WEDNESDAY REVIEW - Randy Lewis Brown

 Hey Everyone!

Watch for a post coming soon about the future of Kelly's Country.

In the mean time, I received a request from a man I consider a dear friend. Mind you, he had contacted me through the form here on the blog - sending to my gmail. I hardly ever go to my gmail. Was only because I was looking for an email from my sister that I found his email - from June! I'm talking about non author than the very talented, Randy Lewis Brown.

Photo courtesy of David Bourke

Randy has a new CD coming out September 30th from Berkalin Records.  This is his fifth album.

Randy talks about his new album:

If I have learned anything in my short time on earth, it is that change is all there is. Nothing ever remains the same.

If you're not familiar with Randy and his music, there's something you need to know. He tells a story in a unique voice. A voice that comes from life experience - the good, the bad and the ugly, yet always sharing a ray of hope in every lyric.

WIND OF CHANGE is one of those collections that are perfect to just chill and maybe reflect on the changes in your own life. A bit of melancholy that lulls you into the belief that regardless of how crappy your day was, there's a chance tomorrow will be better. 

I review a lot of CDs but very few find them saved to my laptop playlist. With Randy's voice and the command of his guitar, I find his music thought-provoking yet relaxing. 

Here's a preview of the album:

You can pre-order your copy through his website. You'll receive a hard copy PLUS a digital download. Check out the post on his Homepage  just below the cover picture for all the details!

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK   TWITTER   YOUTUBE   APPLE MUSIC

Country Blessings

~ Kelly

TURNTABLE TUESDAY - Temptation Row

Good afternoon, everyone!

I know I’m coming in way late on this review. Bob changed things up around here for me earlier in the week, stayed home an extra day and we were on the go right up to the minute he left town.

Thank you for your patience.

 

By now you know my reviews are less about the instrumentation, the technicalities of an album and more about the soul. While all the albums I share encompass all those things, I think sometimes we lose the heart and soul of an album in all the ‘stuff’.  TEMPTATION ROW is all about the heart.

TEMPTATION ROW opens up with a sweet bluesy number. Runnin’ Away draws you in. I had the feeling of being on a dark, deserted street late at night feeling as if I needed to keep watching over my shoulder.

Dancing With Him has that slow travel around the dancehall. The mandolin is prominent in this romantic tune that just has you closing your eyes and swaying along as you remember your own special moment. As you’re remembering that special someone, are you thinking Shoulda Woulda Coulda?

Hot Rod takes on a young man’s journey, connecting with each of us on some level. Whether we’ve lost someone close or known someone who has, we’ve all had that experience. Empathy.

Do you hear that? The train whistle in the distance is the Cresson Train. (Cresson TX) Depending on where you are in the commuter line waiting to cross (wait time could be up to 45 minutes!) that whistle may be farther away for some.  The pickin’ rhythm mimics the clickety clack on the tracks while the lyrics lament over the patience one must have.

When I hear the opening strains of The Lady, I thought of a jewelry box I used to have with the pirouetting ballerina. The lyrics, however, is a gentle reminder to men everywhere to take care of ‘the lady’. Pay attention to every nuance and treat her like the lady she is.

Temptation Row has a dark, maleficent undertone and a story to match. Call it a warning or a premonition. If ever the term ‘stay out of dark alleys’ fit, the lyrics here bring it home.

The final track, Suzanne, is an echo to Wayne’s past – the earlier days and influences of his career as well as the opportunity to hear his English ancestry.

As a folk artist, at first I hear a touch of Arlo Guthrie but as I listened I hear so much more.  I hear a depth of soul seldom encountered in today’s music. True artistry in the building of both lyrics and tone.

I’m tipping my hat:

 .7

You can connect with Wayne Willingham through any of the following links. But first, check out this video... a sample of TEMPTATION ROW.

  WEBSITE   ReverbNation   FACEBOOK   YOUTUBE    AMAZON  

APPLE   SOUNDCLOUD   BANDCAMP   

Country Blessings!

~ Kelly

TURNTABLE TUESDAY - I Can Face the Truth

 

Good morning, friends!

Today, I have a real treat. The new album, I CAN FACE THE TRUTH, by Dana Cooper is all kinds of traditional country comfort. Dana wrote eleven of the tracks, co wrote one with Robert Weingartz and covered one of my favorite Hank Williams tunes. Let's check these out!

My first impression is that while an undercurrent of traditional country flows throughout the album, the definitive folk style shines through like sun sparkling off the water; just takes your breath away.

