Rolling Country 2023

Akeem-related themes & appeal can be found on Willi Calisle's Peculiar, Missouri---title track, a long, sometimes mumble-y talkin' blues-to-monologue, seems overloaded so far, but that's a complete anomaly. Otherwise, he's a small combo country folkie who never cloys, got the intense, well-thought-out story-songs & check-ins, funny and other, aboard equally personalized trad & and maybe original tunes--if they're all trad, he's drawn quite selectively from a deep record shelf---also one entire cover I recognize, Utah Phillips' "Goodnight-Loving Trail, " which fits perfectly---hope he's got some more of the underexposed Utah on the three previous albums to have been Bandcamped so far: https://willicarlisle.bandcamp.com/album/peculiar-missouri

And they're touring together as we speak, I believe.

The Whittmore Sisters' Ghost Stories is not that Southern Gothicky, although they do float though and around non-hyped images of selves and others---as the Bandcamp copy says,

the loss of family, friends, ex-boyfriends and — on the title track — people who died by police violence...

do float *through*

So xpost Bandcamp Best of 2022 Country's Mariel Buckley take, though meant in a positive way, had me expecting depression, but was curious about actual sound (not mentioned), and then producer's credits on album's BC page incl. Arcade Fire, whom I've never gotten into, but also The National and The Weather Station, both seeming kinda good in my ltd. experience, so thinking Canadiana adjacent etc---but no: title track and a few others I so far associate with early Rosanne/Pretenders New Wave country, but most of it is slower, unafraid to build in note-by-note arcs, with internal dynamics, but staying pretty level-eyed even when singing about going around and around inside and out:A

In the town where I was born
Right across from that old church
Used to keep my eye on Mary
While she’d shine behind the birds

Now the moon is in her window
And the glow has hit you right
Like a cigarette stuck in my pocket
Waiting for a chance to light

When the lights come on
And the sun goes down
I’m gonna lay you down
In the backseat of whatever I’m driving
Driving around

Up ahead is the old skate park
Where i used to run around
Couldn’t ride for shit to save my life
I’d pretend if you were around

Now the dogs are getting called to
And the kids are running up the drive
Honey we got nowhere else to be
At least not for tonight
Call me old fashioned
But how did I never think of this until now
This house is all we’ve seen for days and days
Why don’t we go and drive around

Cause when the lights come on
As the sun goes down
I’m gonna lay you down
In the backseat of whatever we’re driving
Driving around

When I get to the gates of heaven
Is there a long list of sins and your name
Do I ride into hell on a horse named--nuthin
If I’m going down for my sins all the same

Going through pictures
Of coffee cups and couch cushion stains
I guess somehow, now we’re even
Or even to you, anyway

I’ve been keeping up late with your picture
Tore the back right off of the frame

Point I meant to make is that the slower stuff, which is most of it, is country as hell---ditto the faster, but the slower is pulling me in further, so far.

re: ILM Ballot Polls for 2020 and beyond -- the ordering, timing, "I would have voted if I'd known about it," etc

Would anyone here be interested in voting in this poll?

If someone can walk me through what the process bc I've not voted in one of those polls on here before, then definitely yes.

The first post in the thread will have instructions. Usually an email address or a google poll where you send your votes. Very easy!

i’m down! narrowing down my ballot will break me but i’m willing to give it a red hot go

yasss queen! congrats! cant wait to hear to hear what yall rhymed with nigger. 🥹🤩🥰💓 https://t.co/P4GS3nqIBQ

— adia victoria (@adiavictoria) February 28, 2023

From Relix:

Willie Nelson has announced the return of the Outlaw Music Festival Tour. The impending concert series will see the torchbearer welcome a star-studded lineup of musicians who will join him at select locations throughout the summer months.

On tour, Nelson’s will seek musical company from leading industry players such as Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, The Avett Brothers, John Fogerty, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Whiskey Myers, Gov’t Mule, and more, at select stops.

