DISClaimer (4/24/09)

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mandisa-freedom150The soul sisters rule in today’s Christian-music column.

The presence of legends such as The Lewis Family and The Easter Brothers, plus the ultra-popular Chris Tomlin, cannot dim the shining stars of Mary Mary and Music City’s own Mandisa. To the last-named we offer a Disc of the Day award.

We hope your Gospel Music Week is a dandy celebration.

MARY MARY/God In Me
Writer: Warryn Campbell/Erica Campbell/Tina Campbell; Producer: Warryn Campbell; Publisher: EMI April/Wet Ink Red/That’s Plum/It’s Tea Tyme, ASCAP; Columbia (track)
—I love this R&B duo. These ladies have been locked in the top-10 on both the CCM and Gospel charts for two months with their The Sound CD. This new single features the team being joined by hip hopper Kierra “Kiki” Sheard, who has her own solo hit, “Praise Him Now.” The beats and raps here are the equals of anything on the mainstream charts. “God in Me” is the follow up to Mary Mary’s more melodic hit “Get Up.” One clever audio devise is a deep radio voice announcing, “You’re listening to The Sound” in between the album’s tracks.

CHRIS TOMLIN/I Will Rise
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Sixsteps/Sparrow/EMI CMG (track)
—Tomlin won at last night’s (4/23) Dove Awards for his contributions to Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song and Special Event Album, and his Hello Love album is selling like hotcakes. Currently No. 2 on the CCM chart, it is bound to pick up even more steam as this new, yearning ballad gets more and more spins. The sweet tenor vocal is backed by a chiming piano and billowing strings.

MANDISA/My Deliverer
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Sparrow/EMI CMG
—This Nashville resident and Fisk graduate rose to fame on
 American Idol in 2006. A year later, the Christian community threw its arms open wide for her debut album, True Beauty. Last year, she issued a sterling Christmas collection. Freedom was issued last month, and this is its jubilant, sunshiny debut single. The uptempo bopper is presently chugging its way up the charts toward the top 10, and deservedly so. She sings her face off, and the track rocks. This is the sound of stardom.

JEFF & SHERI EASTER, LEWIS FAMILY & EASTER BROTHERS/They’re Holding Up The Ladder
Writer: Russell Easter/James Easter/Edd Easter; Producer: Jeff & Sheri Easter; Publisher: EBEA, BMI; Daywind (track) (www.jeffandsherieaster.com)
—My introduction to bluegrass gospel was the wildly entertaining Lewis Family, and this song was/is my favorite of theirs. I didn’t know it was an Easter Brothers song until just now. So here’s the deal: Jeff Easter is the son of James Easter, and his wife Sheri is the daughter of Polly Lewis. We Are Family is an album that celebrates and combines the clans. I grinned from ear-to-ear at its sublimely country sound.

CHRISTY SUTHERLAND/You Can Get There from Here
Writer: Kyle Matthews/Christy Sutherland; Producer: Christy Sutherland; Publisher: Universal/Cumberland Belle/Mattmoosic/Country Drive, ASCAP/BMI; CS (track) (www.christysutherland.net)
—Christy was previously noted on Music Row as a country artist for Sony and Giant. Since her marriage to Matt Dudney, she has charted a new course. With Matt managing, she has been making inroads as a Christian artist with a 2008 Christmas project and two self-produced EPs, You Call Me Yours and You Can Get There from Here. On the title tune to the last-named, she sings soulfully of surviving adversity, picking yourself up after a fall and looking to brighter days. Considering her musical history, I have to think this is more than a little autobiographical. The piano work, guitar playing and other instrumental work here is sterling, but it’s her strong, true singing voice that commands your attention. For those of you needing a nudge, Matt is the son of Ken Dudney and Barbara Mandrell, both of whom are duly thanked in the liner notes.

DISClaimer (4/22/09)

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israelhoughton-one150It’s Gospel Music Week.

What better time to survey what’s newsy and happening in this Nashville-based genre? As you might expect, many of CCM’s hottest acts have current products in the marketplace.

You can’t escape the sheer sonic charisma of the new album by Israel Houghton. It is easily the Disc of the Day.

vota-vota150I don’t know who Vota is, but this trio captivated me with its disc debut and earned a DisCovery Award.

ISRAEL HOUGHTON/Just Wanna Say
Writer: Israel Houghton/Aaron Lindsey/Tommy Sims; Producer: Tommy Sims, Aaron Lindsey & Israel Houghton; Publisher: Integrity’s Praise/Sound of the New Breed/Warner-Tamerlane/Aaron Lindsey/Chi-Legacy, BMI/ASCAP; Integrity/Columbia (track)
—Perched at No. 1 on the Christian album chart this week is the solo debut from this lead singer of Israel & The New Breed. Titled The Power of One, it features this soulfully rocking single with an unmistakably hooky chorus and a track packed with percussion, shouted interjections, static sounds and claps. This is an ultra contemporary sound, co-produced by Nashville’s own Tommy Sims. On the album’s ballads, Israel’s soft tenor is a thing of shimmering beauty.

