DISClaimer Single Reviews (10/13/10)

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Variety is the spice of life, they say.

It’s certainly true in this week’s stack of platters. We have an electronic dance record, a comedy disc from a Country Music Hall of Famer, a pop/folk outing by a Russian country performer, a homespun ditty from a husband-and-wife team, a group re-naming, an Oz man’s cowbell-backed guitar rocker and a Texan with singer-songwriter grit to spare.

Where to turn?

Well, there’s no denying the pull and potency of the Tim McGraw single. So it is an obvious favorite for a Disc of the Day award.

But I don’t think I’d be out of line by suggesting that he could share it with the Oz man, Keith Urban.

KRYSTI WORLEY/Cowman
Writer: Paul Cook; Producer: Terry Mashburn; Publisher: Turtle on a Fencepost, ASCAP; Electric Cactus (www.krystiworley.com)
—More redneck rock, with the usual verbal cliches strung together (drankin,’ torn blue jeans, Skoal rings, tattoos, belt buckles, jacked-up trucks, lovin’ all night, blah, blah, blah) over thundering drums and guitars. Pass.

TIM McGRAW/Felt Good on My Lips
Writer: Brett Warren/Brad Warren/Jim Beavers/Brett Beavers; Producer: Byron Gallimore & Tim McGraw; Publisher: StyleSonic/Bilzuzz  & Bilzuzz/Buzz & Buzz/Sony-ATV Tree/Beavertime/FSMGI/Chestnut Barn/Chrysalis One, BMI/IMRO; Curb
—Droning electronica pulses steadily beneath Tim’s delivery of the tumbling-into-love lyric. Madly rhythmic. Insanely catchy. Everybody on the dancefloor!

ADAM CRAIG BAND/Nothin’ Wrong
Writer: Adam Craig/Keesy Timmer/Jon Nite; Producer: none listed; Publisher: InTune Nashville/Cowboy Timmer/Zavitson, BMI/ASCAP; Quarterback/American Roots (www.adamcraigband.com)
—Formerly billed as TelluRide, the group is now named after its solid lead vocalist. As usual, he delivers the goods, as do his ultra-accomplished band mates. Lively and engaging.

JOEY+ RORY/That’s Important to Me
Writer: Rory Feek/Joey Martin/Tim Johnson; Producer: Carl Jackson; Publisher: Giantslayer/Black in the Saddle/ole/Rufus Gold/Tim Johnson/Warner-Tamerlane/Marathon Key 2, ASCAP/SESAC/BMI; Sugar Hill/Vanguard/Roar(track) (www.joeyandrory.com)
—Simple truths, delivered with Joey’s customary emotional pull. The sweet song is wonderfully memorable, and the Rob Ickes dobro lines that echo the vocal are sheer poetry.

RIDIN’ HIGH BAND/Too Well to Go to Work
Writer: M. Jason Greene/Chris Cagle; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Son Daddy/Anjelito/Mark Hybner/WAMA, BMI/ASCAP; Centennial (www.ridinhighband.net)
—Recorded at the bottom of an empty grain silo. And I guess they didn’t have any pitch-correction machines down there.

KEITH URBAN/Put You in a Song
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Capitol Nashville (ERG)
—Radio magic. Joyous, rocking, melodic and utterly uplifting. Plus, it has a cowbell!

BLEU EDMONDSON/No Room for Mercy
Writer: none listed; Producer: Dwight A. Baker; Publisher: none listed; American Saint (track)
—I was completely smitten with this guy’s first record. The new one (titled The Future Ain’t What it Used to Be) has all the hallmarks of its predecessor. He writes with supremely poetic confidence and sings with gritty, gripping passion. This lead-off single is a tuneful, mid-tempo thumper with a chorus that goes straight for the heart. Somebody make this 2008 DisCovery Award winner a star.

MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER/The Way I Feel
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Rounder (ERG)
—As gorgeous a track as she has ever recorded. It is a grand and glorious road song about heading South alone on a midnight highway, listening to “I Won’t Back Down.” She is still just so totally great.

NATASHA BORZILOVA/Balancing Act
Writer: Natasha Borzilova; Producer: Natasha Borzilova; Publisher: Uncle Hadley, ASCAP; HMG (track) (www.natashaborzilova.com)
—She was formerly the front woman for the Russian country band Bering Strait. On the title track to her second solo CD, she carries a lilting acoustic tune along with her gentle soprano. It’s very pretty, but probably too pop for most country programmers.

MEL TILLIS/You Wouldn’t Believe It
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Show Dog Universal (track) (www.meltillis.com)
—Despite winning six consecutive Comedian of the Year awards from Music City News back in the day, Mel has never recorded a comedy album. Until now. Titled You Ain’t Gonna Believe This, it features three new songs (”Huntin’ Buddies,” “Who’s Gonna Wear the Dress” and “Slowing Down”). but the other 20 tracks are monologues. Including this little rib tickler about the lady finding the escaped elephant in her backyard garden. When she phones the police, she is asked what the animal is doing. “He’s pulling up my cabbage with his tale,” she replies. “What is he doing with it?” inquires the cop. “If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me!”

DISClaimer Single Reviews (10/6/10)

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This is a column full of old favorites of mine.

Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen are back, sounding as hale and hearty as ever. Dale Watson returns as well, and he is still a country singer’s country singer. The evergreen Bellamy Brothers remain the groove masters they have always been.

The Disc of the Day belongs to Little Big Town. I dig it that they are following “Little White Church” with something that shows a different sonic side.

Whenever I am asked, “What is your favorite music to listen to?” my answer is always the same. It is old-time music, sounds from before World War II, when folks in recording studios sounded like just plain folks in recording studios. I love the purity and innocence of The Blue Sky Boys, Patsy Montana, Jimmie Rodgers, Vernon Dalhart and their peers of the 1920s and 1930s. And my favorite old-time group of all is The Carter Family.

Having said that, it should come as no surprise that this week’s DisCovery Award is going to The Carter Family III.

BADHORSE/Mississippi Rain
Writer: Robert E. Walden/Adam Grant/Charlie Gilbert; Producer: Larry Blackmon; Publisher: none listed; GMR/Group 7/Pyramid (www.badhorse.tv)
—Washed up on the beach, having drowned in synth strings.

