Only here for a moment, then we’re gone, Kelsey Waldon sings on the title track of White Noise/White Lines. She’s seizing the day sure enough, and the results are a record that twangs and rattles with energy and life. Continue reading “Album Review: Kelsey Waldon – White Noise / White Lines”
For those music fans in the know, Dori Freeman has been a quietly shining star on the scene for some time now. Her previous two albums were gorgeous Americana and folk music inspired by her Appalachian roots, produced by Teddy Thompson. On her third album Every Single Star she continues the run of excellent form, writing every song solo and working again with producer Thompson. Continue reading “Album Review: Dori Freeman – Every Single Star”
In a recent interview singer songwriter Michaela Anne spoke of a time when she lived in New York and was afraid to admit she liked country music because it was seen as lowbrow and ‘trash’. Now she happily admits to loving Shania, the Dixie Chicks as well as Lucinda Williams and Emmylou. Learning to love who you really are is one idea explored on her excellent new album Desert Dove. Produced by Sam Outlaw and Kelly Winrich, the album’s natural, effortless style suggests Michaela Anne is an artist who is now comfortable embracing her own personal, and musical, identity. Continue reading “Album Review: Michaela Anne – Desert Dove”
I really loved Lola Kirke’s album Heart Head West, a real underrated gem which mixed some lovely Laurel Canyon inspired sounds with country music influences. Her new EP Friends and Foes and Friends Again builds on that promise and she delivers five songs of simple beauty that sound like a blast of fresh air. Continue reading “EP Review: Lola Kirke – Friends and Foes and Friends Again”
Amy Speace returns with her new album Me and the Ghost of Charlemagne, a powerful exploration of hope, dreams and family. Produced again by Neilson Hubbard, the album is a wonderful showcase of her poetic lyrics and stunning vocals. Continue reading “Album Review: Amy Speace – Me and the Ghost of Charlemagne”
Flash forward to next year and imagine that the Highwomen have just won the CMA for album of the year to add to their Grammy, they have been played every hour on the hour on country radio and topped the charts with their first five singles, headlined a huge arena tour and been invited to join the Opry. Yes, Mama went and damn well changed the Nashville sound.
Doesn’t that sound like the most wonderful dream? Yet even me, the biggest Stan in all of Stanville, knows that this is unlikely, nay impossible. But why can’t it be reality, you may ask? After all Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires, Maren Morris and Natalie Hemby are four of the most talented women in all genres of music. Together they have produced an album full of quality songwriting, gorgeous country music and enough personality to dazzle even the most dark-hearted of cynics. Continue reading “Album Review: The Highwomen”
Esther Rose is an singer songwriter based in New Orleans, whose new album You Made it This Far is fantastic mix of Americana, old time music and classic country influenced by the likes of Hank Williams, Patsy Cline and Joni Mitchell. Continue reading “Album Review: Esther Rose – You Made It This Far”
Before she went into the studio to record her first album of originals in seventeen years Tanya Tucker had cold feet. She didn’t think the songs were good enough and she’d never even heard of Brandi Carlile. If it wasn’t for Shooter Jennings convincing her to stick with it, then this album might never have happened. Even then she doubted herself through the recording process and kept threatening to quit.
Brandi and the twins had written songs for Tanya and wanted to make an album to show ‘the grit, the growl, the cracks and imperfections’ that made Tanya Tucker the singer she is. Tanya was used to singing big commercial country hits and her music had even been glossy, at times. This new rootsier direction felt like a risk. But even she would admit that her last album had been a clunker, and so eventually she realised she had nothing to lose. Once Brandi told her “This is Tanya Tucker, the singer, not Tanya, the entertainer”, I finally got it,” she says.
And thank god she did. Because to say this is a gift from the country music heavens barely does it justice. While I’m Livin’ is a masterpiece and one of the best records of the year. Continue reading “Album Review: Tanya Tucker – While I’m Livin’”
The stand out track of this new album from Eilen Jewell is a protest song written soon after the 2016 presidential election. It’s a rallying call, not just against Trump and the pay gap but also against racism, political tribalism, gaslighting, and the way mothers are treated too. Jewell isn’t afraid to be political, and use her songwriting to take a hard look at the world around her. Continue reading “Album Review: Eilen Jewell – Gypsy”
