All of a sudden, there is a banquet of Nashville-oriented jazz releases on hand.
This is a growing, strong and highly gifted segment of our music community, so this week we’re throwing the spotlight on it.
There is something to recommend in every disc here. But the clear winner of the Disc of the Day award is the always amazing Take 6. Good luck at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, guys. I’m rooting for ya.
Our DisCovery Award goes to a young lady named Heather Rigdon.
ROD MAGAHA/A Gentle Man
Writer: Jeff Steinberg; Producer: Rod Magaha; Publisher: none listed; RM (track) (www.rodmagaha.net)
—The title tune to trumpeter Magaha’s new CD is a dreamy, piano-flecked ballad. The purity of his tone is outstanding, and the phrasing couldn’t be more precise. Elsewhere on the set, he works his magic on standards like “The Look of Love,” “When I Fall in Love” and “How Long Has This Been Going On.” Rod also has a new, six-tune EP called Stand Up for Love. Both discs are enthusiastically recommended.
HEATHER RIGDON/Young & Naive
Writer: none listed; Producer: Cliff Goldmacher; Publisher: none listed; HR (track) (615-320-7233)
—The debut album by chanteuse Rigdon is called Young & Naive. From the opening notes of this title track she stakes her claim as a distinctive, off-the-beat phraser, a languid stylist and a charming, minor-key melody manipulator. Promising in the extreme.
TAKE 6/Sweet Georgia Brown
Writer: Maceo Pinkard/Kenneth Casey Sr./Ben Bernie; Producer: Mark Kibble; Publisher: Warner Bros./WB, ASCAP; Heads Up (track)
—The Nashville press corps has been practically mum about the fact that the current Take 6 CD The Standard is up for three Grammys. Just so you know, four of the six are Middle Tennesseans, the disc was recorded here and best-arranger nominee Cedric Dent teaches at MTSU. The excitement over the CD is understandable, since it is what the jazz community has been begging for from these guys for years, an album of standards. This opening track is Take 6 at its best, jiving a cappella harmonized vocals and whistling by Mark Kibble. Elsewhere, guests include guitarist George Benson (”Straighten Up and Fly Right”), Aaron Neville (”Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans”) and member Claude McKnight’s star brother Brian (”What’s Going On”). I LOVE this record.
KAREN JOHNS & COMPANY/Southland Summer
Writer: Karen L. Johns/Kevin Sanders; Producer: James Johns & Karen Johns; Publisher: Vital Force, ASCAP; PtarmiganMusic/Jazz (track) (www.karenjohns.com)
—Star and Season, the new CD by Nashville club fave Johns and her band, is a mixture of standards (”Stars Fell on Alabama,” “Desafinado,” “If,” “Autumn Leaves,” “Night and Day”) and splendid original tunes like this one. I love the way she alternates spitting short notes with drawled passages, growling effects and high soprano leaps. This is a vocalist of uncommon ability, and the band cooks with gas.
VICTOR WOOTEN/2 Timers
Writer: Victor L. Wooten; Producer: none listed; Publisher: VixLix/Bug, ASCAP; Heads Up (track) (www,victorwooten.com)
—This bass-playing virtuoso is nominated for two Grammy Awards as a member of The Flecktones. His current, almost entirely self composed Palmystery solo disc is a brain buzzing, sonically dazzling pastiche of shifting time signatures, burbling bass passages, evolving melodies and alternating emotional moods that completely captures your attention from this opening track onward. The various collaborators are a who’s-who of the Music City jazz scene. Heads Up International, the label of both this and the Take 6 CD, is a Cleveland, Ohio label that obviously has great taste.
DIANE MARINO & FELIX CAVALIERE/Groovin’
Writer: Felix Cavaliere/Edward Brigati Jr.; Producer: Frank Marino, Gary Dales & Diane Marino; Publisher: EMI April/Jemaxal, ASCAP; M&M (track)
—Alto vocalist Marino’s CD is titled Just Groovin.’ On its title tune, she duets with one of Nashville’s nicest Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famers. Her liquid voice fits nicely with Felix Cavaliere’s brighter, spunkier tone. The lady is evidently well connected. Also contributing to her CD are Kirk Whalum, Mark Douthit, Rod Magaha and other high-profile instrumentalists. I don’t think the strings were needed, however.
WILLIE NELSON & WYNTON MARSALIS/Night Life
Writer: Nelson/Breeland/Buskirk; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Glad/Pappy Daily/Sony ATV Tree, BMI; Blue Note (track)
—Two Men with the Blues was recorded live at Lincoln Center last year. Wynton sings in spots as well as playing his distinctive trumpet. Willie is just Willie. I have always thought that his “Night Life” was essentially a jazz song, and now it is. I guess jazz agrees with The Red-Headed Stranger. His next project is with western swingers Asleep at the Wheel.