CHRIS HILLMAN & HERB PEDERSEN/If I Could Only Win Your Love
Writer: Ira Louvin/Charlie Louvin; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Sony-ATV Acuff-Rose, BMI; Rounder (track) (www.chrishillman.com)
—Chris is one of the great survivors (The Hillmen, The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Manassas, Souther-Hillman-Furay, McGuinn-Clark-Hillman, The Desert Rose Band). Herb has collaborated with him for decades, from even before their Desert Rose Band days together. Also, Herb sang on Emmylou Harris’s 1975 revival of this Louvin Brothers gem. It appears anew on At Edwards Barn, a live CD that also brings back several other tunes from this team’s past (”Eight Miles High,” “Sin City,” “Love Reunited,” etc.). The sound is sparkling throughout.

JADI NORRIS/Home Is Where The Heart Is
Writer: Jadi Norris; Producer: Jadi Norris & Otto D’Agnolo; Publisher: Jumpin’ Armadillo, BMI; Jumpin’ Armadillo (track) (www.jadinorris.com)
—Twang rock, with tongue planted firmly in cheek. Pile-driving and lotsa fun.

LITTLE BIG TOWN/Kiss Goodbye
Writer: Gordie Sampson/Hillary Lindsay/Steve McEwan; Producer: Wayne Kirkpatrck & Little Big Town; Publisher: No Such Music/Bug/Music of Windswept/Raylene/EMI Blackwood/Birds With Ears/, SOCAN/ASCAP/BMI; Capitol Nashville (track)
—In a word, gorgeous. It begins as a hushed, crystalline ballad then builds to a thundering, harmony-drenched chorus. A sonic marvel.

J.D. NEWBURY/Last One
Writer: J.D. Newbury; Producer: Lorne O’Neil; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Neches River (www.jdnewbury.com)
—A trainwreck. He can just barely sing, and the band members seem to be going off in different directions. The tempo shifting doesn’t help, either.

THE CARTER FAMILY III/Maybelle’s Guitar
Writer: Ron Short; Producer: John Carter Cash; Publisher: Lonesome Ace, BMI; Cash House (track) (www.carterfamilyIII.com)
—The group’s moniker is well earned. A.P. Carter and his wife Sara had a daughter named Janette. She is the mother of this group’s Dale Jett. After the original trio broke up, co-founder Maybelle Carter formed a second Carter Family with her daughters Helen, June and Anita. John Carter Cash is June’s son. He and his gifted wife Laura Cash form the other two thirds of The Carter Family III with cousin Dale. Are you with me so far? With Laura on acoustic guitar, fiddle and vocals and John on acoustic guitar and autoharp, the sound is beautifully folkie. Dale—who plays autoharp and acoustic guitar—sings lead on this track. “Music’s getting cold down on Music Row…They’ve traded music’s soul for a pocket full of gold,” he warbles plaintively while guitars strum “Wildwood Flower.” Charmingly Appalachian.

KELLY KENNING/Nothin’ But Smoke
Writer: Tony Ramey/Kris Bergsnes; Producer: Kelly Kenning & David Chamberlain; Publisher: Sony-ATV/Song Garden, BMI; Davis Music Group (www.kellykenning.com)
—He sings with great warmth, and the ballad is ultra melodic. Get a load of this hook: “There was nothin’ but smoke between me and my old flame.” A winner.

DALE WATSON/Carryin’ On This Way
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; E1 Entertainment(track)
—I am forever a fan. This guy remains one of our very finest neo honky-tonk vocalists. On this breezy outing, Mr. Watson manages to channel both Haggard and Glen Campbell. He phrases so beautifully that you hang on every word. Dazzling guitar and fiddle solos are the icing on the cake.

STONEHONEY/Two Years Down
Writer: Davis/Hurley; Producer: Stonehoney & Fred Remmert; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP/BMI; Music Road (track) (www.stonehoney.com)
—Solid country-rock, played and sung by real pros. This spirited song kicks off a CD called The Cedar Creek Sessions. It is a measure of the band’s ability that the entire record was recorded live in the studio with “no overdubs or studio tricks.” Righteous.

THE BELLAMY BROTHERS/Back In The Day
Writer: David Bellamy; Producer: David Bellamy, Howard Bellamy & Randy Heibert; Publisher: Bellamy Brothers, ASCAP; Bellamy Brothers (www.bellamybrothers.com)
—As you might expect, this has a relentlessly catchy rhythmic groove, which is what these guys have always specialized in. It chugs along like a Z.Z. Top classic while the brothers sing of French kissing in the back seat of an old Chevy and other such nostalgia.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (9/29/10)

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As we head into the fall, the stars are beginning to come out.

This week, we have new music by honcho Toby Keith, as well as from Billy Currington and Lee Brice, both of whom are coming off career highs. It appears that Capitol/EMI rules the roost, label-wise, since it is presenting fine new tunes from both Troy Olsen and newcomer Walker Hayes.

Guess who has a lock on the DisCovery Award? That’s right, polish one for the man with the most personable single of the day, Walker Hayes. You’re going to love the pants offa “Pants.”

There are a five ballads in this stack of platters. One of them was so lovely it earned its singer a Disc of the Day. That would be Billy Currington.

JASON STURGEON/Rollin’ On
Writer: Jason Sturgeon/Dane Clark; Producer: Dane Clark & Jason Sturgeon; Publisher: none listed; Toolpusher (track)
—The mid-tempo song is wistful and easy-going. He sings quite well, ranging from a conversational baritone in the verses to a strong upper register in the choruses.

FRED EAGLESMITH/Careless
Writer: Fred Eaglesmith; Producer: Fred Eaglesmith; Publisher: Sweetwater/Bluewater, SOCAN/SESAC; Lonesome Day (Canada) (track)
—I have long admired this singer-songwriter. His ragged vocal rasp is loaded with personality. On this lead-off track and single from his current Cha Cha Cha CD, the instrumental bed has a faintly Latin groove. As usual, the song craftsmanship is top notch. I could have done without the chirping backup chicks, however.

TOBY KEITH/Bullets in the Gun
Writer: Toby Keith/Rivers Rutherford; Producer: Toby Keith; Publisher: Tokeco Tunes/Universal/Memphianna, BMI/ASCAP; Show Dog Universal
—Toby winds up in the wrong bar, with the wrong woman. With the track roaring around him, he spins a tale of robbery, murder and escape into Mexico with a finale filled with firing federales. Exciting.

STEVE RICHARD/Eighty Acre Church
Writer: none listed; Producer: Phil O’Donnell; Publisher: none listed; Force MP (track) (www.steverichardmusic.com)
—The material is strong, but he doesn’t have the vocal firepower to dominate the production.

