Tag Archives: country

Record of the Week # 167

Music, ,

Trisha Yearwood – The Mirror

Legacy artists obviously still release records but, notably, Yearwood and her record label have invested an immense amount of effort into promotion, a tour, a torrent of social media and wider outlet coverage. This, I think, is due to her ambition and pride with this release. It’s a ‘record of letters to her former self’ and she’s co-written all the songs and joined in with the production. This is the first time she’s been actively involved as a songwriter. That change is due in part to her later life confidence and reassessment of her capability to write music.

After bestriding the 1990s as one of the major female country artists with a string of hit singles and chart topping albums then inevitably, despite continuing releases, her importance and profile waned as the sound moved on. Nevertheless, her importance has barely dimmed for many of her fanbase and her catalogue of timeless songs endures. To return with such an album of self penned creations was a risky affair compared to hiring the best songwriters in town and chucking in a duet with Shaboozey or Jelly Roll. There are some duets here but they complement rather than act as a crass promotional instrument.

Lyrically it’s familiar territory: the duet with Jim Lauderdale, The Shovel, is advice to a husband who misread his wife’s question for an opinion rather than just affirmation or dwelling too long on the tanned legs of a rival. The digging tool should be dropped rather than used for a deeper hole! With similar humour Hailey Whitters joins for Drunk Works to share the joy of imbibing despite the hangover. Both sounds are timeless and redolent of the 90s. This will delight the many who still reach for her CDs. A familiar theme of more mature female country artists is the promotion of a steely resolve that they’ve developed after years of marginalisation. Fearless These Days asserts her now loud and confident point of view where once it was hidden. Bringing The Angels is another declaration of assertion – “You’d better roll up your sleeves / ‘Cause you ‘bout to see the fighting side of me”. It comes with a full rock band and full throttle vocals. In fact the voice is still an instrument of power, beauty and expression.

After the adrenaline there’s a few songs where she turns down the volume and slows the pace. The Mirror shows the beauty of her voice with harmonies and a sing-along melody (it could be 1991…)  and So Many Summers and Goodbye Cruel World go acoustic and she captivates and draws you in. Again the lyrics tell stories of a character’s life journey and their growing wisdom.

We hanker for a return to form for our favourite artists and want respect for the traditions of the genre. If you can allow the 90s to count as a golden age of country, as I can, then you’ll love this release.

Lost In Music – 2024

Music, , , ,

Gosh, it’s time, slightly belatedly, to tell you about my best picks for 2024. As usual I received a steady flow of download MP3 files of country and americana music from Country Music People or from various US public relation companies who randomly sent their client’s music to me. Added to this was music I purchased, nearly all of it was from previous years and decades. In this category I mainly bought second hand or new vinyl plus a few CDs and the odd download. I don’t subscribe consistently to a streaming service: I just can’t get along with curating my music that way.

Frankly this all adds up to about 170 albums. That’s between 5 or 6 full days of sound. How do I listen to them all? No I haven’t yet! I will eventually get through them all and some won’t be worthy but I diligently try to listen to all I receive. I remember a phrase applied to an album was that it was a ‘grower’. Frankly I’m sure I’ve got many albums I’ve played only once and maybe with more listening i might have elevated their rating, but hey ho there are only so many hours in the day. So here is my flawed highlights of the year…

  1. Silverada

    Texan Mike Harmeier’s metamorphosis from Mike and the Moonpies’ straight country to the country rock/americana of Silverada was ‘light the blue touch paper’ moment for me. This combination of epic grooves, squally guitar solos and interesting stories with country tinges was completely my bag. Loved it all year.

    2. Johnny Blue Skies – Passage du Desir

    I was sceptical of the publicity that accompanied Sturgill Simpson’s release. However, this is a stellar release that made it worth the wait and his sojourn to Paris to find some wonderful tunes, rock vibes, muscular guitar playing and blue eyed soul was a great detour.

    3. Heather Little – By Now

    This singer songwriter release alighted in my inbox and I was captivated from the first play with the mellifluous vocals, fine arrangements and melodies. Apparently she’s a songwriter for others but she has all the talent to be the main act. 

    4. Maggie Rose – No One Gets Out Here Alive

    After 100 appearances at The Grand Old Opry this Nashville stalwart has moved toward americana/soul; her voice is a siren and the album was so sumptuous and drenched in melodies that I couldn’t resist.

    5. Beyoncé – Cowboy Carter

    No, never a country album, however, all the fuss about it drove it into my orbit and I had a good listen. This icon really is steeped in many genres and this album illustrated many of them from a little line dancing to straight soul often with many beguiling stops in between. Truly a crafted opus.

    6. 49 Winchester – Leavin’ This Holler

    A tight country rock delight with excellent tunes and lyrics from mainman Isaac Gibson. He tells a variety of love songs and tales of life on the road. The band coalesce around his lead and make one of my most enjoyable listens this year.

    7. William Alexander – The Singing Stockman

    He makes a living moving cattle in New South Wales. Here, he picks up his guitar and beautifully sings Western. His simple arrangements place you in the middle of the Outback dealing with blistering temperatures, brutal hours and dreaming of weekends.

    8. Glenn Campbell Duets – Ghost On The Canvas Sessions

    One of Campbell’s last releases was reworked with inserted duets. The fine tunes, arrangements and production add to the pathos. He sings of his impending drift away and its impact on loved ones as Alzheimer’s takes him over. Brave and touching.

    9. Billy Strings – Highway Prayers

    Our Bill is now a major international draw with his complex and expert bluegrass. Who thought banjos, fiddles, mandolins and acoustic guitars could sell out stadiums? This high energy mix of finger frenzy and country tunes has considerable charm and stands clear of the pack.

    10. English Teacher – This Could Be Texas

    A Mercury Prize winner is usually a turn off as an uncommercial indulgence by those music critics who live on the fringe of anything interesting or remotely durable in appeal. However these winners made a complex and densely packed rock record that was worthy of slotting in beside Steely Dan, The Editors and Moloko. Something to explore and extract more pleasure from on each listen.