Blake Shelton - Red River Blue (CD Review)

Blake Shelton - Red River Blue (CD Review)

1. Honey Bee 2. Ready To Roll 3. God Gave Me You 4. Get Some 5. Drink On It

6. Good Ole Boys 7. I’m Sorry 8. Sunny In Seattle 9. Over 10. Hey 11. Red River Blue

12. Chill - Bonus Track 13. Addicted - Bonus Track

Label - 2011 Warner Bros. Records Inc. (Wrasse Records)

Release Date - 12 July 2011

UPC - 093624958482

Lyrics - Included

Time - 45:30

Following on from the commercial success of 2010’s two separate "six pack" EPs and the fast-selling 2011 record breaker and platinum #1 single ‘Honey Bee’ (with 138,000 digital downloads in its first week), the moment was ripe to release a new album. With a wedding to Miranda Lambert pending and TV commitments as a celebrity judge on NBC’s ‘The Voice’ the time schedule for the Ada, Oklahoma born and current CMA Male Vocalist was tight to meet the recording deadline. Producer Scott Hendricks enlisted some of Nashville’s finest players and Music Rows A-list songwriters to hit the right targets. Blake Shelton explained they were relatable songs: "I'm getting married in about a month and just really feeling good about everything in my life. It's definitely songs from a guy wishing I could freeze this moment for the rest of time" he said.

The lead-off ‘Honey Bee’, Shelton’s fourth straight chart topper was penned by two thirds of The Peach Pickers, Ben Hayslip & Rhett Akins, the third member Dallas Davidson contributes with a solo cut on the latter ‘Good Ole Boys’. The first idea for the song was to call it Huckleberry then it became honeysuckle and the line: “You be my honeysuckle, I'll be your honey bee” evolved. Shelton reels off a series of comedic expressions to show his love and win over the girl’s attention. With lines like – “You'll be my Louisiana, I'll be your Mississippi, You be my little Loretta, I'll be your Conway Twitty” -It worked!

The soulful, finger-clicking ‘Ready To Roll’ is an infectious toe-tapper and features some lively bass runs and nifty guitar riffs. ‘God Gave Me You’ is a power ballad, originally recorded and written by Christian rock singer Dave Barnes. With an arrangement that would not be out of place on a Coldplay record this is a track with strong crossover possibilities.

Spirits run high on the thank-god-it’s-Friday number ‘Get Some’ by Craig Wiseman, Chris Tompkins and Zac Maloy. On this acoustic picker the humour flows like beer from the raised Dixie cups whilst friends gather round an old-time honky-tonk piano to lend their voices to the chorus. He gets drunk, he get’s the girl, he gets her home, he gets her done, he gets hitched, she gets mad, she gets a lawyer, she gets half - Whether this track will have legs is another matter!

‘Drink On It’ is a laid back cut written by Rodney Clawson (Faith Hill) with “Whiskey Lullaby” artist Jon Randall and his partner Jessi Alexander who also adds background vocals. It has a refreshing melody reminiscent of a 90’s mid-tempo Reba McEntire number as two potential lovers meet and try to figure out their next moves – “Got a good thing going girl, lets find out what it is and drink on it”

Blake tips his hat to Hank Williams Jr and Waylon Jennings on the honky-tonk fuelled ‘Good Ole Boys‘ as he begs the question - Where the hell did all the good ole boys go?

From its beautiful soft opening tensions quickly build when love becomes an empty word on ‘I’m Sorry’ with Martina McBride providing the backing vocals.

Electric guitar and pedal steel licks are traded on the delightful ‘Sunny in Seattle’ again tinged with Shelton’s dry sense of humour. There’s as much chance of him falling out of love as the sun shining in Rain City, snow falling in New Orleans and New York becoming a one horse town.

It might have been advisable to take the foot off the gas on what turns into a power ballad on ‘Over’. The full-on production including strings, is big, but disappointingly rather clutters the arrangement.

The country rap-like novelty number ‘Hey’ rather irritates which is in complete contrast to the wonderful tender break-up ballad ‘Red River Blue’, on which Blake’s new bride Miranda Lambert adds vocals.

