()
—Drenched with atmosphere and mood. This guy can sell a ballad like nobody’s business. Pair him with something this melodic and add some throbbing production with sensational steel and guitar and it’s hillbilly heaven. An A-plus in every department.

BETH CAYHALL/Boys Eat Your Hearts Out
Writer: Beth Cayhall/Dave Robbins/Lonnie Wilson; Producer: Kent Wells; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP; Go TIme (www.bethcahall.com)
—Tuneless. It might as well be a spoken-word performance.

THE BAND PERRY/Postcard From Paris
Writer: Kimberly Perry/Neil Perry/Reid Perry/Kara DioGuardi/Jeff Cohen; Producer: Nathan Chapman; Publisher: Pearlleather/Famdamily/When I Go to the Moon/Rio Bravo/As You Wish/Art Is the Fodder/Sunshine Terrace/Bug/Arthouse Entertainment, BMI; Republic ()
—It’s a little difficult to follow, but I think the gist of it is that he sweeps her off her feet and wrecks her life. As always, the voices carry the day.

TODD FRITSCH/Calls I Haven’t Made
Writer: Fred Wilhelm/Mike Post; Producer: Butch Baker; Publisher: none listed; Saddle Up (www.toddfritsch.com)
—I’ve liked this guy in the past, and this is his strongest effort yet. In this extremely well constructed story song, he looks back at his life and starts making the phone calls that make up for his shortcomings. Essential listening.

MARTINA McBRIDE & PAT MONAHAN/Marry Me
Writer: Pat Monahan; Producer: Martina McBride & Byron Gallimore; Publisher: EMI April/Blue Lamp/EMI Blackwood/Reptilian/Mayday Malone, ASCAP/BMI; Republic (track)
—Monahan is the lead singer of Train, with whom Martina did a CMT Crossroads episode. He is also one of pop’s coolest vocalists, as this ballad performance abundantly demonstrates. Previously a Train single, this is a gorgeous song that works splendidly as a country duet. Play the heck out of this.

THE WASHERS/Two Left Feet
Writer: Todd Janik; Producer: Billy Jo High & Adam Odon; Publisher: none listed, BMI; W (www.thewashersmusic.com)
—I would have brought the lead vocalist up more in the mix and turned down the band some. But this still has a rambling, rumbling, rumpled, rollicking charm. I bet these guys are a gas in performance.

TOBY KEITH/Beers Ago
Writer: Toby Keith/Bobby Pinson; Producer: Toby Keith; Publisher: Tokeco Tunes/Bobby’s Lyrics Land & Livestock/Do Write, BMI; Show Dog Universal (track)
—Turn it up! This rawks. Toby wails it with drawling bravado and plenty of characteristic wit. Guaranteed grins. Ya gotta love this guy.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (3/14/12)

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It is undeniable that much of the most creative music being made today is in the Americana genre, and that furthermore much of it comes from Nashville.

In today’s stack of platters, we find such stellar Music City contributors as Darrell Scott, Jeff Black, Rodney Crowell and Paul Burch. We can now add a new name to that list. Lend Bryan Clark and his New Lyceum Players your ears. The man is stepping up to the plate with guitar chops that equal Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, Steve Wariner and our city’s other guitar-slinger heroes. He is also today’s DisCovery Award winner.

The Disc of the Day is also packed with Nashvillians. In addition to Crowell and Scott, they include Gary Nicholson, John Prine, Radney Foster, Emmylou Harris, Shawn Camp, Suzy Bogguss, Verlon Thompson, Tim O’Brien and Vince Gill. All of them are saluting the eternal greatness of Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Guy Clark. A tip of the chapeau to This One’s for Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark, for it truly is a tribute worthy of the name.

SHELBY LYNNE/Heaven’s Only Days Down the Road
Writer: Shelby Lynne; Producer: Shelby Lynne; Publisher: none listed; Everso (track) (www.shelbylynne.com)
—Lynne’s Revelation Road collection is a true d.i.y. affair. She wrote all of its songs, played all the instruments and produced it. Its current emphasis track finds her emoting soulfully over a nervous beat and rapidly strummed acoustic guitar. The harrowing lyric seems to point back to her father, who murdered her mother and then killed himself while she and her sister watched. Gripping.

JEFF BLACK/Plow Through the Mystic
Writer: Jeff Black; Producer: Jeff Black; Publisher: Lotos Nile, BMI; Lotos Nile (track) (www.jeffblack.com)
—Speaking of doing it yourself, this superb Nashville song crafter produced his eighth CD on his own and played guitar, piano, banjo, bass and percussion on it as well. A few notables dropped by — Matraca Berg, Kim Richey and Gretchen Peters offer harmonies on a couple of tunes. Stellar instrumentalists Sam Bush and Jerry Douglas are here, too. Jerry is particularly prominent on this, the album’s shuffling title tune. Jeff, as always, sings with warm, throaty soul. Other standouts include the ballads “What I Would Not Do” and “New Love Song.” Jeff Black is booked to play at The Hard Rock on March 23 at 6 p.m. alongside Sam, Dierks Bentley and Jon Randall, all of whom have recorded his tunes, as has BlackHawk (”That’s Just About Right”).

