Whilst observing country music from a distant land, there
are a handful of traits that form an identikit well before the first sound is
heard. Hail from a small town with a memorable name, work your way up from the
depths of the employment ladder and inject some real life anguish into your
songs. Even if none of these traits applied to Kelsey Waldon, it wouldn’t take
long to realise that she was born to sing country music, in fact one line on
the opening track of her new album will do. I’VE GOT A WAY is Kelsey’s highly
anticipated sophomore record and is set to confirm her status as one of the
rising stars of the country music scene as anointed by several respected
observers.
So before we delve deep into the riches of this
enthralling album, let’s bask in Kelsey’s delightful hometown name of Monkey’s
Eyebrow Kentucky, respect that she pitched her songs in the bars of Nashville
whilst supporting herself via low paid jobs and acknowledge the inspiration to
find music as therapy for teenage family difficulties. The background to Kelsey is
supplemented by a stellar list of influences leaving you in no doubt as to where
her genre leanings lie. Regardless of the backdrop, the proof of her talent
blossoms in the glorious tracks that form this self-released album which burns
to the embers any remnants of throwaway country pop.
In a year where doors opened for Margo Price 4000 miles
across the pond, those seduced by the authentic sound of real country music
will also fall in love with Kelsey and lap up every inch of this record. Right
from the opening steel driving straight up rocker ‘Dirty Old Town’ (not the Anglo folk song but just as good) to the tear
jerking exit track ‘The Heartbreak’,
the vocals, music and essence brim with glorious country music authenticity.
Every slice of this sentimental stab at making a respected
record is dripping in pure gold. Whether tackling a couple of unconventional
covers or bringing her own compositions to fruition, the production is a credit
to Kelsey and her band of helpers. The covers consist of a version of The
Gosdin Brothers’ ‘There Must Be a Someone’
in all its crooning glory and a take on Bill Monroe’s ‘Travelin’ Down This Lonesome Road’ with a slightly dark and
alternative edge.
The originals are headed by the lead promo track ‘All By Myself’, but this is just
eclipsed in the stand-out stakes by the timeless beauty ‘Life Moves Slow’, the classic country kiss-off ‘You Can Have It’ and the cleverly written
‘False King’. In fact so effortlessly
and seamless that the eleven tracks roll along, it is tough to single songs
out, but ‘I’d Rather Go On’ makes a
valiant case to banish this theory.
Kelsey’s student of life status has served her well in
pursuit of making music that matters and the result is a relentless release
that refuses to yield. Facile to the core and a contemporary marker for country
music ambience, I’VE GOT A WAY will bore a hole in you record collection as it
finds its niche. Lashes of rocking pedal steel added to a vocalist who sings as
she means it makes this a full on album revealing Kelsey Waldon as an artist
ready to repay those who cited her potential.
Ultimately it is an album that’s far too retro for a major
label. However the winners are those who seek it out and marvel at its sheer
composure. Quenching the thirst for unrepentant classic tinged contemporary country
music is a deserved final word.
www.kelseywaldon.com
