-Tara Two-time Juno award-winning Canadian Americana singer-songwriter Jenny Whiteley returns with a new record The Original Jenny Whiteley, due September 16th. A tip of the hat to her musical heritage, the songs on The Original Jenny Whiteley range from select covers mixed as well as originals that showcase a range of genres including blues, bluegrass, jug band and more. The album begins with “100 Dollars” an acoustic ode to the working musician and travels through ten more songs that showcase banjo, guitar, harmonica, fiddle and harp alongside Whiteley’s sincere and versatile vocals. Whiteley’s rendition of “In The Pines” includes some perfectly fitting breezy whistling, while “Oxford Town” is a fast-paced bluegrass toe-tapper and “Morning Blues” is a bluesy, harmonica-laden tune about a girl “on a poor boy’s mind.” The originals on the album include “Malade,” which transports one to France with its beautifully calm melody and Whiteley’s ethereal vocals (sung in French), the spirited jug band style of “Banjo Girl” and the jazzy flair of “Higher Learning” before closing out with the uplifting, acappella “Things Are Coming My Way.” The Original Jenny Whiteley honors Whiteley’s early influences as well as her own continuing musical journey in a collection that is rich, diverse and simply a delight.
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-Tara Georgia native Craig Campbell launched on to country music fans’ radar in 2011 with the release of his self-titled debut album which brought hits such as “Family Man,” “Fish,” and “When I Get It.” In 2013, he earned his first Top 10 with “Keep Them Kisses Comin’” from his sophomore album Never Regret. Recently, Campbell released a new single to country radio, “Outskirts of Heaven” which he performed on the TODAY show earlier in the summer. The ballad, co-written by Campbell alongside Dave Turnbull, immediately recalls Brad Paisley’s “When I Get Where I’m Going” not only in Campbell’s delivery, but in their shared sentiments. “Outskirts of Heaven” is a touching traditional country song which begins with Campbell recalling what his grandfather taught him, not only in life, but also about the Lord and what comes after life ends. Then, accompanied by an emotive pedal steel, Campbell proceeds to earnestly describe where he’d like to live when he passes, culminating in a thoughtful song that touches deep and inspires. "He taught me the Bible about all twelve disciples and he made sure that I know there’s life after this With pearly gates and streets of gold, said if I just believe that’s where I’ll go Lord, when I die I wanna live on the outskirts of Heaven Where there’s dirt roads for miles, hay in the fields and fish in the river Where there’s dogwood trees and honey bees and blue skies and green grass forever Lord, when I die I wanna live on the outskirts of Heaven" "Outskirts of Heaven" will be on Campbell’s upcoming debut album on BBR/Red Bow Records. Watch the lyric video here. After grabbing the attention of Texas Music fans with their debut single “Weak In The Knees”, Steven James & The Jaded are excited to release their latest album On The Run. The album includes seven new tracks including their latest single, “Texas Girls,” a tribute to the women James considers the “best women in the world” as well as the title track, an intense number heavy on electric guitar, and the melodic “We Can Get Along.” James and Co. really hit their stride on the heartland rocker “Someone Like You,” the delightful, dance-floor ready (and personal favorite) “Dance With Me Tonight” and the shuffling, tender “Wildflower Lane” before circling back to a bluesy, southern rock lean on closer “Dirty Mind” which includes an extended jam. Produced by Grammy-Nominated producer Dylan Ely (Bob Seger, Linkin Park) at The Loop Studios in the band's hometown of Corpus Christi, On The Run will be released on September 13th. With its mix of roots and southern rock, it's sure to have a song that will become a favorite. Give it a listen. Whiskey Myers return with their signature gritty and soulful southern rock on MUD, their Dave Cobb produced album, out September 9th. Since their previous full-length, Early Morning Shakes, Whiskey Myers has grown; once a quintet, the guys are now a seven-piece with the welcome addition of Jon Knudson (fiddle/keyboard/sax) and Tony Kent (percussion), both now full-time members, alongside regulars Cody Cannon (lead vocals and guitar), Cody Tate (guitar), John Jeffers (guitar), Gary Brown (bass), and Jeff Hogg (drums). And while they’ve grown in size, the additional instrumentation has also found them growing sonically as MUD showcases an expansive sound from the boding fiddle and percussive thumping of opener “On The River” to the old-time front porch harmonizing of closer “Good Ole Days,” which nods to enjoying the good old days present in the here and now. In between those bookends are eight additional tracks which boast anything from an aggressive rock lean (“Mud”) to poignant, piano centered ballads (“Stone”); as well as gigantic doses of swaggering southern rock (“Deep Down In The South”) and ebullient bluesy, horn-flushed numbers (“Lightning Bugs and Rain”). MUD also includes “Some of Your Love” a bold, lively rocker, “Frogman” (co-written with Rich Robinson of the Black Crowes) the fierce tale of a Navy SEAL missing home and the restrained “Trailer We Call Home” an impactful story of working class dreams, struggles, and love. MUD may only be Whiskey Myers’ fourth album, but they’ve managed to refine - yet simultaneously expand and perfect - their sound into something that is grounded by a one-of-a-kind versatility, intensity and diversity that cements MUD as one of the best of the year. Nashville-based artist Jim Ivins is a seasoned singer-songwriter, session musician and co-writer who has collaborated in rock, pop, country, R&B, and EDM as well as wedding and children’s music. Ivins thrives on stretching his musical boundaries whether he is fronting a rock band, playing acoustic-driven music, or working with other artists to achieve their visions and on September 2nd, he saw those boundaries broadened even further with the release of his new single, “18 Dreams.” Penned by Ivins, “18 Dreams” is a mid-tempo tune rooted in pop, but with indie, country, and roots-rock sensibilities. Highlighted by pedal steel, violin, and guitar, “18 Dreams” conveys an overall wistful feel while looking reflectively, thoughtfully, and at times achingly at a longtime relationship now dissolved; where someone you once knew intimately is now a stranger. A painful realization many can empathize with, Ivins relates the lyrics with honesty and heartfelt emotion. "But so you know those 18 dreams of mine come right back when I see your smile even if I'm long past wanting And so you know I still have yet to meet another love that makes me better than I am These thoughts are daily haunts it seems but I chalk them up to 18 dreams How are you a stranger if I knew you before? How are all the lessons learned not lessons anymore? How can we be strangers when we knew so well that it hurt?" Click "Read More" to listen to the track via You Tube. -Tara Athens, GA-based outfit Caleb Keith and the Calaveras - Mark Callahan (lead guitar), Jay Miller (pedal steel guitar), Chris Romano (drums), and Chris Riser (bass) - recently released their debut album, Between Late and Lonesome which reflects the quintet’s blend of honky tonk, rock, and soul, on eight songs that touch on love and heartache, lonely and long highways, and hard times. Opening track “Marie” embodies that familiar roots rock sound on a tune about a woman he instantly connects with, while the pedal steel imparts a deep loneliness “four months and three days” after a break-up on “Where Do You Go.” From there he asks, “What Have You Done” to the one who turned her back when things got a little difficult before journeying into wanderlust and missing home in “Middle America.” The album is rounded out by the spirited “On The Water,” the tender waltz “Wish You Well” and the utterly delightful “Liza Jane” before closing with “No Grace” a raucous number with an underlying feeling of anger where he sings knowingly, “Life ain’t fair and the world is mean.” Simple and effective songs delivered with heart and grit are found Between Late and Lonesome. Give it a listen. For more information, visit here. Purchase the album here https://www.amazon.com/Between-Lonesome-Caleb-Keith-Calaveras/dp/B01HGB79UE or https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/between-late-and-lonesome/id1126974788 |
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October 2018
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