Tag Archive for: DISClaimer

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?

DISClaimer 2/13/09

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This week, the major labels are stepping up to the plate with quality.

Mercury has two excellent singles, by the Randy Rogers Band and Holly Williams. Warner Bros. Records is offering us a dandy uptempo by Jessica Harp. Columbia has the DisCovery Award winners, Caitlin & Will.

But at the end of the listening session, an indie walked off with the Disc of the Day prize. That would be Broken Bow with its Megan Mullins & Randy Owen duet of a dynamite Dolly Parton tune.

Duets rule.

MAIDEN TEXAS/Don’t You
Writer: Johnny Edward Pierce/Otha Young; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Oh the Music/Sony-ATV Tree; Maiden Texas (817-283-7984)
—This Dallas-Ft. Worth trio is composed of Stephanie Mulder, Krista Hughes and DeAnna Edwards. Their revival of this 1989 Forester Sisters single has sprightly energy and flawless three-part harmony throughout. A winner.

RANDY ROGERS BAND/Buy Myself A Chance
Writer: Randy Rogers/Sean McConnell; Producer: Radney Foster; Publisher: Warner-Tamerlane/Lonely Motel/WBM, BMI/SESAC; Mercury Nashville (CDX)
—The gently loping rhythm and spare instrumental work throw the spotlight on the country-soulful, slightly raspy lead vocal. The hillbilly boy trying to hit on someone else’s dance partner is completely sweet and believable. Whether for this outfit or somebody else, this is a hit song.

CAITLIN & WILL/Even Now
Writer: Casey Beathard/Karen Rochelle; Producer: Chris Lindsey; Publisher: none listed; Columbia (CDX)
—They both sing splendidly, and the pristine production is marvelously supportive on this lovelorn little slice of heartache. Well worth your attention.

MEGAN MULLINS & RANDY OWEN/Holding Everything
Writer: Dolly Parton; Producer: John Rich & Sean Pennington; Publisher: Velvet Apple, BMI; BBR (CDX)
—From production to songwriting, this has pedigree credentials. The prodigiously gifted Miss Mullins more than holds her own with her Country Music Hall of Fame duet partner. The heartbeat thump in the track is goose-bump inducing. And the song is a thing of perfect wonder.

HOLLY WILLIAMS/Keep The Change
Writer: Hillary Lindsey/Luke Laird; Producer: Justin Niebank; Publisher: Raylene/BPJ/Universal-Careers/High Powered Machine, ASCAP/BMI; Mercury Nashville
—By far her finest vocal performance on disc to date. There’s passion and personality in this that she hasn’t displayed before. Her sister has co-written a dandy kiss-off tune, and Niebank’s production has just enough raggedy rock edge to keep your ears perked up. I’m in.

SHELLEY LYNCH/You Can’t Look Back
Writer: Shelley Lynch; Producer: Shelley Lynch & Les Bolen; Publisher: Lynch, ASCAP/SOCAN; Lynch (CDX) (www.shelleylynch.net)
—The echo is laid on just a little too thick. The verse lyrics are a mite wordy. And the high-end in her vocal is a kinda weak.