RONNIE MILSAP/How Great Thou Art
Writer: Stuart K. Hine; Producer: Rob Galbraith & Ronnie Milsap; Publisher: Manna, ASCAP; Star Song (track) (www.ronniemilsap.com)
—Country superstar Milsap has a new double CD called Then Sings My Soul that collects 24 gospel standards. The title is, of course, drawn from the lyrics of this chestnut. His reading of it is straightforward, with simple guitar-piano-percussion accompaniment, plus a chorale led by Bergen White. Other faves on the album include “Farther Along,” “I’ll Fly Away,” “Amazing Grace,” “In the Garden,” “Peace in the Valley,” “Rock of Ages,” “Precious Memories” and “It Is No Secret,” plus the soul songs “People Get Ready” and “Stand By Me” and a reworking of the star’s hit “What a Difference You’ve Made in My Life.”

MERCYME/Only Temporary
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; INO (track)
—MercyMe is currently on the Christian charts with its long-running album All That Is Within Me. But released earlier this month is a CD/DVD titled 10 that celebrates this tuneful pop/rock band’s first decade in the business. In addition to its hits, it includes this dynamite new audio track that wooshes straight into your brain and sticks there. The band is super tight, and the melody is undeniable. The DVD disc includes live performances and concept videos of all of the group’s best songs. A great value and highly recommended.

VOTA/Hard To Believe
Writer: Bryan Olesen/Case Maranville/Scott Rutz; Producer: Nathan Dantzler; Publisher: Magnificent/Integrity Media/MyDeas/Melodoso/S Acre, ASCAP; INO (track) (www.votaband.com)
—This rock trio issued its self-titled debut disc last fall, and this propulsive, electro-magnetic track is its first single. Think British new wave or classic Wham! and you’ll have the general idea.

CODY SCHULER & PINE MOUNTAIN RAILROAD/My Eyes Shall Be On Canaan’s Land
Writer: Cody Schuler; Producer: Cody Schuler & Pine Mountain Railroad; Publisher: Pine Mountain Railroad, BMI; Rural Rhythm (track) (www.codyschuler.com)
—This bluegrass ensemble was nominated for a Dove Award in the country category. The lead-off song on its Pickin,’ Praisin’ & Singin’ CD tells you why. The fiddle and banjo scamper along, the high lead tenor voice soars and the call-and-response quartet harmonies on the choruses are absolutely inspiring.

Dierks Down Under

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dierksCapitol artist Dierks Bentley is prepping this week for his first-ever Australian tour with superstar duo Brooks & Dunn beginning May 1 in Perth and continuing on to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane through May 9. Bentley will flank both ends of his Australian tour with stops in Los Angeles to perform his current single, “Sideways,” on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on April 28 and The Bonnie Hunt Show on May 14, followed by a trip to New York for a performance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

“I’ve heard that Australia has some hard-core country music fans, so I am looking forward to getting down there and playing for them,” Bentley said. “You can’t go to Australia without exploring the local culture in the pubs, so I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t equally as excited about that.”

Bentley’s second single “Sideways” is currently climbing toward the Top 10 after six weeks on the chart. The video for the track premiered last week on iTunes and went straight into heavy rotation on both CMT and GAC. To listen to “Sideways,” click here.

DISClaimer (4/17/09)

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tswift-fearlessThere are several ear-opening performances in this week’s new releases.

Hank Williams Jr. is singing his face off on a striking song about our troubled economy. The Oak Ridge Boys have left their classic sound completely behind on an almost anguished-sounding reading of The White Stripes rock song “Seven Nation Army.”

As a producer, Tony Brown has outdone himself on the terrific track of the awesome Heidi Newfield single. Joe Nichols and comeback kid Josh Logan are here to remind us of how refreshing hardcore country vocals can be.

And guess what? Taylor Swift is rocking! She also has the Disc of the Day.

CHARLIE ALLEN/Proof
Writer: Charlie Allen/Brian G. White/Steve Dean; Producer: Brian G. White & Steve Dean; Publisher: U Tell Me/Multisongs/Songs From the Whitehouse/Building Bridges/Dino’s Song Shop, no performance rights listed; River Run (track) (www.charlieallenmusic.com)
—I have made no secret of my respect for this artist. He’s proudly country, and this groove-saturated drinking song is one more feather in his cap.

HEIDI NEWFIELD/What Am I Waiting For
Writer: Heidi Newfield/Ira Dean/Keith Burns/Jeffrey Steele; Producer: Tony Brown; Publisher: Gi Hit Makers/Rainy Graham/White Monkey/Morris Bedell/Banna Bear/Jeffrey Steele/BPJ, BMI; Curb
—The sparkling production, the plaintive vocal and the layered chorale in the “escape” segment of the melody are all fabulous. Delightfully ear catching in every way.

JESSICA SIMPSON/Pray Out Loud
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Columbia (ERG)
—D.O.A.

TAYLOR SWIFT/You Should Be With Me
Writer: Taylor Swift/Liz Rose; Producer: Nathan Chapman & Taylor Swift; Publisher: Sony ATV Tree/Taylor Swift/Potting Shed/Barbara Orbison/ICG, BMI/SESAC; Big Machine
—Frothy and fizzy pop-country served with sprinkles on top. Taylor’s the nerd, and her cheerleader-team-captain competition has the guy she wants. Being lovelorn has never sounded peppier, and it’s good to hear her in a dancing mode for a change.

DEREK JOSEPH/No Cool Way
Writer: Doug Erickson/Betty Miller; Producer: Randy Jack Wiggins; Publisher: Nashville Sound, BMI/ASCAP/SOCAN; Little House (www.derekjoseph.com)
—Everyone sounds like they’re trying too hard. It’s too loud. The musicians are over playing. His singing sounds forced. Relax, people, it’s just country music.