The “On The Road Again” singer will also welcome accompaniment from Marcus King, Margo Price, Trampled By Turtles, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Kathleen Edwards, Flatland Cavalry, Kurt Vile and The Violators, Brittney Spencer and Particle Kid.

https://relix.com/news/detail/willie-nelsons-outlaw-music-festival-tour-to-return-with-robert-plant-alison-krauss-the-avett-brothers-and-more/

"Rock & Roll" closer to late night honky lounge in this case---good live Willie duet partner of yore:

NEW EDITION OF

LEON RUSSELL’S INTIMATE GREATEST HITS COLLECTION SIGNATURE SONGS

OUT NOW VIA DARK HORSE RECORDS

LONG OUT-OF-PRINT GREATEST HITS COLLECTION OF SOLO PIANO AND VOCAL RECORDINGS AVAILABLE ON CD, DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, AND FIRST-EVER VINYL PRESSING

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE FAVORITE SONGS FROM ACROSS

THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAMER’S WIDE-RANGING CATALOG,

INCLUDING STRIPPED-DOWN VERSIONS OF “A SONG FOR YOU,” “TIGHT ROPE,” “STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND,” “THIS MASQUERADE,” “LADY BLUE,” AND MORE

Tracklist:

A Song for You

One More Love Song

Tight Rope

Stranger in a Strange Land

Hummingbird

Back to the Island

Out in the Woods

Lady Blue

Delta Lady

Magic Mirror

This Masquerade

# # #

FOR MORE INFORMATION

LEONRUSSELL.COM | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE

DARKHORSERECORDS.COM

Press contact:
Jim Merlis, Big Hassle Media
jim at bighassle dot com

Since I live in Montana now, I tried listening to an "outlaw country" radio station today. I heard Montgomery Gentry's "She Couldn't Change Me" (I searched on YouTube later to find out what the song was and who performed it) and could feel the life draining out of me.

lol! idk i kinda like that one - i think the colors, maybe? painting the walls blue, buying pink chablis, dyed her blonde hair brown, her blue eyes turned green etc

she seems fun he’s a grump imp

i forgot that troy gentry died!

*imo

xxp where in Montana, un?

Speed listen on the Stones comp (meaning hop n skip rather than playing through everything). Thought "Honky Tonk Women" was the boringest choice Brooks & Dunn could've made, so haven't even taken in whether they do it well or not. Would've liked Ronnie Dunn to try his vox on "We Love You" or "Emotional Rescue." The three potential keepers so far are Brothers Osborne, War, Treaty "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll" a song from a couple of years after the Stones stopped infusing everything they did with uneasiness and subversion so the fact that it's just a solid groove for a country band doesn't lose anything, in fact that deep voice at the start (Mr. Osborne, perhaps? or Mr. War?) is a BIG uneasy. The vocals from there are respectable enough and though deep uneasiness never returns the thing grooves along reminding me that this is actually a good song – BUT what grabs me are the guitars, which about 3 minutes in make an effort to jump free and join a hair metal band. Not for long enough, but I like that solo. Never heard of either of these acts.

Another keeper is Elvie Shane's "Sympathy For The Devil." Never heard of him either, and who is anybody to think they could cover "Sympathy For The Devil," esp. this sincere-voiced normie? The band really kicks, while the vocals seem to think they're doing a sorrowful song, even when the voice is throwing its fist in the air (if voices can do that), Bob Seger-like, and then, falsetto seems actually maniacal. Kept my attention, anyway.

Eric Church "Gimme Shelter." Doesn't come close to achieving the eeriness of the Stones' version, but captures the doggedness of the Grand Funk version. Turns it into a grind-it-out pounder. Helps that it's a good song, of course, and they let the instruments mass together towards the end.

