The stock of Texan artist Carrie Rodriguez is set to rise as
she continues to reap the benefits of her rich musical heritage and the
influences she has been exposed to. After a period of interpreting the songs of
others with 2008’s LOVE AND CIRCUMSTANCE
and the 2011 duet EP with Ben Kyle WE STILL LOVE OUR COUNTRY, Carrie has
re-ignited her song writing skills in this eleven-track new release, the Lee
Townsend-produced GIVE ME ALL YOU GOT.
The exemplary fiddle work that has been the signature sound
of Carrie since the early days of her classical upbringing is still very much
in evident as she continues to explore the world of Americana music with a host
of talented collaborators. As per usual, her mentor, the legendary Chip Taylor
(Wild Thing, Angel of the Morning),
continues to be a guiding light for Carrie. As well as supplying a brace of his
own compositions’, he assisted Carrie in the writing of the two opening songs,
which help shape a very strong album. The first of these ‘Devil in Mind’ is a trademark Carrie track adorned with her
delightful fiddle complementing the sultry vocals. The song appears later in
the album in instrumental format with an arrangement that adds value to the
original and is no mere filler.
Some of these new songs were previewed during Carrie’s set
at last year’s Maverick Festival when she toured with her latest musical sidekick,
Luke Jacobs who plays a prominent role in this release with his co-writing and
versatile guitar skills. One of these songs, ‘Lake Harriet’, left a positive impression and its recorded format
is the record’s finest track with a snappy introduction and infectious beat.
The fact that this is a solo-Carrie composition bodes well for the future self-confidence
in her song writing skills. The country credentials of this song are apparent,
albeit the subject is a Minneapolis tourist spot, not your usual southern
inspired location. 
Carrie’s previous collaborator Ben Kyle has penned the
tender ballad ‘Get Back in Love’ that
is part of a trio of slower numbers which hold the middle section of the album
together alongside ‘Tragic’ a
co-write with Luke Jacobs and Chip Taylor’s ‘Cut
Me Now’. The latter having an increased electric input into its sound. The
penultimate track ‘Brooklyn’ is an
autobiographical piece heavily featured in the press release and it being a co-write
between Carrie and Luke re-affirms the potential in this pairing to develop
their song writing partnership. This continues in the reflective old time feel
duet number ‘I Don’t Mind Waiting’
that brings the album to a suitable conclusion.www.carrierodriguez.com
Lake Harriet
