DISClaimer: Superb Vocalists Chris Stapleton, Rhonda Vincent, Daryle Singletary Offer New Tracks

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Chris Stapleton

Good things come in pairs.

That is why we have two Disc of the Day winners and two DisCovery Award winners today. It’s a no-brainer that the new single by Chris Stapleton is a Disc of the Day. But lend an ear to the duet by veterans Rhonda Vincent & Daryle Singletary. It, too, deserves a Disc of the Day prize.

In the newcomers column we have the female trio The Calamity Janes as well as singer-songwriter Matt Rogers. Both earn DisCovery Award honors.

THE CALAMITY JANES/Pullin’ Weeds
Writers: C. Mock/A. Childs-Benson; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed, BMI; CJ
-Cool, minor-key melody. Moody, rumbling rhythm track. Silvery electric-guitar accents. Smooth female trio harmonies. What’s not to love? Send more.

CHRIS STAPLETON/Broken Halos
Writers: Chris Stapleton/Mike Henderson; Producer: Dave Cobb/Chris Stapleton; Publishers: none listed; Mercury (track)
– In a word, thrilling. His hair-raising, soul-drenched vocal delivery is powerful enough to raise the dead. The bluesy, fall-from-grace lyric is dynamite. Can I get a witness?

JOSH MARTIN/Just My Luck
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Sony/ATV
-The publishing company is taking the unusual step of marketing a single by this young writer-artist. He is quite ear catching, with his rapid-fire delivery in the verses contrasting with the slowed-down, echoey choruses. Blazing electric-guitar work supports him. Recommended.

SHANE OWENS/19
Writers: Jeffrey Steele/Gary Nicholson/Tom Hambridge; Producers: none listed; Publishers: Gottahaveable/Songs of Windswept Pacific/Gary Nicholson/Sony-ATV Cross Keys/Tom Hambridge, BMI/ASCAP; Amerimonte
-This hard-country stylist just doesn’t know how to turn in a sub-par performance. In this slice-of-American-life track, he sings of a football star who becomes a posthumously decorated war hero. The accompaniment is a simply strummed acoustic guitar.

THE PAT WATTERS BAND/Loaded On A Saturday Night
Writers: Pat Watters; Producer: Evan Middlesworth; Publishers: none listed, BMI; PWB (track)
– This country rocker sounds like a live performance, which gives is a great deal of presence and edge. Special kudos to the splendid steel-guitar work by group member Rick Kreuziger.

DEBBIE COCHRAN & DOLLY PARTON/Born Again Wildflower
Writers: Debbie Cochran; Producer: Kent Wells; Publishers: DMC Anniston, BMI; GTR (track)
– Cochran’s rich alto meshes beautifully with Parton’s shining soprano on this inspirational ballad. This is true-blue, old-school country music.

FOSTER MCGINTY/Radio Dreams
Writers: none listed; Producer: Keith Gattis; Publishers: none listed; FM (track)
– It’s a male-female duo with a bopping, bouncing, bongo-driven (!) rhythm track on its new single. Plus organ and electric-guitar accents. He sings lead with urgency and passion. She adds bright harmony vocals here and there.

RHONDA VINCENT & DARYLE SINGLETARY/One
Writers: Ed Bruce/Judith Bruce/Ron Peterson; Producers: Rhonda Vincent/Daryle Singletary; Publishers: Home At Last/Advantage Pride/Polumbo Entertainment/Just a Secretary. BMI/ASCAP; Upper Management (track)
– The new duets album by these two superb country vocalists is called American Grandstand. It mixes classics like “After the Fire Is Gone,” “We Must Have Been Out of Our Minds,” “Golden Ring” and “Louisiana Woman Mississippi Man” with lesser known oldies and new tunes. Throughout, their voices are awesome in harmony. Here, she plays Tammy Wynette to his George Jones on a revival of that team’s unjustly overlooked 1995 reunion ballad. Somebody shout “Amen!”

KENT BLAZY/Difficult Kind
Writers: Kent Blazy/Will Hoge; Producer: Kent Blazy; Publishers: Jam Writers Group/Will Hoge/BMG Platinum, BMI; KB (track)
– Singer-songwriter Blazy has named his new collection ‘66 after the year he first took up the guitar. He’s perhaps best known for his work with Garth Brooks. But this collection finds him flying solo and collaborating with hot tunesmiths such as Cory Barren, Leslie Satcher and, here, Will Hoge. The rollicking uptempo track is perfect for Blazy’s barked vocal performance.

MATT ROGERS/Richest Place On Earth
Writers: M. Rogers: Producer: Matt McClure; Publishers: none listed; MR (track)
– It turns out that the richest place is the graveyard. So live and love with all your heart while you’re still here. Extremely well written and sung with fire and conviction. Play this.

DISClaimer: Lee Brice, Jordan Davis Lead New Singles Offerings

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What the heck, let’s all get wasted.

Dierks Bentley got so bent that he can’t remember anything. Toby Keith is endorsing weed. Adrian Johnston celebrates “Adult Beverages.” Parker Howard is boozing it up. I’m feeling kinda dizzy, just from listening.

Of the non substance-abuse singles here, Lee Brice has the Disc of the Day. Jordan Davis earns our DisCovery Award.

MARK McKINNEY/Rainey Day Money
Writers: Mark McKinney; Producer: Eric KcKinney/Mark McKinney; Publishers: none listed; MM
– Laid back and mellow, this flows along like a slow summer day. “I’d rather run out of money than run out of time,” he sings in defense of spending his savings on vacation time.

