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’” →