| July 2011 |
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Billy
Henson - There Is A Time - 6 Stars
Vine Street Records |
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Billy
Henson’s new CD, There Is A Time kicks off
with the title track and immediately gets toes to
tappin’. The “Fiddles of
Tennessee” add a delightful flair to his
solid country vocals. Billy wrote six of the ten
songs and all seem hauntingly familiar. His past
success with cuts by Ernest Tubb and other
country music pioneers plus his reverence for a
traditional style are evident here. Songs like
“In The Whispering Pine” and “If
Loneliness Can Kill Me” make this an
inviting project for those who want to take a new
walk down memory lane. |
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Casey
Dilworth - I Remember You - 5 Stars
www.caseydilworth.com
Pineview Studio Group |
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Casey
Dilworth is helping keep traditional country
music alive with plenty of steel guitar, fiddle
and mandolin filling up the tracks on his album,
I Remember You. Ballads such as “Before I
Get To Heaven” and “Old River”
seem to highlight Casey’s vocals best. There
is a variety of material from fun songs like
“Wicked Little Weasel” to songs with a
more serious note such as “The Dash”;
but no matter the song, Casey’s traditional
country style is obvious. |
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East
Coast Turnaround - Season In Hell - 5 Stars
www.eastcoastturnaround.com
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The
Season In Hell CD cover and title leads to the
assumption that this is an album full of
rockin’ outlaw music; however, while there
are some “outlaw” moments like in
”Love, Life & Murder,” it’s
not so much outlaw as it is Americana. While the
group obviously works well together with the lead
vocals familiarly wrapped with the rhythm guitar,
lead guitar, bass and drums, they play it too
safe. East Coast Turnaround is a talented group
that needs to add just a little more rowdiness to
the grooves. |
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| August 2011 |
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David
Adam Byrnes - Premium Country - 7 Stars
www.davidadambyrnes.com
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The
first line of David Adam Byrnes Thank You's in
the liner notes says it all, “First, I have
to thank God for both the gift of, and a love
for, country music.” Not only does he have
the vocal talent, but also you can hear his
enthusiasm and the reverence he has for country
music in each and every song. Traditional to the
core, he transitions easily between ballads like
“When I'm Done Missing You” and the
funky country sound of “Down
Homegrown.” The material is well written and
the songs are well produced with David's vocals
taking the spotlight. Nice! |
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Burns
& Poe - Burns & Poe - 7 Stars
www.burnsandpoe.com
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This
duo, comprised of Keith Burns and Michelle Poe,
offers up their first collaboration, Burns &
Poe. Each is already well known in country music
circles, Burns as a founding member of Trick Pony
and Poe as a solo artist on Dreamworks. This 2-CD
set includes lead performances by each as well as
several duets. Keith co-wrote twelve of the
thirteen songs, while Michelle co-penned five.
Their sound is country and their voices blend
well in this strong showing, particularly on
songs like "Second Chance.” The CD ends
with a live acoustic medley highlighting not only
their vocals but also their chemistry. Burns
& Poe are on their way to making country
music history. |
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Mark
Wills - Looking For America - 5 Stars
www.markwills.com
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As
noted by the first song on this project, Mark
Wills is “Rockin' The Country.” From
there, he rolls into the title cut, “Looking
For America,” which is an anthem for many in
the United States these days. The material is
top-notch and Mark's vocals are on target,
particularly on the “Phantom Of The
Opry,” where his voice is surrounded by the
haunting sound of the fiddle. Mark's mix of a
little tradition with a contemporary edge is a
winning combination. |
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Ronnie
Milsap - Country Again - 5 Stars
www.ronniemilsap.com
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Country
Again includes twelve much-anticipated songs from
the legendary Ronnie Milsap. True to form,
Ronnie's vocals are impeccable and his delivery
emotional. An album of primarily ballads, songs
like “Trapped In An Old Country Song”
and “Even Fools Get Lucky” toes the
traditional country line while others feel a
little more contemporary. On the up-tempo side,
“If You Don't Want Me To (The Freeze) has a
familiar Milsap sound. It is great to have new
album from this superstar. |
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Brandon
James - Down In The Sand - 4 Stars
www.brandonjamesmusic.com
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This
EP by Brandon James entitled Down In The Sand is
definitely West Coast country. There is a
laid-back contemporary feel running throughout
the project. Multi-talented, Brandon wrote or