JOE NICHOLS/Believers
Writer: Ashley Gorley/Wade Kirby/Bill Luther; Producer: Brent Rowan; Publisher: Songs of Combustion/Music of Windswept/Steel Wheels/Kirbtone/Big Loud Bucks/Sony ATV/This Town, ASCAP/BMI; Universal South
—There’s something so warm and comforting about this man’s voice. Give him a song this strong, and few on Music Row can match him. When co-writer Bill Luther had out a DreamWorks single in 2001, I loved it and wrote, “Who is this guy?” With “Who You’d Be Today,” “Let’s Make Love,” “My Best Friend,” “What I Need to Do,” “How Bad Do You Want It” and now this in his resume, I’m not asking that question anymore.

DARIUS RUCKER/Alright
Writer: Darius Rucker/Frank Rogers; Producer: Frank Rogers; Publisher: Cadaja/New Sea Gayle/EMI April, ASCAP; Capitol Nashville
—It’s one of the oldest country cliches—money can’t buy happiness, material things don’t matter and the simple life is best. But in this jaunty delivery, it sounds brand new. Bopping and winning.

THE OAK RIDGE BOYS/Seven Nation Army
Writer: Jack White; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: Peppermint Stripe, BMI; Quarterback (615-300-5321)
—Actually, the words “Oak Ridge Boys” do not appear anywhere on this single. Instead, it reads, “You want familiarity? Your listeners already know this song and have shown that they love it!” As performed by The White Stripes, it was a No. 1 alternative-rock hit and a 2004 Grammy Award winner. Believe it or not, the Oaks make it work for them by singing in a wildly different style. Producer Cobb is the guy behind the Shooter Jennings sound.

JOSH LOGAN/I Am What I Am
Writer: Del Gray/Dave Gibson; Producer: Del Gray; Publisher: CDB/Volunteer Jam/Little Poncho, ASCAP/BMI; Copper Creek (track) (www.myspace.com/joshlogancountry)
—I remember this guy from his Curb Records days in the late 1980s. I liked him then because he was a stone-country stylist. It turns out that he’s still active up in Kentucky, and he’s still a stone-country stylist. Producer Del Gray rounded up some of his hot pickin’ Little Texas buddies to back Josh on his comeback CD. On its title tune, he sings, “I’m just a blue-collar singer from the bluegrass state.” More power to ya, brother.

HANK WILLIAMS JR./Red, White & Pink Slip Blues
Writer: Mark Stephen Jones/Bud Tower; Producer: Doug Johnson & Hank Williams Jr.; Publisher: Harlan Howard/Mark Stephen Jones/Frog Street, BMI/ASCAP; Curb
—A song for our times. Hank wails the bluesy lines masterfully, going from a rumbling baritone to a shouted tenor range. The mill closed down. The repo man is after his truck. They’re going to take the house away. Trust me, you’ll feel every hurtin’ moment.

DISClaimer (4/10/09)

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Mac McAnally

Mac McAnally

I love a good cry.

There’s something so purifying and soul-cleansing about it. And it has long been my contention that people love to weep as much as they love to laugh when consuming popular culture. Think of every sad movie you’ve ever cherished.

At any rate, Mac McAnally opened my tear ducts this week. And for that he gets a well-deserved Disc of the Day.

I’m pleased to report that Mac’s “You First” is but one of many extremely well written songs in this stack of platters. Give a listen to Fernando Ortega’s

Wyatt Easterling

Wyatt Easterling

“Honkytonk & the Altar,” Bucky Covington’s “I Want My Life Back,” Jayne Nelson’s “What it Really Is” and Carla Williams’s “Every Word You’re Thinking” for more examples of fine craftsmanship.

And most especially, listen to Wyatt Easterling’s excellent “Where the River Goes.” Give that man a DisCovery Award.

MAC McANALLY/You First
Writer: Lenny LeBlanc/Mac McAnally; Producer: none listed; Publisher: LenSongs/Wordfarmer, ASCAP; Show Dog Nashville
—I have always been a major Mac fan. This gentle meditation tugs at every heart string you have. I was blubbering openly by the time he reached the tender finale. An awesome little piece of work.

WYATT EASTERLING/Where This River Goes
Writer: Wyatt Easterling/Celeste Krenz/Rebecca Folsom/Liz Barnez; Producer: Celeste Krenz & Wyatt Easterling; Publisher: Considerable/Dakota Wind/Mudhead, ASCAP/BMI; High Horse (track( (www.highhorserecords.com)
—This is the tender title tune to singer-songwriter Easterling’s new CD. His songs are simply splendid, and he sings them with hearty, immensely appealing warmth. Imagine a country-boy Cat Stevens, and you’ll be somewhat in the ballpark. Cast members include Jessi Colter, Sonny LeMaire, Danny Parks and Paul Jefferson. Check him out, folks.

KATE & KACEY/Dreaming Love
Writer: Kacey Coppola/Kate Coppola/Danny Myrick; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/Two Is Better Than One/Root 49/Danny Myrick, BMI; Big Machine
—Wafting, airy, wispy, youthful harmony sopranos. The tinkling acoustic guitar notes in the production are quite fetching.