Not sure those are keepers after all, but I liked some of the adventure they attempted or stumbled into. Wouldn't mind them at a party. Or the next two:

Ashley McBryde on "Satisfaction" sounds like any good singer, Tina Turner or Bonnie Bramlett or someone, trying the song, and the original is inimitable and uncoverable (even by the Stones), so in a sense there's an immediate "who cares?" about any cover version that isn't Britney or Devo, but maybe I'll come back to it as itself, a good voice on a song that just happens to share words and melody with "Satisfaction."

Jimmie Allen has a nonemphatic voice, but his "Miss You" immediately made me smile. Not sure his soul embellishments and melisma work, but they make me smile too. So does the harmonica. Never heard of Jimmie Allen and I'm enjoying this like I enjoyed the Elvie Shane: who's this guy to think he can sing this song? And good for him.

Honorable mention: I groaned at the idea of someone doing "Wild Horses," but Little Big Town are good singers so this isn't bad. Was listening to "Little White Church" the other day. Wish LBT'd try Billy Idol's "White Wedding." White Wedding: country stars' tribute to the music of Billy Idol, Adam Ant, The Pet Shop Boys, and Kajagoogoo.

I mentioned her above. But this new one is really great. features Hurray for the Riff Raff

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7R4B1mr-PQ

she seems fun he's a grump imp

I like the idea of Eddie Montgomery as a grumpy imp, "a small, mischievous devil or sprite." Kinda cuts the legs out from under his massive self-seriousness.

very enjoyable tune, thanks

The new Doug Paisley is wonderful, might be my favorite one of his yet.

Not only did Lainey Wilson sing “Heart Like a Truck” on the CMT Awards last night, but they showed 5 times a Ram truck commercial that uses the song , . I think she won an award too. I kinda like the song although her delivery is a bit too melodramatic for me.

Jelly Roll won a male country singer award. “He sang “Son of a Sinner “

Jelly Roll did “Need a Favor” I mean

The show started off with a somber tone as country singer and co-host Kelsea Ballerini read off the names of six victims of a school shooting killed Monday in Nashville, Tennessee. She noted how she shared their pain, explaining that in 2008 she witnessed a school shooting in her hometown high school cafeteria in Knoxville and prayed for “real action” that would protect children and families. Earlier in the evening, country artists wore black ribbons on the red carpet to honor victims of the shooting

https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/nation-world/cmt-music-awards-show/507-14d9bc53-6a89-421f-ba61-2af6b304ebfd

Maren Morris is pretty fearless. there are so many country musicians out there who are silent on politics, not wanting to make waves, but she’s a hero.

xpost so Kelsea Ballerini is putting her ass on the line here---professionally, in that her vanilla country pop aspirations don't auto-fit with perceived "anti=Second Amendment" tendencies, let alone eyewitness accounts of school shootings---personally in that she's a woman (which also doesn't help biz-wise), and how dare she, no doubt some are already going after her like they do Maren Morris (who is not vanilla, but gets a lot of shit and sounds kinda weary but traveling on through Humble Quest).

Maren and Kelsea appear to be the only courageous ones.

I doubt any Nashville country act will condemn legislature for kicking out 2 Black members and not doing anything about gun control

The Ballerini EP she released in April is by far her best work.

Haven't heard it all yet, but did catch a new one that sounded pretty decent---maybe that goes with the statements that aren't convenient for the kind of (not nec. bad but often very narrowly focused) music she's mostly made before: she's stepping past that kind of music as well, no longer hiding or sidelining so much of her brain and true range of experience.

I'm not against country pop at all, I just want more of it to be, to even try to be, as good as, while not aping, Lainey Wilson and Sunny Sweeney are currently (Lainey was just as good in 2021 as 2022, Sunny's '22 seemed her most consistent ever).

I will be deleting all Anheuser-Busch products from my tour hospitality rider. I know many other artists who are doing the same.

— Travis Tritt (@Travistritt) April 5, 2023

I mean no disrespect towards anyone specifically, I don’t even mind @Travistritt.
I just think insulting transgender people is completely wrong because we live in a country where we can all just be who we want to be
It’s a great day to be alive I thought

— Zach Bryan (@zachlanebryan) April 8, 2023

absolutely terrifying that saying ‘insulting others is wrong’ is reason enough for people to get so evil so quick

— Zach Bryan (@zachlanebryan) April 8, 2023

His record – his Moby-Dick really – has some okay songs and some gorgeous songs. I never got to it last year.

