DISClaimer Reviews (5/5/09)

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The stars are twinkling brightly this week.

Such A-listers as Trace Adkins, Montgomery Gentry, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban all have sparkling new singles. The first two are boasting new sonic splendor, courtesy of Michael Knox, who produced both. David Lee Murphy’s work with Kevin Fowler also deserves a shout-out.

Our Disc of the Day is unquestionably Keith Urban’s “I’m In.” The DisCovery Award goes to Kelly Kenning, who is a Texan and sounds it.

KELLY KENNING/Broken Bones
Writer: Tony Ramey/Si Hill/Joanna Smith; Producer: Kelly Kenning & David Chamberlain; Publisher: O Tex/Square One, BMI; Airastar/Davis (www.kellykenning.com)
—The rodeo cowboy gets his heart busted in this dandy story song that name-checks one western town after another. Well written.

KEITH URBAN/I’m In
Writer: Radney Foster/Georgia Middleman; Producer: Dann Huff & Keith Urban; Publisher: Universal-PolyGram/St, Julien/On My Mind, ASCAP; Capitol Nashville (track)
—The fifth single from Defying Gravity is an insanely catchy romp. More hooks than a tuna boat. If the song seems familiar, it’s because you remember it from Radney Foster’s 1998 CD See What You Want to See or his 2001 collection Are You Ready for the Big Show. The former also contained Radney’s version of “Raining on Sunday” which Mr. Urban has also memorably covered.

TENA RAE HELM/Nobody’s Watching
Writer: tena Rae Helm/Bobby Terry; Producer: Bobby Terry; Publisher: FireRae, BMI; Fire Rae (www.tenarae.com)
—Relentlessly perky. Unbearably bouncy. Painfully sweet.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Undo It
Writer: Carrie Unerwood/Kara DioGuardi/Marti Frederiksen/Luke Laird; Producer: Mark Bright; Publisher: Carrie-Okie/Sunshine Terrace/Bug/Half of My Publishing/Art in the Fodder/Arthouse/Universal-Careers/High Powered Machine, BMI; Arista
—You’d think that with four writers, one of them would have come up with a melody. Carrie sells this one with sheer attitude.

BILL RICE/Rockstar
Writer: none listed; Producer: Bill Rice & Roger Blevins Jr.; Publisher: none listed; Aaron Ave
—His voice is too lightweight for the material. The production overwhelms him.

TRACE ADKINS/This Ain’t No Love Song
Writer: Tony Lane/Marcel/David Lee; Producer: Michael Knox; Publisher: Sony-ATV Harmony/Universal/Chaggy Buss/Universal-Careers, ASCAP/BMI; Show Dog Universal
—Contrary to the title, it IS a love song. And Trace sings it splendidly. The production work on this slab of audio dynamite is mighty potent. I remain a fan.

CERRITO & LANE BRODY/South Of The Border
Writer: none listed; Producer: Eddie Bayers Jr., Felipe de la Rosa & Cerrito; Publisher: none listed; Checo
—Yes, it’s the 1939 Gene Autry standard. This arrangement dresses the tune up with Mexicali trumpets and castanets, plus a verse in Spanish.

MONTGOMERY GENTRY/While You’re Still Young
Writer: Jim Collins/Tony Martin/Wendell Mobley; Producer: Michael Knox; Publisher: none listed; Columbia
—Their voices have never sounded stronger. And this is the best written, best sounding  single they’ve put out in ages. A refreshing and welcome change of pace.

KEVIN FOWLER/Pound Sign
Writer: David Lee Murphy/Jim Collins/Tony Martin; Producer: David Lee Murphy; Publisher: Old Desperados/N2D/Carol Vincent/Songs of Elevation/Big Green Tractor/Sony-ATV, ASCAP/BMI; Lyric  Street
—“Today I feel like pound sign (#), question mark (?), star (*), exclamation point (!),” goes the chorus. It seems he partied too hard last night and now he has a mean hangover. Bopping and cute.

BOMSHEL/Just Fine
Writer: Kelley Shepard/Kristy Osmunson/Lee Brice; Producer: Chuck Howard; Publisher: Getting Grown/KupKake/Osmunson/Mike Curb/Sweet Hysteria, BMI; Curb
—The rhythm track is nervous sounding. They sing it with feisty energy, but is the so-so song worth the effort?

DISClaimer (reviews) 4/28/10

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Did somebody suddenly crank up the quality on Music Row?

I can’t remember the last time that so many singles vied for the top slot in one week. And in such a dazzling diversity of styles. There’s Jack Ingram’s sneering “Barbie Doll,” The Warren Brothers inspirational “Dear Mr. God,” Dierks Bentley’s minor-key mountaineer “Up on the Ridge,” Chelsea Field’s rocking “Things I Should’ve Said,” John Arthur Martinez’s haunting “Can’t Outdrink the Truth” and Marty Raybon’s sexy “The Heat Is On.” Any one of them is good enough to be a Disc of the Day.

In the end, I had to go with the gutsiest platter maker. That would be Dierks Bentley stepping out of his comfort zone with his boldly creative venture. Besides, he’s on the Jack Ingram single, too.

Weep not for Chelsea Field. She edges out fellow newcomers Frankie Ballard and Woody Bradshaw and wins this column’s DisCovery Award.

CHRIS HEERS/Happy Thought
Writer: Chris Heers; Producer: Pat McGrath & Chris Heers; Publisher: Saddlefarm, ASCAP; Saddlefarm (www.chrisheers.com)
—Chris goes two for two. I loved his “Dirt Rich” single, and this one is even catchier. Over an acoustic track and a steady tempo, he lends his sturdy, soulful voice to a lyric about facing hard times by gazing at the family who loves him. Very tender and winning.