WHITEACRE/Trailer Park Pulp Fiction
Writer: Michael Kosser/Kelly Garrett; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Southern Cow/Sony ATV Cross Keys/Grinnin’ Garrett, ASCAP; VFR/Lofton Creek (www.loftoncreekrecords.com)
—Hillbilly hip hop, anyone?

REBA/Strange
Writer: Wendell Mobley/Jason Sellers/Neil Thrasher; Producer: Mark Bright; Publisher: Warner-Tamerlane/Boatwright Baby/This Is Hit/Troy D/Sweet Summer/Crosstown Uptown/Major Bob, BMI/ASCAP; Valory/Starstruck
—The melody is a little shapeless and odd. The production is a mite “busy.” But she makes it all work in the memorable choruses.

FRANK ORTEGA/Honkytonk & The Altar
Writer: Phil O’Donnell/Kelley Lovelace/Tim Owens; Producer: Phil O’Donnell; Publisher: none listed; Villa One/Quarterback (www.frankortega.com)
—What a cool song. “Before you point that finger, don’t bother/We all fall somewhere between the honkytonk and the altar.” The production is absolutely perfect, and he sings it with immense heart. Deserving of massive spins.

TORNADO MAGNET/Austin City Lights
Writer: Bensimon; Producer: Phillip Bensimon & Mike Ashley; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP; Big Bender (track) (www.tornadomagnet.net)
—The lead vocalist is wobbly in the pitch department, and the band’s playing is decidedly unexceptional.
But there’s something kinda charming and homemade about it.

BUCKY COVINGTON/I Want My Life Back
Writer: Frank Myers/Anthony Smith; Producer: Mark A. Miller & Dale Oliver; Publisher: Sixteen Stars/Frank Myers/HoriPro/Grand & Gee, BMI/ASCAP; Lyric Street
—I’ve always liked the husky/raspy quality in his voice. This well-crafted cautionary tale suits him just fine, despite the fact that the bridge is way in the upper reaches of his range.

JAYNE NELSON/What It Really Is
Writer: Michael Higgins; Producer: Mark Oliverius; Publisher: Handhewn, ASCAP; Funky Gorilla (www.jaynenelson.com)
—Another fine story song. She sounds more “country” in her alto register in the verses. Her soprano in the choruses is more Broadway than Lower Broadway. But the whole thing remains a heartening listening experience. Her first name is pronounced Jay-nee, by the way. It says so on the back of the record.

CARLA WILLIAMS/Every Word You’re Thinking
Writer: Steve Dorff/Milton L. Brown; Producer: Steve Dorff & Milton L. Brown; Publisher: Dorffmeister/Bama Boy, BMI; Lofton Creek (www.carlawilliamsmusic.com)
—Her throaty delivery handles this sophisticated melody with aplomb. The piano and synth accompaniment is fairly pop, but the vocal keeps it down to earth.

DISClaimer (4/3/09)

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lawomack-crazyLet’s get the necessary stuff over with first.

The only clear choice for Disc of the Day is Lee Ann Womack and her great performance of  “Solitary Thinkin.’”

The clear choice, at least to me, for a DisCovery Award is Mammouth Jack, whoever that is.

But the real news of the week is being made by another style in Music City. This

Mammouth Jack

Mammouth Jack

bis your last weekend to catch the musical Jersey Boys at TPAC. Its songs are by Nashville resident Bob Gaudio. The cast actually sings them better than The 4 Seasons did.

It takes awhile in the first act to get to stardom. But when you first hear those magical harmonies blast out on “Sherry,” it’s like an explosion detonates. From there on it’s one breathtaking tune after another—“Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Dawn,” “Big Man in Town,” “Let’s Hang On,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Working My Way Back to You,” “Rag Doll,” “Who Loves You” and the rest.

The book has sex, the Mob, an overdose, gambling addiction, heartache and triumph. This show is a blast, people. GO!

DUE WEST/I Get That All The Time
Writer: Matt Lopez/Jason Deere/John Bettis; Producer: Jason Deere; Publisher: Songwriters of Platinum Pen/Big Bad Deere/Big Loud Bucks/FSMGI/Randi Jae/State One Music America/EMI April/Wyatt and Conway, BMI/IMRO/ASCAP; Bigger Than Me/9 North (CDX) (www.duewest.com)
—In this nicely produced power ballad, the protagonist turns down offers of drugs and sex because he gets his highs from his loving wife and kids. Awwwwww.

BRAD PAISLEY/Then
Writer: Brad Paisley/Chris DuBois/Ashley Gorley; Producer: Frank Rogers; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP; Arista (CDX)
—Very sweet. Brad is softly reminiscing about the love of his life. The shadowing harmonies and keening steel in the choruses are particularly pretty. So is his wordless falsetto sighing in the finale.

GRANDSTAFF/The Statler Brothers Song
Writer: Will Reid/Langdon Reid; Producer: Brian David Willis, Doug Grau & Grandstaff; Publisher: Virginia Grandstaff/Wilson Fairchild, ASCAP/BMI; Yell (CDX) (615-385-1601)
—It even has the boom-chicka production of those old Statler records. “Shirley Jean Burrell,” “Elizabeth,” “Atlanta Blue,” “Bed of Roses,” “I’ll Go to My Grave Loving You,” “Carry Me Back,” “Susan When She Tried” and “Flowers on the Wall” are all name-checked. The harmonies are exactly right. All in all, very clever and listenable. Grandstaff is comprised of Statler sons, by the way.