The deluxe version contains 2 bonus tracks. ‘Chill’ is a mid-tempo summer breeze that allows you to unwind down by the water. ‘Addicted’ is a mighty fine emotionally charged ballad with orchestration that has the necessary rise and fall to mirror the feelings of the female protagonist wrestling with an illicit romance.

The album ticks many boxes and will satisfy the thirst for Shelton’s fans and bring new ones to the fold aided by his own admission of being in the TV spotlight.

http://www.blakeshelton.com/

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Terri Clark - Northern Girl (CD Single - Review)

Terri Clark - Northern Girl (CD Single - Review)

Label - 2011 Bare Track Records (In UK under Wrasse Records)

Time - 3:49

Release - 26 April 2011

Writers - Terri Clark, Kristen Hall

Rating (Out of 10): 8/10

‘Northern Girl’ was the first single to be released to Canadian radio preceding the appearance of her brand album ROOTS And WINGS. Born in Montreal and raised in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Terri Clark is no longer on a major and is now an Independent artist with her own label, Bare Track Records, with distribution via EMI Canada. Terri moved to Nashville in 1987, at aged 18, in pursuit of a dream eventually signing with Mercury Records in 1994. She has always retained a loyal and popular fan base in Canada.

Here both celebrates the freedom and pays tribute to her homeland of which she is immensely proud. Terri has a cottage in Canada where she likes to relax. The track encompasses her love of the land and the people around her. Growing up with snow 6 months of the year like many Canadians she learnt how to adapt, toughen up, entertain herself and appreciate who she is.

“Grew up drivin' on black ice / Spinnin' in circles under Northern lights / Laughter steamin', small town dreamin' / Digging tunnels in the deep snow/ Sheltered from the shiver of a ten below / And I'm right at home,’ ” Clark sings in the opening verse.

The song was inspired by the northern culture looking out across the great lakes in Southern Ontario watching the sunset with the Canadian flag flying. Some of the words are drawn from the national anthem, “O Canada” composed by Calixa Lavalee - “With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free“!

Clark asked her good friend Kristen Hall (founding member of the group Sugarland) to assist her with the writing process. Hailing from Michigan Terri knew she would “get it”. Their song camaraderie came about after Kristen came to stay at her Nashville home after the floods in May 2010. The writing was done online using Garageband programs and emailing MP3 files back and forth. A lot of time was spent on the lyrics avoiding the “cheese factor” - Arctic cats and skis didn’t make the cut!

Comparisons can be made with Barbara Mandrell and her song “Country Girl”, the theme to her variety show at the beginning of the 80’s. Mandrell sang: I’m a country girl from head to toe....Now I can find my dreams around the world, But I’ll always be a country girl. (see video).

Similarly Terri sings in the chorus:

I'm a Northern girl, wild and free /I've got four strong winds to carry me / I've been East to West and all around the world/ But I'll always be a Northern girl

With reference to those prevailing weather systems “Four Strong Winds” was also a song written by Canadian singer-songwriter Ian Tyson, a folk classic inspired by the movement of workers with the rotation of the harvest. Other nationals to have recorded it include Neil Young, Hank Snow and Sarah McLachlan.

‘Northern Girl’ packs a punch with driving drum beats and electric guitars riffs that have a vibe reminiscent of Martina McBride’s “This One’s For The Girls”. Steel guitar is thankfully audible in the maple-leaf mix. Terri’s vocal is strong and joyous and with the addition of the “na-na-na-nas” allows for crowd participation at live shows to join in on the celebrations.

[[ LISTEN on Spotify ]] - Amazon - Official Video - Behind The Scenes Video

http://www.terriclark.com/

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Chris Young - Neon (CD Review)

Chris Young - Neon (CD Review)

1. I Can Take It From There 2. Lost 3. Tomorrow 4. Save Water, Drink Beer 5. Neon

6. Old Love Feels New 7. You 8. Flashlight 9. When She’s On 10. She’s Got This Thing About Her

Release Date - 12 July 2011

Label - RCA Record Nashville (P) 2011 Sony Music Entertainment

Lyrics - Included

Time - 32:33

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If it ain’t broke don’t fix it! - That’s the message to be drawn from Chris Young’s third album and who can blame him sticking with a successful formula that produced three #1 singles, ‘Gettin' You Home’ (The Black Dress Song), the title track and ‘Voices’ from his last album THE MAN I WANT TO BE. Young teams up once more with veteran producer James Stroud on this 10-track recording on which Chris contributes with 7 co-writes.

