Album Feature – Mike and The Moonpies – Touch Of You – The Lost Songs Of Gary Stewart

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May 262020
 

By Joshua Wallace

You might know the music of Gary Stewart from such hits as “She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinking Doubles)” or “Drinkin’ Thing” which both appeared on the same album called Out Of Hand.  If you haven’t heard that one, I highly recommend checking it out.  You can hear Gary Stewart’s influence on Mike and The Moonpies music and when you do, you will know that they were the perfect band for a project such as this.  Here we have 10 unrecorded songs co-written by Gary Stewart during the late 70’s and 1980’s.  These were songs that for whatever reason, did not make it on any recorded albums.  The band worked closely with Stewart’s daughter, Shannon Stewart, and his best friend Tommy Schwartz to compile the tracks for this project.  This album was meant to be released later in the year, but the band was able to finish it remotely during the recent “stay-at-home” orders.  Let’s check out some of the tracks they came up with.

The album kicks off with a straight up honky tonk number in “Bottom Of The Pile”.  It’s a song about the rowdiest honky tonk you’ve ever been in and it’s sure to get some dance floors moving at your next live Moonpies show.  Switching things up, we have the duet of “Smooth Shot Of Whiskey”.  Mike trades lines and harmonizes with Mark Wystrach of Midland.  It’s a smooth (no pun intended) ballad.  This sounds like it would fit right in on an early 80’s country radio station.  Another favorite is “Dance With Barbara”.  Every bar has a Barbara, and all of the guys want to dance with her.  This one is sure to make the dance floors shuffle.  I love the interplay of the pedal steel and lead guitar on this one.  

Another great dance floor tune is “The Gold Barstool”.  It’s a great shuffle with more killer lead guitar work, however it is the songwriting that is the star here.  If you work at a company for a long time, you typically get a gold watch or something for working in a place for 20 years.  Well, at this bar you get a gold barstool for drinking there for 20 years.  How’s that for celebrating good times?  It’s songs like this that show how great of a songwriter Gary Stewart could be.  Slowing things down a bit, we have the bluesy number called “I’m Guilty”.  The guitar work is smooth and awesome here, but I love Mike’s vocal performance on this one as it’s one of his better tracks over the years.  Finally, we have “Heart At Home” which is a bit of a different style for Mike and The Moonpies.  Some slow piano work by Dave Perceful kicks off the track before it goes into a smooth easy listening country ballad.  It’s a great change of pace as you don’t often hear this style of country these days.

Mike and The Moonpies have put together a great tribute to the talent that is Gary Stewart.  It’s a treat for longtime Gary Stewart fans who have new songs to dig into.  It’s also a treat for newer Gary Stewart fans who are discovering his music through Mike and The Moonpies.  While it’s still very much a Moonpies record, the band also taps into sounds from Gary Stewart’s era of late 70’s and early 1980’s country that fans don’t get to hear much of these days. I cannot wait to hear some of these songs live as it sounds like a good live record.  Touch Of You – The Lost Songs Of Gary Stewart will be available everywhere at 12:01 AM on Thursday May 28th, 2020.  This record is only available digitally at first, however there will be physical items to pre-order in the future.  Check out the band’s website for more info soon.

Favorite Tracks : Bottom Of The Pile, Smooth Shot Of Whiskey, Dance With Barbara, The Gold Barstool, I’m Guilty, Heart At Home

Mike and The Moonpies – Touch Of You – The Lost Songs Of Gary Stewart (2020)

  1. Bottom Of The Pile
  2. Smooth Shot Of Whiskey (feat. Mark Wystrach of Midland)
  3. Touch Of You
  4. Life’s A Game
  5. Dance With Barbara (feat. Courtney Patton)
  6. The Gold Barstool (feat. Zac Wilkerson)
  7. That’s Life
  8. The Finished Product
  9. I’m Guilty
  10. Heart At Home (feat. Jamie Lin Wilson and Courtney Patton)

 

Album Feature – Caleb Caudle – Better Hurry Up

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May 192020
 

By Joshua Wallace

Better Hurry Up is the follow up to Caleb Caudle’s 2018 album Crushed Coins which was a favorite here at Gary Hayes Country.  While that album was more Americana leaning, this album takes Caleb Caudle in a more funky and soulful direction while still keeping things grounded in Americana.  I would go as far as saying that Better Hurry Up is the best Caleb Caudle album yet.  Read on and find out why.

I dig the groove in the title track “Better Hurry Up”.  It sets the stage for a funky and soulful trip throughout this record.  Another favorite is the track “Dirty Curtain”.  It’s a track that takes you down the road of country music’s dark side with plodding drums and haunting pedal steel.  It’s about a place you don’t want to go, but sometimes you have to and you have to encounter life’s more seedy and dangerous elements.  Finally, “Let’s Get” is a catchy and more mellow tune.  I really dig the piano’s groove on this track.  The harmonica is also a nice touch.  This entire album has a nice range that goes from funky to soulful while still keeping things country and Americana and I dig it.

This truly is the best Caleb Caudle album yet.  I cannot wait for the day when I can hear some of this album with a full band.  I was going to potentially catch him live in Macon, GA last month but everything suddenly changed.  This record came out April 3rd, 2020.  Check it out and you can find out everything Caleb is up to at his website.

Favorite Tracks : Better Hurry Up, Dirty Curtain, Let’s Get, Monte Carlo, Reach Down

Caleb Caudle – Better Hurry Up (2020)

  1. Better Hurry Up
  2. Call It A Day
  3. Regular Riot
  4. Dirty Curtain
  5. Let’s Get
  6. Monte Carlo
  7. Feelin Free
  8. Reach Down
  9. Front Porch
  10. Wait A Minute
  11. Bigger Oceans

Album Feature – Ashley McBryde – Never Will

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May 192020
 

By Joshua Wallace

I have been a big fan of Ashley McBryde ever since her hit song “A Little Dive Bar In Dahlonega” came across my radar way back in 2017. 3 years later we’re getting the follow up to the 2018 album that contained that song with her new record titled Never Will.  This album continues where Girl Going Nowhere left off with a mix of solid country gold and 90’s country influenced tracks.  This album is sure to be a favorite and will likely land at the top of many country fan’s album charts when 2020 is all said and done.

The first song anyone heard from this record was “One Night Standards.” It’s a great track with a smooth sound meant for the radio.  It’s an interesting twist on classic cheating songs that you don’t often hear these days.  Another interesting track is “Shut Up Sheila”.  It’s a very simple guitar track with some interesting percussion in the background.  It’s a song about not letting go of who you are, even in the toughest of times.  I dig the rock riff that comes in in the final third of the song.  Another great song is “First Thing I Reach For”.  From the awesome opening riff, you know this is a great country track.  I love the pedal steel throughout this one.  It’s all about how we keep going back to the things that we shouldn’t, especially in relationships.

My favorite track on this record comes in the revenge murder ballad “Martha Divine”.  It’s a great story telling song with a classic rock and 90’s country inspired sound.  You don’t always hear murder ballads that are this dance-able.  I love how the title track of both of Ashley McBryde’s major label albums have been about how she has denied critics throughout her career.  This song in particular is about not selling out to get where she is and how she “Never Will”.  Finally, the last song on the record is a fun and different kind of song to end the album on.  It’s the only song she didn’t write on the album and it is written by Randall Clay.  It’s a funky song and she kind of raps the verses but it works because it is a bit of a silly tribute to “Styrofoam”.

This album is the perfect follow-up to Ashley’s great 2018 album Girl Going Nowhere.  It features the same classic country mixed with 90’s country and classic rock sound.There is some good songwriting here and I love how she tells a story that can center around a place, an object or a person.  I can’t wait to hear some of these songs live and see what is next for Ashley McBryde.  Never Will is out everywhere as of April 3rd, 2020.  You can support Ashley McBryde and find out everything she is up to on her website.    

Favorite Tracks : One Night Standards, Shut Up Sheila, First Thing I Reach For, Martha Divine, Velvet Red, Never Will, Styrofoam

Ashley McBryde – Never Will (2020)

  1. Hang In There Girl
  2. One Night Standards
  3. Shut Up Sheila
  4. First Thing I Reach For
  5. Voodoo Doll
  6. Sparrow
  7. Martha Divine
  8. Velvet Red
  9. Stone
  10. Never Will
  11. Styrofoam

Album Feature – Jessi Alexander – Decatur County Red

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Apr 022020
 

By Joshua Wallace

Decatur County Red is Jessi Alexander’s third record following her 2014 album titled Down Home.  This is actually my first time listening to Jessi Alexander and you might be saying the same thing as it has been six years since her last album.  However you possibly know her music as she has written several songs that have been both great deep cuts on mainstream albums and country radio hits.  She has written songs for the likes of Dierks Bentley, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton and even newer artists like Travis Denning. While she has written for a good list of top country radio names, this record is more in the traditional country realm and it has a really good sound in that respect.  Let’s take a dive through some of the cuts on this album.