BILLY CURRINGTON/Let Me Down Easy
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Mercury Nashville
—Dreamy and languidly romantic. The steel and organ passages are particularly pretty, as is the mid-song guitar solo.

KEVIN WELCH/A Patch of Blue Sky
Writer: Kevin Welch/Claudia Scott; Producer: Keley Warren; Publisher: MonkeyHead/Lovely Monster, SESAC; Music Road (track) (www.kevinwelch.com)
—The title tune to Kevin’s current collection is a stately ballad where he yearns for better times. As usual, he delivers it with plenty of soul. This longtime Nashvillian split for Austin several years ago, but he obviously took all of his record-making talents with him.

LEE BRICE/Beautiful Every Time
Writer: Lee Brice/Rob Hatch/Lance Miller; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Mike Curb/Sweet Hysteria/Magic Mustang/Songs of StyleSonic/Melvin’s Pistol/Melvin’s Bullets, BMI/SESAC; Curb (CDX)
—This beefy power ballad boasts an absolutely killer chorus. Brice’s big, bruising voice wrings every drop of emotion out of it. Nice work.

TROY OLSEN/Good Hands
Writer: Troy  Olsen/Marv Green; Producer: Troy Olsen; Publisher: Hillbilly Poetry/Riio Nuevo/Warner-Tamerlane/Made For This Music/The Good The Bad The Ugly, BMI; EMI (CDX)
—I have liked everything this guy has released so far. This rolling number has crystal-clear sound and a vocal that’s perfectly set in the mix. I totally dig the enthusiastic shouts, too. The lyric is a dandy, mixing in references to Willie’s guitar, Geronimo’s rifle and Billy Graham’s Bible. Essential listening.

WALKER HAYES /Pants
Writer: Walker Hayes; Producer: Marshall Altman; Publisher: Breaking New Ground/On a Walk/Sony-ATV, BMI; Capitol Nashville (CDX)
—Cool, groovy, crunchy and packed with pluck. The gist of this bopper is that, “She can wear the pants as long as I can take ‘em off her.” He’s full of little vocal tricks like woo-hoos, spoken asides and falsetto swoops. Completely charming.

DANIEL SMITH/Until I Close My Eyes for Good
Writer: Daniel Smith; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Daniel Smith, no performance rights listed; DLS  (615-385-4943)
—This lushly orchestrated love ballad wallows shamelessly in cliches, but manages to be engaging in an over-the-top kind of way.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (9/22/10)

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What is past is present.

This week, The Judds and Ken Mellons are returning with records that reinvent their respective sounds. Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow & Miranda Lambert revisit a country classic and earn a Disc of the Day honor in the bargain.

The retro sound of The Secret Sisters wins them a DisCovery Award.

Wait a minute. There’s something ultra contemporary here, too. I’m afraid that “Coal Miner’s Daughter” is going to have to share that Disc of the Day prize with the magical sound of “Hello World” by Lady Antebellum.

TAYLOR MADE/Quiet Kind Of Crazy
Writer: Dan Bailey; Producer: Dale Morris & Dan Mitchell; Publisher: Morris Music Group International, BMI; LGR (615-824-5370)
—This broken-hearted, piano-based ballad is well sung and well produced, but never fires off any real sparks.

GARY ALLAN/Kiss Me When I’m Down
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; MCA Nashville
—She’s leaving, abandoning various artifacts in her wake, just so he’ll have to call her to come back and retrieve them. As usual, his delivery is gripping. But I don’t know that those strings are needed in the background.

JODY JENKINS/Boy’s Night Out
Writer: Bart Butler/Shane Minor; Producer: Bart Butler, Jody Jenkins & Bobby Jenkins; Publisher: Bill Butler, BMI; Zone 7 (210-498-7908)
—An attempted redneck bopper that can’t seem to make up its mind exactly what tempo it is in.

CRAIG MORGAN/Still a Little Chicken Left On That Bone
Writer: Skip Black/Ken Johnson/Brian Dean Maher; Producer: Phil O’Connell & Craig Morgan; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Southside Independent/Reactive Combustion/Tunes of Bigger Picture, BMI/SESAC/ASCAP; BNA
—The boy can sure ‘nuff sing. On this romper, he’s crowing about sticking to your guns and never yelling “uncle” until it is really and truly over. Sizzling and spicy.

LADY ANTEBELLUM/Hello World
Writer: Tom Douglas/Tony Lane/David Lee; Producer: Paul Worley & Lady Antebellum; Publisher: Sony-ATV/Tomdouglasmusic/Ed and Lucille/Universal-Careers, ASCAP/BMI; Capitol Nashville (track)
—The fourth single from the stellar Need You Now CD is a showcase for the extraordinarily evocative voice of Charles Kelley. It is a ballad that floats on a lovely sonic bed of strings and heartbeat bass. A lyric for family men everywhere and a sound to swoon over.

THE SECRET SISTERS/I’ve Got A Feeling
Writer: none listed; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: none listed; Beladroit (track) (www.secretsisterband.com)
—Beladroit is T Bone Burnett’s new UMG-distributed label. So it should come as no surprise that this duo has a charmingly rootsy, retro sound. The lively ditty comes on like a simple, innocent, ‘50s senior-prom tune.

KEN MELLONS/Tennessee Ridge Runner
Writer: Ken Mellons/Larry Alderman/Chris Myers; Producer: Ken Mellons & Joe Caverlee; Publisher: none listed; Jukebox Junkie (track) (www.kenmellons.net)
—Like Joe Diffie, Patty Loveless and Marty Raybon before him, Ken is taking a left turn from country to bluegrass. The “Jukebox Junkie” man drawls his way through this toe tapper while banjo, Dobro, mandolin and fiddle notes scamper all around him. Highly listenable.

THE JUDDS/I Will Stand By You
Writer: Robert Ellis Orrall/Angelo Petraglia/Steve Lee Olsen; Producer: Don Potter; Publisher: Ten Ten/Orrall Fixation/Slanky Dank/Bug/Songs of Windswept Pacific/Roots Three/Purple Cape, ASCAP/BMI; Curb
—I expected a return to this team’s folkie/acoustic past. Instead, this finale Judds single is a solid, pumping rocker with loads of “bottom” in its sound. A refreshing change of pace and an unmistakably hooky, hit song.