FRANKIE BALLARD/Tell Me You Get Lonely
Writer: Marty Dodson/Dallas Davidson; Producer: Michael Knox; Publisher: Back to Back/Songs That Sell/EMI Blackwood/String Stretcher, BMI; Reprise
—I like the little rasp in his voice and the oomphy, chunky production. Promising, to say the least.

SHAWN JENNINGS/My Desire
Writer: Shawn Jennings; Producer: Shawn Jennings & Steve Carr; Publisher: none listed, BMI; SRB (www.southernrootsband.com)
—Thin sounding. The track is little more than a steel guitar and a rhythm section. The vocal lacks passion. The melody is dull.

DIERKS BENTLEY/Up On The Ridge
Writer: Angelo/Dierks Bentley; Producer: Jon Randall Stewart; Publisher: none listed; Capitol Nashville (track)
—The title tune to Mr. Bentley’s upcoming acoustic project is a moody, bluesy outing with loads of sonic atmosphere. The minor-key melody is enlivened by a jittery tempo, jazzy-captivating mandolin and ghostly backup vocals. A sound to get lost in.

CHELSEA FIELD/Things I Should’ve Said
Writer: Kelly Archer/Blair Daly/Troy Verges; Producer: Trey Bruce; Publisher: Ole, no performance rights listed; Moxy (www.chelseafieldofficial.com)
—She definitely has the vocal firepower to pull off this searing, sizzling rocker. Go, baby. You are coming in loud and clear.

THE WARREN BROTHERS/Dear Mr. God
Writer: Brad Warren/Brett Warren; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Style Sonic, no performance rights listed; Bonded (track)
—Drawn from the soundtrack of Letters to God, this moving meditation perfectly captures the touching texture of the film, itself. Nicely done, boys.

WOODY BRADSHAW/The Last Thing You Do
Writer: none listed; Producer: Jeff Nystrom; Publisher: none listed; W (track) (www.woodybradshaw.com)
—“Would you be okay with the way they remember you/If the last thing you did was the last thing you do?” In other words, tell her you love her every day. Alrighty, then.

MARTY RAYBON/The Heat Is On
Writer: Marty Raybon/John Fountain/Tommy Wright; Producer: Maarty Raybon & Paul Carrol Binkley; Publisher: none listed; GrandVista (www.martyraybon.com)
—He’s working in the scorching sun, but daydreaming about an even hotter time he’ll have when he gets home. The track is appropriately steaming and sexy, and it goes without saying that his performance is perfect.

JOHN ARTHUR MARTINEZ/Can’t Outdrink The Truth
Writer: Walt Wilkins/Liz Rose; Producer: Lew Curatolo; Publisher: none listed; Apache Ranch (track) (www.apacheranchrecords.com)
—What a cool song. The deep percussion thump and swirling steel underscore a downbeat lyric of lost love. The smoky vocal has a hushed, haunted vibe that really draws you in. Radio ready.

JACK INGRAM & DIERKS BENTLEY/Barbie Doll
Writer: Jack Ingram/Todd Snider; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Publisher: Beat Up Ford/Bug/Nobody’s Collecting on These Songs, BMI; Big Machine (track)
—I am amazed that this hasn’t been a single before now. It has been a big fan favorite at Jack’s concerts for years. With its snarky, hooky chorus it practically commands you to sing along. And do they ever. Can you say, “hit?” I thought you could.

DISClaimer (single reviews) 4/21/10

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Let’s hear it for the seniors.

Merle Haggard, age 73, and Willie Nelson, who will be 77 next week, both released new albums on Tuesday. And both of them are showing the kiddies how to do country music correctly.

Willie’s collection is called, appropriately, Country Music. It is also appropriately the Disc of the Day.

Also worth your spins this week are new singles by The LoCash Cowboys and Chely Wright. Both are produced and performed with extra panache.

Leah Seawright goes home with a DisCovery Award for her classroom antics on “Country Girl 101.” a single that is as clever as it is rocking.

MARK WAYNE GLASMIRE/You Opened My Eyes
Writer: Mark Wayne Glasmire; Producer: John Albani & Mark Wayne Glasmire; Publisher: Traceway, ASCAP; Traceway (www.markwayneglasmire.com)
—He sings in a clear, strong, pleasing tenor, which suits the uplifting song nicely.

CHELY WRIGHT/Broken
Writer: Chely Wright; Producer: Rodney Crowell; Publisher: Painted Red, BMI; Vanguard
—This moody, minor-key outing muses on the difficulty of learning to love anew. Her performance of it is marvelously nuanced. The deep-down rhythm track, gently strummed guitar work and whispery backing vocals all make the production a shimmering gem. A terrific listening experience.

AARON EINHOUSE/Catch A Glance
Writer: Aaron Einhouse; Producer: Walt Wilkins; Publisher: none listed, BMI; AE (www.aaroneinhouse.com)
—While sloshed on Jack Daniels, he has a roll in the hay with his best friend’s girl. They never speak of it again. But he knows she remembers it, because every now and then, “I catch a glance.” Hmmmm.

FAST RYDE/Top Down
Writer: James Harrison/Jody Stevens; Producer: Jeff Stevens, Jody Stevens & James Harrison; Publisher: OMG/Jody Stevens/Songs of One/Mailbox Dance, BMI/SESAC; Republic Nashvillle (www.fastryde.com)
—It’s fairly straightforward, a simple ditty about riding in the sunshine, singing along to a loud radio in a convertible. Harmless summertime fun.

LEAH SEAWRIGHT/Country Girl 101
Writer: Leah Seawright/Frank Green; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Ineylue/Frank Thomas Green, ASCAP; SkyTone (www.leahwright.com)
—She rocks with plenty of sass on this feisty list of lessons on how to treat a country girl right. Listen up, boys. Or she just might kick your tail.