co-wrote all four songs as well as co-producing
the project. It is a pleasant change from the
norm and a smooth, easy listen, especially
“Beautiful Eyes.” As Brandon develops
his own style, there should be even bigger and
better things on his horizon. |
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| September 2011 |
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Hank
Williams - The Legend Begins - Time Life - 7
Stars
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Hank
Williams is a legend. Although he died in 1953,
each new generation has discovered his music,
through either his original recordings or the
countless cuts by other artists in a variety of
genres. This three CD set offers a rare glimpse
of Hank with recordings from around age fifteen
to the later recordings of “The Health And
Happiness Show.” The “snap, crackle and
pop” sound of vinyl, has not been removed
which only accentuates the history of the
material and transports the listener back in
time. It is easy to see why the legend of Hank
Williams continues to grow. |
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Drake
Jensen - On My Way To Finding You - 6 Stars
www.drakejensen.ca
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Canadian
artist, Drake Jensen, paves his way to Nashville
with his first release entitled On My Way To
Finding You, produced by notable
songwriter/producer, Kim Copeland. Drake lends
his songwriting talents to three of the eleven
songs. His vocals are genuine with a strong
country sound, and fit seamlessly into the
production. The highlight of the project is
“The Son I’ll Never Have,” to
which he offers up a heartfelt delivery. There is
not a lot of fluff here, just a nice solid
country project. |
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Eric
Church - Chief - 5 Stars
www.ericchurch.com
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Eric
Church continues to push the country music
“envelope” with the release of his new
CD enti-tled Chief in which he is unleashed and
raw. The songs are edgy and rough, yet some are
poign-ant like “Homeboy.” Others offer
up a rowdy kind of fun like “Country Music
Jesus” and “I’m Getting
Stoned.” Co-writing all but one song, Eric
displays his songwriting skills in addition to
his musicianship and vocal prowess. Eric Church
is definitely a rebel with a clue! |
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Cerrito
- Y Las Chicas de Country - 5 Stars
cerritomusic.squarespace.com
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Cerrito
assembled some distinguished female duet partners
for his album, Y Las Chicas de Coun-try.
Combining Cerrito’s international-style
vocals with these country ladies (Lane Brody,
Janie Fricke, Liza Martin, Jett Williams, Moore
& Moore, Lynn Anderson, Kathie Baillie,
Elizabeth Cook and Sally Ann) produced an
entertaining and satisfying project. While the
production has Cerrito’s signature
“Spanish” flare, it also has a
traditional country sound that is particularly
pleasing on songs like “Stranger,”
“Mansion On The Hill” and “I
Can’t Help It (If I’m Still In Love
With You).” Country music mixed with a
little jalapeno flavor! |
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Mike
Bryant - If I Could Write A Song - 4 Stars
www.myspace.com/countryfaith
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Mike
Bryant brings a straightforward country approach
to his latest CD, If I Could Write A Song.
Writing all the material based on his own
emotions from love and happiness to pain and
regret makes this a very personal project. The
traditional country arrangements are highlighted
by the steel guitar, fiddle and mandolin. He
aptly ends the project with a song honoring our
soldiers, entitled “They Fight For The
Right,” an emotion that is truly American. |
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| October 2011 |
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38
Special - Live From Texas - 6 Stars
www.38special.com
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The
Southern Rock group, 38 Special is legendary in
the music world. Band members Donnie Van Zant,
Don Barnes, Danny Chauncey, Larry Junstrom, Bobby
Capps and Gary Moffatt combine talents to make
their signature sound. This new CD, Live From
Texas, captures perform-ances in various Texas
cities, but what is really captured is the
essence of the group - their intense energy and
hard drivin’ sound. A live anthology of
sorts, 38 Special performs some of their greatest
hits like “Rockin’ Into The
Night,” “Back Where You Belong,” |
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Joey
+ Rory - A Farmhouse Christmas - 6 Stars
www.joeyandrory.com
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Husband/wife
duo, Joey + Rory add their distinctive sound to a
new Christmas project entitled A Farmhouse
Christmas. Listening to their honest and sincere
vocals brings the CD to life with fa-miliar songs
like “If We Make It Through December”
and “Blue Christmas.” They also
introduce some new favorites like “What The
Hell (It’s The Holidays)” and “The
Diamond O.” Mixing their bluegrass/country
sound with the holiday season ensures that
everyone will be having a tra-ditional country
Christmas. This CD is destined to become a
holiday favorite. |