Overall,  I Can Face the Truth is a documentation of sorts of the experiences and life lessons on his musical journey. Always Old Friends speaks of the connections we have, whether they be with people, places or experiences along the way. They become a part of us - like old friends. 

I Can Face the Truth is one of two tracks on this album that I feel would be a perfect fit for the  Walker, Texas Ranger reboot starring Jared Padalecki. Along with Laughing and Crying, the two songs mimick the the Walker's  recovery from loss that his character has faced from the very beginning, while trying to move forward . Everywhere he turns, Walker can't seem to catch a break, always haunted by his past. 

Not far behind those two would be track number six. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry is the epitome of what it means to take a song and make it your own. While there's still a hint of the anquish Hank Williams poured into one of his most memorable hits, Dana Cooper has opened up the wound, letting us feel the misery some of us may have felt during the pandemic.  

While the album is somewhat of a documentation, there's a larger aspect to this album. I CAN FACE THE TRUTH is a shining example of the possibilities within the industry, today. With the virtual opportunities to work togther, the possibilities for creating something magical are endless.  Dana shares his thoughts on this...

"In all my years of recording, I've never felt more free or creative in the studio."

I think a lot of that has to do with the opportunites to work virtually, brought on by the pandemic. While a good portion of this album was put together prior to that event, the aftermath brought in new additions from different parts of Colorado as well as Ireland. 

I CAN FACE THE TRUTH is the result of what can be created when you believe in something, and yourself, enough to push through any roadblocks. When you do that, magic is always the result!

Here's another track from the album:

I'm tipping my hat ....

You will find more of Dana Cooper by clicking on any of the following links:

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK   TWITTER   INSTAGRAM   YOUTUBE   PATREON

CountryBlessings

~Kelly

TURNTABLE TUESDAY - Motel

Good morning, friends!

This week we've been getting to know Julia Kasdorf and today we have her recent release -MOTEL - on the player. 

One of the many things I love about what I do is being introduced to things I might normally wouldn't picked up otherwise. MOTEL fits that category. 

The album is comprised of eleven tracks, three of which are what Julia refers to as 'deep-catalog' covers she has put her unique signature on to make them almost indiscernable as anything but a Julia Kasdorf.  In my opinion, that's the mark of a true artist.

Old Coat  (a Peter Paul & Mary cover) sets the tone for a journey that will make you glad you got in the van. A little two-step with a soft Americana roots, opening the door for you to come along where ever the road may lead.

The lyrics for the title were inspired by a Motel Julia saw that beckoned her to pull over and check in/ check out the place. She never did but the track is a perfect example of how great songs come to be. Open your eyes and really let what you see become a part of you until you have to give the image a voice. The Minute I'm Gone has a deep bluesy sway reminiscent of those gentle curves in the road. 

When I interviewed Julia, I mentioned the opening of Cool Water reminded me of John Denver. While the song is all Julia's, this is what she said in the songquibs accompanying my promo material - "Stumbled on this great drop D Riff - must have nabbed it from someone but I don't know who!"  

One of Julia's musical influences from an early age was Peter Paul & Mary. Her passion for their style is evident in her cover of  Long Chain. While recorded by PPM, the lyrics were masterfully composed by one of the greatest songwriters of his time, Jimmy Driftwood (biggest hits were Battle of New Orleans and Tennessee Stud). Of the PPM covers, I think their influence is most felt here as we hit those 'belly hills' we all enjoyed on car rides as kids.

The saxaphone bits (courtesy of  Walter Tates) brings a new dimension to the album on Girls Gotta Know. This is not a bump in the road or even a pit stop, but more like picking up a very talented hitch hiker.

The Americana flavor comes in strong on Cold Saturday as Julia takes us back to her youth and things we understand as adults we couldn't see then.  

We pick up speed on what Julia calls Walk Your Dog 'nonesense and a nod to her heroes', then slow to a coast on Reservations. This is a slow dance waiting to happen.

A Lover's Farewell (a Carter Family cover) showcases Lynn Kasdorf's pedal steel with a bare-toes on the dash kind of feel, while the intensity of the guitar in Blue Veil maps out the trip from coast to coast with a reflective look at what we've seen along the way. 

Julia Kasdorf is a storyteller and that's part of what makes her an amazing artists. The individual tracks of MOTEL blend together well with all the straight-aways, hills, curves we all experience on this journey we call life. 

Here's a video for the title track: 

I'm tipping my hat:

 

You will find more of Julia on her WEBSITE as well as the following social media links:

Reverbnation    Facebook   YouTube   Twitter   Spotify   Soundcloud   Bandcamp

Country Blessings!