LoCASH COWBOYS/Here Comes Summer
Writer: Jeffrey Steele/Shane Minor/Chris Lucas/Preston Brust; Producer: Jeffrey Steele; Publisher: Jeffrey Steele/BPJ/Sony-ATV Tree/Code Six Charles/Sony-ATV Cross Keys, BMI/ASCAP; Stroudavarious (www.locashcowboys.com)
—It is everything the title suggests, and then some. Relentlessly upbeat, impossible to ignore, eager to please, wildly engaging and completely winning.

KATIE ARMIGER/Leaving Home
Writer: Katie Armiger/Sarah Buxton/Blair Daly; Producer: Blair Daly; Publisher: Lily Road/Were Going to Maui/Internal Combustion/Southside Independent/Kickin Girls, BMI; Cold River (www.katiearmiger.com)
—She’s graduating and leaving home while the power chords crash around her vocal. Effective and emotional.

GARY P. NUNN/Taking Texas To The Country
Writer: Gary P. Nunn/Levi Mullen; Producer: Gary P. Nunn; Publisher: Nunn, BMI; Gaucamole/Campfire (track) (www.garypnunn.com)
—This is the rollicking title tune to this perennial Lone Star State favorite’s 15th studio album. He is still singing powerfully, and the lyric drops all the right names. For those of you not already fans, Nunn is the tunesmith behind “The Last Thing I Needed First Thing This Morning” (Willie Nelson), “Couldn’t Do Nothing Right” (Rosanne Cash) and “London Homesick Blues” (the Austin City Limits theme song often referred to as “Home with the Armadillo”).

MERLE HAGGARD/I Am What I Am
Writer: Merle Haggard; Producer: Merle Haggard & Lou Bradley; Publisher: Merle Haggard, BMI; Vanguard/Hag (track) (www.merlehaggard.com)
—His golden voice pours warmth all over this meditative ballad that serves as the title tune to a dandy CD that came out yesterday. It is almost entirely self composed, proving that he’s still got it as a song craftsman, as well as sounding as cool as ever. The original is still the greatest.

WILLIE NELSON/Man With The Blues
Writer: Willie Nelson; Producer: T Bone Burnett; Publisher: Glad/Pappy Daily, BMI; Rounder/
Shangri-La (track) (www.willienelson.com)
—Also dropping yesterday was the simply titled Country Music, the latest album by the Red Headed Stranger. Produced by noted alchemist Burnett, it finds our hero warbling classics by Ernest Tubb, the Louvin Brothers, Merle Travis, Al Dexter, Porter Wagoner and other greats. The one original is a reworking of his honky-tonking debut single, recorded for D Records in 1959. Like everything else on this collection, it is a spell binding performance. Buy this record.

DISClaimer 4/14/10

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It’s a back-to-basics week.

In a surprising and refreshing listening session, we were served a heaping helping of honest country sounds. Alan Jackson, Miss Leslie, Easton Corbin and Laura Dodd all turned in excellent efforts with nary a pop note in the bunch.

The Zac Brown Band album continues to delight and amaze. It has yielded yet another perfectly performed radio tune. The sunny sonics of “Free” make it the Disc of the Day.

I know I’m a little late in getting around to the charming “Giddy On Up,” by Laura Bell Bundy. But that doesn’t make her any less deserving of a DisCovery Award. Her Achin’ and Shakin’ album dropped yesterday, and she’s performing on the ACM show on Sunday.

STEVE LEE/I Like Guns
Writer: Steve Lee; Producer: Bill Chambers; Publisher: Control, no performance rights listed; Revolver (track)
—What we have here is an album composed entirely of songs about guns (“Pistol in My Hand,” “Time to Get a Gun,” “The Shoot Out” and so on). Its title tune is a monotonous, two-chord outing whose poetic reach is completely summed up in its three-word and oft-repeated title.

THE NEW RELICS/Real Love
Writer: M. Arbogast/J. Swiger/B. Martin/J. Bidwell; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Blues Alley (www.thenewrelics.com)
—Bopping, romantic, buoyant and light-hearted.

EASTON CORBIN/Roll With It
Writer: Tony Lane/David Lee/Johnny Park; Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Publisher: Sony-ATV/Hornebuckle/Universal Careers/WB, ASCAP/BMI; Mercury (track)
—The follow-up to the overnight-success “A Little More Country Than That” is another winner. I like this guy’s effortlessly Southern vocal phrasing and unabashed delight in country simplicity. The song’s everyday language and hook-filled melody are both huge bonuses. I’m in.

STEVE PALMER BAND/Living On The Streets
Writer: Steve Palmer; Producer: Steve Palmer Band & David Huff; Publisher: Kaynat, ASCAP; Arythmia (www.stevepalmerband.com)
—Pretentious and way too wordy.

ALAN JACKSON/Hard Hat And A Hammer
Writer: Alan Jackson; Producer: Keith Stegall; Publisher: Tri-Angels/EMI April, ASCAP; Arista (track)
—Thank the Lord for this man. No one else in contemporary country music has sung so consistently and sympathetically about the working class. This catchy toe-tapper pushes all my country-music buttons.

MISHAVONNA/Country Thing
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Redrum (track)
—It might be titled a “country thing,” but there is absolutely nothing country about its rocking track.

LAURA BELL BUNDY/Giddy On Up
Writer: Laura Bell Bundy/Jeff Cohen/Mike Shimshack; Producer: Mike Shimshack; Publisher: EMI April/If I Had a Nickel/As You Wish/Bug/Arthouse Entertainment/Music of Stage Three/Shimshack Songs, ASCAP/BMI; Mercury (track)
—This highly personable Broadway baby’s CD is divided into “Achin’” and “Shakin’” sections of six tunes apiece. The latter section kicks off with this sprightly, feisty little dance ditty. Its pretty darn irresistible. Get up and shake that thing.

LAURA DODD/Songbird
Writer: Laura Dodd; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Laura Dodd, BMI; Laura Dodd (track) (www.lauradodd.com)
—The simple piano accompaniment puts the spotlight where it belongs, on her beautiful, assured vocal and the ballad’s lovely structure. A breath of fresh air.

