THE BEST OF BRITISH COUNTRY 2003 - VARIOUS ARTISTES SILVER HEART RECORDS
Cat No;-SSHR 1002
The
annual resume of the British Country Music recording scene for last year has
arrived. This is the 5th year of its production and the 20 tracks (65 plus minutes)
reflect the successful singles on the now defunct European Independent Country
Top 30 Charts for last year.15 of the 20 tracks are by British songwriters, and
the 4 singles of the year and 3 of the songs of the year, nominated in the Radio
Awards, are included. There's great variety as you would expect, from the group
sounds of Western Union to the bluegrass sound of Charlie Boston, the Nashville
sound of Geordie Jack & Caledonia to the totally British sound of Marietta
Station and from the Irish sound of Roisin and Paula MacAshill to the bagpipes
with Speed Limit. There are 2 songs from Stu Stevens, Geordie Jack and Caledonia,
and Charlie Boston and other performers include Vanessa Barrett, Scott Perry,
Luke Guy Reed, Highway Dave & The Varmints, Frank Jennings, Blue Orchid,
River Gibbs, Magic Car, and Marston Ferry. It shows the wealth of song writing
and recording talent from the British Scene and its one for your collection if
you support British Country (or if you don'to then start now). Its available
from all the usual outlets and check out the web site at www.hotdisc.net
SONGS:-Nothing could've prepared me for you / Ten long nights (with Rhonda Vincent)/Mountain
man / Thanks to you / Winds of change/It's you/ Voices of the highlands/One more
bar/ Tangy honey thang / Say you love me / My sweet senorita/Room for a boy/Red
is the rose/Slow down for a while/(I'm checkin in )At the lost & found /
Night so blue/Do you want to make love/ Missing you again/Making Friends (with
George Hamilton IV) / Hello pretty lady
.DOLLY PARTON - FOR GOD AND COUNTRY WELK MUSIC
GROUP Cat No;-70756-2
Probably
only Dolly could get away with this mix of material, country gospel, country
standards, bluegrass, MOR songs popular with country fans, inspirational songs
and loads of the old "I Love America" patriotic songs. Now I'm as patriotic
as the next person but really, another version of "The Star Spangled Banner" even
sung by Dolly, just doesn't travel well overseas. This is a lovely collection,
great production, excellent musicians, and the undoubted outstanding vocal ability
from one of the most loved country (and pop) stars of our generation. The re-recording
of "Light of a Clear Blue Morning" could grace the charts, the a cappella
version (with choir) of "Whispering Hope" and "Peace in the Valley" with
the Fairfield Four are inspiring . "Red White & Bluegrass" could
well become a bluegrass standard and should. Her version of the "Ballad
of the Green Beret" and "Tie a Yellow Ribbon" gives the songs
a new lease of life. The CD closes with "Colour me America" for the
patriotic and lastly "The Glory Forever" is her version of The Lord's
Prayer. Overall a most enjoyable Dolly Parton CD, 18 tracks (with Dolly introducing
some of them) lets this run for 73 minutes. One of the new songs "Welcome
Home" sums up the whole album and is one the best story songs Dolly has
written and recorded in many years.(Thanks to Michael Skouse in Forres.).
OTHER SONGS;-The Lord is my Shepherd/God bless the USA/When Johnny comes marching
home/Gee Ma, I want to go home/My country 'tis/I'm gonna miss you/Go to hell/Brave
little soldiers.
WILLIE NELSON & RAY PRICE - RUN THAT BY
ME ONE MORE TIME LOST HIGHWAY Cat No;-0602498603130)
A
Willie Nelson CD is always welcome here and when one arrives with Willie & Ray
Price I'm doubly pleased. Just last year the 1st Willie Nelson-Ray Price CD was
reissued. This one is a real country gem from the first fiddle and steel guitar
notes on "Deep Water" to the end note on "I'm still not over you".