~ Kelly

TURNTABLE TUESDAY - The Gulf Between Us

 

Good morning, friends!

I introduced you to Craig Cummings yesterday. Today, we're giving his new album a listen. THE GULF BETWEEN US is Craig's fifth album and if this is any indication of what the previou four were like, we are in for a real treat down the road.

Here's what Craig told us yesterday about how this album came together:

When I wrote the title song, I knew right away that the subject matter of that song was going to be the theme for an album. A light just went off! Subsequent to that I was in AZ and took a trip to the border wall to see for myself what it was about…to get a feel for it. That and some reading I did spawned the songs Momma and Me, The Southern Wall, and Like Thieves.  The remaining songs were written as I asked myself, “What are some of the other things that keep people apart.” I decided failed relationships and the passing of loved ones were also major factors. All of that went into the songs on the album.

I love how a spark of an idea can ignite an inferno of possibilities.

I'm not breaking this album down by track like I normally do. What I do hope you'll hear is the amazing flow in the melody. with the gulf breeze as a backdrop, Craig takes us down to the wall, giving us a visual of what is really going on there. While I try not to get political, I am heartbroken by the single phrase in track 2- The Southern Wall, 'innocents running from the law'.  

Our ancestors were once innocents just like those people looking for a better life. We are a diverse nation, we love ethnic foods - even those we think are American foods are steeping in other traditions and flavors. 

Because Craig Cummings made me FEEL and to soul search, I'm tipping my hat:

 

You can catch up with him via the following social media links:

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK   TWITTER   YOUTUBE 

This review sparked an editorial I'll be posting soon. I hope you'll come back and read.

Country Blessings

~ Kelly

WEDNESDAY REVIEW - One Town Over

First off, thank you all for your patience yesterday. After a short nap I wound up being much more me and worked up til 9 p.m. on house projects.

If sleep eludes you or you just want to make sure you get a good night's sleep so you can function the next day I recommend Zzquil.

Okay...on to yesterday's review today:

If ever there was a provacative CD on the market, it's ONE TOWN OVER. Patrick is a master storyteller that when you really listen to the lyrics, of its own violition your mind begins to process what he's telling you.

For ONE TOWN OVER you find yourself dissecting each song to discover what part of human nature and a life experience he's talking about.

One such track struck me was Refugee's Plea. Now, as a media representative I'm privy to some things including the story behind the song, or what was on the writer's mind. The piece GF shares on this track is this...
The idea that people living in a land of plenty have the right to tell someone else to stay in the hell we've helped build for them is infuriating. If we wouldn't trade places with someone, we shouldn't be so quick to send them back.

Talk about a poignant piece for this time we're in if ever there was one! I'll be sharing the video below, but let me finish this review.

G. F. Patrick has a true Americana voice. While it may at times have a monotone quality, that tone is used as a tool to carry you through the story. He doesn't try to be something he isn't except a guy with stories to share.

While most tracks meander like a slow-moving stream, we all know into every stream a bit of turbulance appears at some point. That turbulance in ONE TOWN OVER is Anger of Magdelene. This is a murderous ballad from the persepctive of a woman in charge. When I read the story behind the song I instantly thought of Goodby Earl by The Dixie Chicks. At some point a woman finally hits that point where she is either going to continue to be beat into the ground or stand up and take charge. Anger of Magdelene is that story.

Over all, ONE TOWN OVER is a stellar album from a talented storyteller who has been looking at life through an artists eye since he was five years old.

I invite you to listen to this album then look at the world around you with new eyes, to look beyond the curtain of hate and destruction to why it's there in the first place.

I'm giving ONE TOWN OVER:

 .8

You'll find G. F. Patrick on the following social media accounts and can purchase the album through his website STORE.

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK   TWITTER   INSTAGRAM   YOUTUBE

Here's the video I promised:

TURNTABLE TUESDAY - You Don't Know Me

Today, I'm thrilled to have the new album by the incomparable Miss Crystal Gayle on the turntable. While her last album was released almost 16 years ago, her velvet voice and distinctive style is as clear perfection today as when we first heard her sing Ribbon of Darkness at the tender age of 16 (over 50 years ago!). That night she was stepping in for her big sister, Loretta Lynn, whom was not feeling well on of all stages - The Grand Ole Opry. 

I should mention that while she has performed on the Opry many many times since then, she was finally inducted (with her sister, Loretta, offering the induction) member January 21, 2017.