The high-spirited, fun and mid-tempo opener ‘I Can Take It From There’ written with the hit song writing duo Rhett Akins and Ben Hayslip (Blake Shelton ‘Honey Bee’) has a feel of Gettin' You Home’ Part II. Young gives the town parties a miss and opts for a smoochy night in. With Conway Twitter playing and the lights turned down low he encourages his darlin’ to grab a couple of glasses and a bottle of wine: And baby while you're at it / You might as well let down your hair/ And I can take it from there

‘Lost’ written with Ashley Gorley (Carrie Underwood - “Don’t Forget To Remember Me” and “All-American Girl”) and frequent Brad Paisley song-smith Chris DuBois is a catchy summertime number. Heading down the highway a carefree couple turn off the GPS and get lost in the back roads, a song on the radio and when they reach a quiet riverside retreat get lost in each others eyes for a night spent underneath the stars!

As I write the single ‘Tomorrow’ (written with Anthony Smith and Frank Myers) has provided Young with a fourth successive #1 single, an astonishing feat. After a gentle start the track builds like the fervor on this break-up cut. There are tears and sorrow as a relationship ends - “We're like fire and gasoline, I’m on good for you, You’re no good for me” but on one last passion filled night the male character clings on to final embers of love before it fizzles out: But tonight I’m gonna love you like there’s no tomorrow (see video)

The high-tempo, boisterous ‘Save Water, Drink Beer’ (written by Jon Nite, Megan Connor and Ross Copperman) may well work as light-hearted anthemic live show number. The vocals are somewhat forced and lyrical it’s rather clichéd, I’d prefer to hear something delivered with substance as Young stakes his environmental concerns in conserving water by popping tops and downing some ice-cool alcohol to quench his thirst.

‘Neon’ (written by Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne and Trevor Rosen) is a positively glowing ballad and something you could imagine George Strait recording. With pedal steel (Paul Franklin), fiddle (Aubrey Haynie) and electric guitar riffs (Brent Mason) it flows like the double whiskeys handed out at the bar with “a little Johnny Lee” playing on the jukebox. The skies are blue in Wyoming and the sunsets flame red in Santa Fe, he loves those yellow Texas sunflowers and the orange of fall but Young gets his buzz from the artificial afterglow.

The softly opening, mid and closing melody on ‘Old Love Feels New’ sounds familiar but none-the-less an excellent tender song written with Tim Nichols and Brett James who penned Young’s smash hit ‘The Man I Want To Be’. A grand-father relates the magically feeling as a teenager when discovering a life-long soul mate and a love that’s spanned and still surprises him as the years pass. The singer too feels those same emotions with the hand-me-down words: That's how you know, when it grabs a hold and won't let go.

‘You’ has a slow groove but a little light-weight. The sweet ‘Flashlight’ (written with Robert Arthur and Johnny Bulford) has some James Taylor-esque acoustic flavours in the gentle tune. A man reminisces on fond bygone childhood memories holding the torch in the garage whilst his dad fixed the Chevy. He learnt more about life than car repairs with those night time conversations – “Cause to this day I still can't make 'em run right, But I sure did learn a lot “. Chris actually tapped up his own father to enquire the socket size that he used which was incorporated in the song – “He'd have a nine-sixteenths in one hand”. Without doubt the tool of Young’s trade is his voice which he showcases on this stand-out cut.

‘When She’s On’ is a little lacklustre but as far as Young’s concerned his lady looks a million dollars whether she’s wearing high heels, cut-off jeans, a Texas Longhorn’s t-shirt or dressed in her PJ’s reading a bedtime story to a daughter - One smile is all it takes!