BRETT YOUNG/Like I Loved You
Writers: Brett Young/Jesse Lee; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Super Big/Caliville/Big Machine/Purple Cape/Honey Lee/ole, ASCAP/BMI; BMLG (track)
– His singing voice is especially expressive and engaging on this accusatory address to a lover who’s left him. This guy has some soul.

PARKER WILLINGHAM/You Get Me Every Time
Writers: Parker Willingham/Kate Hart/Paula Hallmark; Producer: Kate Hart; Publishers: CCM Songwriters S Group/Composer Club, no performance rights listed; Apple Row (track)
– Promising. He sings strongly and writes with tightness, economy and finesse. An impressive debut.

DIERKS BENTLEY/What The Hell Did I Say
Writers: Copperman/Kear/Tompkins; Producer: Ross Copperman; Publishers: EMI Blackwood/Songs By Red Room/Year of the Dog/Champagne Whiskey/Round Hill/Big Loud/Play Animal, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol (track)
– He called her drunk late at night. Now she digs him, but he can’t remember what he said to her. The rocking, busy track with its electric-guitar roaring underscores his confusion.

ADRIAN JOHNSTON/Adult Beverages
Writers: Johnston/Zac Maloy; Producer: Zac Maloy; Publisher: none listed; ASCAP; Just Another Blonde
– The song has a rather simplistic melody and the production is minimal. So it’s up to her wildly enthusiastic vocal performance to “sell” it.

LEE BRICE/Boy
Writers: Jon Nite/Nicolle Galyon; Producers: Brice/Jon Stone/Kyle Jacobs/Dan Frizsell; Publishers: none listed, BMI; Curb (CDX)
– Advice from someone older and wiser. He sees himself in the youngster, so every line has the ring of emotional truth. This man has repeatedly demonstrated his talent for finding extraordinary lyrics, and he has done it again here. Applause from this corner.
 

 

JACKIE LEE/Getting Over You
Writers: Jackie Lee/Paul DiGiovanni/Brent Anderson; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Clemmer Time/Chill N Hustle/Wixen/New House of Sea Gayle/ClearBox Rights, BMI/ASCAP, BBR (track)
– His pleading, intense tenor works best on the choruses of this somewhat ordinary heartbreak lament.

TOBY KEITH/Wacky Tobaccy
Writers: Toby Keith/Scotty Emerick; Producer: Toby Keith/Bobby Pinson; Publishers: none listed; Show Dog
– It’s a snappy blues rocker with plenty of lyrical appeal, to put it mildly. Fire one up and tap your toes.

PARKER HOWARD/It Ain’t A Party (Til Something Gets Broken)
Writers: Jeffery Lynn Batson/Will Nance/Stephen Joseph Williams; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Hi-Value/Over the Monster/Wilburns, ASCAP; PH
– It’s a rollicking rocker with a solid backbeat. It’s definitely a good time. The only disconcerting thing is that his tenor is so high that he sounds too young to be singing about drinking, smoking and ogling leather skirts.

JORDAN DAVIS/Singles You Up
Writers: Davis/Steven Dale Jones/Justin Ebach; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Publishers: none listed; MCA (CDX)
-It is structured like an r&b song, and production isn’t very “country” either. He has a pleasant, brushed-velvet vocal quality that is mixed up, front and center, in the crunchy instrumental environment. Listenable. Worth your spins.
 

 

DisClaimer: Eli Young Band Heads To Never Land, Heidi Raye Lands DisCovery Award

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Photo Credit: Joseph Llanes

Summer officially started on Wednesday, and country music is ready.

Unleashing sounds tailored to the season this week are Kenny Chesney, Josh Turner, Miranda Lambert and Granger Smith.

Another summer-sounding song earns our Disc of the Day award. It’s the gorgeous, top-down celebration “Never Land” by the Eli Young Band.

The DisCovery Award this week goes to a personable singer named Heidi Raye. I’m confident that we’ll be hearing much more from her.

JOSH TURNER/All About You
Writer: None listed; Producer: None listed; Publisher: None listed
– This has a nice, funky sound that’s a really attractive change of pace for this artist. The bright, lively tempo is just right for summer listening.

LITTLE BIG TOWN/when Someone Stops Loving You
Writers: Hillary Lindsey/Chase McGill/Lori McKenna; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publisher: None listed
– Jimi’s torrid tenor is one of the most underrated vocal instruments in contemporary country music. He blazes brilliantly throughout this bonfire heartache ballad performance.

KENNY CHESNEY/All The Pretty Girls
Writers: Nicole Galyon/Tommy Lee James/Josh Osborne; Producer: Publisher: Warner-Tamerlane/A Girl Named Charlie/BMG Platinum/SWMBMGBMI/Once in a Blue Tune/Anderson Fork in the Road/Smackville/Kobalt, BMI/ASCAP
– Toss beach balls on the sand while this bouncer blasts from a boombox.

LINDSAY ELL/Waiting On You
Writers: None listed; Producer: None listed; Publishers: None listed
– Well sung and produced with clarity and exquisite taste. Eminently programmable. She’s been in the news this week because a radio station punished her for dating a perceived competitor, Bobby Bones. Just listen to the music, folks.

MIRANDA LAMBERT/Pink Sunglasses
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Luke Dick/Natalie Hemby; Producer: Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf & Eric Masse; Publishers: Round Hill Works/Big Loud Proud Crowd/Farm Town/Sony-ATV Tree/Little Loudere/Emileon/HappyGoWrucke/Creative Pulse/These Are Pulse, BMI
–Embarrassing piffle.