MARK WILLS/Entertaining Angels
Writer: Willie Mack/Keith Brown/Steve Mandile; Producer: Brett James; Publisher: Scott and Soda/Winning Circle/Clashing Plaids/Major Bob/Frequency/Toreador Tunes/Big 13, ASCAP/SESAC; Tenacity (CDX) (615-255-8649)
—Ordinary people in a bar can offer amazing grace. Their stories can really make you take a hard look at your own life. That’s the message here, and it’s a good one.

THE TIME JUMPERS/All Of Me
Writer: Gerald Marks/Seymour B. Simons; Producer: Terry Choate; Publisher: Gerald Marks/Marking Music, ASCAP; Crosswind (CDX) (www.thetimejumpers.com)
—With the divine Dawn Sears singing lead, this Grammy-nominated country swing band makes this golden oldie twirl and spin. A simply delightful listening experience. “All of Me” has been on the charts by Louis Armstrong (1932), Paul Whiteman (1932), Ben Selvin (1932), Count Basie (1943), Frank Sinatra (1948), Johnnie Ray (1952) and Willie Nelson (1978). But it has seldom been swung as well as this.

KIM McLEAN/Ain’t No Glory
Writer: Kim McLean/Kevin Fisher; Producer: Walt Aldridge; Publisher: Sony ATV Cross Keys/Sons of Extreme and Cedar Sides, ASCAP; Hippie  Chick (CDX) (615-400-5140)
—The track has snap, crackle and pop which makes for a nice contrast with her languid vocal phrasing.

LEE ANN WOMACK/Solitary Thinkin’
Writer: Waylon Payne; Producer: Tony Brown; Publisher: Tiltawhirl/Carnival, BMI; MCA Nashville (track)
—Lee Ann’s Call Me Crazy CD is a masterpiece. Its second single is a spare, bluesy little thing with stinging guitar and organ lines. Her reading of the lyric is beautifully conversational and deeply intimate.

LUKE BENWARD/Let Your Love Out
Writer: Aaron Benward/Joy Williams/Shaun Shankel; Producer: Shaun Shankel & Aaron Benward; Publisher: Maineville/Spudnut/Shankel/WB, ASCAP; Shine (track) (www.lukebenward.com)
—This isn’t a country record. It’s synthy teen pop recorded in Music City by this 13-year-old heartthrob. Luke stars on the Disney Channel’s time-machine Minutemen show and has been featured in such films as Because of Winn Dixie and How to Eat Fried Worms. His fans don’t know that he sings, yet. But he’s the son of Aaron Benward of Blue County and the grandson of Jeoffrey Benward, who is a CCM star, so he comes by that talent genetically. The chattering beats, electro effects and bouncy, upbeat feeling of this are all very winning. Sunny and irresistible.

JIM ROONEY & ROONEY’S IRREGULARS/No Expectations
Writer: Mick Jagger/Keith Richards; Producer: Jim Rooney; Publisher: ABKCO, BMI; JRP (track)
—When Allen Reynolds announced he was closing Jack’s Tracks, Irishman Jim Rooney knew just what was called for, a wake. Pat Alger, Shawn Camp, Jellyroll Johnson, Pat McLaughlin, Sam Bush, Nanci Griffith, Tim O’Brien and Jack Clement all gathered to make music in the legendary studio one last time. On the resulting Farewell to the Tracks CD, Allen’s “Wrong Road Again,” “We Must Believe in Magic,” “Dreaming My Dreams” and “Ready for the Times to Get Better” are dutifully covered by the rootsy, jolly acoustic band, as are such faves as “Busted,” “Ramblin’ Man” and “Goin’ Gone.” The set closes with a rousing, uptempo version of this Stones standard with everybody involved getting a turn at the mic. It’s kind of a private thing, but find a copy if you can. I understand that Garth Brooks has since bought and is refurbishing the studio.

MAMMOUTH JACK/Who Wouldn’t Love A Girl Like That
Writer: Bryan Simpson/Kris Bergsness/Matt Rossi; Producer: Bobby Terry; Publisher: Encore Ent./Song Garden/Bed Roll/Diamond Eye, ASCAP/BMI; 1820 (CDX) (615-260-7630)
—His accent is pure country. The song is a gem. The production is terrific. What’s not to love?

Review: Aldean Anchors Adventurous Collection

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ja_wideopen2California-based Broken Bow Records arguably hasn’t yet done much for the Nashville community, but Wide Open, from its flagship artist Jason Aldean, scored impressive first week sales (109k) and is clearly boosting confidence in country’s fan connection. Radio is on board, too. Music Row named the Macon, Georgia native its Artist of the Year (Mid-Size Label ) for 2007 and 2008, based upon spins from the publication’s 110 Country Breakout chart reporters.

Aldean’s new set is loaded with smart lyrics swimming in a sea of  rocking, rhythmic articulations. Title track “Wide Open” sets the stage with crunchy guitars, cutting like a special forces team equipped with platinum-tipped jack hammers breaking into a granite encased vault full of gold. The story follows a young waitress—slinging eggs and bacon with a college education—who chooses to believe in herself, and drive full bore into a world she barely understands. It’s a one act opera of hope from writers Neil Thrasher, Wendell Mobley and Jim Collins.