CHRISTY SUTHERLAND/Diggin’ Ditches
Writer: Rich Alves/John Colgin/Christy Sutherland; Producer: Bubba Smith; Publisher: Big Hitmakers/Rainy Graham/Dunwoody/Mattmoosic/Gaither, ASCAP/BMI; New Day (track) (www.christysutherland.net)
—This former Giant and Epic artist has reinvented herself as an award-winning Christian-country stylist. This bluesy outing shows she has lost nothing as a supremely confident singer. Groove soaked.

LORETTA LYNN, SHERYL CROW & MIRANDA LAMBERT/Coal Miner’s Daughter
Writer: Loretta Lynn; Producer: Patsy Lynn Russell & John Carter Cash; Publisher: Sure-Fire, BMI; Columbia
—Loretta kicks off this remake of her signature song with pierced-arrow precision. We should all sound so good at 75. She has retained an astoundingly flawless tone. In fact, it’s all that  Sheryl and Miranda can do to keep up. Each takes turns on the lyric, then all three harmonize and send the thing straight to hillbilly heaven.

DISClaimer Pop/Rock Single Reviews (9/20/10)

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It’s high time we checked up on Nashville’s ever-expanding pop/rock community.

There’s a little big of everything to sample, from the hard rock of November to the singer-songwriter vibe of Alyssa Bonagura, from the over-the-top personality of Joanna Cotten to the introspective-and-hooky Dave Barnes, from the soul sisters of Kentucky Thunder to the new-wavey Jeff the Brotherhood.

The Disc of the Day unquestionably belongs to the pounding, mighty American Bang. I’m giving a DisCovery Award to the marvelously melodic Brooke Waggoner.

BROOKE WAGGONER/Go Easy Little Doves, I’ll Be Fine
Writer: Brooke Waggoner; Producer: Brooke Waggoner; Publisher: Swoon Moon/Brooke Waggoner, BMI; BW (track) (www.brookewaggoner.com)
—Last year’s winner of the Next Big Nashville Emerging Artist award at the Nashville Music Awards has a stunning pop collection full of gorgeous string arrangements and sweeping sonic landscapes. On the CD’s title ballad, she layers her soprano vocals and wafts airily amid piano and violin washes. Invite this woman into your life.

AMERICAN BANG/Wild And Young
Writer: Jaren Johnston/Neil Mason/James Michael; Producer: Bob Rock; Publisher: Sony-ATV Harmony/Texa Rae/Silent Cue/Music of Combustion/Bug/Songs of Windswept Pacific/Little Big Guy/Warner-Tamerlane, ASCAP/BMI; Reprise (track) (www.americanbang.com)
—I am addicted to this album. American Bang is aiming to join Paramore, Jack White and Kings of Leon as Nashville-based, major-label rock stars. This ultra-catchy, rocking new single has a pile-driving Springsteeny vibe, but with more youthful vocals. Buy American Bang at once. I guarantee you will dig ‘em.

JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD/Heavy Days
Writer: Jeff the Brotherhood; Producer: Jeff the Brotherhood; Publisher: Jeff the Brotherhood, ASCAP; Infinity Cat (track)
—Jeff the Brotherhood is comprised of Robert Ellis Orrall’s sons Jake and Jamin Orrall. This title tune to their CD begins with bees buzzing over a steady Jamin beat and then romps into a jittery, new-wavey party piece. Quirky and loads of fun.

NOVEMBER/Sugarfree
Writer: Michael Dale; Producer: The One and Onlys; Publisher: none listed; 55BC (track) (www.novembernow.com)
—The title tune to this Nashville rock band’s CD is a mighty slab of sound. If you like it loud and proud and in your face, November is the act for you. This is aggressively hard rocking, screaming-guitars stuff.

JOANNA COTTEN/Sexy Rich
Writer: Joanna Cotten/Angie Russell/Daryl Burgess; Producer: Joanna Cotten; Publisher: none listed; JC (track) (www.joannacotten.com)
—Joanna made a marvelous CD for Warners country division, but it never came out. So she turned around and made a pop album for herself. This bopping track bubbles with personality and effervescent attitude. The lyric is all about our celeb/tabloid world. You will smile while you tap your toes.

KENTUCKY THUNDER/Paper Thin
Writer: J. Hiatt; Producer: Kentucky Thunder; Publisher: Universal, BMI; KT (track) (www.kentuckythundergirls.com)
—For the past 14 years, these four sizzling soul sisters from the Blue Grass State have been burning down Nashville nightclubs. Now, finally, Etta Britt, Vicki Carrico, Sheila Lawrence and Jonell Mosser have recorded a CD. It documents one of their rafter raising performances at 3rd & Lindsley last April and is titled, fittingly, ‘Bout Damn Time. The four come blazing out of the starting gate with this rocking Hiatt number. Other extra hot slabs of soul include Mosser’s “One Thing I Know” and Britt’s “Baton Rouge.” Their a cappella, set-closing quartet harmony vocal on Stephen Foster’s “My Old Kentucky Home” will leave you with your jaw ajar.

ALYSSA BONAGURA/Leaving This Heartache For A Song
Writer: Alyssa Bonagura; Producer: Alyssa Bonagura; Publisher: Alright Love, ASCAP; AB (track) (www.myspace.com/alyssabonaguramusic)
—Alyssa is the daughter of Kathie Baillie and Michael Bonagura of Baillie & The Boys fame. So you know she’s got singing in her genes. Here’s the rest of it. She got a scholarship to Paul McCartney’s music school in Liverpool. When she played her original songs there, she was told she was already too good to be a songwriting major, so why didn’t she study audio engineering instead? And that’s how she came to create her The English Diaries CD, on which she plays, sings and produces everything. I am particularly taken with this acoustic ballad on it. The thing sounds exactly like a hit.

DAVE BARNES /God Gave Me You
Writer: Dave Barnes; Producer: Ed Cash & Dave Barnes; Publisher: No Gang/Razor & Tie, ASCAP; Razor & Tie (track) (www.davebarnes.com)
—I remain a fan. This single from Dave’s What We Want, What We Get collection manages to be both crunchy and twinkling at the same time. The buzzing guitars in the choruses are cool, too. The brilliant dynamics in this record’s production prove beyond any doubt whatsoever that Nashville is so much more than country music.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (9/15/10)

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This is apparently Country Ballads Week.