First up is the first single from the album titled “Mama Drank”.  This is a great songwriters song that makes great use of setting and character to tell a story.  The song has a bit of fun with the subject and I dig the low key electric guitar riff on this track.  The next track is a song that originally appeared on a Tim McGraw album by the same name called “Damn Country Music”.  I wanted more from McGraw’s cut of the song when I heard it and Jessi Alexander has delivered what I was hoping for here.  The McGraw cut of the song sounded like something was lost in translation. However, you feel it here and Alexander’s cut has the solid country gold sound you would want from a song called “Damn Country Music.”

The album isn’t afraid to have fun either.  The cut “Country Music Made Me Do It” featuring Randy Houser is a fun tongue in cheek duet about the influence of country music on good or bad decisions.  It’s a fun and dance-able track that is fun to throw on during your living room quarantine dance parties. Finally, the song “Lonely Out Of Me” is a great vocal performance from Jessi and it’s a slower track that takes you back to classic country songs of the 60’s and 70’s.

This entire record is solid country gold and at only eight tracks you only get the good stuff.  Jessi Alexander’s career up to this point may be defined by the songs she has written for others, but this is a top notch record that deserves to stand on its own.  I hope that I get to see her live at some point in the future. In the meantime, you can check out her website and social media to find ways to support her during these crazy times.  Decatur County Red is out everywhere as of March 27th, 2020.         

Favorite Tracks : Mama Drank, Damn Country Music, Country Music Made Me Do It, Lonely Out Of Me, How I’m Going Out

 

Jessi Alexander – Decatur County Red (2020)

  1. Decatur County Red Feat. Johnathan Singleton
  2. Mama Drank
  3. Damn Country Music
  4. I Should Probably Go Now
  5. My Problem Is You
  6. Country Music Made Me Do It Feat. Randy Houser
  7. Lonely Out Of Me
  8. How I’m Going Out

Album Feature – Porter Union – Loved & Lost

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Mar 242020
 

By Joshua Wallace

Porter Union are husband and wife duo Cole and Kendra Porter.  We were a big fan of their 2017 debut self titled record here at Gary Hayes Country and this new record Loved & Lost is no different.  This album continues the strong traditional country sound that recalls some of the great duo records of the 70’s and 80’s. There is an honesty and real quality to the songwriting you’ll find with their ST debut and Loved & Lost that cannot be found in many of today’s albums.  Loved & Lost is a more upbeat affair overall and I really dig a lot of the performances on this record.

The album has a fun opener in “We Got It Right” and this song really gives you that classic country duet feel.  It’s all about how they’ve both got things wrong before so many times they know when something is right. It’s a fun and upbeat country jam with two amazing performances.  Another favorite performance on this album is “River”. Cole Porter is great on this track about the typical southern small town that has seen better days. Kendra has a similarly great moment with “Laundry”.  It’s a stripped down track about a woman discovering her significant other is cheating on her by doing the laundry. The song is clever in that it takes a lot of common relationship issues about a woman doing everything and not feeling appreciated at the same time and she makes a discovery that changes everything.  Finally, “Curb Appeal” features a guest vocalist in Kayla Ray on a fun song about how things aren’t always how they seem. I particularly love the pedal steel solo on this track.

While their debut album featured slower tracks, this new record Loved & Lost finds Porter Union picking things up with more upbeat songs.  I love that this duo is switching things up on this record. If you wish to support Porter Union, you can find their website here and buy merchandise directly from them.  Loved & Lost is available everywhere as of March 06th, 2020.

Favorite Tracks : We Got It Right, River, Pennies, Laundry, Curb Appeal, Where Are You

Porter Union – Loved & Lost (2020)

  1. We Got It Right
  2. Loved & Lost
  3. Leave As Lovers
  4. To Have and To Hold
  5. That’s The Spirit
  6. River
  7. Pennies
  8. I’ve Got You Covered
  9. Banded Together
  10. Laundry
  11. Curb Appeal (feat. Kayla Ray)
  12. Looking For Love
  13. Where Are You

Album Feature – The Panhandlers – The Panhandlers

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Mar 232020
 

By Joshua Wallace

The Panhandlers are a Texas country super group featuring William Clark Green, Josh Abbott, John Baumann and the front man of Flatland Cavalry Cleto Cordero.  This project was produced by Bruce Robinson and it marks the first outing of this mega collection of Texas and Red Dirt country singers. This album was cut live straight to analog and done in a very lo-fi fashion so the production values might not be what you’d expect, but it is a very good record with lots of great performances. Whether you’re a fan of these four singers or not, you’ll find something to like here.

The album kicks off with “West Texas In My Eye” which is a love letter to west Texas where these singers are from.  All four of the singers trade verses on a track written by west Texas songwriter Charlie Stout. It’s a great mellow start to the record and I dig the pedal steel here on this one.  The title track “The Panhandler” is another great track that tells the tale of a panhandler. The banjo that rings throughout this track makes it a great upbeat number. I also love the harmonies on the chorus for this one.  Finally, “This Is My Life” is an ode to the life on the road that these four singers live year round. It’s extra special because of everything going on in the world right now that is preventing these singers from living the life they describe in this song.  I particularly love the final verse where Josh Abbott goes through and talks about all 4 of the singers on the record including himself.

The Panhandlers has been one of our most anticipated records of 2020 and it lives up to the hype.  The lo-fi straight to analog production gives the album a live in the studio feel and these four singers live up to their billing of being a part of a Texas country super group.  Time will tell if this ends up being a side project for these four or something they revisit from time to time. I hope I get the chance to see this band live as it seems like it would be a fun show.  Check out The Panhandler’s website for ways you can support the band by buying merch straight from the band. The Panhandlers is out everywhere as of March 06th, 2020.

Favorite Tracks : West Texas In My Eye, No Handle, West Texas Girl, The Panhandler,  This Is My Life

The Panhandlers – The Panhandlers (2020)

  1. West Texas In My Eye
  2. This Flatland Life
  3. No Handle
  4. Panhandle Slim
  5. West Texas Girl
  6. The Panhandler
  7. Lonesome Heart
  8. The Panhandler
  9. This Is My Life
  10. Caprockin’

Album Feature – Sadler Vaden – Anybody Out There?

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Mar 162020
 

By Joshua Wallace

You might know Sadler Vaden as the guitar player for Jason Isbell’s band The 400 Unit.  You might even know him as a former member of Drivin’ N Cryin’. However you know his music, you should check out his solo work.  His latest album is titled Anybody Out There? and it’s a follow up to his self titled 2016 debut. This record is actually my first exposure to his music as a solo artist and I’m digging it.  He reminds me a lot of Tom Petty and the country leaning rock sound that he often brought. He also brings the same thought provoking lyrics that Petty often brought to the table. However you are familiar with Sadler Vaden, this is one record you should check out.

The opening riff to “Next To You” kicks off like a long lost Tom Petty B-side.  It’s a fun classic American rock song that gets you pumped for the rest of the album.  The second track “Don’t Worry” slows things down a bit. I love the smooth guitar work that is a direct contrast to the opener.  I love the line “Honey, wake up and see the dawn / ‘Cause that amber sky, it don’t last long”. It’s a song about taking time to appreciate the small things and not letting stuff bog you down.  It’s a great track that is an example of simple songwriting you don’t see much these days.  

The title track “Anybody Out There” has a bit of a trippy vibe to it.  The song starts off with some drums that have some spacey effects to them before settling into a great rock rift.  The track “Peace + Harmony” opens with more great riff work and it settles into a groove that is smooth and rocking at the same time.  “Be Here, Right Now” is a smooth slow track with some nice slide guitar throughout. This one adds to the country/folk vibe on the album and it’s about getting away and being here, right now.  The solo reminds me of something out of Tom Petty’s playbook.

This whole record has cool vibes all over it.  If you’re missing the brand of country-ish and southern fried rock n roll that Tom Petty used to bring to the table, this album from Sadler Vaden hits the spot.  This is where I would normally tell you how to find tour dates, but with everything up in the air on that front, I will direct you to Sadler Vaden’s merch store where you can buy this record and other items.  Anybody Out There? is available everywhere as of March 06th, 2020.