HEIDI RAYE/Worth a Shot
Writers: Heidi Raye/Justin Ebach; Producer: None listed; Publisher: None listed
– Quite promising. This nifty little “attitude” ditty is sung with chuckling, winking, pert personality. The “shot,” you see, is whiskey.

TYLER FARR/I Should Go to Church Sometime
Writers: None listed; Producer: None listed; Publisher: None listed
– It’s certainly an interesting premise for a song. But since it never really resolves itself after he works himself into a lather, it is ultimately rather unsatisfying.

ELI YOUNG BAND/Never Land
Writers: Mike Eli/James Young/Ross Copperman/Jon Nite; Producer: Ross Copperman & Jeremy Stover; Publisher: Small Town Kid/Young James Young/NYAC/EMI Blackwood/Rezolant/EMI April/Sony-ATV, BMI
– The group returns strongly to form with this wooshing rush of a performance. The production is stunning. The melody is addictive. The mood is inspiring. Turn it up and play it again.

CHARLEY PRIDE/Music in My Heart
Writers: Country Johnny Mathis; Producer: Billy Yates; Publisher: Avid Group, BMI
– The title tune of Pride’s first new album in more than six years is a toe tapper that is as country as grits. Twang that steel.

GRANGER SMITH/Happens Like That
Writers: None listed; Producer: None listed; Publisher: None listed
– This master showman stages another bid for chart success with this mid-tempo reflection on sudden romance. The echoey atmosphere in the arrangement gives his vocal extra impact.

DisClaimer: Dan Auerbach, Paramore, Angel Snow Shine In Rock Crop This Week

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Timing is everything.

After last week’s CMA fest, I needed a break from country music. Right on schedule, some of the biggest names in Nashville’s pop/rock community have new albums to enjoy.

Our Male Vocalist winner is Dan Auerbach. Equally clear cut is our Group winner, Paramore. Deciding on the Female Disc of the Day is a lot tougher. Angel Snow, Greta Gaines and Sheryl Crow all have marvelous qualities to recommend them. In a neck-and-neck finish, I’m going with Angel Snow.

DADDY ISSUES/In Your Head
Writers: Daddy Issues; Producers: Jake Orrall; Publishers: none listed, SESAC
– This female trio cranks up a fuzz-tone, lo-fi, punk-rock slab of sound on this track from its current Deep Dream CD. The next time somebody questions Nashville’s rock bona fides to ya, put this on and turn up the volume to “10.”

DAN AUERBACH/Waiting On A Song
Writers: Dan Auerbach/John Prine/Pat McLaughlin/Richard Swift; Producer: Dan Auerbach; Publisher: Hour Box/Wixen/Tommy Jack/Corn Country\/Clearbox/Dance Contest Winner, BMI/ASCAP
– The Black Keys frontman has issued a marvelously diverse solo album. This title tune has a bopping, jaunty, Americana vibe. But other tracks rock with layers of sound, get trippy with audio effects, thump with r&b grooves and/or reach into retro pop styles. The collection finds him surrounded by a wide variety of Nashville pickers, including Duane Eddy, Jerry Douglas, Kenny Vaughan, John Prine and Pat McLaughlin. The diversity of styles here is highly admirable. Fabulous listening.

ALL THEM WITCHES/Bruce Lee
Writers: none listed; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: None listed
– His Nashville four-piece rock combo cooks up a steaming blues-rock pot of psychedelia on its CD Sleeping Through the War. Very mind expanding.

PARAMORE/Hard Times
Writers: Hayley Williams/Taylor York; Producer: Justin Meldal-Johnsen & Taylor York; Publisher: WB, ASCAP
– One of Middle Tennessee’s best known bands is back with a CD titled After Laughter. The collection’s lift-off single and opening track is a catchy, dance-pop outing with burbling beats and inescapable attitude. A very refreshing change of pace for a group that has sometimes specialized in volume at the expense of melodies.

COIN/Feeling
Writers: Ryan Winnen/Chase Lawrence/Zachary Dyke/Joseph Memmel/Tim Pagnotta; Producer: Andrew Maury; Publisher: Spirit One/Songs of Global Entertainment/This Is COIN/These Are Songs of Pulse/Sony-ATV Ballad/Burrito Bandito, BMI/ASCAP
– How Will You Know If You Never Try is the sophomore album by Nashville’s COIN. This emphasis track has an ‘80s, new-wave vibe. Highly stylish. The band has been named Amazon’s Breakthrough Artist of the Year and one of Time magazine’s 21 Musicians We Want to Hear From.

SHERYL CROW/Halfway There
Writers: Sheryl Crow/Jeff Trott; Producer: Jeff Trott & Sheryl Crow; Publisher: Old Green Barn/Mortal and Pestle/Ole, BMI/ASCAP
– On her new Be Myself CD, Sheryl Crow returns to the pop/rock idiom that made her famous. The forward momentum of its steadily rhythmic lead single will have your heart beating in time. The track’s deep-bottom groove contrasts nicely with her silvery soprano delivery. She remains an audio treasure.

GRETA GAINES/Begin Again
Writers: Greta Gaines; Producer: Eric Fritsch & Greta Gaines; Publisher: Oh Happy, BMI
– The new Tumbleweed EP by Greta Gaines drops tomorrow. The download sales of its bonus track, “Light It Up,” will go toward NORML’s efforts to legalize weed. This track finds her musing over guitars that alternately slither, grumble, moan and shriek. In contrast to some of her earlier rock efforts, this disc leans in an Americana-soul direction. In addition to being a singer-songwriter, this Nashvillian is also a champion snowboarder, an ace fly-fisherman and talented ESPN host.