The album goes out with a high on the beautiful orchestral love song ‘She’s Got This Thing About Her’ co-written with Cory Batten and Kent Blazy. It might be a tad syrupy but the melody and words have me hooked as it says in the chorus: Like the magic in your favorite song, You just can't put your finger on

A little short on playing time maybe but it has few misses and many hits. The album has debuted at #2 on the Billboard country charts and Chris Young is worthy of CMA Awards not just nominations.

http://www.chrisyoungcountry.com/

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Charlie Dore - Cheapskate Lullabyes (CD Review)

Charlie Dore - Cheapskate Lullabyes (CD Review)

1. Liontamer 2. A Man Walks Into A Bar 3. Milk Teeth 4. Cheapskate Lullabyes 5. His Wife

6. Big Boned Girl 7. Australia 8. I’m Cleaning Out My House (Unplugged) 9. The Last Laugh

10. Fifty Pound Father

UPC - 5060091890084

Label - Black Ink Music 2011

Catalog - BICD6

Release Date - 13 June 2011

Time - 40:31

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I’m not sure anyone makes a record quite like Charlie Dore does in this modern age. Each one of her offerings is more a labour of love than a wish for commercial aspirations. Her own musical style is as eclectic as the artists who have cut her songs like Tina Turner, Celina Dion, Lisa Stansfield, Hayley Westernra and Status Quo. Charlie is therefore hard to classify but if a record store had a section named “class” that’s where CHEAPSKATE LULLABYES, her seventh album, released of her own label Black Ink Music, would be found.

This project marks her first collection of originals songs since the delightful 2006 album CUCKOO HILL. Dore has one solo cut and the remaining nine songs are composed with her long-time musical partner Julian Littman who as a multi-instrumentalist adds guitars, lap steel, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, drums, piano and backing vocals. Together they co-produce all the tracks which I read with interest in the liner note were recorded and mixed in Charlie’s room and Julian’s caravan!

If you were to pick at random from a quality box of chocolates and allow each one to very slowly melt in your mouth and savour the rich flavours then much the same can be said for this album. It demands several plays to allow the individual nuances to both surprise and be appreciated.

The CD, complete with a 16 page booklet with live photos and lyrics has a cover which has a creased and dog-eared finish like a well thumbed paperback book. The artwork is an etching by Edward Hopper (July 22, 1882 – May 15, 1967) a leading American realist painter of the inter-war period. Called “East Side Interior” (1922), a woman sits alone at a sowing machine with a baby carriage at her side. She’s lost in her own thoughts but something outside the window attracts her attention and stirs her imagination. Hopper’s work honed in on observational subject matter set in urban and rural locations and often would depict a person alone in an interior or exterior space thus capturing a sense of isolation, emptiness tinged with affection and apprehension. Hopper is quoted as saying “Great art is the outward expression of an inner life in the artist, and this inner life will result in his personal vision of the world”.

In a similar way the life of a songwriter follows that same path and the textures that are created on this musical canvas are indeed art.

The softly orchestral arrangement on opener ‘Liontamer’ brings to mind the music of Nick Drake. Its lyrics read like a lengthy bucket-list in a personal ad with lines like: “Need a warrior, An Adventurer, Need a sooth-sayer Not A demi-god”. Dore shows a desire to find a magical person who is strong, protective and someone she can connect with both on a physical and emotional scale. Does such a man exist? Growing weary and with a sense of realism she declares: “When all the time there you are” (see Glastonbury video)

The jazz flavoured and witty ‘A Man Walks Into A Bar’ tells a tale of a gullible individual vainly trying to wash away life’s troubles longing for a brighter future but seeing his life pass by in the bottom of a glass. In this musical cocktail vibes from The Beatles Sgt Pepper album get stirred in the mix.

‘Milk Teeth’ has both classical and Spanish overtones and speaks of a step-mother’s tribulations dealing with a difficult and demanding child. The track informs us the father is absent - “All you get is birthdays and weekends, I’m sorry kid” but she tries her best, cares and is sympathetic to the infant’s plight – “But I’m not the Queen or Cruella and I’m on your side..”

The gentle title cut is a softly lullaby depicting life in debt ridden low rent city apartment with discoloured ceilings where paint peels from the walls. Its female character, as she grows older, worries whether she will still be loved. The simple matter of her partner singing soft and deep wins her heart as they fall asleep together in the neon glow.