Most of us, however, remember her more when she released I've Cried the Blue Right Out of My Eyes (released in 1970 and went to #23 on the billboard charts) and Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue.

LIMITED OCTOBER RELEASE IN VINYL!

YOU DON'T KNOW ME is the epitome of what country music is supposed to sound like delivered by not only one of the most beautiful women to ever grace a stage but delivered with a voice meant for every track.... even those originally released by male vocalists such as Faron Young, Merle Haggard and Marty Robbins (to name a few).  From the opening strains of Ribbon of Darkness through to the final note of her very first single, this album is everything a country album should be... evocative and full of heart delivered as only Crystal Gayle can.

The key tune on this album is a history-making recording of Put It Off Until Tomorrow (written by Dolly Parton) featuring Crystal Gayle with her sisters, Loretta Lynn and Peggy Sue. While Peggy Sue tours with Crystal and the three have performed together over the years, this is the first time they've recorded. 

It is time to start thinking about Christmas. YOU DON'T KNOW ME is the perfect gift/ stocking stuffer for yourself or the true country music enthusiast on you gift list. Remember, the special 'limited edition' vinyl can be pre-ordered now or purchased openly next month! Just follow the link above or visit the Webstore link below.

I'm tipping my hat:

You will find YOU DON'T KNOW ME - Classic Country

at the following locations:

WEBSTORE   iTUNES   deezer   SPOTIFY   TIDAL   AMAZON

You'll find Crystal Gayle on Social Media:

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK   IG   TWITTER   YouTube

TURNTABLE TUESDAY - True Grass Again!

I know I'm supposed to be on hiatus but when the new album by Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road came across my desk yesterday I had to give it a listen. Well, if I'm going to listen then I can't not review the album.  One thing I can count on from Lorraine  - she never ever disappoints! I wait anxiously for the day I can hear them perform in person. For now, TRUE GRASS AGAIN will have to do.

True Grass Again kicks off the album with a bluegrass counterpart to Alan Jackson's Murder on Music Row. I'm a strong believer in "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". When it comes to bluegrass, we need more folks like Lorraine Jordan and Caroline Road to keep Bluegrass as it was intended... deep rooted and living proud in our heritage.

I Don't Want To Lose You reminds me of  I Just Wish You Were Someone I Loved. The flavor is there and you can't beat the banjo licks that not just kick off the tune but run throughout like a good thumping bass in string form.

Run Little Fox is a playful tune. I can see this as background for a mountain style television show.

The opening fiddle of Poor Monroe, while no relation to the legend, this tune would give Bill Monroe a chuckle.

Another Soldier is a fitting tribute for soldiers who fight for our freedom, reminding us that while they are gone they are not forgotten.

Pickin' Rock Out of the Bluegrass gets straight to the point. Bluegrass is bluegrass, then there's everything else and some things, like drums, just do not belong!

Preaching Praying Singing reminds me of the revivals I attended as a child. Those revivals are still held in this new area I call home but they don't seem to have that same feel as they did forty years ago.  

Like their previous album, COUNTRY GRASS, TRUE GRASS AGAIN, brings the heart of bluegrass to the forefront of the stage, reminding us where the music began generations ago... on the front porch of that Little Country Home filled with the love of family and where music tells a story.

Portrait Of the Blues is more bluegrass then blues, but then again, they both tell a story in their own unique sound.

I knew as soon as I read the title - I Hear Angels Calling Your Name, I would not be able to listen to this song without thinking of my mom. Several times before her passing she would lay in her hospital bed and claim to see a little girl that looked just like me at about the age of 8, telling her it wasn't time yet. I knew the night she passed, her angel had visited one last time to take her hand. She watches over me every day and someday, she will come to take my hand.

Cherokee Shuffle takes us back up to a place where you  want to dance, to celebrate life. I dare you to keep your toes from tapping on what is more a reel than a shuffle.

Aside from the amazing harmonies of this group, my favorite thing is that every track is anchored by the artistic banjo pickin' of Ben Greene and the fiddle of both Josh Goforth and Matt Hooper.
Whether you're new to bluegrass or need to add to your collection TRUE GRASS AGAIN is the sweet cream of the churn.

I've found a YouTube of True Grass for you to give a listen to:

As if there were any doubt, I'm giving TRUE GRASS AGAIN:

TRUE GRASS AGAIN releases August 10th. 

You'll find the album available then in their Online Store (physical copy) and on Amazon (mp3)

You can catch up with Lorraine Jordan & Caroline Road on the following Social Media locations:

WEBSITE      FACEBOOK     TWITTER     YOUTUBE