TIM RUSHLOW & HIS BIG BAND/Plenty Of Money And You
Writers: Harry Warren/Al Dubin; Producer: Jimmy Ritchey; Publisher: Warner, ASCAP
– Rushlow is a Music City troubadour who has reinvented himself as the leader of a horn-honking swing band. Its debut CD/DVD was recorded live, and the excitement comes across beautifully. The repertoire ranges from “Beyond the Sea,” “Luck Be a Lady,” “Mack the Knife,” “That’s Life” and “Zing Went the Strings of My Heart” to less familiar tunes from the Great American Songbook like this one. The group will take up residency at The Nashville Palace beginning Nov. 10. Be there or be square.

ANGEL SNOW/Photographs
Writers: Angel Snow/Jonathan Trebing; Producer: Lee Groves; Publisher: none listed
– The atmospheric textures of Angel Snow’s current album Magnetic are entrancing. The swirling pop confection is the album this Nashville singer-songwriter was always meant to make. Its track “Secret” has had over one million streams on Spotify. This follow-up is even more dreamy, layered and lovely. I remain a huge fan.

DAVE POMEROY/Angel in the Ashes
Writers: Ben Cyllus/Dave Pomeroy; Producer: Dave Pomeroy; Publishers: Groove Room/Calhoun/Kung Fu Unicorn, BMI
– This longtime instrumental great has been working on his new CD for 10 years. The wait has been worth it, because the collection is wildly inventive. This pop-folk title track has a warm vocal as well as his customary virtuoso bass playing. In addition to a heaping helping of originals, he covers tunes by Guy Clark, Jesse Winchester and Buddy Mondlock, not to mention jazzbos like Charles Mingus (”Goodbye Pork Pie Hat”). Don’t miss the album’s centerpiece, his eight-minute funk medley of “Ball of Confusion,” “For the Love of Money” and “Cloud Nine” (50 audio tracks deep). Now, here’s the really mind-blowing thing: All of the instrumental sounds on the album are made by various basses, acoustic and electric, 41 of them! No drums. No guitars. Just basses. This is a fantastic listening experience.

DISClaimer: Gary Allan, Maggie Rose Outshine Star-Packed Competition

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Gary Allan

Looks like it’s all-hands-on-deck for the CMA Fest edition of DisClaimer.

The most star-packed review column of the year to date includes such red-hot names as Thomas Rhett and Jason Aldean, plus plenty more. Because of all the big-time attractions, there was no room for newcomers today. Hence, no DisCovery Award.

The male contenders for Disc of the Day looked, on paper, to be a duel between our resident bruiser vocalists Luke Combs and Chris Stapleton. But both were bested by a come-from-behind dark horse, Gary Allan. It has been way too long since we have had new music from this talented fellow.

The female division appeared to be a contest between our happening ingenues, Lauren Alaina and Kelsea Ballerini. But here again, the front runners were beaten by a lesser known star, Maggie Rose. To retread a cliche, you go, girl.

MAGGIE ROSE/Body On Fire
Writers: Maggie Rose/Chad Carolson; Producers: Jimmy Robbins/Maggie Rose/Chad Carolson; Publishers: none listed; MR (track)
– A home run. Steamy, sensuous, slow-burning and sensational. Her voice explodes into little firecrackers and ignites sparklers throughout. The production is a beautifully textured tapestry of electronic wonder. Why is this gifted woman not on a major label?

 

LUKE COMBS/When It Rains It Pours
Writers: Luke Combs/Ray Fulcher/JOrdan Walker; Producer: Scott Moffatt; Publishers: Big Music Machine/50 Egg/Straight Dimes/Works of RHA/Atlas/Extremely Comustible/On Cor/PAJ, BMI; Columbia/River House
– A drawling good ole boy’s lament of love gone wrong becomes a toe-tapping celebration of freedom and good fortune. This guy sounds exactly like somebody you want to have a beer with.

CHRIS STAPLETON/Either Way
Writers: Chris Stapleton/Tim James/Kendall Marvell; Producers: Dave Cobb/Chris Stapleton; Publishers: none listed; Mercury (track)
– It’s just that magnificent voice and an acoustic guitar delivering a heartbreak ballad. And, boy, do they pack a wallop. Riveting and gripping and righteous and real.

KELSEA BALLERINI/Legends
Writers: Ballerini/Forest Glen Whitehead/Hillary Lindsey; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Forest Glen Whitehead/Jason Massey; Black River
– Echoey, atmospheric and utterly lovely. It’s about finding perfect love and soaring with the feeling.

 

CHRIS JANSON/Fix A Drink
Writers: Chris Janson/Chris DuBois/Ashley Gorley; Producers: Brent Anderson/Chris DuBois; Publishers: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
– He can’t fix the weather, job worries, a broken heart, the blues or the news. But he can sure ‘nuff fix a drink. Rollicking fun.

ELI YOUNG BAND/Fingerprints
Writers: Mike Eli/James Young/Ross Copperman/Josh Osborne; Producers: Ross Copperman/Jeremy Stover; Publishers: Small Town Kid/Young James Young/NTAC/EMI Blackwood/Rezolant/Sony-ATV/Songs of Black River/One Little Indian Creek, BMI/ASCAP; Valory Music
– Dense sounding, with loads of “bottom” in the mix. It’s not nearly as catchy as their big hits have been.