Hula Valley Orchestra members from Dore’s touring band Dudley Phillips (double bass) and Jake Walker (violin) feature on ‘His Wife’ a light-hearted number with a vintage-jazz feel. A mistress offers advice to other single ladies who might be tempted to tread similar bumpy ground. The years of waiting for her lover to end a sham marriage never materialize. Finally the penny drops and the alarm bells ring on another lonely birthday whilst looking at her card –“There go my bearing childbearing years”. With urgency she finds another guy and is thankful for it!

On ‘Big Boned Girl’, Charlie with lead and over-dubbed vocals creates her own child-like school choir accompanying herself and its latter part with Indian harmonium and Autoharp. The 10-year old in the photo stands tall with the teachers and in later years a mother offers heart to a daughter while her father rather mocks: “There’s fellows all round this world, Who’d rather have further to reach around”. Will the lad of her dreams ever return to win her heart of gold? Both tinged with humour and sadness it’s something of a theatrical piece. Dore’s past acting experience with improvisation classes at drama school and a member of a comedy club for 7-years at the Hurricane Club in London provided an antidote for her song writing skills.

The slow paced heartbreaker ‘Australia’ refers to a jilted lover or possibly the loss of a parent where the country is used in metaphorical terms. He might as well be on the other side of the world when all contact is broken. Although birthdays are forgotten she worries sometimes if his blues have vanished in open sun kissed skies or have been washed away by rain. She has finally let go of love but fondly remembers those big blue eyes. There’s a hint that he may have sadly departed beyond the blue horizon with the lines: Let my heart know you’re safe/ ‘Cause nothing’s gonna hurt you where you are / How could I wish you home.

The old-time rock-a-billy ‘I’m Cleaning Out My House’ with its Hawaiian modulations is given a new unplugged polish. Although it was always destined to appear on this album with its chord sequences and instrumentation it suited the formula of the 2009 THE HULA VALLEY SONGBOOK, a covers project drawing on favourites from the 1930’s originally recorded by artists such as Jimmie Rodgers and Al Bowlley. In this no-more-mister-nice-guy number anger is dispelled with a spot of spring cleaning. Those spiders had better run in clearing out the chaos of living but after a bad experience with love and a broken heart it’s an opportunity to dust oneself down and look to brighter tomorrows.

On the plaintive but beautiful ‘The Last Laugh’ with Charlie on piano a woman finds herself alone when intentional jokes, cruel words, play acting and unfaithfulness finally back-fire: All made up, my hook and line, Didn’t think I’d get caught.

Self penned by Dore the reflective, acoustic, folk-rinsed ‘Fifty Pound Father’ alludes to an orphan boy who is observed when reunited with his birth father. Hiding behind tearful masks they both feel guilt stricken when nerves are touched and scars of life are re-opened. The words ask questions - Are we making progress, would I know? Are we making ground, how will I know?

On a first play CHEAPSKATE LULLABYES is a little unfathomable but evolves into a highly listenable and entertaining affair. Charlie Dore is a modern day touch bearer for simple melody which will carry and live forever. With a summer release it’s an album prime for cherry-picking and would impress and bring forth smiles to dinner guests whilst having their deserts.

http://www.charliedore.com/

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Taylor Swift - Sparks Fly (CD Single Review)

Taylor Swift - Sparks Fly (CD Single Review)

Label - Big Machine

Time - 4:21

Writer - Taylor Swift

Producers - Nathan Chapman, Taylor Swift

Rating (Out of 10) : 7/10

‘Sparks Fly’ is the fourth single to be released by the effervescent Miss Swift from her 2010 album SPEAK NOW. It impacted on country radio on Monday July 18th, 2011. It was rumoured but never confirmed that it was written about Jake Owen who Taylor opened for in 2006. It became a firm favourite with her army of fans at her live shows, when she showcased it back in 2008. The lyrics were tweaked for the album cut. This number has become the opener on the Speak Now world tour.