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Kevin
Fowler - Chippin’ Away - 6 Stars
www.kevinfowler.com
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Texas
has long produced great country music artists and
Kevin Fowler is no exception. His new CD,
Chippin’ Away is a reflection of some strong
Texas roots mixed with a reverence for pure
honky-tonkin’, beer-drinkin’ country
music. From “Hell Yeah I Like Beer” to
“Girl In A Truck,” it shows that Kevin
is enjoying his work with a vocal delivery that
is solid, fun and energizing, but don’t
think he has just one groove, his delivery of
“Daddies And Daughters” is touching and
heartwarming. Hell yeah Kevin Fowler is country! |
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Montgomery
Gentry - Rebels On The Run - 6 Stars
www.montgomerygentry.com
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Montgomery
Gentry is a familiar name to country fans. Since
their arrival on the country music scene, this
duo comprised of Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry
have been known for their hard-kickin’, edgy
brand of music. Their first CD in a while, Rebels
On The Run catapults them back into the
mainstream spotlight with their trademark blend
of Southern Rock and Country capturing the heart
of the working man with songs like “Damn
Right I Am” and “Work Hard, Play
Harder.” Take note - these Kentucky rebels
are back and sounding better than ever! |
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Nick
Verzosa - She Only Loves Me - 5 Stars
www.nickverzosa.com
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Texas
entertainer, Nick Verzosa’s new CD, She Only
Loves Me highlights vocals that are genuine and
earthy. His country edge mixed with a little
rockabilly and a touch of the blues makes for
some first-rate “Red Dirt” music. The
album runs the gamut from up-tempo fun with
“Change Your Mind” and “7th Year
Senior” to the heartfelt and soulful ballad
“I Wouldn’t Answer.” This project
should catapult Nick Verzosa even further up the
Texas charts. |
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| November 2011 |
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Von
Grey - Make Some Noise - 6 Stars
www.vongrey.com
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The
title of this CD, Make Some Noise is a little
misleading because there is no “noise”
here. The four sisters, ranging in age from 11 to
16, blend their harmonies around songs they have
written and polish them with vocals that are
smooth and pleasing to the ear. They have taken
their classical training and mixed it with
elements of bluegrass, country and pop to produce
the von Grey style. Of the six songs on the CD,
“Eyes On Your Honey” stands out. These
girls have a bright future on the horizon. |
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Jed
Dunkin - Dixie To Detroit City - 5 Stars
www.jeddunkin.com
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Down-to-earth
country music with familiar life lyrics fill Jed
Dunkin's CD, Dixie To Detroit City. This
production is all about a country boy sharing his
thoughts and emotions from good times in
“Dixie To Detroit City” and
“Family BBQ” to more serious matters in
“Daddy's Song” and “She Won't Let
Go.” He also mixes in a little country
gospel with “Come On Home” and
“Gloryland.” While Jed's vocals are a
little rough around the edges, it is a nice
straight ahead, no frills country package. |
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| December 2011 |
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Madonna
Nash - Madonna Nash - 6 Stars
www.madonnanash.com
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Madonna
Nash’s self-titled album may be
contemporary, but her roots in country music run
deep - back to her Great, Great Uncle Connie B.
Gay, the founding President of the CMA. And much
like her ancestor, she is expanding the limits of
country music with a modern production that
compliments her heartfelt yet sassy vocals. Her
songwriting skills also shine on this project,
particularly on “Dirty Little Secret”
and “Whiskey Whispers.” Music with
attitude. |
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Bradley
West - Slow Train - 6 Stars
www.freedomtracks.com
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Bradley
West brings traditional country music home in his
CD, Slow Train. There is a hint of Hank Williams,
Sr. in his haunting vocals. Singing songs that
touch the lives of the working man, this
troubadour’s convincing performance mixed
with strong lyrics resonates with values and
tradition, particularly in “Grandma’s
Wishes” and “Some Things Daddies
Can’t Fix.” True country. |
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Clay
Dustin - I’ll Take That Job - 5 Stars
www.claydustin.com
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Clay
Dustin’s album, I’ll Take That Job is
for the workin’ man that likes to do a
little honky tonkin’! He delivers songs that
the common man can relate to - especially in
these hard times - particularly fitting is the
song, “I’ll Take That Job That Johnny
Paycheck Shoved,” referencing the old Johnny
Paycheck classic, “Take This Job And Shove
It.” From “Too Much Tequila” to
“Queen Of The Dairy King,” Clay offers
up a solid honky tonkin’ project. Fun! |
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