Both stars have nothing to prove as vocalists or singers of country songs or
even as country singers, and their voices, (while getting along into their senior
years) have certainly not lost any of the resonance or quality that took them
to the top in their chosen fields. Willie writes 3 songs, "I'm so ashamed" "Something
to think about" and "I'm still not over you" while Ray writes "Soft
Rain" and they share the song "I've just destroyed the world I'm living
in". They take 3 Fred Rose standards "Deep Water", "It wouldn't
be the same without you" and "Home in San Antone" along with Floyd
Tillman's classic "This cold war with you" and bring them up to date
without drowning them in musical instruments. And there lies the secret of this
album, basic country backing well played and produced with the 2 great voices
sitting right on top. The musicians are David Zettner bass and pedal steel, Bobby
Floores Fiddle, Freddy Calderone drums, Joe Gracey Rhythm guitar, Gabe Rhodes
guitar and Willie playing his usual acoustic lead. Joe Gracey also mixed engineered
and mastered in Texas and Nashville and while you may have lots of Willie Nelson
Cds in your collection you really do need to get this one, it's the one they
will call his "most country" sounding CD ever.
PHILOMENA BEGLEYTODAYSHARPE RECORDS (Cat No
n/a)
It
hardly seems like 10 years since Philomena Begley released her last solo album,
despite her continued popularity in the UK and Ireland. This one is certainly
worth the wait with Philomena singing and sounding as good as ever. Currently
celebrating 40 years "On the Road" this is certainly one to help her
celebrate that event. It's a mixture of Country, (British and American) MOR songs,
a little Irish and even Scottish too and includes her latest single "Blue
House Painted White". The songs run from the oldies like "The Gambler" and "Que
Sera Sera" to newer songs by Bobbie Cryner "Leaving Houston Blues" and
Fred Knobloch's "Woman in the Moon". There's the up-tempo and the ballad,
the waltz and the two-step among the 15 songs which run for approx 47 minutes).
Recorded, arranged, mixed and produced by Clive Culbertson in Coleraine, Clive
also played bass, keyboards and even backing vocals. Theres steel guitars and
fiddles, dobro, keyboards, accordion and mandolin with trumpet & sax recreating
the "Showband" sound on "The songs from way back then". Lovely
sound and a great mix from Philomena, (when did she ever make a bad one).If you
can't get a copy locally, try by e-mail to [email protected] or telephone/fax
02866 323238 during office hours
OTHER SONGS: Still feeling blue/Just because I'm a woman/The cottage on the old
Dungannon Road/ Scotland again/I love you enough/Why can't he be you/Only yesterday/Don't
tell Mama (I was drinking)/Go on & go.
WAYNE AUSTINBY SPECIAL REQUESTAUSTIN'S WEST
(Cat No:-AW 10303
Due
to a near fatal fight with lung disease, from which he is still recovering, Wayne
Austin was unable to record a new CD for release last year. To meet a demand
from friends, fans, Djs and the general public he has put together a 14 track
CD featuring selected tracks from his earlier Cds plus 2 unreleased tracks and
his 3 singles enhanced & re-mastered. The CD is another fine collection of
nostalgic country & western songs with sparse backing, guitars, bass and
steel & fiddle on some tracks. The vocal is mainly Wayne with the occasional
added vocal harmony recreating the cowboy-group sound from the early western
movies. Just look at some of the song titles below and you will understand what
I mean. Traditional songs like "I ride on old paint", "Dear Evelina" "Strawberry
Roan" and "Jesse James" along with "The Arizona Cowboy", "Carry
Me Back to the Lone Prairie", "Kentucky Moon" and "Out where
the west winds blows" conjure up visions of the wild west and cowboys round
a campfire. The newer songs by Wayne are written and arranged by him with great
reliance on the past and he has stayed true to tradition as witnessed on "By
the Old San Joaquin", "Sierra Timber Wind", "After All" and "Riding
on the old S.P". The CD opens with "Texas Plains" and the 3rd
single added here is "Bandanas & Chaps". The concept is excellent
and value for money and you can hear sound samples from this Cd and buy it direct
on the internet at www.CDbaby.com/wayneaustin2
TREVOR JAMES12 GOSPEL FAVOURITESJMB MUSIC (Cat
No;-CD004)
Trevor
follows his last 2 secular Cd releases in short order due to their successes
with this 12 song country gospel CD. Theres no doubt that the songs are gospel