LAUREN ALAINA/Doin’ Fine
Writers: Lauren Alaina/Emily Shackleton/busbee; Producer: Busbee; Publishers: none listed; Mercury/19/Interscope (CDX)
– It’s a bit of a letdown as the follow-up to a star-making performance. But it has plenty of pluck, and she sings it splendidly, particularly in her upper register.

GARY ALLAN/Mess Me Up
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Ross Copperman/Shane McAnally; Producers: Gary Allan, Ross Copperman, Greg Droman; Publishers: none listed; EMI (CDX)
– Darkly compelling. In front of a throbbing track, he begs a woman he is obsessed with to torture his mind. As usual, he sings with tremendous fire and conviction. A burning cauldron of sound.

 

JASON ALDEAN/They Don’t Know
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Broken Bow (ERG)
– In defense of rural life, to the accompaniment of screaming guitars.

THOMAS RHETT & MAREN MORRIS/Craving You
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Valory Music (ERG)
– It’s a potent rocker with plenty of thump and crash. Despite the billing, this is essentially a Rhett solo with some occasional vocal coloring by Morris.

DISClaimer: Glen Campbell, Beyond The Sun, Harper Grae Offer Summery New Tracks

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There is something kinda breezy and summery about this week’s stack of platters.

The numbers by Derek Johnson, The Pistol Annies, Brantley Gilbert and Hadley Park all have this open-air vibe.

So do the sounds of our three award winners. Glen Campbell wins the Disc of the Day award with his wafting remake of “Everybody’s Talkin.’ Locked in a tie for the DisCovery Award are the equally breezy Beyond the Sun and Harper Grae.

BEYOND THE SUN/Cruisin’ ‘Round Town
Writers: Colin Radu/Phil Radu/Dalton Radu; Producer: Dalton Radu; Publishers: none listed; BMI; BTS
– This is a Canadian brother trio. Their debut single is a summertime, bob-that-head, anthem. It is also super tuneful and wildly addictive. The bro’s have recently moved to Music City. If the rest of their songs are this good, roll out a great big welcome mat.

GLEN CAMPBELL/Everybody’s Talkin’
Writers: Fred Neil; Producer: Carl Jackson; Publishers: none listed; UMe
– Let’s face it: the Nilsson 1969 original hit with this sounded exactly like a Glen Campbell record. So it goes without saying that song fits Glen like a glove. His flawless performance is matched by a production by his former sideman Carl Jackson that places every note from every instrument in exactly the right place. Daughter Ashley Campbell’s banjo notes ripple through the entire thing beautifully. This is the lead track of a fantastic collection titled Adios. It will be released a week from Friday during CMA Fest as the final album from this legendary artist.

 

BEN BOSTICK/Independence Day Eve
Writers: Ben Bostick; Producer: John Would/Ben Bostick; Publishers: none listed; Simply Fantastic
– Bostick makes a good living busking on the Santa Monica Pier. He describes himself as an “outsider” country artist. His upcoming full-length CD debut leads off with this stately ballad of alienation. Urgent sounding.

TIM BENNETT/As Long As You’re Buying
Writer: Tim Bennett; Producer: Tim Bennett; Publishers: Big Sky, ASCAP; Sandy Beach
– The band sounds like a group of amateurs. His singing voice is weak, at best.

BRANTLEY GILBERT/The Ones That Like Me
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Valory Music
– Churning, charging, clanging midtempo excitement with mucho electric guitar grinding. I still think he has one of the coolest voices around.

DOAK SNEAD/Each Day Like It’s The Last Day
Writer: Snead; Producers: Snead/Kelley Sallee Snead; Publishers: Doak Snead, BMI; Hear Say (track)
– Catalogue is an album that compiles Nashville songwriter Snead’s demos recorded between 1991 and the present. This sparse, thoughtful, philosophical ballad dates from 2009. His conversational delivery connects emotionally, more than making up for his vocal limitations.

THE PISTOL ANNIES/Tulsa Time
Writer: Danny Flowers; Producer: Garth Fundis; Publishers: none listed; Slate Creek (track)
– Gentle Giants is a tribute CD to the great Don Williams. The cast is superb — Garth, Trisha, Brandy Clark, Lady A, John Prine, Keb Mo, Dierks and Chris Stapleton, for starters. The collection kicks off with a sprightly take on this toe tapper by Miranda, Ashley and Angaleena. Buy this righteous album.

 

DEREK JOHNSON/Real Cool, Kinda Hot
Writers: Phil O’Donnell; Producer: Phil O’Donnell; Publishers: none listed, BMI/SESAC; Applause (CDX)
– He’s got a backwoods accent you could cut with a knife. The song is a peppy hillbilly ditty that name-checks beer, pickup truck, camo clothes and a bunch of other cliches. But in its goofy way, it is utterly irresistible.

HADLEY PARK/Another Bottle Of Wine
Writers: Courtney Dashe/Morgan Leigh Garner; Producer: Hadley Park; Publishers: No Bull About It/Morgan Leigh Garner, BMI/ASCAP; HP (track)
– Have raved about this female duo before. Its current single/video is a witty, tongue-in-cheek ditty that kisses off an ex in a dishy gal-to-gal conversation. I am told that their songs are eagerly sought after by big-name artists, and I can certainly hear why.

HARPER GRAE/Free
Writers: Harper Grae/Femke Weidema; Producer: Josh Barker/Ethan Brewington; Publishers: Oliver Ann Music/Femke Music (BMI/ASCAP); Oliver Ann Records
– Very cool sounding. It has a gospel-y vibe of a melody, and her vocal is loaded with personality. Best of all, is an outstanding production that incorporates hand claps, thudding-stark percussion, churchy piano chords, a celebratory chorus of backup vocalists and mandolin twittering. Essential listening.