Almost all of the class acts in this stack of platters are making their marks with slower tempi fare. James Otto, Lorrie Morgan, John Mellencamp, Charlie Louvin, the LoCash Cowboys, Jerrod Niemann and Teea Goans ain’t about rockin’ the house. They have generally thoughtful things to say.

Competing for Disc of the Day were Mellencamp, Louvin, Niemann and Goans. I’m splitting the prize this week. For the major-label effort with the most sonic ingenuity, the winner is Jerrod Niemann. For back-to-basics country authenticity on an indie effort, Teea Goans takes the prize.

KEN DOMASH/Ding Dang Darn It
Writer: Ken Domash; Producer: David Bechtel; Publisher: none listed; Thunder Mountain/Spinville (track) (www.domashmusic.com)
—The track totally rocks, with plenty of “bottom” in the bass and beats. The song is cutely catchy, and he sings with verve. What’s not to love?

JERROD NIEMANN/What Do You Want
Writer: Jerrod Niemann/Richie Brown/Rachel Bradshaw; Producer: Jerrod Niemann & Dave Brainard; Publisher: New Songs of Sea Gayle/Ozworth/Words & Music/Coburn, BMI; Sea Gayle/Arista
—Of course he’s a star. He spells his last name with two “n’s,” doesn’t he? The follow-up to “Lover Lover” is a moody ballad with lots of space around his haunted vocal and some profoundly deep atmosphere. Audio paradise. Beyond cool.

ANDY MEADOWS/Give Me A Microphone
Writer: Andy Meadows; Producer: Patrick McGuire & Andy Meadows; Publisher: Andy Meadows, BMI; Oscar (track) (www.andymeadows.net)
—The title tune to this Texas guy’s CD lacks personality. Both he and the band sound bored.

JAMES OTTO/Soldiers & Jesus
Writer: James Otto/Chris Wallin; Producer: Paul Worley & James Otto; Publisher: Warner-Tamerlane/Eldorotto/29 Cent Hamburgers/Red Cape, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
—The ballad is well written, and, as usual, he sings with immense soul. But there’s this constant drone in the production that I found distracting.

SAM ROARK/The Sound Of A Woman Saying Goodbye
Writer: Lori Saunders/Ann M. Schneider/Robert D. Andrew; Producer: Joe Sun; Publisher: Air Deluxe, BMI; Kat (track)
—“Sam” is “Samantha,” and she sings with oomph-y hillbilly moxie on this sassy bopper. Country with a capital “K.”

TEEA GOANS/I Don’t Do Bridges Anymore
Writer: Jim McBride/Don Poythress/Jerry Salley; Producer: Terry Choate; Publisher: Dream Island/Rightfield/BMG/Don Poythress/Country Gentleman/Evergreen, BMI/ASCAP/SESAC; Crosswind (track)
—I LOVE THIS. I have praised this woman’s hardcore country approach in the past, and this ballad performance only adds to my admiration. If you like your country served straight up, lend this woman your ears. She is the Real Deal.

CHARLIE LOUVIN/Back When We Were Young
Writer: Tom T. Hall; Producer: Michael Manning; Publisher: Sony-ATV Acuff Rose, BMI; Chicken Ranch (www.chickenranchrecords.com)
—Heartbreaking. Charlie’s delivery of this deeply sad lyric will put a lump in your throat, for sure. And the 83-year-old Hall of Famer’s current battle with cancer only adds to the touching poignancy here. Beautifully produced.

LORRIE MORGAN/I Walk Alone
Writer: Lorrie Morgan/Mark Oliverius/Kelly Lang; Producer: Lorrie Morgan & Mark Oliverius; Publisher: Lorrie Morgan/Kelly Lang/Oliverius, BMI/ASCAP; Lorrie (CDX) (www.lorrie.com)
—Lorrie is still one of my favorite female country stylists. This empowerment lyric is a dandy, the mid-tempo melody has all the hooks it needs, and the punchy production propels the whole thing forward relentlessly. A winner.

LOCASH COWBOYS/Keep In Mind
Writer: Jeffrey Steele/Shane Minor; Producer: Jeffrey Steele; Publisher: Jeffrey Steele/BPJ/Sony-ATV Tree/Code Six Charles, BMI; Stroudavarious (www.locashcowboys.com)
—Sweet and heartfelt. Every parent can relate to this lyric of wishing the best for a child heading out into the world. Every music lover should fall for these lustrous vocal harmonies. Easily this group’s strongest effort to date.

JOHN MELLENCAMP/Save Some Time To Dream
Writer: John Mellencamp; Producer: T Bone Burnett; Publisher: Belmont Mall/EMI April, ASCAP; Rounder (track)
—Mellencamp’s new No Better Than This CD was recorded in mono in the legendary Sun Studio in Memphis, the First Baptist Church in Savannah and in the same San Antonio hotel room where Robert Johnson made blues history. This Sun track features spare guitar, bass and percussion, and it is absolutely mesmerizing. The performer’s trademark vocal rasp makes every word sound urgent. His Rock n Roll Hall of Fame caliber songwriting gift remains utterly intact, too. Essential.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (9/8/10)

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The competition is at a really high level this week.

I can’t remember when there were so many really fine songs going head to head during one listening session. “I Make a Difference,” “Bad Angel,” “Raymond” and “Who Are You When I’m Not Around” all tugged at my emotions in different ways.

It’s also a really good sign when there are so many worthy newcomers making noise. Rob Baird, T.J. Broscoff, Brad Wolf and Brett Eldredge all tickled my ears. But only the last-named had the one-two punch of both a performance and a song that knocked me off my socks. Give Brett Eldredge that DisCovery Award.

Brett was so strong, in fact, that he also competed for Disc of the Day. So did Blake Shelton, Sage Keffer and Randy Houser. But in the end, I went with the undeniable star power of Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert and Jamey Johnson.

ROB BAIRD/Could Have Been My Baby
Writer: Rob Baird; Producer: Scott Davis; Publisher: none listed; Carnival (track) (www.robbairdmusic.com)
—This is evidently kicking up some dust on the Texas charts. I can hear why. He has a soulful, urgent delivery, a blue-collar attitude and a plain-spoken songwriting style. The production is rootsy/cool with underlying high, keening steel and organ sounds. Count me in.

SARA EVANS/A Little Bit Stronger
Writer: Luke Laird/Hillary Lindsey/Hillary Scott; Producer: Tony Brown; Publisher: Universal-Careers/High Powered Machine/Raylene/BPJ/EMI Foray/Hillary Dawn, BMI/ASCAP/SESAC; RCA
—Her delivery is emotionally resonant, but the overly long and meandering song isn’t very hook-y.