favourites, the song titles tell you that. They include "Swing down sweet
chariot", "Where could I go", "It is no secret", "Wings
of a dove", "Peace in the valley", "Lead me guide me" "Daddy
sang bass" and "Sweet bye & bye". He also writes one song "Remember
what He's done for you". The remaining songs are probably lesser known but
favourites just the same, like "There is no God but God" "If that
isn't love" and "This is just what Heaven means to me". The musicians
and backup singers are not credited due I understand to the fact that Trevor
has taken American backing tracks and added his voice. The songwriters and publishers
are also not mentioned so I can't see this Cd getting much airplay as Djs like
the details for their returns. It's a pity, as his voice is remarkably like Presley's
at times and lots of airplay usually means lots of sales. This won't stop him
selling them at gigs as the general public really don't care about the written
details, they just like the songs. You can get a copy at his gigs or by telephone
at 01542 841559
HERMANN LAMMERS MEYERTHE GOOD OLD DAYS DESERT
KID RECORDS (CAT NO:-DK 2004-16)
It's
a long way from Germany to Hilltop Studios in Hendersonville just outside Nashville
to record this CD but well worth the journey. Lets start with the 17 songs, Hermann
wrote 5 of the songs and co-wrote another with Gerd Jansen, while the remaining
11 are mainly country standards. The Gibbs "Don't forget to remember" (as
a duet here with Michele Voan) gets a country backing with great success, as
does Joe South's "Games People Play" (another duet this time with Sandy
Posey). Both these tracks hit the charts in Europe recently and his latest single "Highway
Heroes" made No 2 in the Euro Charts just before Christmas. The other duets
include Texan Annie B on two songs "Keep your promise Willie Thomas" and "Barstool
Paradise", while Lois Johnson duets on "Just when I needed you most".
Johnny Bush duets on "What's wrong with the way we're doing it now".
The remaining songs are Bobby Braddock's "Country Music Lover", Cindy
Walkers "I'd rather be", Guy Clark's "Instant Coffee Blues" and
the novelty song "Another Magic Moment in Showbiz". The musicians Buddy
Emmons on steel guitar , Buddy Spicer on Fiddle, Pete Wade guitars, David Smith
bass, Gene Chrisman drums, Gordon Mote piano, Jimmy Capps acoustic guitar Mike
leech bass and Frisco Lucht strings, all give their country best. As I said at
the start the journey was worth the end result. This is a real country album
well sung by Hermann with his rich and resonant deep vocal sound. The Cd runs
nearly 56 minutes and it's on line from www.hermannlammersmeyer.de or drop an
e-mail to [email protected] for more details.
THE ORIGINAL BROTHERSCURB RECORDS (CAT NO: N/A)
Here
comes the Pop Idol-Fame Academy "Country Style" winners from Northern
Ireland "The Original Brothers" who were the outright winners of the "Country
Cool" contest held in the province last year. They were given a recording
contract with Curb Records, and this is their debut album. (I've been given a
promo copy so details are a little sketchy). Jonathan, Stephen and Robert Milligan
from County Fermanagh make up the trio, as singer songwriters and play a dozen
instruments between them. This album also features. "some fine musicians
who have played with Van Morrison, The Corrs, Eddie Reader and Jools Holland
to name but a few.". It is a country album by any standard, fiddle, dobro
and guitars in an acoustic setting, with great vocal harmonies in a "nearly
bluegrass" line-up at times. Its all in the marketing, and I'm sure that
Curb will be aiming this at more than just the country fan. The songs include "Man
of Constant Sorrow" "I'm on Fire" (both good cover versions, true
to original) "Heartbreak Hotel" & "Lay Down Sally" both
given an up-tempo bluegrass feel, The Beatles classic "I feel Fine" with
dobro and banjo works well as it did in the final of the contest. The ballads "When
you say nothing at all" and "Have I told you lately that I love you" are
also good covers . I found the 4 new songs written by the brothers refreshing "Sweetest
of all" "You told me baby", "Tiny Broken Heart" and "A
Lot of years ago", (2 ballads and 2 up-tempo) and their version of "Karma
Chameleon" and "Rockin' Robin" gives both songs a whole new outlook
.The Cd closes with a remix of "Man of Constant Sorrow". On this showing
the Original Brothers have a great recording future ahead of them, and as I said
it will be to a larger than country audience.(14 songs and runs for 42 minutes).