DISClaimer: “Peerless” Brandy Clark Earns Disc Of The Day With “Three Kids No Husband”

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We have a wide variety of sounds this week.

Our DisCovery Award winner is Tim Elliott, and he’s as country as grits. But we also have Glee star Noah Guthrie, and he brings a folk-pop-Americana vibe to the table, not to mention a Prince song. Sarah Petite has Mexicali horns on her disc. Bubba T’s Honky Tonk Revival has rowdy-party sing-along people.

And then there’s our Disc of the Day winner, the peerless Brandy Clark. She’s the one with the soul-piercing heart song.

NOAH GUTHRIE/I Would Die 4 U
Writer: Prince; Producers: Noah Guthrie/Ian Guthrie; Publishers: none listed; The Holland Group
-This Glee alumnus and native South Carolinian caps his CD The Valley with this striking Prince cover. He slows it way down and adds stately piano chords and a string section. His aching tenor brings out the latent tenderness in the song’s lyric. Impressive.

SARAH PETITE/Getting Over You
Writer: Sarah Petite; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Sweet P, BMI; SP (track)
– This single from Petite’s fifth CD, Road Less Traveled, showcases her Tammy-esque vocal phrasing against a backdrop of Mexicali horns, sighing steel and hearty male backup harmony voices. I like her conversational musical manner a lot. Recommended.

RANDALL LEE RICHARDS/A Paradise Life
Writers: Randall Lee Richards; Producer: Stacy Hogan; Publisher: none listed; BMI; Ocean’s Ten (CDX)
– I like the hard-luck, blue-collar lyric and the driving, anthemic mood. I just wish he was a stronger singer.

BRANDY CLARK/Three Kids No Husband
Writers: Brandy Clark/Lori McKenna; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: House of Sea Gayle/Highway 508/Songs of Universal/Hoodie, ASCAP; Warner Bros.
– This has become an emphasis track from Brandy’s Big Day in a Small Town album due to the overwhelming fan response it has been getting. It has been said that country music is “three chords and the truth.” Well, no one sings the truth like this woman does. With perfectly chosen words and profound empathy, she and co-writer Lori McKenna have written a mini art film about a reality faced by millions of American women. Listen to this with no distractions. It will touch your soul.

TIM McDONALD/Dad
Writers: Tim McDonald; Grant Austin Taylor; Producers: Tim McDonald/Paul Franklin; Publishers: none listed; ASCAP; Ranch King (CDX)
-He is more than a little pitch challenged.

McKENNA FAITH/Poison
Writers: McKenna Faith/Brittany Lane/Evan Gibb/Ethan Brewington; Producer: Caleb Sherman; Publishers: none listed; BMI/ASCAP; Treble (CDX)
– Four writers and none of you could come up with a melody?

BUBBA T’S HONKY TONK REVIVAL/Drink All Day
Writers: Brandon Kinney/Ben Daniel/Wynn Varble; Producer: Keith Gattis; Publishers: none listed; Amerimonte (CDX)
– The band’s name and the song title tell you just about everything you need to know about this tropical-redneck NASCAR outing.

GREG HUDIK/Mama’s Love
Writers: Greg Hudik; Producer: Greg Hudik; Publishers: none listed; BMI; Platinum (CDX)
– An audio trainwreck.

TIM ELLIOTT/Start Pourin’ Whiskey On It
Writers: John Wiggins/Randy Houser; Producer: Kent Wells; Publishers: none listed, BMI; BRE (CDX)
-He’s a solid honky-tonk singer. The song is a country, country, country winner about chasin’ away yer blues at the end of a hard work week. The production rocks. I’m in.

DISClaimer: Tony Stampley’s “Daily Bread” Takes Disc Of The Day Honors

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Yeesh. What a lackluster listening session.

No wonder I haven’t been listening to much new country music lately. If this week’s stack of platters is any indication, the genre is awash in mediocrity.

The trend of the day seemed to be unusual stage names. Folks named Mondo, Anthony K and Mighty Orq are vying for your attention. Take my advice and don’t give it to them.

There are really only three discs here that are worth your spins. Tony Stampley’s “Daily Bread” is the Disc of the Day. Big Joe Schmidt’s equally well written “Over Time” wins him a DisCovery Award.

And Nashville singer-songwriter Mike Younger has a collection of literate lyrics that touch on environmental and social justice as well as romantic issues. He has been linked with the likes of Rodney Crowell, Levon Helm and Nanci Griffith, which should give some suggestion of his abilities.

MARK MACKAY/Road To Mustang
Writer: None listed; Producer: None listed; Publisher: Phil Dixon
– He’s a West Coat, country-rocking guitar slinger. This track from his eight-song CD Trials & Tribulations is strong on rhythm and attitude, but could have used a lyric editor. He takes forever to get to the hook.

 JOE SCHMIDT/Over Time
Writer: Bill Filson; Publisher: None listed, BMI; Producer: Joe Schmidt
– First class all the way. The rolling, relentless tempo is irresistible. The production throbs. His muscular, confident singing voice is just splendid. The lyric message about learning the good things in your life from your dad is potent and heart tugging. This one is definitely a keeper.

JON PARDI/Heartache on the Dance Floor
Writers: Jon Pardi/Bart Butler/Brice Long; Publisher: None listed; Producers: Bart Butler, Jon Pardi
– Listenable, if kinda lightweight. For a frothy ditty, it has a somewhat cluttered production.