Swift’s heart also receives a tweak like an involuntary muscle when falling for a new beau, as opposites attract with its good girl meets bad boy perspective. The chemistry is potent, although she knows that caution would be a wise option she’s hooked and ready to fall like a house of cards – “You're the kind of reckless that should send me runnin' “ – but there’s a note of fear – “Just close enough to touch, Close enough to hope you couldn't see, What I was thinking of “

With wild abandonment and urgency her guard has lowered, in the chorus she sings relentlessly: “Drop everything now/ Meet me in the pouring rain / Kiss me on the sidewalk, take away the pain / Cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile “

There’s a cocktail of emotions in the song lines when captivated (“Get me with those green eyes, baby”) and then mildly troubled (“Give me something that'll haunt me when you're not around”)

The tempo is mostly upbeat on this flirtatious country-pop work out with crunchy guitar prominent throughout but piano audible during its softer subtle shades.

In May Swift took home 3 Billboard Music Awards for the all-genre Top 200 Albums Artist, Top Country Artist, and her now-Triple-Platinum Speak Now album was voted Top Country Album. Taylor has career record sales now in excess of 20 million albums and 33 million song downloads and regular trades places with Lady Gaga as the top-selling digital artist.

On 12th June Taylor sparkled in a gold mini-dress and with her band closed out the 2011 CMA Festival at LP Field in Nashville. As the final notes rang out the fireworks exploded overhead.

This single should see the superstar rocket up the country charts and create a “firework show” all of her own.

[[ Listen in Full ]] - Amazon - iTunes - Cover Art

http://www.taylorswift.com/

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Ashton Shepherd – Where Country Grows (CD Review)

Ashton Shepherd – Where Country Grows (CD Review)

1. Look It Up 2. I’m Good 3. Where Country Grows 4. I’m Just A Woman 5. More Cows Than People

6. Beer On A Boat 7. While It Ain’t Rainin’ 8. Tryin’ To Go To Church 9. That All Leads To One Thing

10. Rory’s Radio

Label - MCA Nashville

UPC - 602527642536

Release - 11 July 2011

Lyrics – Included

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Three years have drifted by since the debut album SOUNDS SO GOOD was released by this native from the tiny hamlet of Leroy, Alabama. It won the plaudits of the music press but it had limited commercial success during its 54 week duration on the Billboard Country charts, peaking at #16. This modern-day Loretta Lynn grew up listening to traditional country music and her unique old school sound was born out of her Pickin’ Shed in the backyard. The 24-year old Ashton Shepherd is not a structured 10 – 3 writer, songs come to her when she senses true home-grown feelings that reflects pragmatic real-life situations as opposed to what might appear in a glossy show-biz magazine.

On this sophomore release she touches base once again with producer Buddy Cannon who calls upon the services of many notable players. Shepherd has 3 solo song credits but to stretch herself musically and give this album more of a commercial edge she shares her pen on 5 songs with some top tunesmiths.

The first single and lead off put-down number ‘Look It Up’ gained a #19 slot on the country chart accompanied by a humorous video. This swampy kiss-off song was written by Robert Ellis Orrall (‘A Place In This World’ - Taylor Swift) and eastern Kentuckian Angaleena Presley, a coal miner’s daughter, who as “Holler Annie” is a member of Miranda Lamberts new all-girl trio Pistol Annies. Shepherd not only slams the door on her womanizing husband but has fun dissecting her partner, rubbing his nose in the southern-dirt and insults his intelligence: “The word is faithful” she sings in its opening line and in the second verse “Let's try “liar”, just look it up”. With a large dose of southern backwoods drawl she delivers the final body blow: I said go, goodbye, get lost, get out, get gone the word is “over” look it up.

Shepherd procures the assistance of Nashville Songwriter Hall of Famer Dean Dillon and Dale Dodson on the mid-tempo ‘I’m Good’, which has a contemporary feel. After dodging the curve balls coming down the telephone line a resolute woman reminds her apologetic ex of the heartache she’s been through – “I've cried a river, but you don't remember”. His hollow words will not heal her wounds and suggests to him he makes this the final call, and like this strong willed lady has done, moves on: You tore me down piece by piece but believe me there's plenty of me left, Boy I'm good, gettin' better at being my best

Bobby Pinson the co-writer on a string of number one’s with Sugarland provides the paint for Shepherds canvas on the upbeat second single and title cut ‘Where Country Grows’. Heading down the sparsely populated dirt roads with the smell of honeysuckle in the country airwaves it’s full of southern imagery. It describes the things that a country lifestyle is born out of: Ooh, it's in the earth and the church and the words that we speak slow ,That's where country grows.