Favorite Tracks : Next To You, Don’t Worry, Golden Child, Modern Times, Peace + Harmony, Be Here, Right Now


Sadler Vaden – Anybody Out There? (2020)

  1. Next To You
  2. Don’t Worry
  3. Golden Child
  4. Anybody Out There?
  5. Curtain Call
  6. Modern Times
  7. Peace + Harmony
  8. Good Man
  9. Be Here, Right Now
  10. Tried And True

Album Feature – Brandy Clark – Your Life Is A Record

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Mar 092020
 

By Joshua Wallace

Brandy Clark has returned with the follow up to her 2016 release Big Day In A Small Town.  This album is titled Your Life Is A Record and thematically it’s about endings and beginnings.  Overall, it’s a slower record than her previous album with more somber moments although there are some upbeat breakup songs on this record as well.  Brandy Clark is a great songwriter and her ability to tell stories shines through on this one. Here are a few of my favorites.

The album kicks off with “I’ll Be The Sad Song”.  This is kind of the title track in that it’s about if a life is a record, the break-ups and sad times brought by the narrator provide the sad songs.  It’s a great tune that really sets the vibe for this record. The album does have some more upbeat numbers throughout, though still not upbeat lyrically. “Long Walk” is probably my favorite song here and it’s a great lyrical turn with “take a long walk / off a real short pier / take a cinder block with you as a souvenir”.  It’s a great infectious revenge / break-up song that gets stuck in your head easily.

Another favorite is a great story song in “Pawn Shop”.  It’s a song about a wedding ring and how it ended up in a pawn shop.  It’s a great tune centered around the emotions that go along with it all.  On a similar note is “Bad Car” and it plays into the sentiments of things we keep around because they’re familiar even if we know they’re long past their prime and in need of an update.  Finally, “Can We Be Strangers” is another break up song acknowledging that a bad relationship is probably best if the two parties never even met. It goes through all of the emotions of a bad relationship turning worse until you just don’t want to know a person anymore.  You don’t even want to miss them.

This record further cements Brandy Clark as an amazing story telling songwriter.  She does what she sets out to do with every song. Whether it’s telling a story, evoking an emotion or taking you to another time and place, she is a master songwriter.  If you have been a fan of 12 Stories, Big Day In A Small Town or anything else she has done, you’ll be a fan of this. Be sure to check out her website for tour dates and this record is out everywhere as of Friday, March 06th, 2020.

Favorite Tracks : I’ll Be The Sad Song, Long Walk, Pawn Shop, Bad Car, Who Broke Whose Heart, Can We Be Strangers

Brandy Clark – Your Life Is A Record (2020)

  1. I”ll Be The Sad Song
  2. Long Walk
  3. Love Is A Fire
  4. Pawn Shop
  5. Who You Thought I Was
  6. Apologies
  7. Bigger Boat (Feat. Randy Newman)
  8. Bad Car
  9. Who Broke Whose Heart
  10. Can We Be Strangers
  11. The Past Is The Past

Album Feature – Aubrie Sellers – Far From Home

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Feb 172020
 

By Joshua Wallace

Aubrie Sellers is back with the follow up to her 2016 debut record called New City Blues.  This new record is called Far From Home and it amps up the garage country style Aubrie introduced in her debut.  It goes into more space rock and psychedelic country and fleshes out the style she started with on her debut. I particularly dig this brand of country music and this album has quickly become my favorite of 2020 so far.

The album kicks off with the title track which is a spacey ballad about how we wander aimlessly into loneliness.  The melody is the kind of thing you’d normally hear with a fiddle and smooth guitar playing in the background, or in some cases A Capella.  However, I really dig the spacey guitar sounds as it creates a feeling of loneliness that echoes the sentiment of the track. Up next is “My Love Will Not Change” which features Steve Earle on a banger of a track that would see lots of radio play if things were right in the current landscape of country music.  It has a groovy fuzzy guitar riff and a foot stomping back beat. Steve Earle is a nice feature on the track as trades lines with Aubrie on the second verse. Definitely check this one out when you get a chance.

One of my personal favorites on this album is the track “Glad”.  It leans into the fuzzy country rock vibe with heavily distorted guitars and a thick groove that screams cool.  It’s a catchy revenge song where Aubrie is glad that an ex broke her heart. The thick riffs and groovy back-beat make for a really good dance-able track with this one.  “Troublemaker” leans further into the fuzzy space rock country sound Aubrie is creating on this record. This track has my favorite riff on the album and that creates a fun vibe especially when paired with over cuts like “Glad”.  I particularly dig the psychedelic solo work on here and I love the transition back into the next verse. I can’t wait to hear that live. Finally, “Under The Sun” is a great smooth ballad in the later half of the album. It’s still somewhat spacey guitar rock that leans into pop rock and country rock territory.  This is another song that should get lots of radio play from this album. I particularly dig the hook in this one and it still has the smooth groovy vibe you get in the rest of the album.

Aubrie Sellers has released a sophomore LP that improves every bit on her debut release which was already a great album in itself.  Here, she’s further defining her brand of “garage country” by leaning further into the elements of that sound that made her first album special.  This has me looking forward to seeing her band live. I think I will get that chance very soon as she just announced a co-headlining tour with Lillie Mae which kicks off very soon.  You can find more info on that at her website. Far From Home is available everywhere as of Friday February 7th, 2020.

Favorite Tracks : Far From Home, My Love Will Not Change, Drag You Down, Glad, Troublemaker,  Under The Sun, One Town’s Trash

Aubrie Sellers – Far From Home (2020)

  1. Far From Home
  2. My Love Will Not Change feat. Steve Earle
  3. Lucky Charm
  4. Worried Mind
  5. Drag You Down
  6. Going Places
  7. Glad
  8. Haven’t Even Kissed Me Yet
  9. Troublemaker
  10. Run
  11. Under The Sun
  12. One’s Own Trash

Album Feature – The Cadillac Three – Country Fuzz

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Feb 102020
 

By Joshua Wallace

I have been a fan of The Cadillac Three for a while.  They bring a sound similar to ZZ Top but with modern aesthetics which bring that sound forward.  They always have a mix of rocking numbers and smoother songs meant for country radio. This album is much heavier on the fuzzy rock tunes as the title implies.  For those who are not familiar, The Cadillac Three have been around since 2011 and are Jaren Johnston on lead vocals and guitar, Kelby Ray on bass guitar, steel guitar and vocals, Neil Mason on drums and vocals.  Let’s check out some of the good stuff from this record.

The album kicks off with “Bar Round Here” which is a fun rockin number about your local watering hole.  I dig the electric slide guitar solo on this one. You know you’re in for a fun record. The track “Slow Rollin’” is a slower track that brings the heavy fuzz rock sound you would expect from this record.  I dig the groove this track has and it’s sure to be a fan favorite live. “Crackin’ Cold Ones With The Boys” has some fun lyrical turns with the laundry list style of songwriting. It has an infectious hook and some groovy beats that will pull you in much like the rest of this album does.

On a different note, the ballad “Raise Hell” is a song about how hard it is to get to Heaven if you want to raise hell.  This track is a ballad, but it keeps the heavy fuzzy rock aesthetics that run through the album and I dig that in a song like this.  “Jack Daniel’s Heart” is a fun spin on the typical Jack Daniels song. It asks the question who broke Jack Daniel’s heart to make him want to make a whiskey so strong.   The dobro on this track is groovy and infectious. It will have anyone dancing once this one comes on. Finally, we have the heaviest song on the album “Whiskey and Smoke”.  The riffs are heavy and thick with this one and it goes more into stoner rock territory than southern rock. I dig it as there is nothing else really like this in The Cadillac Three catalog.

This is the best record from The Cadillac Three in my opinion and leans stronger on the southern rock heavy sound that makes them unique from other bands on country radio.  If you have slept on this band for any reason, Country Fuzz is a good place to give them another look. This album was out everywhere as of Friday February 7th, 2020.