CHRISTIAN DAVIS/An American Soldier’s Story
Writers: Terry R. Bell/Bruce Marshall Conyers; Publisher: None listed, ASCAP; Producer: Terry Bell & Dave Demay
– Soldiers become brothers and sisters on the battlefield and have one another’s backs, whether they are black, white, Hispanic or native American. An uplifting anthem.

TONY STAMPLEY/Daily Bread
Writers: Tony Stampley/Kelly Roland; Publishers: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; Producer: Tony Stampley
– It’s been awhile since we’ve heard from Joe Stampley’s talented offspring. He still has that cool, soulful singing voice. This slowly paced hymn of thanks gives him plenty of space to exercise his phrasing.

MALLORY JOHNSON/Good Mistake to Make
Writers: Troy Verges/Gordie Sampson/Hillary Lindsey; Publisher: none listed, BMI/SOCAN/ASCAP; Producer: Sammy Kershaw
– Considering the producer, it’s no surprise that the production has twang and bounce. Considering the writing credits, it’s no surprise that the song is catchy, hooky and radio friendly. Her upbeat vocal delivery is pert and perky.

MIKE YOUNGER/Poisoned Rivers
Writer: Mike Younger; Publisher: Divinerum, ASCAP; Producer: Bob Britt
– Nashville guitar great Bob Britt produced this troubadour’s self-composed CD Little Folks Like You and Me. The simple, harmonica-laced arrangement of this track gives it a bit of a Dylan-like sound. It also throws its folkie-topical lyrics into high relief as it calls for solidarity and strength in a time of cultural divisions.

MONDO/Time To Wine
Writer: Charles Armando Mariscal; Publisher: None listed, ASCAP; Producer: Mondo Mariscal
– The track rocks. His vocal doesn’t.

MIGHTY ORQ/Love in a Hurricane
Writer: J. Davidson; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Producer: None listed
– Thin sounding. I’ve heard demos with more production than this. You could drive a dune buggy through his vibrato.

 ANTHONY K/Marry Me
Writer: Anthony K. Culver; Publisher: Boozyjones 1, ASCAP; Producer: Jamie Tate
– Redneck romance, packed with cliche lyrics.

DISClaimer: Old Crow Medicine Show Takes Disc Of The Day Honors

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Old Crow Medicine Show. Photo: Laura Partain

Americana music is in the news this week, what with the genre announcing its 2017 award nominees.

So what better time to survey some current records of the style?

The stand-out, Disc of the Day here is the new project by Old Crow Medicine Show. It is a blast.

The DISCovery Award goes to Ana Cristina Cash. In addition to our award-winners, don’t miss Tommy Emmanuel, Kelly & Ellis, David Starr and Dion.

ANA CRISTINA CASH/”Tough Love Woman”
Writers: Ana Cristina Cash/Shawn Camp; Publisher: none listed; Producer: John Carter Cash
– This swampy, bluesy track has a very cool retro-rockabilly vibe that is super catchy. Her alto voice is loaded with pent-up power and a confident swagger. A recording artist since age 15, Ana Cristina married John Carter Cash last fall, and her uniformly excellent Tough Love EP is her first Nashville project.

SUSAN ANDERS/”My Parachute”
Writer: Susan Anders; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Susan Anders & Tom Manche
– The forte of this Music City artist is harmony singing, which she teaches and writes books about. This pop-folk track from her Loop De Loop CD is a moody reflection on living with uncertainty. The unusual chords on guitar and piano give the track an appealing off-balance quality.

OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW/”Rainy Day Women #12 & 35″
Writer: Bob Dylan; Publisher: none listed; Producer: none listed
– The new CD by these Opry stars is a rousing, rollicking string-band re-imagining of Bob Dylan’s historic Blonde on Blonde Nashville LP. Recorded live, it kicks off with this terrifically energetic arrangement of the collection’s 1966 hit single. “Everybody must get stoned,” indeed.

 DAVID STARR/”The Head and the Heart”
Writer: David Starr; Publisher: David Starr, ASCAP; Producer: John Oates
– Wow. This folkie can really sing. This is classic, acoustic, songwriter/troubadour stuff that harkens back to the best of the James Taylor/Joni Mitchell era. I love the “heart” in his tenor tones. Produced in Nashville by the esteemed John Oates, this is the title tune of a EP that is unreservedly recommended.

ANGIE & THE DESERTERS/”Stay”
Writer: Guy Griffin; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Jeff Huskins
– Very well executed. The mandolin-focused arrangement compliments her teardrop-notes delivery perfectly. Her slight vibrato adds to the intrigue. The group’s six-song EP is titled You.

SON VOLT/”Back Against The Wall”
Writer: Jay Farrar; Publisher: Grain Elevator, BMI; Producer: Jay Farrar
– These longtime Americana favorites continue their roots-rocking ways on the new Notes of Blue CD. This, the collection’s single, has a stripped-down, blue-collar Springsteen-ish vibe. Recorded in St. Louis, which group leader Jay Farrar calls home.