Great debut.
THE WALLACE FAMILYTEXAS SERENADEWFM4368
Let
me introduce The Wallace Family, Paul (Dad) plays rhythm guitar and Christy (Mom)
sings sometimes. Brook is 15 years old and an award-winning session playing fiddler
, guitarist and vocalist. Next is Sally Ann, who, at 13, is a multi-instrumentalist
playing fiddle, tenor banjo, mandolin, guitar, tenor guitar, 5 string banjo,
bass and non-pedal steel guitar and also sings. Next is Bethany at 11 years old,
she yodels plays tenor guitar and fiddle. Then 11 year old Caleb plays fiddle
and bass and sings. Madalyn is 8 and also plays fiddle, yodels and sings too.
They add Chris Booher on piano and bass and Nathan Coates on drums and that's
the musical line-up on this 15 track 41 minute CD. Talented children all and
they certainly sound like they are having fun singing and playing here. You won't
find this one on the charts but no doubt this will sell by the barrow load at
their gigs. The voices need maturing by a few years, but then an early start
can be a great advantage in later years. You can't buy the experience that they
are getting now, both on the road and in the studio. Theres 8 instrumentals,
and Brook sings 2 songs, while the others sings one song each. Produced by Brook
with Chris Booher it is a family CD, and its available from www.wallacefiddlers.com or
by e-mail to [email protected] for
details. It is a delight to listen to. (P.S. Mum doesn't sing on the CD, she
was too busy looking after the other 2 children on the sleeve photo
TRACKS: Texas serenade/Roly Poly/Steel guitar rag/You are my sunshine/Jesus loves
me/Rocking over river/Sweet Georgia Brown/I met Jesus in Texas/Arkansas Traveller/Miss
oily/12th Street rag/Miles & Miles of Texas/Wayfaring stranger/ Time changes
everything/Star spangled banner.
BOB CHEEVERSSNAPSHOTSINBRED RECORDS
Singer
songwriter Bob Cheevers has certainly paid his dues to the music business with
a long and successful career that's started in his hometown Memphis and takes
him to Nashville 40 years later. He started playing with bands in various musical
genres from age 14 and he remembers waving to Elvis after school. Inspired by
Elvis, Cash and Jerry Lee he progressed through the 60`s 70`s and 80's with various
record labels and varying degrees of success. Over the last 6 years he recorded
4 Cds and this release is a compilation of 3 songs from each, plus 2 new songs,
running a full 60 minutes. This is not your "sweet moon in June" lyrics,
but songs from life as viewed up close by Bob Cheevers. Currently labelled as "Americana" his
music is country with subtle fiddles, steel guitar and mandolin. Selling point
here is the strong song lyric and the bluesy earthy delivery, sounding a little
like Willie Nelson at times . The story songs demand your full attention and
his haunting voice grabs at you. A real pleasure to listen to and while you may
have missed his earlier releases its not to late to listen to this and seek out
the earlier Cds. Check out www.cheeversongs.com or
[email protected]
SONGS:- Once in a lifetime ride/Annalee Saint Pierre/ River gonna rise/Living
Proof/We are all naked/The bottom line/That's what I'll do tomorrow/Me & Dan & the
spoonman/Small town/The promise & the promised land (duet with Kami Lylke)/Old
Soul/The ballad of Caleb Leedy/Under the Bayou Moon (Duet with Joy Lynn White)/Popsicle
man.