Favorite Tracks : Bar Round Here, Slow Rollin’, Crackin’ Cold Ones With The Boys, Labels, Raise Hell, Jack Daniel’s Heart, Whiskey and Smoke

The Cadillac Three – Country Fuzz (2020)

  1. Bar Round Here
  2. The Jam
  3. Hard Out Here For A Country Boy feat. Chris Janson, Travis Tritt
  4. Slow Rollin’
  5. All The Makin’s Of A Saturday Night
  6. Crackin’ Cold Ones With The Boys
  7. Labels
  8. Raise Hell
  9. Back Home
  10. Dirt Road Nights
  11. Blue El Camino
  12. Jack Daniel’s Heart
  13. Why Ya Gotta Go Out Like That
  14. Heat
  15. Whiskey and Smoke
  16. Long After Last Call

Album Feature – Brent Cobb – No Place Left To Leave

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Feb 082020
 

By Joshua Wallace

No Place Left To Leave is an important album for Brent Cobb.  It’s also one that the majority of his fan base probably hasn’t heard yet so this is a good re-release.  Brent Cobb released this record in 2006 before he truly hit the national scene with his 2016 album Shine On A Rainy Day.  This record was produced with his cousin Dave Cobb who he had just met at the time. They made the record with Shooter Jenning’s then backing band including Jason “Rowdy” Cope on guitar and Chris Powell on drums.  This album features his first two cuts that were recorded by another artist also. These songs are “Bar, Guitar and a Honky Tonk Crowd” which was recorded by Whiskey Myers and “Hold Me Closely” which was recorded by The Oak Ridge Boys.  He has since gone on to have songs cut by the likes of Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, The Steel Woods and Lee Anne Womack. This is actually my first time hearing his first album so let’s dig into some of these songs.

The album kicks off with “Richland”.  It’s an upbeat shuffle about the place where Cobb comes from called Elleville, GA.  This is a small town in southwest Georgia and this song is about the life you’d find there.  I really dig the harmonica work throughout the track and you can tell this will be a fun record right from the start.  “Lavenders and Loving Gestures” is another highlight and it’s a wonderful break-up ballad. I really dig the pedal steel guitar throughout the track.  This version of “Bar, Guitar and a Honky Tonk Crowd” plays more like a demo tape than the version Whiskey Myers recorded on their debut album. It’s still a great rocking tune though that plays into the southern rock sound you would find on Cobb’s Providence Canyon album.

“Black Bottle” continues the southern rock sound and it’s a tune that reminds me of some of the 90’s era grunge bands but more acoustic leaning than that era of rock could be.  “Dirt Road In Georgia” is probably my favorite track on this record. This song really captures small town Georgia life better than most others who have tried. I dig the smoothness of this track and I can’t wait to hear a live version of this in the future. “Black Creek” is another smooth ballad on the album that is often a fan favorite.  There is some great acoustic picking and it is a great example of the songwriting you would find on his bigger releases. 

Even back in 2006, Brent Cobb was showing some promising talent. This re-release of his first album shows me that he will be around for a while whether he is doing a singer songwriter style or a low key southern rock style.  You can see Brent Cobb on his acoustic tour if your date isn’t already sold out. I highly recommend seeing him live whether it is acoustic or with his band. You can find out where he will be here. The reissue of No Place Left To Leave is out everywhere as of Friday, February 07th, 2020.

 

Note: The Charlottesville, VA venue has since been upgraded to The Jefferson

Favorite Tracks : Richland, Lavenders and Loving Gestures, Bar, Guitar and a Honky Tonk Crowd, Black Bottle, Dirt Road In Georgia, Black Creek

Brent Cobb – No Place Left To Leave (2020)

  1. Richland
  2. No Place Left To Leave
  3. Butterfly
  4. Lavenders and Loving Gestures
  5. Bar, Guitar and a Honky Tonk Crowd
  6. Don’t Want To Leave
  7. Black Bottle
  8. Dirt Road In Georgia
  9. Black Creek
  10. Hold Me Closely

Album Feature – Possessed By Paul James – As We Go Wandering

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Feb 072020
 

By Joshua Wallace

I have been a fan of Possessed By Paul James for over ten years now.  For those who are not familiar with his music, he is a multi instrumentalist who is a one man band live, but his later records are recorded with a full band.  He plays guitar, fiddle and banjo and is an incredible vocalist. His live shows are truly an experience because you are focused on him as a performer and it draws you in.  This album is a follow up to his 2013 release There Will Be Nights When I Am Lonely. Even though there are seven years apart from these releases, nothing has changed when it comes to the full band sound of Possessed By Paul James’s recorded output.  Let’s take a look at some of my favorite tracks.

I particularly enjoy “In The Dark Of Morning”.  It’s an upbeat acoustic tune with some really good fiddle work.  It’s a song about running back home and particularly enjoy the line about “We’re running home to lovers or we’re running from our graves” which indicates the dual nature of running back home.  You can either be going for good or bad reasons. Another standout is “I’m So Good At Absolutely Nothing”. It’s an awesome banjo tune that’s about accepting failure and facing it head on. “Dance With Me Tonight” starts off with some killer fiddle work on a simple tune about a man approaching a woman and asking her to dance and be with him as he thinks they were once lovers.  The fiddle playing on this tune is great to dance to and I love that about this track.

Possessed By Paul James never disappoints with his albums, however his live show is where you will be blown away as he performs these songs solo with enough power and conviction to match anyone out there.  You can often find PBPJ live at the Muddy Roots music festivals. If you are nowhere near those festivals, you can find his touring schedule at his website. He can’t always tour everywhere though as he is a special education teacher as well as an amazing musician.  As We Go Wandering is out everywhere as of January 31st, 2020.

Favorite Tracks :Come Back In My Mind, In The Dark Of Morning, I’m So Good At Absolutely Nothing, When It Breaks, Dance With Me Tonight, I Didn’t Know You When 

Possessed By Paul James – As We Go Wandering (2020)

  1. Come Back In My Mind
  2. In The Dark Of Morning
  3. Your White Stained Dress
  4. I’m So Good At Absolutely Nothing
  5. I Come From SW Florida
  6. Be At Rest
  7. When It Breaks
  8. Dance With Me Tonight
  9. Don’t Tell Me
  10. I Didn’t Know You When
  11. Asleep With Both Eyes Open
  12. As We Go Wandering

Album Feature – Hayden Haddock – Red Dirt Texas

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Feb 032020
 

By Joshua Wallace

I first came across Hayden Haddock when I heard his track “Honky Tonk On” as a pre-release single for this record.  As a first impression, it was a really good track. It reminded me of a cross between Aaron Watson and Randall King.  Hayden Haddock certainly represents the red dirt sound perfectly. This is actually his second album that I can find. His first release was First Rodeo which was a seven song effort from 2018.  Red Dirt Texas is the name of his new release and it’s a better effort in every way. There is better production across all ten tracks here and a more confident sound. Let’s dig into a few of my favorite tracks.

The album kicks off with the title track, “Red Dirt Texas”.  It’s a great ode to Texas red dirt country and it’s a fun way to kick off the album that lets you know what you’re in for over the next thirty minutes.  “Still Dancin’” is a great country love song and Hayden Haddock gets to showcase his smooth vocals on this track that would fit in nicely on any Aaron Watson record.  “Honky Tonk On” is a good Texas honky tonk track. You can’t really go wrong with this one and it’s a perfect introduction to Haddock’s sound. Finally, “Take You Home” is a song about taking the right one home to mamma, but in a rocking country number.  I dig the guitar work on this track and I’m sure it’s a live favorite.

Red Dirt Texas makes a great first impression to the music of Hayden Haddock.  If you’ve never heard his music, I highly recommend giving it a spin. If you’re out in Texas, Hayden Haddock is playing live all over that state so there are plenty of chances to check him out live there.  If you’re not in Texas, check out this new release and let us know what you think on social media. Red Dirt Texas is out everywhere as of Friday January 31st, 2020.   

Favorite Tracks : Red Dirt Texas, Still Dancin’, Honky Tonk On, Whiskey Did You Miss Me, Take You Home 

Hayden Haddock – Red Dirt Texas (2020)

  1. Red Dirt Texas
  2. Friends Like These
  3. Where You Come In
  4. Better Than It’s Ever Been
  5. Still Dancin’
  6. Honky Tonk On
  7. One By One
  8. Whiskey Did You Miss Me
  9. Take You Home
  10. America

Album Feature – Eleven Hundred Springs – Here ‘Tis

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Jan 232020
 

By Joshua Wallace

This new record Here ‘Tis is actually my first experience listening to Eleven Hundred Springs.  This band has been around the Texas scene since 1998 and has released more than 10 records at this point.  Eleven Hundred Springs come across as a true country band. Everything you’d ask for is here from fiddle to pedal steel and some really good song writing from Matt Hillyer and company.

I dig the acoustic guitar lick that opens up “Miles Apart”.  From there, the track settles into a groove that is funky and smooth at the same time.  I dig the solo work on this track as well. Moving on, “Let’s Move Out To The Country” picks up the pace a bit on a track that has the classic theme of a country boy looking to get out of the city.  I love the dueling fiddle and pedal steel solo on this one. Some good stuff here.