Thankfully Aldean’s stretchy baritone anchors and welds the “country” into this adventurous collection. His roots-based delivery remains centered whether singing about a man’s shortcoming, farm life, an ode to Nashville, a woman’s needs or life issues we all face. The fiddle walks around the tracks with heightened sensibilities (uncredited) and listeners will enjoy well placed keyboard, pedal steel and banjo cameos. But make no mistake, this stew is a six-string tour de force. Unlike some of today’s artists, carefully controlling their sound, playing by the rules—Aldean eschews safe to deliver a sonic sandwich that doesn’t disappoint. Producer Michael Knox has ripped it up on this third-times-a-charm outing, boldly presenting a more mature artist. Aldean’s ongoing challenge, which he has yet to master, will be to translate his evolving artistry to live performances as he endeavors to move his career from opening act to headliner status.

This life’s full of choices… says the singer on “Keep The Girl” as the listener jumps inside the mind of a lovelorn man who knows that, like a sword with a double edged blade whatever he chooses will cut either way (Aldean, Thrasher, Mobley).

Luckily, the decision for fans (Aldean’s Army) is way easy—get this disc and crank the volume Wide Open.

DISClaimer (3/27/09)

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ewest-happy150Pretty is as pretty does.

Pert Emily West is a living doll. And now she has the single that has the potential to make her the star she deserves to be. Give the little lady a Disc of the Day prize.

There’s a band in Texas called Spur 503. I have reviewed them once before, but this time I’m hearing something really special. To them, I give a belated DisCovery Award.

spur503-raisinbar150But some of our most newsworthy releases this week come from veteran stars. Dolly Parton is still firing on all cylinders as a writer and singer, more than 40 years since she first made the country charts. She is an absolute wonder. Up in Canada, 68-year-old Ray Griff is still writing good new tunes, too.

Willie Nelson’s RCA sides of the late 1960s and early 1970s were drowned in Nashville Sound productions of the era. Now they have been “un-produced,” and the result is nothing less than sensational listening.

SPUR 503/I’ll Be Gone
Writer: Chance Cody/Greg White; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Overdrive (www.spur503.com)
—Splendidly rocking. The electric guitar is down and dirty. The rhythm section is a thundering machine. The fiddle swivels and sways. And the lead vocalist has grit to spare. Crank it up! Make these boys stars.

EMILY WEST/That Kind Of Happy
Writer: Sherrie Austin/Mallary Hope/Will Rambeaux; Producer: Mark Bright; Publisher: Melrose Nashville/Lil’ Aussie Batter/Sony ATV Cross Keys/my Good Girl/Oven, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol Nashville
—This kid is charisma on the hoof. This fizzy rocker will get you out of your chair and bopping around the room like a giddy teenager. What a beam of joy this is. Play it again. And again.

LANCE MILLER/George Jones And Jesus
Writer: Lance Miller/Austin Cunningham; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Famous/Song Matters/EMI April, ASCAP; Lofton Creek/Big 7 (www.lancemiller.com)
—Hard-core country, as you might guess from the title. Lance is a superb honky-tonk stylist, and this gives him plenty of room to twang. Toss yer cowboy hat in the air and give a rebel yell.

DOLLY PARTON/Backwoods Barbie
Writer: Dolly Parton; Producer: Kent Wells & Dolly Parton; Publisher: Velvet Apple, BMI; Dolly (track) (www.dollypartonmusic.net)
—The title tune of Dolly’s latest CD bops along, dropping fiddle and steel notes every which way. The lyric asks that you judge her by what’s inside, rather than her glam exterior. I always have. And I think she’s as cool as the breeze, inside and out.

LEO J. EIFFERT JR./Hannity
Writer: Al Bruno/Troy Hale/Dean Lane/C.J. Einwechter/Leo J. Eiffert Jr.; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Young Country/Three Labs, BMI; Young Country
—Here it is, our first contestant for the worst single of 2009. Everything is so-o-o wrong here—incompetent playing, pathetic production, an off-key vocal, lame lyrics.

WILLIE NELSON/The Ghost
Writer: Willie Nelson; Producer: Mickey Raphael; Publisher: none listed; RCA (track)
—Actually, the production credit reads, “Un-produced by Mickey Raphael.” The Naked Willie CD consists of old 1960s and 1970s RCA sides that originally had Nashville Sound strings and background voices on them. Mickey stripped things down to the rhythm tracks and a few key lead players on guitar or piano. The results are extraordinary, for Willie was at the peak of his vocal powers, and now you can hear some of his finest songs in beautifully unadorned arrangements. “The Ghost,” “I Just Dropped By,” “The Party’s Over,” “Following Me Around” and the like are now officially masterpieces. This is the finest Willie Nelson album in years.

BILLY McKNIGHT & MINDY McCREADY/Sweeter
Writer: Billy McKnight/Mincy McCready/Johnny Garcia; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Billy McKnight/Mindy/Busy at Play, no performance rights listed; Kismet/Lofton Creek (www.loftoncreekrecords.com)
—They sing well. The song wanders around aimlessly in its sleep.

RICHIE McDONALD/Hey God
Writer: Richie McDonald/Tommy Lee James; Producer: Richie McDonald & Tommy Lee James; Publisher: Ballad Boy/Still Working for the Man/Loremoma/ICG, BMI; Stroudavarious (CDX) (615-321-8909)
—Processed cheese.