ZAC BROWN BAND/Free
Writer: Zac Brown; Producer: Keith Stegall & Zac Brown; Publisher: Weimerhound, BMI; Atlantic (track)
—The fifth single from this group’s stunning debut album, The Foundation, is its most lushly melodic outing yet. The sound of summer love, complete with lilting harmonies and swirling strings, organ and guitars.

MISS LESLIE/Wrong Is What I Do Best
Writer: Leslie Anne Sloan; Producer: Tommy Dettamore, Leslie Sloan & Ricky Davis; Publisher: Zero Label, BMI; Zero Label (track) (www.missleslie.com)
—Hear that? Do you know what it is? They call it country music. The title tune to this Texas woman’s latest is a swinging triumph, soaked in fiddle and steel. She writes ‘em. She sings ‘em. She plays a mean fiddle. She co-produces. I remain an enormous fan.

DISClaimer 4-7

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B-o-r-i-n-g.

In general, that’s what this week’s listening session was. There is nothing in this stack of platters that will change your life. Indeed, most of these discs will barely rouse you from your spring slumbers.

The most exciting thing here comes courtesy of our DisCovery Award winner. Kyle Park is a triple threat as a singer, writer and producer. Lend him your ears.

Our Disc of the Day comes from perennial competitor Anthony Smith. His “Love Is Love Is Love” has an unusual sound and is just intriguingly different enough to earn him some airplay. I hope.

CHELSEA RAE/Hook ‘Em

Writer: Chelsea Rae; Producer: Josh Mendez; Publisher: none listed; JKMusicwerks (630-439-6006)

—Imaginatively produced, with a steady drumbeat, fishing-line effects and a cool, stuttering repeated guitar riff. Her vocal just has enough moxie to sell this feisty “attitude” number.

COLT FORD/Chicken & Biscuits

Writer: Colt Ford/Rhett Akins/Ben Hayslip; Producer: Jayson Chance & Shannon Houchins; Publisher: Average ZJS/Rhettneck/EMI Blackwood/Melissa’s Money/Get a Load of This/WB, BMI/ASCAP; Average Joe (CDX) (www.coltford.com)

—I hate country rapping. Most especially when the song is this dull.

PAUL OVERSTREET/Kennesaw Cove

Writer: Paul Overstreet/Billy Aerts/Scott Lynch; Producer: Billy Aerts & Paul Overstreet; Publisher: Scarlet Moon/Stormey/Baby Gray/Par, BMI; Scarlet Moon (CDX) (615-496-6163)

—The kids go fishing. Sis has a busted lip and black eye from her boyfriend, who has disappeared. Wonder why the fish are feeding on the bottom of the Cove? I just love a good, dark story song. Don’t you?

THE SPRINGS/Summer All Year Long

Writer: Stewart Halcomb; Producer: Lamar Morris & Larry Marrs; Publisher: none listed, BMI; CFC (CDX) (334-393-2376)

—Brightly bouncing. Too bad the lead singer is strangulated and wimpy.

RAY STEVENS/Caribou Barbie

Writer: Max T. Barnes/Matt Cline/Brent Baxter; Producer: Ray Stevens; Publisher: Ray Stevens/Grand Avenue/Songs of Peer/Chords of RPM, BMI/ASCAP; Clyde (CDX)

—“Palin for President has a nice ring to it.” It does? “She’s read the Constitution, too.” She has? Musical drivel from the nut-jobbers.

KYLE PARK/I’m Missing You

Writer: Kyle Park; Producer: Kyle Park; Publisher: Kyle Park, BMI; Winding Road (www,kyleparkmusic.com)

—It’s not the most original song idea in the world, but this kid sings with great heart and verve. What’s more, he is a superb producer with a terrific touch for both acoustic and electrified elements. Highly recommended.

RANDY HOUSER/I’m All About It

Writer: Randy Houser/Ed Hill/Mark D. Sanders; Producer: Mark Wright & Cliff Audretch III; Publisher: none listed; Show Dog – Universal

—He’s such a fine singer. Why is he squandering himself on this?

NATHAN LEE JACKSON/Inside

Writer: Nathan Lee Jackson/Mila Lukich/Jonn Hamlin; Producer: Jeff Glixman; Publisher: Starbarn/Quarter Sun/Seven Tulip Lane/Mila Lukich, ASCAP; Star City (www.starcityrecording.com)

—Atmospheric. His somewhat thin voice doesn’t match the drama in the production, but he tries hard.

ANTHONY SMITH/Love Is Love Is Love

Writer: Anthony Smith/Eric Silver; Producer: Anthony Smith & Eric Silver; Publisher: Krankit/Pickanbo, BMI/ASCAP; Krankit (www.anthonysmith.com)

—It feels like it is lumbering at first, but as it picks up steam, the churning tempo makes super audio sense. Wave a hankie as this one leaves the station, shouting harmonies all the way.

GWEN SEBASTIAN/V.I.P.

Writer: Gwen Sebastian/Brian Eckert/Dean Miller; Producer: Louis Newman; Publisher: Midnight Ride/Brian Eckert/Songs of Universal/Prince of the Road, ASCAP/SESAC/BMI; Open Road/Lofton Creek (www.gwensebastian.com)

—She’s a barefoot girl tripping the light fantastic in velvet-rope, high-heels Hollywood. Breezy and bright.

Seeger Bio Celebrates “Power of Song”

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In the new Pete Seeger biography, To Everything There is a Season: Pete Seeger and the Power of Song by Allan M. Winkler (Oxford University Press, 2009), the author notes that throughout his life, Seeger “didn’t smoke, drink or chase women; instead he chased causes.”

Pete Seeger’s life was “singing truth to power” and author Winkler notes that “The labor movement of the 1930s, the peace movement on the eve of World War II, the civil rights and antiwar movements of the 1960s, and the green crusade for clean water all bear the mark of Seeger’s melodies and echo the rhythms of a century of change.”