JESSICA HARP/Boy Like Me
Writer: Jerry Flowers; Producer: Jerry Flowers; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/JFLO, BMI; Warner Bros.
—Former Wreckers member Harp has a snappy solo outing. The rocking rhythm and cool repeated guitar riff back a sassy lyric about finding a guy who’s just like her, right down to the drinkin’ and makin’ love parts. She wails it. Solid work.

NATASHA JAMES/Tequila Time
Writer: Natasha James; Producer: Natasha James & Ronnie Rivera; Publisher: 40 Miles of Road, ASCAP; Highway One (www.natashajames.com)
—This comes to us from California, where apparently they record in cardboard shipping crates.

BYRON HILL/Stay A While
Writer: Byron Hill/Jennifer Schott; Producer: Byron Hill; Publisher: Byron Hill/Sony-ATV Tree, ASCAP/BMI; BHP (track) (www.byronhillmusic.com)
—I love Nashville songwriter albums. Byron’s is a 12-tune dandy showcasing his burnished baritone in wonderfully produced tracks. The title tune is a gentle, winning, mid-tempo invitation to romance that’s as warm as a hearth. Over the years, he’s won 10 ASCAP Awards and had more than 575 cuts. “Fool Hearted Memory,” “Nothing On But The Radio,” “Pickin’ Up Strangers,” “Lifestyles Of The Not So Rich And Famous,” “Born Country” and “Size Matters” are all in his vast catalog. So the man knows what he’s doing. Highly recommended.

BEN KWELLER/Homeward Bound
Writer: Jemima James/Michael Mason; Producer: Ben Kweller; Publisher: none listed, BMI; ATO (track)
—Austin resident Kweller wrote all the tunes on his Changing Horses CD except this set-closing ballad. It’s about a lost soul heading for the other side. His cracked delivery and the funeral-march rhythm are both deeply affecting. Check him out.

DISClaimer (1/30)

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Newcomers, baby acts and veterans are all in the mix this week.

Both Aaron Tippin and Collin Raye arrived with excellent sounding comeback discs. Chris Young, Bomshel, Jamey Johnson continue to shine with blindingly bright promise.

Newcomer Mike Adkins totally nails the DisCovery Award.

And I continue to be in awe of the talent of Eric Church (as well as his producer, Jay Joyce). Give that man yet another Disc of the Day prize.

BOB HARVEY/Completely Harmless
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Echo
—I’m not sure what this is all about. It has a copyright notice on it that clearly says “1969.” So what’s it doing in this week’s reviewing stack? Beats me. In any case, it is an audio waste of time.

JAMEY JOHNSON/High Cost Of Living
Writer: Jamey Johnson/James Slater; Producer: The Kent Hardly Playboys; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/Big Gassed Hitties/Hope-N-Cal/Pick Them Maters/Diversion/Cal IV, BMI; Mercury Nashville (track)
—Jamey’s extraordinary Grammy-nominated That Lonesome Song CD kicks off with this harrowing—and completely gripping—tale of substance abuse. It ends in prison. When was the last time country music was this gritty and real? I applaud the courage and authenticity of this.

JOSH DAVIS BAND/House In The Hills
Writer: Josh Davis; Producer: Mike Musgove & Josh Davis; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Joshua655 (817-944-8785)
—Muddy and cluttered sounding.

CHRIS YOUNG/Gettin’ You Home
Writer: Chris Young/Cory Batten/Kent Blazy; Producer: James Stroud; Publisher: Runnin’ Behind/EMI April/I Want to Hold Your Songs/Words & Music, ASCAP/BMI; RCA
—I still think this guy is a star waiting to happen. This sexy little seduction number is just the thing to raise him up. It has a cool, rolling groove, and his burnished baritone vocal dips and slides on all the right notes.

MIKE ADKINS/Easy The Hard Way
Writer: Jamie Richards/Biff Watson; Producer: Greg White & Jamie Richards; Publisher: Mike Curb, BMI; MAB (www.mikeadkinsband.com)
—It has a nice “outlaw” sound, some dandy guitar work, a punchy rhythm track, a solid ccountry-boy vocal and a nicely penned, dues-paying lyric. I’m in.