DONNA ULISSE/The Trouble With You
Writer: Donna Ulisse; Producer: Keith Sewell; Publisher: Uncle Hadley, ASCAP; Hadley Music Group (CDX) (www.donnaulisse.com)
—An saucy acoustic gem with vocalist Donna trading licks with a resonator guitarist while a mandolin chops rhythm.

RAY GRIFF/Bring It On
Writer: Ray Griff; Producer: Ray Griff; Publisher: Calnash, SOCAN; Focus (Canada) (track) (www.raygriff.com)
—Ray Griff was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 1998 and was given SOCAN’s Lifetime Achievement Award last year. But this veteran is still writing and singing new tunes. The title song to his latest self-penned collection is a dandy shuffle that proves he’s as solid as ever at age 68.

DISClaimer (3/20/09)

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Share and share alike. We’re giving out two Disc of the Day awards today. One is for traditional country excellence. And that, hands down, belongs to a masterful honky-tonk stylist, Mark Chesnutt. Long may he sing.
 The second goes to a modern, rocking-country disc maker. That would be Jack Ingram, who has the first summertime sound this year. Keith Urban is similarly sunny, but we have come to expect that from him.

I was all set to honor Daniel Smith with a DisCovery Award, until I found out that he has appeared in this column before. I liked him then and I like him now. And extra

Jack Ingram

Jack Ingram

kudos for cutting such a well-written song.

Today, by the way, is officially the first day of spring. Celebrate.

MARK CHESNUTT/She Never Got Me Over You
Writer: Keith Whitley/Dean Dillon/Hank Cochran; Producer: Jimmy Ritchey; Publisher: none listed; Lofton Creek/Big 7 (track) (www.loftoncreekrecords.com)
—This is said to be the last thing that Keith Whitley ever recorded. In my opinion there is only one country singer alive who can stand toe to toe with Keith, and it’s this man. The song is a stone-country masterpiece. The production is fiddle-and-steel flawless. Mark’s performance is three minutes of hillbilly heaven. The next time somebody asks you what country music is, play them this.

STEPHEN COCHRAN/Wal-Mart Flowers
Writer: Thom Shepherd/Vincent Hickerson/Mark Fortney; Producer: Jim Allison; Publisher: Next Big Twang/Keeping Music Alive, SESAC/BMI; Aria
—Sucking up to Wal-Mart gets you nowhere in this column, pal.

KEITH URBAN/Kiss A Girl
Writer: Monty Powell/Keith Urban; Producer: Dann Huff & Keith Urban; Publisher: Universal Tunes/Songs of Universal/Eden Valley/Mary Rose/Third Tier, SESAC/BMI; Capitol Nashville
—The sound of sunshine. I’ll bet there are plenty of lady listeners out there who’d be more than willing to take this guy up on his invitation.

KEN HATTON/Small Town Girl
Writer: Bill Spencer; Producer: Brien Fisher; Publisher: Coal Miner’s/PoNoMo, BMI; Spangle (CDX) (615-822-8690)
—It’s one of those redneck stompers about the joys of rural romance. Ho hum.

TRACY LAWRENCE/Up To Him
Writer: David Kent/Tim Johnson; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Finch Valley/State One Copyrights America/The Bigger They Are/Cherry Lane, BMI/SESAC; Rocky Comfort/9 North  (www.tracylawrence.com)
—The multiple rhymes are just about brilliant. Tracy, as usual, delivers the goods as a vocalist on this common-man’s anthem.

KACEY JONES/I Wanna Be Up Front Like Dolly
Writer: Kacey Jones/Becky Hobbs/Benita Hill; Producer: Kacey Jones; Publisher: Mamalama/Becca’s Mecca/Gooby/Universal, ASCAP/BMI; IGO (track) (www.kaceyjones.com)
—The melody is strictly from nursery school, but you can’t argue with the cute lyric that salutes our greatest female superstar.

JACK INGRAM/Barefoot And Crazy
Writer: Ben Hayslip/Rhett Akins/Dallas Davidson; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Publisher: WB/Melissa’s Money/Get a Load of This/EMI Blackwood/Rhettneck/String Stretcher, ASCAP/BMI; Big Machine (www.jackingram.net)
—It’s official: Summer is here. And this is its soundtrack. Righteous and rocking, with an insistent guitar groove to twist your mind.

RAZZY BAILEY/Hank Wrote That
Writer: Razzy Bailey/Ben Marble; Producer: Razzy Bailey; Publisher: Toucabaca, BMI; SOA (track) (www.razzybailey.com)
—Next time, hire a real producer.

DANIEL SMITH/Man Like Me
Writer: Charles Moore/Bobby Pinson/Kris Bergsnes; Producer: Larry Sheridan; Publisher: Tunes From the Farm/Music of Stage Three/Warner Chappell, no performance rights listed; Parlor (CDX) (615-385-4943)
—His vocal range is impressive and the complex, involving lyric is even more so. This is his second good review. Who is this guy?

SHOOTER JENNINGS/Living Proof
Writer: Hank Williams Jr.; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Universal South (track)
—Shooter’s Bad Magick: The Best of Shooter Jennings & The .357’s drops on Tuesday. It features 13 fan favorites and two new tracks. One of them is this Hank Jr. classic about trying to live up to a legendary father. Can Shooter relate? You bet your life.

