Saturday, March 20, 2010

James Hand "Shadow On the Ground"


If you're tired of over-produced country music that sounds like it should be on the pop charts instead of the country charts, then you'll love Waco, Texas native James Hand's stellar new album "Shadow On The Ground." James Hand is an authentic country musician in the tradition of Hank Williams, and his album will remind you why you became a fan of country music in the first place.

James "Slim" Hand is a Texan through and through, and his heartachingly real depiction of country life will surprise and delight you. Hand's debut national release in 2006 at age 53 ("The Truth Will Set You Free" on Rounder Records) was a landmark in Texas music, and it gave hope to every Lone Star musician waiting for their moment to arrive. Before taking the national stage, James Hand began singing in honky tonks at age 12, but he had to find work as a truck driver, rodeo rider and horse trainer to earn additional money.

All the hard work paid off with "Shadow On The Ground." James Hand has never sounded better, and the album starts off strong with the traditional country track "Don't Want Me Too." This cut will make you want to break out in a great big country smile, and it's followed by the album's biggest surprise, the classic "Mona Lisa."

Co-produced by Asleep At The Wheel's Ray Benson and Texas music legend Lloyd Maines, the production on "Shadow On The Ground" is flawless. The best song on the album is "Midnight Run," which showcases James Hand's pure, authentic country voice. It's followed by the terrific "Leaving For Good" which should be a country chart hit.

James Hand doesn't just sing - he creates Americana musical art with passion and intensity. After listening just once to "Shadow On The Ground," you'll instantly know that this album will never leave your truck's CD player, and you won't be able to resist telling all your friends about it. In these days of iPhones, social media and fast food on every corner, James Hand's music will make you want to take the day off and enjoy a night with your wife under the stars. You can't offer any higher praise for an album than that. (Reprint from CountryChart.com) You can download the complete cd or individual tracks at www.buckatune.net

Heather Myles "In the Wind"


Heather Myles indulges in the real meat and marrow of what country is all about. “In The Wind” is the latest signpost on the trail of her exceptional career, nodding towards the modern currents of country while maintaining a good grip on the reins of the past.

“In The Wind” is a fun, beautiful, sometimes haunting collection of songs that Heather has been inspired to write, and a few covers close to her heart. It is a warm, revealing look at her life so far and where she is headed next, demonstrating a maturity honed by years on the road, in the studio, and in the company of greatness. - Her duet with Willie, “Don’t Call Me”, is richly spiced by Skip Edwards’ south-of-the-bor der accordion, while gems like “Broke And Broken Hearted” plant her boots firmly in the dusty, smoke-filled honky-tonk tradition.

You can crack open a tall one and scoot boots along with “Smokin’” and the red-hot boogie of “My Baby’s Good To Me”. “Right Or Wrong” and the classic “Vaya Con Dios” conjure up the spirits of Patsy and Loretta, while “Pretty Poison” and the bittersweet, mandolin-driven “In the Wind” offer up a more contemporary take on country.

The title song, and the whole album, take a creative look at what is really the heart and soul of country music: the hope and perseverance that come along with hardship and heartache. This is True Country. The complete cd or individual tracks available for download at www.buckatune.net

When Did You Stop Loving Me
Broke And Broken Hearted
Shoulder To Cry On
Don't Call Me
Pretty Poison
Mama's A Star
Smokin', Drinkin', Dancin' Again
Vaya Con Dios
In The Wind
Walk On By
Right Or Wrong
My Baby's Good To Me
(Reprint: www.heathermyles.com)

New cd from Carolyn Martin: "Cookin' With Carolyn"


Carolyn Martin from the wonderful Time Jumpers now follows up her hit CD, entitled Swing, with another gem. Again, she surrounds herself with many talented musicians who are heard throughout this CD on various cuts.

The steel guitarists heard are Hall of Fame member Doug Jernigan as well as Chris Scruggs and former Time Jumper Johnny Cox. Current Time Jumper band-mate Jeff Taylor plays accordion and piano. Also playing piano are Beegie Adair and John England Western Swinger member, Neil Stretcher. John himself is heard on lead guitar on Carolyn and her husband, Dave Martin's great swinging tune That's What I Call Cookin'. Dave is heard on bass and vocal on Jeff Taylor's Cookin' With Carolyn Theme. On the drums is heard Tommy Wells and Jerry Krahn plays guitar and plectrum banjo. Billy Contreras and Paul Kramer play fiddle, Kat Bowser does harmony vocal and Rory Hoffman plays both electric guitar and accordion. Western Music's legendary vocal group, Riders in the Sky, join Carolyn on Johnny Mercer's Dream. Nora Jane Struthers also joins her on another Johnny Mercer standard, the Elton Britt and Rosalie Allen hit duet The Yodel Blues.

Piano player Beegie Adair shows her writing talent on Someday Soon Sweetheart while Pianist Neil Stretcher wrote Nothing Better to Do. Carolyn also brings back Spring Cleaning from the 1930's song writing team that gave us Take Me Back to My Boots and Saddle. Other pop favorites reprised are If I Knew You Were Comin' I'd've Baked a Cake, Straighten Up and Fly Right and the Hoagy Carmichael/Ned Washington masterpiece Nearness of You. Fiddle Player Paul Kramer wrote It's All About You while Carolyn and Nora Jane penned Skillet Blues. Two more real gems are Rodgers and Hammerstein's People Will Say We're in Love from Broadway and Hollywood and the Western Swing Classic, Columbus Stockade Blues. The album closes with a 43 second reprise of Cookin' With Carolyn. This cd can or individual tracks can be downloaded at www.buckatune.net (reprint from http://www.swinginwest.com/reviews.htm)