AARON TIPPIN/Drivin’ Fool
Writer: Aaron Tippin/Terry Brown; Producer: Aaron Tippin & Tim Grogan; Publisher: Sony ATV Acuff-Rose/TCT Rose/Terry Brown, BMI; Nippit (track) (www.aarontippin.com)
—Aaron is going all retro with a collection of classic trucker songs like “Six Days on the Road,” “East Bound and Down,” “Truck Drivin’ Man,” “Prisoner of the Highway” and “Drivin’ My Life Away.” He provides one new original to the genre, and it’s a dandy, a rhythm-happy prayer for truckers everywhere. The CD is called In Overdrive, and it’s a keeper.

KATIE ARMIGER/Trail Of Lies
Writer: Katie Armiger/Lisa McCallum/Quinn Loggins; Producer: Paul Compton; Publisher: Lily Road/Castle Street/Large Opportunity/Jaden Lane, BMI/ASCAP; Cold River (www.katiearmiger.com)
—This boasts a lickety-split tempo and a very well-written cheatin’ lyric. As usual, her delivery is spunky and confident.

ERIC  CHURCH/Love Your Love The Most
Writer: Eric Church/Michael P. Heeney; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publisher: Sony ATV Tree/Sony ATV Acuff-Rose, BMI; Capitol Nashville
—I can’t wait for the rest of you to hear Eric’s Carolina CD when it appears in March. It is simply the coolest sounding country record of the year to date. This glowing, warm, brilliantly-produced and refreshing single is a fine introduction to this man’s distinctive style. Spin it a zillion times.

COLIN RAYE/Mid-Life Chrysler
Writer: Neal Thrasher/Wendell Mobley/Tony Martin; Producer: Collin Raye; Publisher: Major Bob/Crosstown/Warner/Sony, ASCAP; Saguaro (CDX) (www.collinraye.com)
—His tenor vocal cuts like a hot knife through butter. The startling, original and different lyric is supported by a bopping, pop-inflected production awash in electric guitar work and stacked, soft, wafting harmony vocals.

BOMSHEL/Fight Like A Girl
Writer: Kelley Shepard/Kristy Osmunson/Bob Regan; Producer: Chuck Howard; Publisher: Getting Grown/KupKake/Osmunson/Green Hills/Big Loud Bucks/Travelers Ridge/Regan, BMI/ASCAP; Curb
—It’s a stately-sounding, empowering-female ballad with plenty of audio oomph and a terrific lead vocal performance. Recommended without reservation.

DISClaimer

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Christien Sawyer

Christien Sawyer

Doff your caps to the ladies, gentlemen.

This week, the fairer sex rules the listening session. Carrie Underwood has a splendid outing with the Randy Travis goldie “I Told You So.” Newcomer Christen Sawyer is our DisCovery Award winner.

And the Disc of the Day is by a group that actually has “Lady” in its name. Hillary Scott swaps vocals with Charles Kelley on “I Run to You,” and the result is an undeniable single by Lady Antebellum.

The other news of this column is the quality of the songwriting talent we encounter. From Archie Jordan and Hal David’s lovely classic “Santa Barbara” to the fine craftsmanship in “Red Light” (not to mention “I Run to You,” “I Told You So” and “Walkaway Joe”) and including a new collection by the masterful Thom Schuyler, today is a showcase of Music Row composing excellence.

MEGAN MUNROE/Moonshine
Writer: Megan Munroe/Brian Oaks; Producer: Doug Deforest; Publisher: Triple-Sixty/Forever Lush, ASCAP; Diamond (track) (www.meganmunroe.com)
—The production is big and thumping. Her voice isn’t.

LADY ANTEBELLUM/I Run To You
Writer: Dave Haywood/Charles Kelley/Hillary Scott/Tom Douglas; Producer: Victoria Shaw/Paul Worley; Publisher: Warner-Tamerlane/DWHaywood/RADIOBULLETPUBLISHING/Shaw Enuff/MLultiSongs/Sony-ATV/Tomdouglasmusic, BMI/SESAC; Capitol Nashville
—Very nicely done. The vocal harmony work is flawless. The production is delicious. The song has more hooks than a tuna boat. If this isn’t a Number-One hit, there is something seriously wrong with our format.