Seeger came from a privileged background and attended Harvard before dropping out because he “wanted to use music—his kind of music—to make the world a better place. Above all he wanted to use music to help the growing labor movement achieve its aims of respect for the dignity of working men and women and of play levels that would allow them to survive and prosper. He dreamed of being in the forefront of workers singing songs that created a sense of common identity.”

In 1940 Seeger met Woody Guthrie, the major influence on his life, and the two formed the Almanac Singers. A radical from his earliest days, Seeger’s politics rankled—and still rankle—many. According to Winkler, Seeger “was, and is, a communist in the pure, idealistic sense of wanting equality for all—no rich, no poor—just everyone sharing together.”

His communistic sympathies got him into trouble during the Communist hunts of Joseph McCarthy in the early 1950s. By this time, Seeger had formed “People’s Songs,” an “informal association to encourage the creation and spread of radical protest songs.” That organization, formed in 1946, held a national convention in Chicago but fell into bankruptcy and closed its doors in 1950. However, the core group of people who worked with “People’s Songs” established the folk music magazine, Sing Out!

Seeger was a member of the group The Weavers, along with Fred Hellerman, Ronnie Gilbert and Lee Hayes, whose hits included “Good Night, Irene,” “On Top of Old Smoky,” “Kisses Sweeter Than Wine” and “So Long, It’s Been Good To Know You.” The group was incredibly successful, selling over four million records in two years before the McCarthy hearings came knocking.

The question was asked “Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?” and Seeger replied, “I am not going to answer any questions to my associations, my philosophical or religious beliefs or my political beliefs, or how I voted in any election or any of these private affairs. I think these are very improper questions for any American to be asked, especially under such compulsion as this.”

Seeger had Communist connections and Winkler pointed out that he sympathized openly with Communism’s egalitarian goals, he read the Daily Worker, and he had even been a formal member of the Party for a time.”
The summer of 1951 was a difficult one for Seeger and the Weavers bookings dwindled to almost nothing before they held a final concert in December, 1952 in Town Hall in New York but in 1955 the Weavers reunited although Seeger left the group in 1957 to sing on his own.

Meanwhile, Seeger was indicted for “contempt of Congress” in March 1957 on ten counts. At his trial in 1961 he was sentenced to a year in prison but the conviction was overturned on a technicality. Seeger took it all in stride, saying “Being indicted just gave me a lot of free publicity.” However, Seeger was blacklisted and could not appear on the TV networks for a number of years. Seeger became a one man band, leading audiences in songs. Creativity as synthesis is part of the folk tradition, taking songs, lyrics, melodies and ideas from the past or just “floating around” and forming a new song. In that manner, Seeger is responsible for songs like “If I Had a Hammer,” “We Shall Overcome,” “Turn, Turn Turn” and “Where Have All the Flowers Gone.” It is an impressive legacy.

Emerson wrote “If a man plant himself on his conviction and then abide, the whole huge world will come round to him” and that may hold true for Pete Seeger, still alive and going strong in his 90s. In October, 1994 he was awarded the National Medal of Arts and in December of that year was honored at the Kennedy Center. In 1997 he won a Grammy and in 1998 the Library of Congress named Seeger one of “America’s Living Legends.” In 2006, Bruce Springsteen did a tribute album to him, The Seeger Sessions.

Seeger has said “I don’t want people to forget their struggles” and continues to be committed to music that furthers causes. For a number of years he has been involved in the environmental movement, helping clean up the Hudson River. He has remained a lightning rod for criticism while, at the same time, has become a conscience for the music business. Author Winkler notes that Seeger’s “success in getting others to sing—something he had sought all his life—was a testament to the power of song.” It’s also testament to the power of an individual.

DISClaimer (9/25/09)

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RascalFlatts-unstop150Yikes: How did it get to be the end of September already?

The official first day of Autumn was Tuesday, and everyone is polishing up their late-year releases. Tim scores big points in this column with “Southern Voice,” the title tune of his Oct. 20 CD. Last night, Miranda debuted her Revolution at the Ryman. That CD drops next Tuesday. Last week, Rosanne did the same with The List, which drops Oct. 6. Toby’s American Ride is also due on Oct. 6, and Carrie’s Play On drops Nov. 3.

This star-studded edition of DisClaimer features worthy efforts not only by Tim, but also BlackberrySmoke150by Jason Aldean, Jack Ingram, Jimmy Wayne and Rascal Flatts, the last-named of whom has the Disc of the Day.

Blackberry Smoke, of whom I know nothing, is our DisCovery Award winner.

JACK INGRAM & PATTY GRIFFIN/Seeing Stars
Writer: Jack Ingram/Chris Tompkins; Producer: Jack Ingram & Jeremy Stover; Publisher: Beat Up Ford/Bug/Big Loud Songs/Big Loud Bucks, BMI/ASCAP; Big Machine (track)
—It’s a spacious ballad with plenty of atmosphere. Patty’s luminous voice carries the hushed finale and is heard singing harmony throughout.

RASCAL FLATTS/Why
Writer: Allen Shamblin/Robert Mathes; Producer: Dann Huff & Rascal Flatts; Publisher: Built on Rock/EMI Blackwood/Maybe I Can’t, ASCAP/BMI; Lyric Street
—Teen suicide is on the rise, so this deeply emotional song couldn’t be more timely. This is the group’s finest single since “Bless the Broken Road,” and it is easily its most important. Essential listening.

SAMMY SADLER/I’ll Always Have Denver
Writer: Steve Wariner/Bill Anderson; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Steve Wariner/Mr. Bubba/Song Tree, BMI; E1 Music
—Co-writer Wariner puts in a guest harmony appearance on the choruses of this lovely, sweet-sad ballad. But Sammy’s strong tenor vocal performance needs no assist in completely selling this.