Caramanica in NY Times and on IG has been a big Zach Bryan supporter.

I kinda went bananas for it last year, as these RC 22 posts only hint at:

Also thanks to this thread, I just now listened to all of xxxxetcpost(s) Zach Bryan's American Heartbreak for the first time. 34 songs, 2 hours and 1 minute by Spotify's count, so I thought I might break it up into two (or more) sessions, but no prob. Detailed turns of words and music---sometimes plot twists, ripping the Band-Aid off---replenished and pulled me right through it all, like it does the semi-beautiful loser narrator---sometimes alarmingly, when I get the impression that he's throwing himself once again at and through (also at) a bright blue winter sky wall---with relationships like vines, and space heater electrification: country as hell, and with a musical valentine to closing time itself, "when the world gets close," looping through "a wild man's weary ways" to a spot of morning light when you're always/so far looking good and "The Road I Know" as his final reward (on the album).

― dow, Tuesday, December 13, 2022 4:24 PM (three months ago) bookmarkflaglink

And I 'ppreciate that he doesn't blame other people more than himself--it's much less about brooding on a barstool than keep a-goin', one hand on the wheel, the other holding a drink (phone on in holder, so can record life's demos on the fly).

― dow, Tuesday, December 13, 2022 4:28 PM

From Numero:

California You're Slippin"

Out Today: Joyce Street - Tied Down LP
A ’70s homemaker stuck between the studio and a getting dinner on the table, Joyce Street eked out an arresting countrypolitan discography in the margins of an otherwise traditional American life. With lyrics drawn from the pages of her diary, Street’s stirring Mississippi warble led her into the fly-by-night world of custom studios, cutting tracks for upstart country concerns like Reena, Sonobeat, Revelation, and Arc. Channeling the honky tonk angel energy of Bobbie Gentry, Loretta Lynn, and Jeannie C. Riley,Tied Down compiles a decade’s worth of melodies disguised as lottery tickets.
Track List
Joyce Street Life Ain't Worth Livin' (If I Can't Have You)
Joyce Street That Man Of Mine
Joyce Street Woman Do Something Nice
Joyce Street Mississippi Moonshine
Joyce Street Don't Make Me Cry
Joyce Street Tied Down
Joyce Street Music Soft and the Lights Down Low
Joyce Street California You're Slippin'
Joyce Street The Good Book Says It's Wrong
Joyce Street Back Streets Of Your City
Joyce Street Love In My Heart
Joyce Street When You Belong To Me
Joyce Street California You're Slippin' [Demo]
Joyce Street Lost Highway

Oh yeah: Miranda was on a talk show last night, plugging this---said it was more stories than recipes, so I'm kinda curious (Holly Gleason is co-author):

My new cookbook Y’ALL EAT YET? is here!!
My mom and her group of friends, that are basically like my aunts, started what we called a “Chopped Cook-Off” in 2020. We’d have our husbands pick an ingredient a week, so we’d have 5 ingredients to make a dish, and we couldn’t use google to help us. It got us started talking about all of the recipes that we’d made, and all of our memories around them. We thought it’d be cute to make a little Shutterfly book of all of those recipes, but that idea grew into creating a full cookbook to share with y'all. So here we are, 3 years later. with a real book with all of our favorite recipes and memories together. I hope you enjoy them as much as we have.

Welcome to the Pretty Bitchin’ Kitchen Y’all!