VINCE HATFIELD/Santa Barbara
Writer: Archie Jordan/Hal David; Producer: Vince Hatfield; Publisher: Universal Polygram International/Casa David, ASCAP; Blue Moon (www.vincehatfield.com)
—This lovely 1978 Ronnie Milsap tune gets dusted off for a reprise. But this guy is no Milsap vocally, and the sluggish pace does him no favors.

DAVID NAIL/Red Light
Writer: Jonathan Singleton/Melissa Peirace/Dennis Matkosky; Producer: Frank Liddell/Mike Wrucke; Publisher: Crosstown Uptown/Kobalt/Crosstown Downtown/Karles, ASCAP/BMI; MCA Nashville
—It’s an ordinary day. They’re stopped at a red light, and she tells him it’s over. I like the structure of the song, and his singing is wonderfully piercing. Sign me up for the fan club. Co-writer Singleton, by the way, now has a Universal South recording contract of his own.

CHRISTEN SAWYER/Crazy
Writer: none listed; Producer: Mark Oliverius; Publisher: none listed; Rapid Rise (track) (www.christensawyer.com)
—This is not the Willie Nelson/Patsy Cline “Crazy.” It is a feisty little bopper with some sting in its sound. She sings with plenty of oomph, and a sizzling, searing electric guitar echoes her at every turn. This is one hot disc.

MONTGOMERY GENTRY/One In Every Crowd
Writer: Eddie Montgomery/Ira Dean/Kim Tribble; Producer: Blake Chancey; Publisher: Plowin Ground/Copyright Controlled/Music of rpm/Category 5, BMI/ASCAP; Columbia (track)
—This is a stomping ode to the big ol’ “party boy” inside ya. Rousing and fun. Complete with crowd noise.

JUSTIN MOORE/Small Town USA
Writer: Brian Dean Maher/Jeremy Stover/Justin Moore; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Publisher: West Moraine/Welk/Lichelle/WB/Universal-Z Songs/West Bay St/2820/Watwedoiz, ASCAP/BMI; Valory Music
—We’ve essentially heard this song a zillion times before. It’s the one about how great it is to be on a dirt road with your baby on Saturday night with a brew and some sounds, and then go to church on Sunday morning, and how great it is to live a simple country life. Yaddadda, yaddadda, yaddadda.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD/I Told You So
Writer: Randy Travis; Producer: Mark Bright; Publisher: Sometimes You Win, ASCAP; Arista/19 (track)
—I have always loved this song. Randy had a massive hit with it in 1988. Carrie’s remake is a silver arrow of emotional truth. Soft, subtle harmony work from Vince Gill is the icing on this yummy track.

VINCE MELAMED/Walkaway Joe
Writer: Vince Melamed/Greg Barnhill; Producer: Jim Tract; Publisher: Songs of Universal/Warner-Tamerlane/WB, BMI/ASCAP; Adroit (track) (www.adroitrecords.com)
—This comes from a compilation called Words & Music Nashville. Melamed’s own rendition of this Trisha Yearwood hit he cowrote is loaded with sincerity and purpose. The other writers on the disc include Ray Sisk, Brendan McKinney, Lucas Hoge, Craig Monday, Mason Douglas, Cheley Tackett, Lisa Carver, Joshua Rush and Karleen Watt. Recommended.

THOM SCHUYLER/Prayer Of A Desperate Man
Writer: Thom Schuyler; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Rondor/September Second,; TJS (track)
—It has been far too long since we’ve had a new record from this former Capitol and MTM recording artist. The title tune to Thom’s self-penned collection is a tender, heart-tugging ballad that showcases one of Music City’s true songwriter treasures. For romance, listen to “When She Danced with Me.” For humor, turn on “Who Needs a Hummer?” or “Too Drunk.” For a meditation on mortality, check out “Starting to Go.” This man is such a gem.