Every so often an album comes along to make a stake of being pivotal to the revival of traditional country music. Not that this style particular needs a revival as many know it bubbles away in pockets right across the English speaking world and further afield. Yet there is no harm in pinning great accolades to a record that may or may not project the world of traditional leaning country music in more than just a retrospective direction. The chances of Victoria Bailey proving a beacon for 2020 are a likely long shot in the wider world, but for those endearing listeners longing for an iconic moment then JESUS, RED WINE & PATSY CLINE could just be your medicine.
From a wishful cover drenched in nostalgia to a title proving as explicit as a West Coast tremor, you are well on the way to understanding the music of Victoria Bailey. Trawl through song titles reciting staple vocabulary such as honky tonk, ramblin' (don't forget the countrified omissive apostrophe), dime, outlaws and Tennessee, and you get a little warmer to the fiery core of a release re-defining the term authentic.
You've got the imagery, the buzz words and anticipation, now just one thing left and to wrap your ears around 35 minutes of pure country gold. Everything you desire is neatly packaged from the holy triumverate of fiddle, steel and heartbreak to songs about drinking, travelling and the wrong side of the tracks where they know how to play the right music. Bailey proves that she is no mean writer in taking the sole credit for eight of the nine tracks, leaving room for a solitary cover courtesy of a Johnny Cash recording and an interesting choice in 'Tennessee' from his posthumously released album OUT AMONG THE STARS.
Putting the earlier West Coast analogy in context, Bailey hails from Los Angeles, a city long known for rivalling the southern states in the realm of traditional country music and she doesn't hold back on extolling the virtues of her state's standing. Album opener 'Honky Tonk Woman' uncorks the fizz and every sinew of Bailey's effort bathes in champagne moments. JESUS, RED WINE & PATSY CLINE is one album title folks won't forget and neither will the music of Victoria Bailey once waded through its nostalgic mist.
Can't see this on Bandcamp, but you digital eagles across the world will track it down. Happy hunting.