KELLY & ELLIS/”Anyone Who Isn’t Me Tonight”
Writer: C. Kelly; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Dave Rivers
– The “Kelly” in this duo is Nashville singer-songwriter Casey Kelly, whose hits include Tanya Tucker’s “Soon,” T.G. Sheppard’s “Somewhere Down the Line” and more. He recorded a pair of fine Elektra LPs back in the 1970s. His return to disc finds him still in mightily expressive voice as the duet partner of scintillating singer Leslie Ellis. They reprise his 1978 Kenny & Dottie hit in a lively, almost bluegrassy arrangement. Elsewhere on their acoustic CD The Long Road to You, they revive his 1985 George Strait classic “The Cowboy Rides Away” and the Cats show tune “Memory,” which she performed back in her Broadway days. How Nashville is this? The two met at an in-the-round show at The Bluebird Cafe.

 TOMMY EMMANUEL & STEVE WARINER/”Workin’ Man Blues”
Writer: Merle Haggard; Publisher: Sony ATV, BMI; Producer: Tommy Emmanuel
– The 14 tracks on Tommy Emmanuel Live at the Ryman are mostly dazzling guitar instrumentals (”Classical Gas,” “Blood Brother,” “Windy & Warm,” etc.). Steve Wariner provides vocal support on this Haggard cover, but it’s the team’s fleet-fingered guitar workout on it that will melt your mind. Stay tuned for the following track, “Eva Waits,” the only studio recording on the collection. It will haunt you.

DION/”Can’t Help But Wonder Where I’m Bound”
Writer: Tom Paxton; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Tom Wilson
– Kickin’ Child is the “lost” album by this Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame member. Recorded in 1965, it falls between his “Runaround Sue” and “Abraham, Martin & John” eras, but was shelved by Columbia because the label didn’t understand the transition he was undertaking. Now released for the first time, it sounds like the classic folk-rock that producer Wilson was creating with Simon & Garfunkel (”Sounds of Silence”) and Bob Dylan (”Like a Rolling Stone”) at the same time. In addition to Dion’s originals, the CD includes this classic Tom Paxton tune, plus an early cover of Dylan’s “It’s All Over Baby Blue.” As a lifelong Dion fan, I consider this an essential record.

 NELL ROBINSON & JIM NUNALLY BAND/”Baby Let’s Take The Long Way Home”
Writers: Nell Robinson/James Nunnally; Publisher: Jim Nunnally/Nell Robinson, BMI; Producer: Peter Berkow, Jim Nunally & Nell Robinson
– These folkies harmonize nicely together. The steel-dominated accompaniment is spare and simple. Pleasant, if not exactly life changing.

DISClaimer: Old Dominion, Charlie Worsham, The Railers Offer Summer-Ready Tracks

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I’ve got yer country summer playlist right here.

This week’s listening stack is brimming with breezy, uptempo, smile-a-minute singles that are just right for sunny weather. High Valley, Old Dominion, Canaan Smith, Charlie Worsham, Randy Moore and The Railers all popped up with summertime sounds at exactly the same time.

Old Dominion and Charlie Worsham finished in a dead heat for the Disc of the Day prize.

The Railers rule as the DisCovery Award winners. I know, I know: They’re not brand new. But it has been three long years since they were first in “DISClaimer,” so they might as well be.

 

RANDY MOORE/Sunshine State Of Mind
Writer:R. Moore; Producer: R.C. Moore; Publisher: Undead, SESAC; Highway 59 (track)
– Jaunty, catchy and tropical sounding. Very much in the island/Buffett/Parrothead groove. His vocal delivery is loaded with warmth.

WILLIAMS HONOR/No Umbrella
Writers: Gordon Brown/Reagan Richards/Cyndi Thomson; Producer: Gordon Brown; Publishers: All Hour G1B/Lady Rae Gun/Bella Love, ASCAP/BMI; All Hour (track)
– This is a male-female country duo from Asbury Park, NJ. She sings lead in a throaty, emotive tone on this plea to end heartbreak. His production is atmospheric and airy.

GARTH BROOKS/Ask Me How I Know
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed;Pearl (ERG)
– The verses are cast in a moody, lower-register voice. Then the choruses explode with much more intensity. The lyric addresses a rounder who is going to get his comeuppance from a gal one of these days.

A THOUSAND HORSES/Preachin’ To The Choir
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; BMLG (ERG)
– Like much of their music, this is fairly rocked up. Lots of electric guitar in the mix and an overall rowdy vibe.

THE RAILERS/11:59 (Central Standard Time)
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Warner Bros.
– Irresistibly infectious. This bopping party ditty is a perfect summertime sound. Stay up all night with these happy kids.

CHARLIE WORSHAM/Cut Your Groove
Writers: none listed; Producers: Frank Liddell/Eric Masse; Publishers: none listed; Warner Bros.
– I remain a fan. His earnest tenor vocal performance is matched with a breezy track that pushes the tempo onward and upward. Luscious, lustrous, lilting listening.

JERROD NIEMANN/God Made A Woman
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Curb (ERG)
– Pensive and powerful. He finds himself loved and cherished beyond anything he deserves. The ballad swells with strings and steel as he caresses each line.

OLD DOMINION/No Such Thing As A Broken Heart
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; RCA (ERG)
– I love the burbling, bubbling rhythm track. The sunny, upbeat, chin-up lyric is packed with supercool advice, notably, “You gotta love like there’s no such thing as a broken heart.” Not to mention, “Chase after the dream, don’t chase after the money.” I guarantee that this little record is going to make you feel good, good, good.

HIGH VALLEY/She’s With Me
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Warner Bros.
– The handclaps are delightful, and the tempo is undeniably compelling. This toe tapper is an instant add, and ya gotta love that.

CANAAN SMITH/Like You That Way
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Mercury (ERG)
– Romance in a sunny, super-positive light. It’s not the deepest thing I’ve ever heard, but it is effortlessly appealing.