Probably my favorite track on this record is “The Song You’ll Never Hear”.  It’s about those alone and quiet moments and the song we only have for us. This isn’t a topic you see often in music and I’m liking it here.  Finally, “Let Me Be Your Man” is a great up tempo track that starts off with some good fiddling and never lets up. As with the rest of the record, the solo work here is phenomenal and you get solos from electric guitar, pedal steel guitar and fiddle on this one.

Eleven Hundred Springs is a long running country band out of Texas that is known for quality country music and this album does not disappoint.  The musicianship is stellar throughout this record as is the songwriting. I don’t know if this band ever tours the southeast, but I would love to see them live at some point.  In the meantime, you should give Here ‘Tis and the rest of their discography a chance if you’re like me and are just getting into this band. Here ‘Tis is out everywhere you can find good music as of Friday January 17th, 2020.

Favorite Tracks :Miles Apart,  Let’s Move Out To The Country, The Song You’ll Never Hear, Let Me Be Your Man

Eleven Hundred Springs – Here ‘Tis (2020)

  1. This Morning It Was Too Late
  2. All Jokes Aside
  3. Miles Apart
  4. Fair Weather Friend
  5. Let’s Move Out To The Country
  6. The Song You’ll Never Hear
  7. Looking Back
  8. Let Me Be Your Man
  9. Let Tomorrow Wait and See
  10. Nobody Cares

Album Feature – Marcus King – El Dorado

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Jan 172020
 

By Joshua Wallace

El Dorado is the debut solo record from Marcus King.  He has previously issued albums under The Marcus King Band.  I was a big fan of his 2018 record Carolina Confessions. This new album is looking to be his break out hit as he has enlisted mega producer Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys.  His influence is clear throughout this record and El Dorado looks to be the first great release of 2020.

The first listen we got of this new record was a song called “The Well”  This is one of the tracks where you hear The Black Keys influence the most.  The song features a swinging foot stomping beat and fuzzy heavy guitar riffs.  It’s a great track to introduce new fans to Marcus King as it showcases his guitar playing and singing voice.  The opening riff permeates through the entire track and it closes out with a killer solo that fades at the end, leaving you wanting to hear this song live.  Another favorite is “Beautiful Stranger”. This song is a slow soulful jam that really highlights Marcus King’s beautiful vocals. It has a bit of a country blues flare with the guitar solo.  It shows a side of Marcus King that you don’t get with “The Well”.

I really dig the rocking track “Turn It Up”.  Marcus turns it up on this funky rocking blues track for sure.  It’s a favorite on the album and is guaranteed to be a hit live.  “Too Much Whiskey” is a killer country blues number. This track would fit in with any honky tonk dive.  He mentions both “Whiskey River” and Shotgun Willie on a track that wouldn’t be out of place on a classic Willie record.  I really dig the harmonica solo towards the end as well. “No Pain” closes out this album with a super smooth bass heavy ballad.  This track has a great groove and closes out the album with a smooth dueling electric and acoustic guitar solo.

This album is a great starting point for new fans of Marcus King.  It’s a fresh take on his amazing blues sound that takes it from smooth slow jams to heavier rocking blues numbers.  Dan Auerbach’s influence is all over this album and it has a super smooth sound. I hope I’m able to catch Marcus King live at some point during this year and if I do, I will have a full report of that experience.  In the meantime, you can find all upcoming tour dates on Marcus King’s website. El Dorado is out everywhere January 17th, 2020.          

Favorite Tracks : The Well, Beautiful Stranger, Break, Say You Will, Turn It Up, Too Much Whiskey, No Pain

Marcus King – El Dorado (2020)

  1. Young Man’s Dream
  2. The Well
  3. Wildflowers & Wine
  4. One Day She’s Here
  5. Sweet Mariona
  6. Beautiful Stranger
  7. Break
  8. Say You Will
  9. Turn It Up
  10. Too Much Whiskey
  11. Love Song
  12. No Pain

Album Feature – Luke Combs – What You See Is What You Get

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Nov 082019
 

By Joshua Wallace

Luke Combs is on a monster tear through country music history off the heels of his last album titled This One’s For You and it’s deluxe packaging titled This One’s For You Too.  Earlier this year, he released the mega successful EP titled The Prequel. That EP featured the first 5 songs on this new album titled What You See Is What You Get. What You See Is What You Get is finally the follow up to This One’s For You that the world has been waiting for.  Does it live up to the hype? I’m here to tell you that yes, yes it does. If his last album is any indication, Luke Combs has another massive collection of hits on his hands.

The album kicks off with the mega hit “Beer Never Broke My Heart”.  The track kicks off with a quick banjo riff before going into heavy twangy guitars that are often the signature of this album.  It’s a fun track that is both fun to throw on at a party and fun to experience live. Another great single released ahead of this record is “1, 2, Many”.  This is more of a honky tonk drinking song and the chorus is infectious. Brooks & Dunn make a fun cameo near the end of the song. It’s great to hear something like this getting radio play.

The track “Every Little Bit Helps” is a bit of a smoother throwback to 90’s country radio.  This song was released by Luke as an acoustic video back in July and at that time it was a slower acoustic demo.  It’s fun to hear how the song has changed since then with this final version of the track. Another track that got that same early release is “Dear Today” which has an acoustic live version floating around out there.  It starts off like that on the record, but the band slowly creeps into the track and it’s such a smooth tear jerker of a song. This will be a mega hit on country radio before this album cycle is up, it’s that good of a song plus I love the solo on this one.

Another track that fans are looking forward to eagerly is “Does To Me (feat. Eric Church)”. It’s more of a feature than a duet as Eric Church doesn’t come in till the end.  He gets to name drop Don Williams which is cool in my book and it’s a damn good song to boot. “Angels Workin’ Overtime” takes the 90’s country sound and brings into more southern rock territory on a track about being overworked and underpaid. “Nothing Like You” is a ballad about being on the road but missing what you have back home.  It’s a stripped down affair and is one of the softer Luke Combs moments, until you get to the finale of the record. “Better Together” a song dedicated to Luke’s fiance Nicole and it’s just him and his big voice against a piano. This is one of Luke’s better moments on this record and I can’t wait to hear it live.

Luke Combs is on a run like none other in country music and I don’t think he’s stopping any time soon.  What You See Is What You Get picks up where his debut album left off and it’s another collection of hits waiting to happen.  I hope I get to see Luke live sometime in the near future and if I do I will report on it here. The sky’s the limit for Luke Combs right now and it’s only getting crazier from here.  What You See Is What You Get is out everywhere on Friday November 8th, 2019.

Favorite Tracks : Beer Never Broke My Heart, 1, 2, Many, Every Little Bit Helps, Dear Today, Does To Me (feat. Eric Church), Angels Workin’ Overtime, Nothing Like You, Better Together

Luke Combs – What You See Is What You Get (2019)

  1. Beer Never Broke My Heart
  2. Refrigerator Door
  3. Even Though I’m Leaving
  4. Lovin’ On You
  5. Moon Over Mexico
  6. 1, 2, Many (feat. Brooks & Dunn)
  7. Blue Collar Boys
  8. New Every Day
  9. Reasons
  10. Every Little Bit Helps
  11. Dear Today
  12. What You See Is What You Get
  13. Does To Me (feat. Eric Church)
  14. Angels Workin’ Overtime
  15. All Over Again
  16. Nothing Like You
  17. Better Together

Album Feature – Erin Enderlin – Faulkner County

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Nov 052019
 

By Joshua Wallace

If you’re a fan of sad country songs with thick pedal steel, this album is for you.  Erin Enderlin has issued her follow up to 2017’s amazing Whiskeytown Crier with Faulkner County.  This album picks up where that left off with some of the saddest country songs you’ll hear all year.  The pedal steel is thick throughout this record with tracks with Dan Dugmore, Paul Franklin, and Smith Curry handling the instrument throughout the record.  Let’s dig into some of these tracks.

One of my favorites is the track “Whatever Gets You Through The Night”.  I dig the smooth jazz sounds on this one as Erin Enderlin goes through all the different ways you can try to get through a rough night.  I love the way the piano plays with the pedal steel here. If you’re looking for more great piano licks, look no further than “The Queen Of Marina Del Rey”.  It’s a song about a woman trying to make it famous out in L.A. and struggling to do so. It’s a great tune and I dig the guitar solo on this one. One thing to note, there is a track “Till It’s Gone” that repeats from the Whiskeytown Crier album.  It appears to be a re-recorded version of the original with a shorter run time. It’s a good inclusion here though as it does fit with the overall sound of this album.