BRYAN COLE/I’m Comin’ Home
Writer: Bryan Cole/Michael Stover; Producer: Bryan Cole & Michael Stover; Publisher: none listed; Perfect Vision (www.bryancole.net)
—This fellow is a regional favorite in the Pittsburgh area. His plaintive tenor hits all the right notes here. But it’s usually not a good idea to launch a national career with a ballad. Go find yourself a hit song.

BLAKE SHELTON/Who Are You When I’m Not Looking
Writer: Earl Bud Lee/John Wiggins; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Publisher: We’re Working/Kobalt Songs/Notewrite/Fiddlestock, ASCAPP/BMI; Reprise
—He is one of the most underrated vocalists in this format. This stunning, perfect performance throws the spotlight on his ballad abilities. As if his subtly shaded phrasing isn’t stellar enough, the song is wonderfully well written.

T.J. BROSCOFF/Jamie’s Heart
Writer: T.J. Broscoff; Producer: Bill Green; Publisher: Bill Green, BMI; BGM (www.tjbroscoff.com)
—I dig the rasp in his throat, the melodic song and the twinkling, breezy production. Very promising. Send more.

DIERKS BENTLEY, MIRANDA LAMBERT & JAMEY JOHNSON/Bad Angel
Writer: Verlon Thompson/Suzi Ragsdale; Producer: Jon Randall Stewart; Publisher: Verlonsongs/EMI April/Ray Stevens, ASCAP/BMI; Capitol Nashville (track)
—The video of the trio’s performance of this during the CMA Music Festival is now airing on CMT. I went insane over this the first time I heard it on Dierks’s superb Up on the Ridge CD. I’m still crazy about it. Bluesy, soulful, searing and sensational. To my ears, the greatest country Vocal Collaboration of the Year.

BRAD WOLF/I Make A Difference
Writer: Don Goodman/Brad Wolf; Producer: Morris, Goodman & Resnik; Publisher: Big Hitmakers/Little Tornadoes, BMI; Evergreen (615-327-3213)
—His delivery is kinda bawling and in-your-face. But there’s no denying the righteousness of his message. When the teacher is asked how much she makes, she replies, “I make a whole lot more than I get paid/Because I make a difference.” Amen to that.

BRETT ELDREDGE/Raymond
Writer: Brett Eldredge/Brad Crisler; Producer: Byron Gallimore; Publisher: Brett Eldredge/English Ivy/Chrysalis One/Have a Bad Day/FSMGI, BMI/ASCAP; Atlantic
—What a terrific story song. He’s the janitor in an old-folks home. A lady there calls him “Raymond” and thinks he’s her son. He lets her. You see, the real Raymond was buried in Arlington Cemetery in 1971. You’d have to be made of stone not to be moved by this.

SAGE KEFFER/Bet Yo Mama
Writer: Chuck Cannnon; Producer: Matt Rovey & Sage Keffer; Publisher: Chuck Cannon, BMI; SK  (www.sagekeffer.com)
—Swampy and funky every whichaway. This former Nashville Star competitor has a CMT reality TV show with Ted Nugent in the can, is playing the criminal in Jake Owen’s hit “Tell Me” video and has twice headlined shows in Europe. Will somebody do the right thing and give this guy the major-label contract he deserves?

RANDY HOUSER/A Man Like Me
Writer: Randy Houser/Danny Green/Jameson Clark; Producer: Mark Wright & Cliff Audretch III; Publisher: Bug/Songs of Windswept Pacific/Black in the Saddle/Ole/Sony-ATV Cross Keys/Mighty Underdog, BMI/ASCAP; Show Dog Universal (CDX)
—Solid. This is my kinda country music, with a heartbeat bass, a note-bending honky-tonk vocal, a deep-South drawl and a chorus with hooks a-plenty. Listeners are going to love this.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (9/1/10)

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You say you want some tempo tunes? Well, step right up.

This week’s stack of platters contains a bevy of boppers. Marty Stuart, The McClymonts, Blaine Larsen, Mason Douglas and Eric Heatherly are all tapping their toes. Margaret Durante and Jewel are both breezy, too.

Eric, Marty and Blaine were the competitors for Disc of the Day. By virtue of his superbly phrased vocal, Blaine Larsen wins the prize.

Who is Mason Douglas, and where has he been all my life? I don’t know when I have heard a more accomplished debut single. And he wrote it all by hisself. Give that man a DisCovery Award.

MARK COOKE/Can’t Cheat In A Small Town
Writer: Don Goodman/Abby Boyken/Brad Wolf; Producer: J. Gary Smith & John Smith; Publisher: Rainy Graham/Big Hitmaker’s/Little Tornadoes, BMI; Cotton Valley (www.markcooke.com)
—His phone starts ringing the minute another man’s car pulls into her driveway. Now that’s what I call a tiny hamlet. An energetic production, loaded with guitar licks.

MARTY STUART/Little Heartbreaker
Writer: Marty Stuart/Ralph Mooney; Producer: Marty Stuart; Publisher: Marty Stuart, BMI; Sugar Hill/Superlatone (track) (www.martystuart.net)
—Itchy, twitchy neo rockabilly that’s splendidly written and sung. An awesome return to form. And given Marty’s co-writer, would you be surprised to learn that it is blessed with some of the greatest chiming steel playing I’ve heard all year? Play this.

CLINT MARTIN/The Lady She Is
Writer: none listed; Producer: Tommy Detamore & Clint Martin; Publisher: none listed; CM (www.clintmartinband.com)
—The track is big and beefy. His vocal is not.

JEWEL/Ten
Writer: Jewel/Dave Berg; Producer: Nathan Chapman & Jewel; Publisher: Wiggly Tooth/EMI April/Cal IV/Stupid Boy, ASCAP; Valory Music
—The percussion is mysteriously overbearing, particularly considering her whispery soprano performance. The song is cleverly penned, revolving around a couple counting to ten to avoid conflict. You guessed it. By the time she gets to “10,” she’s in his arms again.

CRAIG CAMPBELL/Family Man
Writer: Craig Campbell/Jon Henderson/Joel Shewmake; Producer: Keith Stegall; Publisher: Melodies of Bigger Picture/Acoustic Peanut/Murrah/Bug/Michael Murrah/Katank/Warner-Tamerlane/Big Hits of Amylase, SESAC/BMI; Bigger Picture (ww.craigcampbell.tv)
—There’s nothing especially distinctive or memorable about his singing. But the song is sturdy, and the track gets the job done.

