Three Chords and the Truth UK

  www.haileywhitters.com Hailey Whitters confirmed her position as a recording artist with intent in 2020 via the release of THE DREAM. This, her second  album, tracked a well-trodden journey from long term jobbing songwriter to one firmly fixed in the spotlight. The twelve track album detailed the evolution process from the awakening expressed in the critically acclaimed opener ' Ten Year Town' to the summarising closer ' Living The Dream'. Twelve months on, and buoyed by the spirit of the sentiment in the title of the last track, the story is updated with five additional songs forming a deluxe edition.  Whereas 'Living the Dream ' - the track - crowned the writing partnership of Hailey Whitters and her mentor Lori McKenna, LIVING THE DREAM - the deluxe album - sees Whitters move into a recording partnership with some of the biggest names in country music. Many of the new tracks emerge from previous associations with one surprise legendary performer also stepp...

  www.sarapetite.com Keep the faith they say, and that is something done with the music of Sara Petite for over a decade. Where others shine, prosper, flicker and fade, this San Diego-based country singer continues to pop up in centre stage to re-affirm all the reasons that caught the ear several years ago.  To put the whole story in context, the music of Sara Petite burst onto my horizon with DOGHOUSE ROSE in 2010, and instantly her two previous album releases - LEAD THE PARADE and TIGER MOUNTAIN were brought into the fold. Having moved into the world of blogging in 2012, the opportunity to review the 2013 album CIRCUS COMES TO TOWN was too good to resist with all the credentials of her appeal laid bare to savour and celebrate in words.  There was a live presence in the UK in the early days, but my only opportunity to see a show was confined to an hour solo slot in a pub in Stroud in 2014. As rewarding as that experience was, the holy grail is seeing the full band, a for...

  www.katdanser.com With a little bit of creative of licence it is possible to draw a fairly straight line from Edmonton Canada to Havana Cuba that intersects New Orleans Louisiana. By keeping these three interconnected locations in mind you can start to piece together the axis that forms the latest album from blues artist Kat Danser. ONE EYE OPEN is the 6th record from a Canadian who successfully transmits an almost intellectual enthusiasm for a music passion into an accessible and attractive package for those not so ingrained in such a style. Praise can be worthy from acknowledged sources, but maybe there is something extra rewarding from unexpected places where folks have tapped into and enjoyed the experience presented.  Working alongside acclaimed musician and producer Steve Dawson in his Black Hen Music operation, Danser serves up ten juicy tracks that comprise of eight originals and a couple of covers. The latter pair pay homage to perhaps two lesser known luminaries of...

  www.laineywilson.com It is perhaps a sign of the times that over half the songs from this album have trickled out at a steady rate during the last year or so, likely to feed the way many consume music in 2021. However the time has arrived for the LP format to move onto centre stage as Lainey Wilson takes her bow as a recording artist on Broken Bow Records, an established sub-label operating in the mainstream of country music. For this her second album, she has been teamed up with influential producer Jay Joyce and a battalion of co-writers to bring the essence of her raw credentials to fruition. The result is SAYIN' WHAT I'M THINKIN' - a vivacious album carefully curated to evolve contemporary country music in a mindful way. Make no mistake this is a luscious slice of country pop that at least creates some distance from the competition pumping music into the ears of a target audience via the omnipresent algorithms. You could even say it is on the front line taking the fig...

www.bethlee.net/music The music of Beth Lee creates images of a pre-techno age where fanzines and record shop rustling preceded websites and surfing streaming sites. There is an element of coolness and innocence to the sound emanating from her debut album as she spins on an axis of post-punk indie new wave rock 'n' roll while occasionally reaching out in a more sensitive direction. This Austin-based artist has previously traded under the fabulous moniker Beth Lee and the Break Ups, a band that ultimately took their name too literally. Now the dial is moved forward with the release of WAITING ON YOU TONIGHT - an eleven track album blessed with an outstanding lead song that thrives with playlist magnetism.  The slated track arrives early in the album, slotting in straight after the title track doubles ups as the lead off number. ' Yale Street and 45' is rich with a great melody and sweet nostalgia, two dimensions that made an instant impression and keeps the head scratch...

  www.willovermanmusic.com From the moment of its first play you instantly feel that the music of Will Overman is something to latch on to and you are willing him to achieve. The good news is that THE WINEMAKER'S DAUGHTER supremely builds on this early promise and firmly stamps an imprint of A-grade Americana on your turntable or more versatile listening device. Hailing from Charlottesville Virginia, Overman possesses a vocal style to own the sentiment of his songs that are as intimate and sincere as you are likely to hear from an expressive singer-songwriter. These are deeply personal songs that resonate with a tensile strength.  A handful of the nine tracks forming the full release have been strategically released in the run up to the formal album launch, and like the whole purpose of the LP format the entirety are best savoured in that single sitting. By tapping into Overman's mind you join him on an emotive journey of chasing dreams, reflecting fondly and ultimately celebr...

  www.rickshea.com There are very few stones left unturned as Rick Shea packs an awful lot into his latest album. The twelve tracks that form LOVE & DESPERATION circumnavigate a multitude of musical styles to despatch a comprehensive package sure to interact well with listeners switched onto a diverse sound within a prescriptive template. That template mixes a little light blues with a touch of country stirred by short forays to the Tex-Mex border. What you are presented with is a distinguished and comprehensive album that steers lovers of acutely curated Americana music down a lavish path.  Shea pivots from his California roots to absorb the impressions created of familiar people, places and locations Like a lot of multi-facetted albums, this one requires a fair few plays to fully grasp its mantle, but rest assured each spin will reveal a little bit more of a polished nugget. Twelve albums into an experienced and accomplished recording career, Rick Shea knows how to curat...

  www.kbbayley.com If you are more than a little partial for the sincere lyrical song offerings of artists like Jeffrey Foucault, Ben Glover and Danny Schmidt - to mention three for starters- , there is a new name to add in the guise of English singer-songwriter KB Bayley. Admittedly, the spin of words knows no nationality borders, but sometimes it is good to punch the bag from a local perspective when immersed in so much quality song writing from across the waters. Those three associates were not wholly plucked from thin air as Ben Glover lends backing vocals to one of the songs on the album, Jeffrey Foucault lends one of his songs for cover on the album and there is a stamp of Danny Schmidt's song structure right across the album. However let's put the names of others to one side and celebrate what KB Bayley has delivered in LITTLE THUNDERSTORMS. Sorry, there is one more name in Martin Simpson. A similarity in style that struck me right from the first track and once again in ...

  www.ajcrocemusic.com It may have a simple title that goes right to the point and an unobtrusive cover, but this tenth studio album by A.J. Croce opens doors on several fronts. Firstly those coming across this American singer-songwriter for the first time can be forgiven for asking what else has he done over a thirty-year career. Secondly it may lead to shining a new light on his late father Jim Croce who's backstory fits into his son's narrative albeit for a very brief period. Finally there could be an inquisitive nature to compare the versions of each of the twelve songs appearing on this record with their originals or many of the ubiquitous versions that have appeared over the years.  BY REQUEST sees Croce take a break from the original material and literally put his hand to any song somebody as thrown at him in those late night sessions when anything musically goes. The result is a full-on production with Croce leading the way on trademark piano and vocals. Perhaps the in...