DARRELL SCOTT/Hopkinsville
Writer: Darrell Scott; Producer: Darrell Scott; Publisher: none  listed; Full Light (track) (www.darrellscott.com)
—This awesome singer-songwriter’s new collection is titled Long Ride Home. Some of its tunes date back to his earliest years as a tunesmith while others are more recent collaborations with Marcus Hummon, Tia Sillers and others. This swinging bopper is a working man’s tune with snazzy steel by Lloyd Green, rolling piano by newly announced Country Hall of Famer Hargus “Pig” Robbins and a tenor harmony by Rodney Crowell. Elsewhere on this multi-faceted audio gem, other guests include John Cowan, Guy Clark, Patty Griffin, Mickey Raphael and Tim O’Brien. If you don’t love Darrell Scott, there’s something seriously wrong with you.

PAUL BURCH/Rave On
Writer: none listed; Producer: Paul Burch; Publisher: none listed; Ramseur (track)
—Burch’s latest is titled simply, Words of Love: Songs of Buddy Holly. His WPA Ballclub band lends the tunes a simplicity that is quite refreshing, considering how overblown most Holly tribute albums are. The arrangement of the set-opening “Rave On,” for instance, puts the spotlight on Burch’s jaunty, energetic vocal with nifty fiddle-and-squeezebox riffs, a simple rhythm section and little else. Ear opening.

MAD BUFFALO/Red and Blue
Writer: Randy Riviere; Producer: Chad Cromwell & Randy Riviere; Publisher: none listed; Mad Buffalo (track) (www.madbufffalo.com)
—Bandleader/songwriter Riviere hails from Montana, but traded Big Sky Country for Music City to record his latest CD. Stellar sidemen Dave Roe, Reggie Young, Jack Hoder and producer Cromwell make these tunes live and breathe as surely as Riviere’s shy, dry vocals do. This ballad title tune builds and swells around the philosophical lyric.

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN/We Take Care of Our Own
Writer: Bruce Springsteen; Producer: Ron Aniello & Bruce Springsteen; Publisher: Bruce Spingsteen, ASCAP; Columbia (track)
—Introduced as the opening number of last month’s Grammy telecast, this is also the opening salvo of Bruce’s just-released Wrecking Ball CD. Despite the driving, uplifting track, it is a portrait of American promise denied to the disenfranchised. The theme resonates throughout the album. This is political music at its most majestic and powerful. This is why he’s The Boss. By the way, his eulogy to Clarence Clemons in the liner notes will move you to tears.

BRYAN CLARK & THE NEW LYCEUM PLAYERS/Southern Amen
Writer: Bryan Clark; Producer: Bryan Clark; Publisher: none listed; Rainfeather (track) (www.bryanclarkmusic.com)
—Clark is a transplant to Music City from Texas and the Southern Intermission CD was recorded in Brentwood. But you’ll swear you are listening to a smoking studio session from Memphis or Muscle Shoals or, in the case of this tune, New Orleans. This roars with soul/rock conviction, and the man’s fiery, world-class, fleet-fingered electric guitar work will blow your mind. Guaranteed. Get on board, chillun.

RODNEY CROWELL/That Old Time Feeling
Writer: Guy Clark; Producer: Tamara Saviano & Shawn Camp; Publisher: Chappell, ASCAP; Icehouse (track) (www.icehousemusic.com)
—”Let’s give her a good go and make ol’ Guy proud of us,” says Crowell as he kicks off this opening track of This One’s for Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark. His subsequent delivery of the wistful waltz is smoky, dreamlike and achingly emotional. But, then, everyone on this outstanding double CD is at their absolute best — Lyle Lovett, Vince Gill, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris & John Prine, Radney Foster, Kris Kristofferson, Rosanne Cash, Joe Ely, Jack Ingram, Robert Earl Keen, Jerry Jeff Walker, Kevin Welch, Willie Nelson, Suzy Bogguss and on and on. Buy this at once.

FIERY BLUE/Slow Down
Writer: Paul Marsteller; Producer: Gabe Rhodes; Publisher: Big Moment, BMI; Doubloon (track) (www.fieryblue.com)
—This Texas combo seems to consist of lightly lilting vocalist Simone Stevens, percussionist Hunt Sales and multi-instrumentalist Gabe Rhodes performing the works of songwriter Paul Marsteller (apart from a delightful cover of The Beatles’ “I’ve Just Seen a Face”). This lively country rocker has enough hooks and melodic charm to be a mainstream country hit. The album’s title is Our Secret. Well, the secret is out.

FRED EAGLESMITH/Cemetery Road
Writer: Fred Eaglesmith; Producer: Scott Merritt & Fred Eaglesmith; Publisher: Sweetwater/A Major Label/Bluewater, SOCAN/SESAC; A Major Label (track)
—This ruggedly individualistic and independent Canadian has nonetheless had cuts by Toby Keith, Alan Jackson and Miranda Lambert, plus Chris Knight, The Cowboy Junkies, Mary Gauthier, Todd Snider, Kasey Chambers and more. This opening track of his new 6 Volts CD is a thudding, minimalist slab of drawled, bluesy, raspy attitude. Spooky, but as compelling as ever.