TIM McGRAW/Southern Voice
Writer: Tom Douglas/Bob DiPiero; Producer: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw & Darran Smith; Publisher: Sony ATV/Tomdouglasmusic/Love Monkey, no performance rights listed; Curb
—The track thumps mightily with a wailing harmonica and grinding guitars. Tim rides on top, rattling off a string of references to Dixie—Dolly, Hank, Charlie Daniels, Billy Graham, Rosa Parks, Scarlett O’Hara, the Allman Brothers, Jack Daniels and the like. All in all, it’s pretty darn cool.

NATHAN LEE JACKSON/Desperate Man
Writer: none listed; Producer: Jeff Glixman, Zak Rizvi & Nathan Lee Jackson; Publisher: none listed; StarCity (track) (www.nathanleejackson.com)
—He encounters an armed robber and tells him, “God loves a desperate man.” Luckily, the bullet misses him.

JASON ALDEAN/The Truth
Writer: Brett James/Ashley Monroe; Producer: Michael Knox; Publisher: Stage Three/Brett James Cornelius/Reynsong, ASCAP/BMI; Broken Bow (track)
—Jason tries on a heartbroken ballad, and it fits just fine. The sizzling organ flourishes in the mix are an extra delight.

TOMMY CASH/Fade To Black
Writer: Tommy Cash/Nathan Whitt; Producer: Rick Lloyd; Publisher: Tomcat/Next Guess, BMI/SESAC; InLight (track) (www.fadetoblackcd.com)
—The title tune to Tommy’s new CD is a tender ode to his legendary older brother. Much of the album is devoted to revivals of Johnny’s iconic songs, but Tommy’s own “Six White Horses” is reprised as well, as a duet with Marty Stuart. On Faron Young’s “Some Kind of a Woman,” George Jones joins Tommy, and sister JoAnne Cash is his vocal partner on Ferlin Husky’s “Wings of a Dove.”

JIMMY WAYNE/Sara Smile
Writer: Daryl Hall/John Oates; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: none listed; Valory Music
—This 1976 Hall & Oates goldie has aged well—it’s still a dreamy melody. Jimmy’s version doesn’t stray far from the original arrangement, and harmonies by Daryl and John, themselves, add to the familiarity.

JOHNNY RIVERS/The American Dream
Writer: Johnny Rivers; Producer: Johnny Rivers & Oren Walters; Publisher: Rivers, BMI; Soul City
—Pop great Johnny still sounds good. This reggae-rhythmic bopper is embellished with horns, acoustic guitar and harmony singers. The lyric is wonderfully hopeful and uplifting, which are certainly qualities we can use these days.

BLACKBERRY SMOKE/Good One Coming On
Writer: Lee Roy Parnell/David Lee Murphy/Gary Nicholson; Producer: Dann Huff & Justin Niebank; Publisher: Lillie Dale/Dean-Parnell/EverGreen/Old Desperados/N2D/Carol Vincent/Sony ATV Cross Keys/Gary Nicholson, BMI/ASCAP; BamaJam (CDX)
—He has his smokes, his booze, his babes, his ride and his tunes, plus a weekend stretched out in front of him. Southern rock is alive and well. Par-tay!

DISClaimer (9/18/09)

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ChrisHeers-weststates150No cash this week, because there’s not a clunker in sight.

Everybody is playing at the top of their game, especially the ridiculously talented Steve Wariner, Gene Watson and Darius Rucker. Programmers are going to hate this next sentence. All 10 of these platters deserve airplay.

Polish off a DisCovery Award for Chris Heers. He is a native and resident of Las Vegas who plays clubs there. But he wisely came to Music City to record his Western Stars CD and its “Dirt Rich” single.

BCurrington-everythingBilly Currington’s “People Are Crazy” is deservedly a nominee as CMA Single, Song and Video of the Year. Especially Song. So I was leery about a follow-up with a junky title like “That’s How Country Boys Roll.” But, surprise, it is groove soaked and highly listenable. It is also the Disc of the Day.

TELLURIDE/Stay
Writer: Adam Seaunier/Keesy Timmer/Ryan Jones; Producer: Rex Paul Schnelle; Publisher: none listed, BMI; American Roots (track) (www.tellurideband.com)
—Delightfully propulsive, undeniably sunny and brightly romantic. Lead singer Adam Craig brings plenty of power to the table.

KACEY JONES/I Can Always Get Skinny But You’ll Never Be Tall
Writer: Kacey Jones/Jesse Goldberg/Bill Flowerree; Producer: Kacey Jones; Publisher: Mamalama/Lindcrest/Flying Buddha, ASCAP/BMI; IGO (track) (www.kaceyjones.com)
—Kacey’s CD is titled Donald Trump’s Hair. It is full of comedy songs, which we can always use more of. “How dare you call me pudgy, you stubby little runt?” goes one line in this rib tickler. Another? “There is no Viagra for the inches you lack.” The goofy-guy backup vocals are a nice touch, too, particularly when chanting “Ding Dong, Ding Dong.”

GENE WATSON & RHONDA VINCENT/Staying Together
Writer: Jerry Salley Jr./Monty Holmes; Producer: Dirk Johnson; Publisher: EMI/Country Gentleman, ASCAP/SESAC; Shanachie (track) (www.genewatsonmusic.com)
—It’s a weeper about a couple who stay together although the spark is long gone. Gene and Rhonda harmonize sublimely. The mournful, moaning steel and honky-tonk piano underline every heartache. The track is drawn from A Taste of the Truth, which stars one of our greatest country vocalists alongside stellar guests such as Alison Krauss, Trace Adkins, Aubrey Haynie, Sonny Garrish and John Wesley Ryles, as well as Rhonda. The set’s superb songs come from the likes of Hank Cochran, Shawn Camp, Jim Rushing, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Tim Mensey, Keith Stegall, Harley Allen and Curly Putman. If you love real country music, buy this record.