BLAINE LARSEN/Leavin’
Writer: Paul Brandt; Producer: Jimmy Ritchey; Publisher: Rio Bravo/Foothillbilly, BMI; Treehouse/Stroudavarious  (www.blainelarsen.com)
—Blaine’s welcome comeback continues with this superbly produced tempo tune. His dynamic vocal dips into a lower register, has hushed passages and soars upward as he heads to the title. Terrific work by all concerned. I hung with it right to the ringing finale, and then I played it again.

MASON DOUGLAS/Anything Can Happen
Writer: Mason Douglas; Producer: Greg Strizek; Publisher: Wild Cateclysm/Little Biscuit/Chobe, BMI; Rural Rhythm (track) (www.masondouglasmusic.com)
—Wow. This guy’s wedding song takes off like a rocketship and blazes across your brain with its jets firing wide open. Power and drive to spare. The CD is titled My Wild Heart, and you can bet I’ll be playing the rest of it.

ERIC HEATHERLY/Mona Lisa
Writer: Eric Heaatherly; Producer: Eric Heatherly; Publisher: Psychobilly, ASCAP; EH (track) (www.myspace.com/ericheatherly)
—Eric new CD is called Painkillers, and it’s available online for just ten bucks. He continues to be one of the most brilliantly catchy songwriters around. This single from it rocks so fiercely that it just might give you whiplash. Spin this and prepare to grin from ear to ear while you bop around the room.

MARGARET DURANTE/Mississippi’s Crying
Writer: Shelly Fairchild/Stephony Smith; Producer: James Stroud & Stephony Smith; Publisher: Silvery Dog/Souljet, BMI; 9 North/emrose/Stroudavarious (www.margaretdurante.com)
—You might recall Ms. Durante as the lady who had out that cool country cover of Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody” a few months ago. She’s back with a new label and production team. “Mississippi’s Crying” was previously on an Emily West project. I thought it sounded like a hit when I heard it then, and I still think it does.

THE McCLYMONTS/Save Yourself
Writer: none listed; Producer: Adam Anders; Publisher: none listed; EMG/Fontana/
Universal (track) (www.themcclymonts.net)
—This femme trio harmonizes perfectly on the choruses. The track bops relentlessly. The song does nothing for me.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (8/25/10)

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The stars are blindingly bright this week.

Here for your listening enjoyment are top-tier new sounds from Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland and Jamey Johnson. That’s what I call an embarrassment of riches. Up-and-comers like Jaron & The Long Road to Love and Crossin’ Dixon have fresh offerings, too.

Almost all of them are worth your attention. But for clear-cut sonic creativity, you can’t top Sugarland’s “Stuck Like Glue.” Give that duo a Disc of the Day prize.

Dandy newcomers? We have some of them as well. Troy Olsen, in particular, is well worth your spins.

But even fresher is that slap-in-the-face slab of sound by Joanna Smith. Give the little lady a DisCovery Award.

SUGARLAND/Stuck Like Glue
Writer: Jennifer Nettles/Kristian Bush/Kevin Griffin/Shy Carter; Producer: Byron Gallimore, Kristian Bush & Jennifer Nettles; Publisher: Jennifer Nettles/Dirkpit Music Control Group/Primary Wave Brian/Worldwide EMG/You Want How Much of What/Wixen, ASCAP/BMI; Mercury (CDX)
—Kinda crunchy sounding and more than kinda cool. The rhythm track is a sheer delight. The tune is loaded with hooks. The mood is merry. The highly inventive veering into reggae patois is goofy fun. And I love it when they harmonize together.

PHOENIX STONE/Proud To Be
Writer: Brent Miller/Phoenix Stone; Producer: James Stroud; Publisher: G and L/LCL, BMI/ASCAP; Rounder (CDX)
—There already is a “God Bless the U.S.A.”

CROSSIN’ DIXON/Lovin’ In The Country
Writer: Garrett Parris/Terry Dennis; Producer: Garrett Parris; Publisher: Magic Mustang/What Is Written, BMI; Stoney Creek (CDX) (www.stoneycreekrecords.com)
—We’ve heard this one a zillion times before—back in the woods, in the pickup truck, swimming in the creek, dancing, rebel yells, raising cane, looking for action, blah blah blah.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Mama’s Song
Writer: Carrie Underwood/Kara DioGuardi/Marti Frederiksen/Luke Laird; Producer: Mark Bright; Publisher: none listed, BMI; 19/Arista (CDX)
—Sweetly earnest. Distinguished by a lilting melody and superior supporting work by keyboards, voices and strings. The parallels with Carrie’s impending nuptials in the lyric will doubtless tickle her many fans.

TROY OLSEN/Summer Song
Writer: Troy Olsen/Ben Hayslip/Jimmy Yeary; Producer: Troy Olsen; Publisher: 2010 Hillbilly Petry/Rio Nuevo/Made for This Music/Warner-Tamerlane/Melissa’s Money/Get a Load of This/WB, BMI/ASCAP; EMI Nashville (CDX)
—As warm and comforting as sunshine. The rolling, thumpy tempo and the airy arrangement are just perfect, as is the personable presence of his vocal. If this guy doesn’t make it as an artist, I’d hire him as a record producer in a heartbeat.

RASCAL FLATTS/Why Wait
Writer: Niel Thrasher/Tom Shapiro/Jimmy Yeary; Producer: Dann Huff & Rascal Flatts; Publisher: Feet in the Creek/BMG Gold/EMI Blackwood/Little Dooley/Black to Black/ole, ASCAP/BMI; Big Machine
—Bright and jaunty. It’s a marriage proposal set to a giddy bopping beat. Radio friendly in the extreme.

JOANNA SMITH/Gettin’ Married
Writer: Joanna Smith/Tom Hambridge/Jeffrey Steele; Producer: Jimmy Ritchey; Publisher: Big Borassa/EMI April/Sarachel/Jeffrey Steele/BPJ Administration, BMI/ASCAP; Columbia
—She’s as country as grits and is definitely in your face about it in this slap-happy rocker. The lyric is hilarious. The pickers are playing their fingers off. And she’s having a vocal ball. Count me IN.