The two writers again combine on the steel and fiddle-laden ‘More Cow’s Than People’. Like its character Bobby in the first verse who returns from the city lights Ashton loves and treasures the small town life and is the reason she hasn’t felt the urge to up-sticks and head for Music city. Away from busy music schedules she’s a hard working mum and pea farmer selling the produce out of the back of a truck. As she cranks up the twang like a tractor “It ain’t much of nothin’ she declares. But she’s happy with the peace it holds the unpolluted light and those endless ‘Bama skies: There ain’t no doubt why I live out, Where there’s more cows than people.

The solo cut ‘I’m Just A Woman’ is a slow-paced ballad has all the hallmarks of an early Patty Loveless work whom Shepherd cites as an influence. The opening and closing melody is remarkably close to Brad Paisley’s ‘Too Country’. Ashton spills the beans on a woman’s persona. She knows her man tries his best but she needs him to appreciate her feelings. Sometimes she’s proud and happy other times she cries when she’s sad. She doesn’t want to be ignored like the bills on the table with a wish that he will shoulder some of life’s burdens that weigh heavily on her.

‘Beer On A Boat’ written by Rhett Akins and Ben Hayslip (who together wrote Blake Shelton’s chart topper ‘Honey Bee’) along with Marv Green (co-wrote ‘Amazed‘ for Lonestar, ‘All The Women I Am’ and ‘Consider Me Gone’ for Reba McEntire) would make for a great fun-packed summertime time. As the weekend sun beats down and “the world looks better in a cool pair of shades” Shepherd invites halve the town to jump aboard and crack open a beer or two!

Ashton gets reflective on While It Ain’t Rainin’ written with Troy Jones (co-wrote ‘People Are Crazy’ for Billy Currington & ‘Shiftwork’ for Kenny Chesney). Life’s challenges can shift similarly to weather patterns -“Rainbows today are gone tomorrow”. Quarrels are likened to “downpours” and those “blue skies” can’t be traded and living is valued.

The snappy country two-stepper ‘Tryin’ To Go To Church’ (co-written with Brandy Clark & Shane McAnally - ‘Cry’ and ‘The Day She Got Divorced’ for Reba McEntire) speaks of a beer fuelled gambling addiction which she fights as much as the “heifer” who prises her hubby way. When the chips are down the devil proves the winner and the good lord is put on hold when, or if, things will ever change for better!

The melody on the tense ‘That All Leads To One Thing’ seems strangely familiar. Shepherds syllables are as stretched as the feelings of angst in a marriage gone cold. A wife can no longer take all the alibis and excuses and her bags as packed: I’ve been to the bank this morning and a lawyer has been seen. As the track dies away with the strain of a fiddle and an eerie screech on a guitar her wedding ring is left on the kitchen table and the open door creaks – She’s gone!

The outstanding ‘Rory’s Radio’ which anchors this collection is a nostalgic and personal song. Shepherd lost her older brother Jeff in a car accident in 1999 when he was just 23 years old. "He lived a big life, and he made an impact on my life," Shepherd shares. She pays homage to him in this ballad. She keeps his memory alive relating to days she spent with him and his best friend Rory Dunigan. As a mischievous teenager Shepherd speaks of feeling all grown-up, buying wine for her “big brothers” and heading down the road in Rory’s pick up listening to Hank Williams songs. She fondly recalls the drag racing, night-fishing and eating crawfish sitting under Tombigbee Bridge – “So innocent of this big old world that I now know”... “Were all married now and we have kids But don’t think that we don’t look back and remember” she sings.

Ashton and husband Roland Cunningham are expecting a baby girl this Autumn who will join big brother James aged 5.

As regards this second baby if you’re a country-holic and enjoy it with generous helpings of twang then I suggest you - Look it up

http://www.ashtonshepherd.com/

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