STEVE WARINER/Chet’s Guitar
Writer: Steve Wariner/Rick Carnes; Producer: Steve Wariner; Publisher: Steve Wariner/Songs of Peer, BMI/ASCAP; Selectone (track) (www.stevewariner.com)
—My Tribute to Chet Atkins is Steve’s album of mostly instrumentals written in imitation of and as a salute to Mr. Guitar. This bopper has plenty of Chet-style picking, but it also has a charming lyric about, “the touch and the tone and the twang of Chet’s guitar.” There’s also a line about “every lick that I stole from Chet,” which Steve swears is the truth.

CHRIS HEERS/Dirt Rich
Writer: Chris Heers; Producer: Steve Tveit, Pat McGrath & Chris Heers; Publisher: SaddleFarm, ASCAP; SaddleFarm (www.chrisheers.com)
—He’s a farmer who is thankful for what little he has. “Dirt Rich” is such a clever concept it’s amazing that nobody has written this before.

DARIUS RUCKER/History In The Making
Writer: Darius Rucker/Frank Rogers/Clay Mills; Producer: Frank Rogers; Publisher: Cadaja/New Sea Gayle/EMI April/MXC/Still Working for the Man/ICG, ASCAP; Capitol Nashville (CDX)
—His prettiest melody yet, and perhaps his most romantic lyric. As usual, Frank’s production touches and mix choices are perfect—I love the way the acoustic guitars and steel slide in and out.

RANDY HOUSER/My Kind Of Country
Writer: Randy Houser/Dallas Davidson; Producer: Mark Wright/Cliff Audretch III; Publisher: Songs of Windswept Pacific/Big Borassa/Words & Music, BMI; Universal South (CDX)
—It’s redneck wailer with a stomping beat and low, growled verses that lead to shrieked-up-high choruses. There’s no question about this guy’s vocal talent, but this is extremely in-your-face.

BILLY CURRINGTON/That’s How Country Boys Roll
Writer: Billy Currington/Brad Jones/Dallas Davidson; Producer: Carson Chamberlain & Billy Currington; Publisher: Universal/Off My Rocker/EMI Blackwood/String Stretcher/Brad Jones/Words & Music, ASCAP/BMI; Mercury (CDX)
—It has a similar theme to the Randy Houser single (Dallas Davidson is a writer on both). But this has a much slinkier, rump-shaking groove. And Billy’s vocal rides atop the low thumping percussion with considerable finesse. Both performers are following up major hits (”Boots On” and “People Are Crazy,” respectively). Billy wins this round.

THE PARKS/The Party’s Right Here
Writer: Johnny Park/David Lee; Producer: Johnny Park & Clint Park; Publisher: Halftime/Universal-Careers, ASCAP/BMI; Carolwood (CDX)
—This rocks furiously. Lyrics are spit out in double time and the sidemen, especially the lead guitarist, kick up plenty of dust. In short, it lives up to its title.

BILLY JOE ROYAL/Hard Rock To Roll
Writer: Charlie Craig/Moe Lytle; Producer: Nelson Larkin & Charlie Craig; Publisher: Power Play, BMI; Gusto (CDX) (615-889-8000)
—A homeless man, a war-widowed mom and the crucified Jesus all have “a hard rock to roll.” Billy Joe’s emotional reading of the well-written song and the crisp, gently lulling production earn bonus points.

DISClaimer (9/16/09)

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RaulMalo-lucky150The Americana music convention begins today in Nashville, so what better time to run a column about the genre?

The artists we’re talking about today are all up for awards at Thursday’s gala at the Ryman Auditorium. So we’re talking the cream of Americana, here. Earlier in the year, I raved about nominees such as Buddy & Julie Miller, Justin Townes Earle, The Belleville Outfit and Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson. Add the five discs below to your essential-purchases list.

BandofHeathens-150The Disc of the Day belongs to Raul Malo. And our DisCovery Award goes to The Band of Heathens.

THE BAND OF HEATHENS/Don’t Call On Me
Writer: Ed Jurdi; Producer: Ray Wylie Hubbard; Publisher: Lila J Rae, BMI; BOH (track) (www.bandofheathens.com)
—One of the four nominees for the New & Emerging Artist AMA Award is this quintet of country-rocking Texans. The group’s fourth CD is due out any day, but it got its nomination based on its self-titled third disc. That record kicks off with this crunchy, rootsy, drawling gem. If only Nashville’s country music could sound this cool.

RAUL MALO/Hello Again
Writer: Raul Malo/Alan Miller; Producer: Steve Berlin/Raul Malo; Publisher: Rumbalo/EagleLand, BMI/ASCAP; Fantasy (track) (www.raulmalo.com)
—This guy is a true jewel of Music City. His Lucky One CD includes this deliciously melodic, soaring, rolling anthem. His peerless voice is goosed with just the right touch of echo. When he vaults to the top of his range, he sends shivers up your spine. Shut your eyes, turn it up, bask in its sonic glory and root for Raul as he competes for AMA Artist of the Year Thursday night.

THE FLATLANDERS/Homeland Refugee
Writer: Joe Ely/Butch Hancock/Jimmie Dale Gilmore; Producer: Lloyd Maines; Publisher: Tornado Temple/Two Roads/Jade EG, BMI; New West (track) (www.theflatlanders.com)
—This track from The Flatlanders’ Hills and Valleys CD is up for AMA Song of the Year. The evocative lyric describes a broken man who found that California’s “pastures of plenty” were empty promises. The homeless family is headed back to the Dust Bowl from whence they came. The three amigos sing it with tremendous yearning and heart.