Who doesn’t love a good trucking song?  “A Man With 18 Wheels” provides just that but from the truck driver’s wife or significant other’s perspective.  I love the line in this one that says “His home away from home is in the house that Peterbilt”. Another favorite is “These Boots”.  This version is listed as the “Full Band Version”. An earlier cut of the track was released as a single in 2018. This version is smoother and the acoustics fit in with the album as a whole better.  Finally, “Old Flames (Can’t Hold A Candle To You)” is a twist on the traditional country music cheating song in that it’s about not cheating. You don’t hear songs like this often enough and I’m happy to hear it here.

This album was released as several EPs throughout the year, but I’m glad to have it as a whole.  The entire package makes sense as you can imagine these songs being about characters living in or being from a small rural county called Faulkner County.  I’ve been a big fan of Erin Enderlin since her 2017 record Whiskeytown Crier and this one doesn’t disappoint. Jim “Moose” Brown & Jamey Johnson returned to produce this new effort and you can definitely hear their influence on the sound here.  If you’re looking for a great traditional country record in 2019, look no further than Erin Enderlin’s Faulkner County which is out November 1st, 2019.

Favorite Tracks : Whatever Gets You Through The Night, The Queen Of Marina Del Rey, A Man With 18 Wheels, These Boots, Old Flames (Can’t Hold A Candle To You)

Erin Enderlin – Faulkner County (2019)

  1. I Can Be Your Whiskey
  2. Whatever Gets You Through The Night
  3. The Queen Of Marina Del Rey
  4. Tonight I Don’t Give A Damn
  5. Use Me Again
  6. Broken
  7. Hell Comin’ Down
  8. A Man With 18 Wheels
  9. Hometown Jersey
  10. Till It’s Gone
  11. These Boots (Full Band Version)
  12. Old Flames (Can’t Hold A Candle To You)
  13. Sweet Emmylou
  14. Run Baby Run

Album Feature – Micky & The Motorcars – Long Time Comin’

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Nov 012019
 

By Joshua Wallace

Alt-country band Micky & The Motorcars have returned with their first studio album since 2014’s Hearts From Above.  If you were a fan of that album, the new record Long Time Comin’ picks up where that left off with guitar heavy red dirt music with an alt country flare.  Micky and Gary Braun are still the centerpieces of this band, however Gary takes more time up front writing half the songs and singing them. Let’s take a look at some of the tracks you’ll find on the album.

One of the preview singles is the opening track “Road To You”.  It’s a cleverly written road song with a driving rhythm perfect for any road trip playlist.  It’s worth noting that Courtney Patton shares a co-write here with Micky. It’s a great opener to reassure long time fans that the band hasn’t changed anything.  Another favorite is “Lions Of Kandahar” which evokes middle eastern vibes in a track that describes a deployment in the middle east. It’s a first person story song that really showcases Gary’s songwriting ability.  I particularly love the last verse which addresses the PTSD soldiers experience after coming home from war.

The track “Thank My Mother’s God” was written by Micky and Jeff Crosby.  It’s a good tune that pays tribute to mothers and their devotion. I particularly love the line “Throw your heart in the river and hope it sees the ocean someday”.  Finally, the track “Stranger Tonight” is another rocking track that is that is about the search for comfort, even if it’s not in love. I love the grungy guitars throughout this track and it really highlights the alt country rocking part of their sound.

Micky & The Motorcars haven’t missed a beat since their last studio album 4 years ago.  If anything the band has improved with Gary taking more of an up front role on this album sharing those duties with his brother Micky.  I hope to see the band live at some point if they ever make it to the southeast. In the meantime, Long Time Comin’ is out everywhere you can find good music on Friday November 1st, 2019.

Favorite Tracks : Road To You, Lions Of Kandahar, Thank My Mother’s God, Stranger Tonight,

Micky & The Motorcars – Long Time Comin’ (2019)

  1. Road To You
  2. Rodeo Girl
  3. Alone Again Tonight
  4. Lions Of Kandahar
  5. All Looks The Same
  6. Thank My Mother’s God
  7. Break My Heart
  8. Run Into You
  9. Stranger Tonight
  10. Hold This Town Together
  11. Long Time Comin’

Album Feature – Stoney LaRue – Onward

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Nov 012019
 

By Joshua Wallace

Red Dirt country legend Stoney LaRue has returned with another studio album in Onward.  It is his first studio release since his 2016 covers album Us Time and his first album of original tunes since 2014’s Aviator.  I was a big fan of Aviator and I’ve been looking forward to another album of Stoney LaRue tunes. This new record Onward does not disappoint, so let’s get straight into some of these tracks.

“Hill Country Boogaloo” was one of the album’s pre-release singles and it’s a barn burner.  It’s a killer rocking track that takes you to a groovy honky tonk and it’s bound to be a live crowd favorite.  Another highlight is the Gary Nicholson cover of “Falling and Flying”. I’ve always been a fan of this song and this version does not disappoint.  “Evil Angel” might be my favorite track on the record. It keeps the funk of “Hill Country Boogaloo” while adding a hint of southern gospel to the mix.  The album rounds out with a duet version of Brandon Jenkins track “High Time” in tribute to the red dirt legend who passed away last year. It’s a nice tribute to a singer who left us way too soon.

Stoney LaRue does not disappoint with this new record Onward.  I only hope we don’t have to wait another 4 years for the next batch of new original tunes.  If you need some red dirt in your playlist this year, this album hits the spot. It has features from the likes of Brandon Jenkins and Tanya Tucker rounding out the album.  Once again, I highly recommend checking this out. It is out everywhere Friday November 1st, 2019.

Favorite Tracks : Hill Country Boogaloo, Falling And Flying, Evil Angel, Worry Be Gone, Let’s Chase Each Other Round The Room, Thought You’d Want To Know


Stoney LaRue – Onward (2019)

  1. You Oughta Know Me By Now
  2. Hill Country Boogaloo
  3. Falling And Flying
  4. Not One Moment
  5. Meet In The Middle feat. Tanya Tucker
  6. Message In A Bottle
  7. Evil Angel
  8. Drowning In Moonlight
  9. Worry Be Gone
  10. I Can’t Help You Say Goodbye
  11. Let’s Chase Each Other Round The Room
  12. Thought You’d Want To Know
  13. High Time feat. Brandon Jenkins

Double Album Feature – Cody Jinks – After The Fire / The Wanting

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Oct 102019
 

By Joshua Wallace

Cody Jinks is back with his follow up to 2018’s Lifers release.  This time around he’s releasing 2 different albums a week a part.  This is a different strategy from the typical double album release most artists would do with this kind of output.  However, I feel like these two albums stand out on their own. Each record has its own loose lyrical theme with After The Fire focusing on the aftermath of events and The Wanting focusing on opposites like light vs dark and good vs evil.  Jinks worked with some of his common co-writers on these albums. Names fans will be familiar with like Josh Morningstar, Ward Davis, Tennessee Jet and Paul Cauthen are all here. There really isn’t a bad track on either of these albums, but here are a few of my favorites.

After The Fire

This album kicks off with the title track “After The Fire”.  It describes the lows of a man who lost it all and the thing that potentially saves him in the end.  It’s a perfect introduction to the theme of this album which appears to be touching on the aftermath of certain events through one’s life.  I love the great pedal steel work on this one. “Yesterday Again” continues the theme with a song taking place after a breakup. Jinks is looking back and wanting to do “yesterday again” and hoping for the best the second time around.  It’s a great piece of songwriting and a track that will resonate with a lot of listeners.

Up next is the song “Think Like You Think”.  This track originally appeared on one of Cody’s early albums called Collector’s Item.  These are no longer in production, so this remake of the song is putting the track back out there.  It’s a great tune that follows a character after a drunken bender and his wife gets onto him because his actions do not follow his beliefs.  I love the message here and the play of light vs dark and good vs evil with this very sobering song.  

Another amazing song on this record is the tearjerker “William and Wanda”.  It follows an elderly couple finally meeting again in the afterlife. I won’t describe this one any further because it truly must be heard to appreciated.  “One Good Decision” picks the pace back up on a track that is sure to be a fan favorite live. It’s about a man who has had his night at the bar and isn’t really struggling with the decision he has to make on whether to go home or cheat because he’s got a good thing at home.  It’s a lyrical take on the end of the night at the bar song you don’t hear very often.

The Wanting

“Same Kind Of Crazy As Me” is going to be the anthem of these two records.  I expect this one to be on Jinks setlists for a while. It’s a great tune right in line with his other most popular songs and it will resonate with a lot of his fans.  “Never Alone Always Lonely” is a song that is about how you can always be lonely even in a crowd. I personally know this feeling very well.  Lyrically Jinks plays off that theme a lot with lines like “Easy to find, seldom seen”. It’s a very well written song that captures that feeling that a lot of people don’t always get.