DIERKS BENTLEY/Draw Me A Map
Writer: Jon Randall/Dierks Bentley; Producer: Jon Randall Stewart; Publisher: Reynsong/Wha Ya Say/Big White Tracks, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol Nashville (track)
—This lovely, mid-tempo meditation leaves plenty of “open” space for the instrumentalists to shine and Dierks to deliver one of the most expressive vocal performances of his career to date. Enchanting. By the way, that’s Alison Krauss singing harmony in the background.

JARON & THE LONG ROAD TO LOVE/That’s Beautiful To Me
Writer: Jaron Lowenstein; Producer: Jaron Lowenstein; Publisher: Jaronwood, BMI; Jaronwood/Big Machine/Universal
—Ultra romantic. He lists all her qualities and quirks that make him love her while piano, fiddles and guitars chime along. His breathy tenor delivery is irresistible.

JAMEY JOHNSON/Playing The Part
Writer: Jamey Johnson/Shane Minor; Producer: Jamry Johnson & The Kent Herdly Playboys; Publisher: none listed; Mercury (track)
—Jamey’s double CD The Guitar Song is a heaping helping of music. Divided into “Black” and “White” song collections, it is indeed a feast for the ears. This rollicking, drawling track from the “Black” album casts a jaundiced, wary eye on Hollywood and its phoniness. He wryly remembers back to, “when the only L.A. I knew was Lower Alabama.” Hang on for the band members’ catchy instrumental ride at the finale.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (8/18/10)

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These may be the Dog Days of summer, but some of the puppies in this stack of new tunes are as cute as the dickens.

Ashley Gearing, Taylor Swift, The Roys and Amber Hayes are all bopping brightly. Joey + Rory have teamed with The Zac Brown Band to record an excellent ode to country’s core fans.

Jesse Lee wins the DisCovery Award. She not only has a richly evocative country vocal style, but also the listening session’s best written song.

What, exactly, makes a Disc of the Day? This town puts Wikileaks to shame. The rush-release of “Mine” by Taylor after a leaked version appeared certainly made it the most newsworthy these singles. But for being true to life, sonically dynamic and utterly musically winning, you can’t deny two-time-daddy Brad Paisley the real Disc of the Day prize.

JOEY + RORY WITH THE ZAC BROWN BAND/This Song’s For You
Writer: none listed; Producer: Keith Stegall; Publisher: none listed; Sugar Hill (track)
—A splendid, uplifting anthem for everyday, working-class folks who yearn for better times. “We’re up on this stage, but you’re the star.” Amen to that. By the way, hang on for the perfectly harmonized, a cappella finale.

GEORGE DUCAS/Never Goes Away
Writer: George Ducas/Randy Rogers/Jon Henderson; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Propel/Pure Bluie/Warner-Tamerlane/Lonely Motel/Bug, no performance rights listed; Propel (972-800-0004)
—Dizzy in love, then drowning in heartbreak. It’s enough to give a guy’s neck whiplash. In any case, the track fizzes and sizzles right along, all the way through.

AMBER HAYES/C’Mon
Writer: Amber Hayes/Bill DiLuigi/Brian Paroah; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Okie Girl/888 Blue/Spunkem, ASCAP; Funl (www.funlmusic.com)
—A bright, pert, bopping invitation to dance and party. Sunny, sparkly and shiny as a newly minted penny.

ASHLEY GEARING/What You Think About Us
Writer: Brian Davis/Ashley Gearing/Ben Glover; Producer: The Fringe; Publisher: Curb/Mike Curb/Melrose Nashville/WB/Screaming Norman, ASCAP/BMI; Curb
—This rumbling rocker has enough “bottom” to kick you right out of your seat and send you twirling around the room. It’s a big, big sound, but she manages to ride atop the whole thing with plenty of vocal authority. Sing it, sister.

BRAD PAISLEY/Anything Like Me
Writer: Brad Paisley/Chris DuBois/Dave Turnbull; Producer: Frank Rogers; Publisher: EMI April/New Sea Gayle/Circle C/V Bulls/Full Circle, ASCAP; Arista
—It’s easy to imagine where Dad Brad got his inspiration for this loping outing. He meditates on what his kid is going to grow up to be like. Just before the bridge, the acoustic instruments go into a twinkling, enchanting break. If you weren’t completely charmed by that point, you will be.

JESSE LEE/Like My Mother Does
Writer: Nathan Chapman/Nikki Williams/Liz Rose; Producer: Nathan Chapman; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Pain in the Art/Perfect Mess/Sony-ATV Timber/Toreador Tunes, BMI/SESAC; Atlantic/Warner
—Love her sweet, countrified delivery. And the topic of the lyric is refreshingly novel. Promising in the extreme. Spin this and watch the phones light up.

TAYLOR SWIFT/Mine
Writer: Taylor Swift; Producer: Nathan Chapman & Taylor Swift; Publisher: Sony-ATV/Taylor Swift, BMI; Big Machine
—It is somewhat wordy. But the rhythm track carries it along relentlessly as she spins out her saga of a shaky love that turns out to be lasting.

CHARLIE DANIELS/Iraq Blues
Writer: Charlie Daniels; Producer: Charlie Daniels & Patrick Kelly; Publisher: CDB,/Wooly Swamp, BMI; E1/Blue Hat (track) (www.charliedaniels.com)
—Charlie’s new CD is an America-themed collection called Land That I Love. I compiles past successes such as “American Farmer,” “This Ain’t No Rag it’s the Flag,” “In America” and “Still in Saigon” with some new tunes. This traditionally structured, straightforward blues-rock outing is from the point of view of a deployed soldier who can’t wait to get back home. Charlie really bawls and growls it out.

FRANK ORTEGA/My Old Man
Writer: none listed; Producer: Phil O’Donnell & Gary Hannan; Publisher: none listed; Villa One/Quarterback (www.frankortega.com)
—This is kind of the male version of Jesse Lee’s mama song. Frank looks up his dad, who was both tough and tender. The major difference is that in this one, the parent dies too young. And just to rub it in, the heartbeat percussion that closes the song, stops abruptly.

THE ROYS/Comin’ Back Around
Writer: Lee Roy/Elaine Roy/Steve Dean; Producer: The Roys & Steve Dean; Publisher: Roy Family/Leo Roy/Bethar, BMI; Pedestal (track) (www.theroyscountry.com)
—The title tune to this duo’s new CD is a peppy, perky, chin-up bopper about surviving a broken romance. Catchy, cool and complete with multiple vocal overdubs for extra texture.