WILLIE NELSON & ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL/Won’t You Ride In My Little Red Wagon
Writer: Rex Griffin; Producer: Ray Benson; Publisher: Hill & Range, BMI; Bismeaux (track)
—This year’s AMA Lifetime Achievement Award is going to the durable Asleep at the Wheeel. The band swings splendidly on the CD Willie & The Wheel. As usual, Ray Benson’s production is pristine. All the tunes are dandies—“Hesitation Blues,” “Bring it on Down to My House,” “Right or Wrong,” “Corrine, Corrina,” “I’m Sitting on Top of the World” and the rest. Paul Shaffer and Vince Gill guest on “South.” But for my money, Willie, the band and Benson are at their jivin’ best on this revival of Hank Penny’s 1939 smash hit, penned by Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Rex Griffin.

JASON ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT/Soldiers Get Strange
Writer: none listed; Producer: Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit; Publisher: none listed; Lightning Rod (track) (www.jasonisbell.com)
—The self-titled CD by Jason and his three bandmates is an AMA Album of the Year nominee. This urgent-sounding track features his dry vocal backed by thrashing electric guitar and crashing percussion. The lyrics attempt to understand what goes through the head of a returning vet from Iraq or Afghanistan. Elsewhere, the band is equally effective on acoustic-based tunes. Jason is based in Florence, Alabama, which is a super-legendary music center to hail from.

DISClaimer (9/11/09)

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Gloriana-150It’s country collaboration day!

Ronnie Milsap is singing with Trace Adkins. Bruce Springsteen turns up as a guest on John Fogerty’s album. Billy Gibbons meets Brooks & Dunn in a roadhouse rumble. And in the most unlikely scenario of all, Hank Williams Jr. takes a ride in Appalachia with The Grascals.

And mostly the match-up listening is good.

NewRelics-150Among our other discs today are fine outings by Buddy Jewell, Phil Vassar and Miranda Lambert. And then there is that impossibly hooky new item from Gloriana, which wins the Disc of the Day prize. “How Far Do You Wanna Go?” All the way to Number One.

In the absence of any other contenders, West Virginia’s The New Relics take home a DisCovery Award by default. But I do think they still need a little polishing.

BROOKS & DUNN/Honky Tonk Stomp
Writer: Ronnie Dunn/Terry McBride/Bobby Pinson; Producer: Ronnie Dunn & Terry McBride; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Arista (track)
—The deep twang and a cameo vocal are provided by ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons. Alas, the song is otherwise pretty dull, a party-hearty attempt that falls flat while making plenty of noise.

BOMSHEL/19 And Crazy
Writer: Kelley Shepard/Kristy Osmunson/Mark Irwin/Josh Kear; Producer: Chuck Howard; Publisher: Getting Grown/KupKake/Osmunson/Oceans One/Year of the Dog/Big Yellow Dog/Darth Buddah, BMI/ASCAP; Curb
—Their bright voices are mixed too far down in the thumping production to be able to hear the clever lyric. The energy level, however, is terrific.

THE NEW RELICS/Beautiful
Writer: M. Arbogast/J. Swiger/B. Martin/J. Bidwell; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Blues Alley/Spinville (www.thenewrelics.com)
—Jaunty, sunny and young sounding. It is somewhat wordy and takes way too long to get to the hook: “What are you doing when you’re not being beautiful?”

PHIL VASSAR/Everywhere I Go
Writer: Phil Vassar/Jeffrey Steele; Producer: Phil Vassar; Publisher: Phylvester/Jeffrey Steele/BPJ, ASCAP/BMI; Universal South
—She is gone, and her memory is everywhere he turns. Phil turns on the passion in the nearly shouted choruses at the top of his range.

BUDDY JEWELL/Somebody Who Would Die For You
Writer: Mark Narmore/Adam Wheeler; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Care Taker/Noble Vision, BMI/ASCAP; O’Reilly International
—That homeless vet you rushed past is somebody who would die for you. So is the father whose feelings you hurt. You can see where this is going, can’t you? The religious conclusion may be obvious, but this is a singer who can wring every drop of meaning from every line. Extremely well done.

GLORIANA/How Far Do You Wanna Go
Writer: Matt Serletic/Jeffrey Steele/Danny Myrick; Producer: Matt Serletic; Publisher: Melusic/Primary Wave Emblem/Jeffrey Steele/Soulride/BPJ, ASCAP/BMI; Emblem/Warner Bros.
—I am crazy about this band. The harmony-soaked rocker is an open-road song if I’ve ever heard one. And this particular highway leads straight to stardom.

RONNIE MILSAP & TRACE ADKINS/My First Ride
Writer: Shannon Lawson/John Phillips; Producer: Rob Galbraith; Publisher: Muzik Mafia/Do Write, ASCAP; Bleve (www.blevemusic.com)
—This must have been a thrill for Trace, because he is a huge Ronnie Milsap fan. He even asked for Ronnie to induct him into the Opry cast. Both of them sing this frothing rocker with growling urgency.

MIRANDA LAMBERT/White Liar
Writer: Miranda Lambert/Natalie Hemby; Producer: Frank Liddell & Mike Wrucke; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Columbia Nashville (CDX)
—What a terrific country singer she is. I love every drawl and twang in this snarky vocal performance. The rolling song is superbly written and loaded with melodic hooks. Catchy to the max.

JOHN FOGERTY & BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN/When Will I Be Loved
Writer: Phil Everly; Producer: John Fogerty; Publisher: Sony-ATV Acuff-Rose, BMI; Verve Forecast (track) (615-251-0905)
—I have always said that John Fogerty was a country singer trapped in a rock band. And it goes without saying that Bruce has more blue-collar cred than half the country stars in this town. The two harmonize splendidly on this rollicking Everly Brothers twang fest. Do yourself a favor and buy John’s Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again for one of the finest country-music listening experiences of the year. It even comes on vinyl.

HANK WILLIAMS JR. & THE GRASCALS/All The Roads
Writer: Hank Williams Jr.; Producer: Doug Johnson & Hank Williams Jr.; Publisher: Bocephus, BMI; Curb (CDX)
—Bocephus goes acoustic in this delightful mountaineer romp. The song is a hillbilly smile-a-minute. What a wonderfully fulfilling change of pace.