I really dig the imagery in “Which One I Feed”.  It’s a song that highlights the lyrical theme of light vs dark and opposites in this album.  “It Don’t Rain In California” is another well written song about a breakup where “She said she needed sunshine / She had enough of clouds” and California represents the sunshine and the main character of the song is the clouds.  It continues the play on opposites that you see throughout this album and it’s really clever.

“Ramble” is a cover of the Chris Hennessee song from his 2018 album of the same name. Jinks does a great cover here and I love how he always represents artists who don’t always get their due on a big stage like this.  If you’re not familiar with Chris Hennessee, I highly recommend checking out his work. Finally the album closes out with “The Raven And The Dove”.  It’s another song of opposites about how some days can be good and some can be bad. The acoustic guitar work is the highlight here as it plays off a foot stomping beat and I can imagine this one being a live favorite as well.

Conclusion

These two albums include some of Cody Jink’s best work.  There isn’t a bad track in the bunch and there are some that many fans will call their new favorites.  Personally, I think The Wanting is my favorite disc of the two, but it is very close. I will admit, when he announced that he was releasing two separate albums instead of one double disc, my main concern was that these songs would be thrown on each of the albums with no rhyme or reason for them being there.  You can put that concern to rest as the track listings for each album make sense and carry their own lyrical themes throughout each record. As a final note, I hope to be able to catch Cody Jinks live next month and report back here with some live reviews of these new tracks so keep an eye out for that. In the meantime, After The Fire is out October 11th, 2019 and The Wanting is out October 18th, 2019 and you can find them anywhere.

Cody Jinks – After The Fire (2019)

Favorite Tracks (After The Fire) : Ain’t A Train, Yesterday Again, Think Like You Think, William And Wanda, One Good Decision

  1. After The Fire
  2. Ain’t A Train
  3. Yesterday Again
  4. Tell ‘Em What It’s Like
  5. Think Like You Think
  6. William And Wanda
  7. One Good Decision
  8. Dreamed With One
  9. Someone To You
  10. Tonedeaf Boogie

Cody Jinks – The Wanting (2019)

Favorite Tracks (The Wanting) : Same Kind Of Crazy As Me, Never Alone Always Lonely, Which One I Feed, It Don’t Rain In California, Ramble, The Raven And The Dove

  1. The Wanting
  2. Same Kind Of Crazy As Me
  3. Never Alone Always Lonely
  4. Whiskey
  5. Where Angels Fear To Fly
  6. Which One I Feed
  7. A Bite Of Something Sweet
  8. The Plea
  9. It Don’t Rain In California
  10. Wounded Mind
  11. Ramble
  12. The Raven And The Dove

Album Feature – The Quebe Sisters – The Quebe Sisters

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Oct 082019
 

By Joshua Wallace

The Quebe Sisters are a Progressive Western Swing band out of Dallas, TX.  Instead of featuring the huge band lineup you would find in western swing outfits like Asleep At The Wheel, The Quebe Sisters are the three sisters on fiddle and vocal, Simon Stipp on guitar and Daniel Parr on bass.  This stripped down lineup allows them to do some different things with the western swing genre. The focus is always on three part harmonies and the fiddles, however there are some jazz and traditional country elements in there as well.

A favorite track on this record is “Pierce The Blue” which is more of a country waltz song.  The majority of the track features acoustic guitar and bass backing up the sister’s vocals and it’s a great stripped down song on this record.  “Lonesome Road” starts off slowly before picking up the pace. The guitar kicks into high gear and everything just comes together. This is a great western swing traveling song from the sisters  “Bluegrass In The Backwoods” is my favorite instrumental on the album. It feels like a bigger band is doing this, but it’s not. I love the fiddle work on this track and it is some of the best you’ll find on this album.  “Twilight On The Trail” closes out the record with the sisters delivering their take on the classic Perry Como western trail song. This is a great cover of this classic that often goes unheard. I love the use of the bass for the low end harmonies on this track.

The Quebe Sisters are one of the best bands in all of western swing going today.  They’re also one of the best sibling harmony groups going as well. I hope to get to see them live someday out here on the east coast, though I know that is rare.  Their self titled album is out everywhere you can find good music as of September 20th, 2019.    

Favorite Tracks : Pierce The Blue, Lonesome Road, Bluegrass In The Backwoods, Twilight On The Trail

The Quebe Sisters – The Quebe Sisters (2019)

  1. Always Seem To Get Things Wrong
  2. My Love, My Life, My Friend
  3. Piece The Blue
  4. Load at 7 (Leave at 8)
  5. Summer Of Roses
  6. Lonesome Road
  7. Lullaby of the Leaves
  8. The Waltz You Saved For Me
  9. Bluegrass In The Backwoods
  10. Twilight On The Trail

Album Feature – Jason James – Seems Like Tears Ago

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Oct 072019
 

By Joshua Wallace

Jason James has finally released the follow up to his highly acclaimed 2016 self titled debut album.  This record is called Seems Like Tears Ago and it is once again one of the most traditional country albums you will find this year.  You will hear him channeling the likes of George Jones and others throughout this great throwback record. Lets dig into a few tracks on this one.

The album kicks off with the title track “Seems Like Tears Ago”.  This one would fit right in with your classic George Jones playlist.  The pedal steel on this track is perfect along with the fiddle. Another favorite is “Move A Little Closer”  which brings in the twangy guitar on a faster track that changes things up a bit for this album. I love the solo that plays between the fiddle and guitar on this track.   “We’re Gonna Honky Tonk Tonight” is a song that reminds me of the songs like Hank Sr.’s “Setting The Woods On Fire” celebrating the old tradition of going honky tonkin with your favorite girl.  Finally, “Cry On The Bayou” also harkens back to a Hank Williams classic in “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)”. This is an original with some lyrical allusions to the Hank Sr. classic. I really love how Jason James pays tribute to those that came before him and inspired his style heavily on this record.

Jason James is quickly becoming a huge name when it comes to traditional country music in these modern times.  Seems Like Tears Ago is just another example of classic execution of styles of country music that you don’t always hear in their purest forms.  This album is available everywhere you can find good music as of October 4th, 2019. 

Favorite Tracks : Seems Like Tears Ago, Move A Little Closer, We’re Gonna Honky Tonk Tonight, Cry On The Bayou, Ole Used To Be

Jason James – Seems Like Tears Ago (2019)

  1. Seems Like Tears Ago
  2. I Miss You After All
  3. Move A Little Closer
  4. We’re Gonna Honky Tonk Tonight
  5. Achin’ Takin’ Place
  6. Simply Divine
  7. Coldest Day Of The Year
  8. Cry On The Bayou
  9. Foolish Heart
  10. Ole Used To Be

Album Feature – Dallas Moore – Tryin’ To Be A Blessing

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Oct 042019
 

By Joshua Wallace

Dallas Moore is back with his newest studio album Tryin’ To Be A Blessing.  This album is a follow up to 2018’s Mr. Honky Tonk. Country music has always had a Saturday night and Sunday morning kind of feel to it.  This record is the Sunday morning vibe compared to Mr. Honky Tonk’s Saturday nights. Here we find a much more sober and mellow Dallas Moore. I really dig the juxtaposition between this album and his last.

“Mama & Daddy” kicks off the album with Dallas paying tribute to his parents on a great honky tonk track.  I especially love the honky tonk piano on this one. It’s a great track that will be a fan favorite live. Dallas slows things down a bit with “Everything But You”.  This track finds Dallas longing for the one thing he’s missing. It’s a well written love song that has some great pedal steel work throughout.

The title track sees Dallas looking inward and trying to be a blessing through life, love and religion.  There is some nice harmonica work on this one that changes the sound from the previous tracks. This track certainly represents the Sunday mornings and does it well.  Another favorite track is “You Saved Me From Me”. This is another track that continues the religious themes from earlier. Dallas finds an angel that saves him from his darkest times.  It’s a really great track that combines the themes of love and religion that run through this album together.

There are also two great covers to end the album.  “Lovin’ On Back Streets” is a song first released by Mel Street in 1972 and covered by Daryl Singletary more recently.  The other is “Lodi” which is Creedence Clearwater Revival from their third album Green River. Both of these covers are great pieces to end the album with 

You can always count on Dallas Moore for a great album of country music and this one doesn’t disappoint.  This was his second album produced by Dean Miller and between this and Mr. Honky Tonk, I think Dallas has found his sound.  I highly recommend this record and it is out everywhere as of October 4th, 2019. Dallas Moore is always on the road touring and you can find out where on his website.