DISClaimer (3/13/09)

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It’s veterans’ day.

No, not the holiday, silly. It’s a day when we have new music from some of country music’s vets. Aaron Tippin, Ricochet and Ronnie Milsap are all dropping by with new sounds. And the magnificent Mr. Milsap wins a Disc of the Day award.

Neil Carswell is a veteran, too. He previously fronted the Southern rock band Copperhead. Now he’s a solo artist with his second consecutive winning single. Keep an ear out for him, as well as Michael Scott. He is also getting his second consecutive rave review in this column.

Our DisCovery Award winner leans more toward the Americana side of the spectrum. But Diana Jones is such a strong writer that some of country’s stars should start checking out her catalog. Actually, this is Diana’s second appearance, too. But her last CD was three long years ago, and this new one is, for now, being marketed from the U.K.

DIANA JONES/Better Times Will Come
Writer: Diana Jones; Producer: Diana Jones; Publisher: Yarjones, ASCAP; Proper (track) (www.dianajonesmusic.com)
—The title tune to this singer-songwriter’s current collection is rippling acoustic tune of hope sung in a throaty, resonant alto. Guests on the CD include the esteemed Nanci Griffith and Mary Gauthier. Another standout track is “Henry Russell’s Last Words,” based on the true story of a doomed miner writing on a paper sack with a piece of coal in 1927. You can also find it on Joan Baez’s excellent, Steve-Earle-produced album The Day After Tomorrow.

JO DEE MESSINA/Shine
Writer: Clay Cumbie/Megan James; Producer: James Stroud; Publisher: Curb Congregation/Big Red Toe/Big Loud Bucks/Warner-Tamerlane/ Songwriters of Platinum Pen, SESAC/BMI; Curb
—The production frames her upbeat vocal nicely. But the faux-inspirational, chin-up, positive-think song does nothing for me.

CHRIS LOID/Back Road Home
Writer: none listed; Producer: Chris Loid; Publisher: none listed; Chris Loid Entertainment (track)
—The title track to this fellow’s CD shows off his vocal range. But even though it’s a song about murder, there is something curiously colorless about his singing.

RICOCHET/Feel Like Fallin’
Writer: Shane Teeters/Luke Bryan; Producer: Robert Wright; Publisher: Murrah Music/Shane Teeters/Universal/Z, BMI; M (www.ricochetonline.com)
—This band’s harmony singing has always been thrilling. They really turn it on in the joyous-sounding choruses here. The bridge is cool, too.

AARON TIPPIN/East Bound And Down
Writer: Jerry Reed/Dick Feller; Producer: Aaron Tippin & Tim Grogan; Publisher: Songs of Universal, BMI; Nippit (track) (www.aarontippin.com)
—Aaron’s new trucker-themed CD In Overdrive kicks off with this spirited remake of the Burt Reynolds 1977 Smokey and the Bandit movie tune. It bops right along, very much in the same vein as the Jerry Reed original, so some might find it a little “dated” sounding.

RICHARD JAYMES/Dollar And A Dream
Writer: Richard Jaymes; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Southern Pop, BMI; Shotgun/CO5 (CDX)
—This was one of the many newcomers making their debuts at last week’s Country Radio Seminar. His singing is rather bland, and is swamped by the amped-up instrumental track at times.

TIMOTHY CRAIG/Got Good Friends
Writer: Timothy Craig/Billy Falcon/Rose Falcon; Producer: Tom Harding & Timothy Craig; Publisher: Timothy Craig/Pretty Blue Songs/JuniorIsaGirl, ASCAP/BMI; Ball & Chain (CDX) (www.timothycraig.com)
—The song is sturdy, but his vocal is so shallow that he practically speaks the lyric.

NEIL CARSWELL/Bright Lights
Writer: Neil Carswell; Producer: Stu Campbell & Neil Carswell; Publisher: Lake James/GHP, ASCAP; Aspirion (CDX)
—The buzzing guitar sound is cool, and this man sings with plenty of grit and fire. This is the second time we’ve encountered this distinctive stylist, and I’m even more impressed than I was the first time around.

RONNIE MILSAP/Stand By Me
Writer: Ben E. King/Mike Stoller/Jerry Leiber; Producer: Rob Galbraith & Ronnie Milsap; Publisher: Mike & Jerry/Jerry Leiber/Silver Seahorse, BMI/ASCAP; Star Song (CDX) (615-371-6581)
—The funky, soulful track puts some slinky rhythm into what is usually performed as a gospel-soaked ballad. In any setting, it’s a fabulous evergreen song, and Ronnie pours passion all over it. The man remains a titanic talent.

MICHAEL SCOTT/Bring It On
Writer: Arnie Roman/Mark Mormon; Producer: Ricky Cobble & Michael Scott; Publisher: Roman Empire/Fintage/Rev’d Up/Songs of Windswept Pacific, ASCAP/BMI; Rocky Comfort (CDX) (www.michaelscott.com)
—This guy sings with hearty confidence and immense warmth. And judging by the superb dynamics in the track, he truly knows his way around a recording studio. To top it all off, the song is a doozy. This is Scott’s second rave in this column, so I thought I’d check out his website. It turns out that this is the title tune to his debut CD for Tracy Lawrence’s label. Definitely send more.