Cheers! –Miranda

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/17/arts/music/popcast-country-divorce-albums.html

NY Times popcast /podcast re country music and recent divorce albums by Kelsea Ballerini , Carly Pearce , and Kacey Musgraves

The only one of those I've heard all the way through (and several times) is Pearce's: pretty uneven, like the one before it, and I'm sure it's tough as hell to figure out how much you want to, should, and can disclose, this last being at least as much about the intellectual and emotional energy, also will power, to coalesce fairness, candor, clarity, vividness, even aside from any concerns about feuds, lawyers, tabloids, fan talk online, etc. etc.---but if you're gonna do it at all, better do it right. She seems unsure of what she's doing about half the time on there.
On the other hand, she was great at the Opry this Saturday night just past, as seen on digital antenna TV's The Circle "network"/channel.

(As for Musgraves, what the hell? Every Rushton Kelly song I've ever heard tells all who will listen, in a very sincere, abject way, whut a no-good, dadgum, sorry soggy sack of shit he is.)

Carly Pearce's first album Every Little Thing is still my favorite of hers, it was fun and loose in ways she seems to keep retreating from. (Not that the divorce album should be "fun", but her music keeps feeling more static to me.)

His record – his Moby-Dick really – has some okay songs and some gorgeous songs. I never got to it last year.

― the very juice and sperm of kindness. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, April 11, 2023 2:01 PM (two weeks ago) bookmarkflaglink

Anyone who still hasn't listened to American Heartbreak is missing out. Put it on.

The songwriting isn't amazing and individual songs are unlikely to wow, but the sum is greater than its parts, and I consider it an incredible development that he's as popular as he is given the last two decades of male-driven country.

I listened to it once all the way through, which I admit is not enough, but my takeaway was that it felt like a sea of same-ness - same inflections, same melodic palette, same volumes, same vibes - with the occasional peak that made me go, "OK, this one sounds cool."

I don't really understand why he put out so many songs at once - is that a streaming stunt to game the country charts or something?

The sheer number of tracks makes it hard to wade in, for me.

I do think it's great that he has gotten so big.

looking back now, i think my takeaway is similar to Alfred's ... except maybe i couldn't seem to fish out the okay songs from the seemingly never-ending stream of similar sounds

I must credit Wallen's weirdo song-stuffed behemoth for helping to prepare me for Bryant's---Zach Bryant is our Morgan Wallen.
In other news, Amanda Shires and Bobbie Nelson have an album coming out June 23. Instrumentally should be fine, but yknow Bobbie didn't sing and I told yall about my probs with Amanda's voice on Take It Like A Man, except when it's double-tracked, so maybe she'll do some of that here.
Bobbie's Audiobiography is good, and she did several other albums credited to her and Willie; the only one I've heard is December Day, a trip. Her struggles referenced by Shires are candidly tracked in Me and Sister Bobbie, the joint memoir with Willie: alternating chapters, come hell and breakfast.
https://www.jambase.com/article/amanda-shires-bobbie-nelson-loving-you-album-summertime-cover
First single from the upcoming, guest sung by guess who:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aW1a4fM8X0

Looking forward to this!

https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/brennen-leigh-aint-through-honky-tonkin-yet.jpg

"Ain't Through Honky Tonkin' Yet" coming 6/16/2023

Awash in full-throttle fiddle, weeping steel guitar, a sprinkling of heavenly backing vocals, and anchored by her warm, expressive vocals, Leigh’s latest album is an emotion-packed revelation. Rooted in vintage country, Ain’t Through Honky Tonkin’ Yet is an unapologetically beer-and tear-soaked homage to an era when hard-country weepers burst forth from AM transistor radios.

“I’m in love with this idea of the real Nashville, " says Leigh. “The idyllic golden age, which, to me, is around 1967, 1968, because of the alchemy, the explosion that occurred, with the best country music songwriters ever, the best singers in country music.”

The album’s country roots run deep, with guests like Marty Stuart and Rodney Crowell and a lineup of top-flight musicians, yet each track soars with abandon. With thoughtful, incisive lyrics and vibrant melodies at the forefront, Leigh has successfully created a modern gem, while honoring country music’s enduring golden era.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qMXxPAeA9U

her western swing album was terrific. this should be incredible.