Favorite Tracks : Mama & Daddy, Everything But You, Tryin’ To Be A Blessing, You Saved Me From Me, Lovin’ on Back Streets, Lodi

Dallas Moore – Tryin’ To Be A Blessing

  1. Mama & Daddy
  2. Della and The Dealer
  3. Everything but You
  4. Tryin’ To Be A Blessing
  5. I Love You Woman
  6. You Saved Me From Me
  7. All I Need
  8. Lovin’ on Back Streets
  9. Lodi

Album Feature – Billy Strings – Home

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Sep 232019
 

By Joshua Wallace

Billy Strings is about to explode.  He’s already had an amazing 2019 selling out shows on his tour supporting this album and some amazing festival runs.  His music transcends bluegrass while keeping true to the roots of the genre. He is one of the best guitar pickers alive today and he’s got an amazing band that can keep up with him.  Home is his second studio album and it takes things to another level. There is more great songwriting, more longer jams that you can’t wait to hear live versions of and more lightning fast guitar picking.  This album certainly lives up to the hype.

The album kicks off with “Taking Water” which is one of the more traditional bluegrass tracks on the whole record.  I love the opening of the track with the use of John Mailander’s fiddle to create seagull sounds to help create the setting of the song.  I also dig the track “Running”. This one features some lightning fast picking and while it airs on the more traditional side, it sets the stage for things to come.  “Everything’s The Same” is another track in the same vein as “Running”. Super fast guitar licks here and I love the lyrics here about no matter where you go or what you do, everything’s the same.

There are two longer jam tracks on this album, the first of which is “Away From The Mire”.  The song starts off slow, but picks up pace after the first chorus and doesn’t let go. After the third chorus, the band goes into psychedelic overdrive with a solo that will knock you back a few feet.  When it is all said and done, it ties everything back together and refrains the first verse and chorus. It’s already a major hit live and I personally can’t wait to hear it myself. The second of the two longer jams is the title track “Home”.  This starts off with a very structured melody and some orchestral pieces sparsely sprinkled throughout. Like “Away From The Mire”, this track builds epicly to an amazing finale that is in my opinion, the best thing Billy Strings has put to record in this vein.  It keeps the orchestral element building while he incorporates electric guitar and a sound that is almost Santana inspired during the long solo. It’s really awesome and I cannot wait to hear this performed live.

Another favorite track is “Highway Hypnosis”.  It’s a hard driving bluegrass song about being on the road.  I love the mandolin solo from Jarrod Walker before the song breaks out into a psychedelic sound effect overload for a while before going back to the main tune.  It’s a great use of the trippy elements Billy has been incorporating on an otherwise traditional bluegrass tune.

The final two tracks on the album deliver something a bit different.  “Guitar Peace” is just over four minutes long and it’s a solo piece from Billy on his guitar.  It starts out slow, but builds and some psychedelic effects are thrown in as the pace picks up pace more and more.  It’s a great bit of very technical playing from Billy and I can’t wait to hear what he does with it in a live setting with improv.  Finally, the album closes with the most traditional tune on the record, a bluegrass gospel number called “Freedom”. It’s complete with harmonies from the entire band and ties the record back to it’s bluegrass roots.  Billy certainly isn’t a bluegrass traditionalist by any means, but he never forgets the sound that brought him to this point on this record.

With the release of Home, Billy Strings is set for bigger things.  He is already on tour supporting this record and many shows are sold out if not near selling out.  If that’s not a sign of the start of something huge, I don’t know what is. He’s making music that transcends bluegrass and he’s drawing crowds bigger than most modern bluegrass acts I have seen.  You can stay up to date on everything Billy Strings and pre-order this record at the band’s website.  Home comes out everywhere Friday September 27th.  

Favorite Tracks : Taking Water, Away From The Mire, Home, Highway Hypnosis, Love Like Me, Everything’s The Same, Guitar Peace, Freedom

Billy Strings – Home (2019)

  1. Taking Water
  2. Must Be Seven
  3. Running
  4. Away From The Mire
  5. Home
  6. Watch It Fall
  7. Long Forgotten Dream
  8. Highway Hypnosis
  9. Enough To Leave
  10. Hollow Heart
  11. Love Like Me
  12. Everything’s The Same
  13. Guitar Peace
  14. Freedom

Album Feature – Riley Green – Different ‘Round Here

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Sep 202019
 

By Joshua Wallace

The 90’s country throwback trend is in full swing and Riley Green’s debut full length release titled Different ‘Round Here will take you back for sure.  There is some good stuff here and if country radio sounded more like this overall, I might find myself tuning back in every now and then. Let’s take a deeper dive into this one and preview a few tracks.

The album kicks off with “There Was This Girl” which is pure 90’s throwback with the twangy guitars and fist pumping beat.  This one is pure rockin’ country made for your next backyard BBQ. I also dig “Same Old Song” which is about staying the same staying true even if you’re rich.  It’s a familiar theme, but with some good songwriting that makes it fresh. Speaking of good songwriting, look no further than “I Wish Grandpas Never Died”. I love the shoutout to Steve Earle’s “Copperhead Road” in the lyrics.

“Bettin’ Man” is a tune that starts off with some chugging guitars and a slow backbeat before turning up the twang on a song that is a clever break-up tune. I dig this one and it’s a song that would be a #1 hit in the 90’s.  Finally, another song that would be a hit in the 90’s is “Get That Man A Beer”. It’s another clever break-up song where Riley wants to get the man who stole his girl a beer because he did him a favor. It’s another great piece of songwriting on this album full of potential hits.

Riley Green’s Different ‘Round Here is another in a long line of great debut country albums that have come out in 2019.  He has released a steady stream of EPs and singles for a few years now, and some of these tracks were on those releases, but this album works as a whole much better.  Riley Green is currently on the Get That Man A Beer Tour and dates can be found at his website.  Different ‘Round Here is streaming everywhere as of Friday September 20th, 2019.      

Favorite Tracks : There Was This Girl, Same Old Song, I Wish Grandpas Never Died, Bettin’ Man, Get That Man A Beer, Outlaws Like Us

Riley Green – Different ‘Round Here (2019)

  1. There Was This Girl
  2. Different ‘Round Here
  3. Same Old Song
  4. In A Truck Right Now
  5. Hard To Leave
  6. I Wish Grandpas Never Died
  7. Bettin’ Man
  8. Numbers On The Cars
  9. My First Everything
  10. In Love By Now
  11. Get That Man A Beer
  12. Break Up More Often
  13. Runnin’ With An Angel
  14. Outlaws Like Us

Album Feature – Vincent Neil Emerson – Fried Chicken & Evil Women

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Sep 172019
 

By Joshua Wallace

If you want an album that is 100% Grade A certified classic country in 2019, look no further than Vincent Neil Emerson’s debut record called Fried Chicken & Evil Women.  This record hits all the notes of what you would want in a classic country album. Smooth country crooning, nice pedal steel, honky tonk piano, it’s all there. This 27 year old from East Texas has put together the complete package.  There isn’t a bad track on this record. Let’s take a dive into it.

The first highlight here is a great piece of song writing called “Willie Nelson’s Wall”.  It starts out with an amazing pedal steel riff and I love the opening line “I’m as high as a fly on Willie Nelson’s wall”.  It’s a great upbeat song about being high. Another highlight is the title track “Fried Chicken & Evil Women”. The pedal steel and honky tonk guitar are thick on this track, as it is on most of this album.

“Dade County Jail” starts off with some piano chords that will make you think you’re back in church.  But in reality, the song is a slow blues track about waking up in jail. I love the acoustic guitar solo on this one.  Some really good songwriting here. Finally, “Highway Shine” kicks off with some simple acoustic picking and great crooning from Vincent till the full band kicks in.  It’s a smooth track about wanderlust that closes out the album. There’s some more great solo work on this track and I love the shout out to Billy Joe Shaver.

Vincent Neil Emerson has released an impressive debut album with Fried Chicken & Evil Women.  In fact, this is one of the most country albums you will find in 2019. The playing and songwriting are top notch throughout and I cannot wait to see where this takes Vincent.  I hope to be able to see him live one day. Fried Chicken & Evil Women is available everywhere you can find good country music as of Friday September 13th, 2019.

Favorite Tracks : Willie Nelson’s Wall, Fried Chicken & Women, Dade County Jail, Highway Shine

Vincent Neil Emerson – Fried Chicken & Evil Women (2019)

  1. 25 & Wastin’ Time
  2. Willie Nelson’s Wall
  3. Fried Chicken & Evil Women
  4. The Bad Side Of Luck
  5. Cactus Blossom Special
  6. 7 Come 11
  7. Devil In My Bed
  8. Letters On The Marquee
  9. Dade County Jail
  10.  Highway Shine
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