Posted by Pete Smith on September 7, 2008, 12:17 pm
217.42.199.115
“The Advertiser” (UK)
11 July 2008
Frank Carlier defines himself as “a hillbilly from West Virginia” though when it comes to his music he hates definitions. His music is born out of his roots, small town, coal mining mountain country and, if one dare, could label it Americana, left wing country or contemporary folk. The fact is it is all of these, truly American music steeped in traditionalism and with a quirky edge, something truly special. Carlier’s music is always unpredictable. His first album dealt with violent situations, wasted lives and death and was titled “Born Again”. His second spoke about love, discovering life and good things and was called “Hellbound”. Carlier’s music is raw, edgy and certainly takes no prisoners. Frank’s new album, “Americana 101” (Comstock Records) hasten original stories about everyday people caught up in situations that perhaps we would not like to be in ourselves. They are songs that lay bare people’s lives in circumstances that other writers choose to avoid. They are earthy, realistic, interesting and certainly not for the faint of heart. Carlier, as a singer/writer is mega talented and, courageous, though he would probably disagree with the latter adjective. The depth of Carlier’s subjects is hinted at in titles such as “Angels In The Death House”, “No Redeeming Quality”, “The Burden Of The Red, White and Blue” and “White Trash”. They are songs that will make you think, maybe feel a little ashamed and probably cause you to cheer as he tells the truth in the statement “I’m Going On The Jerry Springer Show”. Carlier’s talent do not stop and singing and writing, Frank also picks all guitars, mandolin, bass, lap steel, banjo and sitar and also blows a mean harmonica. Is there no end to the guy’s talents? Though Frank does not like labels I have got to say this modern country music with traditional values – Superb!
www.cdbaby.com/frankcarlier
For a more recognisable brand of country I do urge you to try “Life Is What You Make It” (Rock Prairie Records) from the Texan Larry Youngblood. Larry has a great country voice on this his debut album. Though Larry has been in the business for more than twenty years this is his debut album, a programme of past and present classics but all performed in the very attractive Youngblood style. Thus we find swinging versions of Hank Williams’ “There’ll Be No Teardrops Tonight” (my joint favourite cut) and “Take These Chains From My Heart” along with great revivals of Webb Pierce’s “I Ain’t Never Seen No One Like You” and the Ralph Mooney classic “Crazy Arms” (my other joint favourite). From more recent sources Larry covers “Just Playin’ Possum”, “Walking The Floor Over You” (Alan Jackson) and “Sometimes She Forgets” (Steve Earle). Closing the album is a totally country version of the soul classic “Stand By Me” – and with performances like these we will certainly do that Larry!
18 July 2008
Happy birthday today (19 July) Ricky Skaggs. Ricky is a country music hero though probably not given the credit he deserves for his role in the development of modern country music. During the early eighties when country was heading, at a fair rate of knots, into pop, Skaggs proved with a string of hugely successful singles and albums that traditional overtones were OK, more than OK when judged by the millions of dollars his record sales generated. Maybe it is a bit strong but I have heard it said that Skaggs saved country music from becoming just another branch of pop. I know he certainly did more than his bit. It was as though Skaggs role in country was decided whilst he was still a child. Born in Cordell, Kentucky in 1954, Ricky began the first stage of his development appearing on television at age seven with the legendary Flatt and Scruggs and eight years later becoming a full member of Ralph Stanley’s band. Having mastered the guitar, fiddle, mandolin and banjo and developing one of the best tenor voices in bluegrass, Ricky embarked on his second developmental stage moving into progressive bluegrass with The Country Gentlemen, J.D. Crowe and The New South and by forming his own band Boone Creek. By this time Skaggs was blending traditional bluegrass with pop and jazz, moving his instrumental prowess in new directions in readiness for his third development stage. In 1977 Ricky replaced Rodney Crowell in Emmylou Harris’s Hot Band where he became almost as big as his boss. It was inevitable that, by 1980, Skaggs would begin his fourth developmental stage – solo performer. Ricky signed with Epic Records and in 1981 released “Waiting For The Sun to Shine”. The album produced two number one singles and the awards and accolades began to flow. How could this be? How could a pure bluegrass tenor from rural Kentucky take the record world by storm? Well, Ricky proved what the Nashville establishment do not want to believe, that there is a vast market out there for country without too many pop additives and that talent, not necessarily glamour boy looks, will out every time. In his first year as a solo Ricky Skaggs had become a superstar! 1982 to 1983 produced five more number one singles, more awards and the honour of becoming the youngest member of the Grand Ole Opry. Success followed Skaggs throughout the eighties and into the early nineties as he opened doors for many of the artists we regard almost as legends today. As his record sales began to slow down Epic released Ricky and, after taking stock, he formed his own label and a new band and returned to traditional bluegrass where he continues to be a leader. Ricky Skaggs is truly a country music legend of this I am convinced and I am equally certain that Ricky will, one day, get the recognition he truly deserves.
25 July 2008
“If I, a lowly singer, dry one tear or soothe one humble heart in pain, then my homely verse to God is dear, and not one stanza has been sung in vain”. Thus reads the inscription on the monument to one of country music’s most beloved stars. Jim Reeves’ contribution to country and popular music has been immense. Often his achievements have been overshadowed by his music and this is how it should be. Thanks to Mary, Jim’s devoted widow, many unreleased songs were made available after her husband’s untimely death in 1964 and thanks to Nashville technology these songs were released to the public in the years following “Gentleman Jim’s” passing keeping him high in the charts for more than a decade after he had become one of those stars in the southern sky, in fact Jim scored at least one chart hit every year from 1970 to 1984. In death Jim became half of not one but two duos. The voice of the lovely Deborah Allen was put alongside Jim’s to create hit singles almost twenty years after his passing and then the Nashville producer Owen Bradley blended Jim’s and Patsy Cline’s versions of “Have You Ever Been Lonely” to create yet another hit.
James Travis Reeves was born in Galloway, Texas on 20 August 1924, one of nine children. Influenced by Jimmie Rodgers, Reeves appeared on radio at the age of twelve but decided upon a career in baseball. He played semi-pro ball for about three years before an ankle injury ended that dream. A number of other jobs including frontman with Moon Mullican’s band, unsuccessful Macy recording artist and DJ. He hosted the “Louisiana Hayride” where in 1952 he sang before a large audience to cover for Hank Williams who failed to show. Abbott Records signed Jim and his debut for the label, “Mexican Joe”, topped the charts early in 1953. Jim later signed with RCA and the rest, as they say, is history. Jim Reeves hit the UK where he enjoyed 29 chart entries with 25 different songs during the period 1960 to 1972. Jim’s biggest hits in Britain were the number one rated “Distant Drums” (1966), “I Won’t Forget You”, a number three and “I Love You Because” a number five, both in 1964, “Welcome to My World”, number 6 in 1964, “There’s A Heartache Following Me”, also number six but in 1964, and “It Hurts So Much”, a 1965 number eight. At the height of his career Jim’s private jet crashed just outside of Nashville on 31 July 1964 killing both him and his manager Dean Manuel. Jim was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1967.
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