Posted by :Pete Smith on May 5, 2009, 10:00 pm
86.163.128.13
The Advertiser (UK)
24 April 2009
He is a big man with a big talent who rejoices with a big name - Bobby Mountain. Bobby is an authentic hillbilly from Georgia who learned his craft initially singing in a church choir then later playing dances and front porches with a family band. For ten years he was staff drummer with the renowned Hiawassee Mountain fair learning more about authentic country music year on year. During the 1980s Bobby was featured in the television series “Heat Of The Night” perversely playing bad guys. I say perversely for Bobby really is one of the good guys! Late in the eighties he cut his debut album, the solidly country “Genuine Leather”. The album set the standard for future releases which were to be few and far between. It was 2001 before Mountain released his follow-up, “Dixie Bound” and a further eight years before a third release, “Holding On” (BSW). Bobby spent several years writing the eleven songs for this project and several more months in the studio perfecting a true country sound. This really is what country music is all about; interesting stories of life sung by a warm sincere baritone with steel and fiddle enhancing every mood. Though I find it extremely difficult to select tracks from the eleven excellent songs on offer, I would encourage you to sample “Hog Tied”, “Guitar Song”, “All That I Can Be” and “Mind Over Matter”.
www.bsw-records.com and www.bobbymountain.com
Phil Cohen and Patricia Ford are both artists in their own right though they have been performing together for the past fourteen years. Their music is deeply rooted in the traditional and their songs are tales of real life, often hard hitting. “Long Road ‘Til Sunrise” (Hard Miles music) features a programme of intelligent, interesting and entertaining originals beautifully performed by the duo who alternate lead vocals throughout. In support are the cream of southern musicians who are in total empathy with the stars. My only complaint about this album is there are only eight tracks but that said it is always wise to leave the listener wanting more. www.hardmilesmusic.com
Seventy-six years ago next Thursday (30 April) Willie Nelson was born in Abbott, Texas. From a very young age Willie and his sister Bobbie were raised by their grandparents. Upon leaving school Willie worked any day job he could find and performed in some of the roughest honky tonks in Texas during the nights. After a stint in the Air Force, where he saw action in Korea, he became a DJ and song writer penning such classics as “Family Bible”, “Night Life”, “Funny How Time Slips Away” and “Crazy”. After a largely unsuccessful recording career with Liberty and RCA Willie moved to Austin to lead the “Outlaw” movement. Probably the most iconic singer/writer in country, Willie, at the grand young age of 76 is still performing to this very day.
Remember there are stars in the southern sky.
1 May 2009
Gabe Lopez is a Texas based singer/writer who has a deep love for both country and Tejano music. He combines these on the new album "Calloused Hand" (Gami) to create a most entertaining programme of country music. The title track is an inspirational story of life which is already garnering much attention. "Cowboy Cumbia" is an exhilarating piece of Tex-Mex whilst the 60s pop hit, "I Love How You Love Me" (in the UK Jimmy Crawford, Maureen Evens and Paul and Barry Ryan) is given a south of the border sparkle that makes it, in my book, a real country favourite. Gabe has a real talent, both as a vocalist and a writer, for country music as can be detected from this programme. His musicians, particularly Scott Plant (fiddle, banjo), Gary Carrigar and Bill McCumber (steel) and Johnny Rod (keys) greatly enhance the project. E-mail: gami1112@grandecom.net
Though "Honky Tonk Memories" (Hillside) is Janie Brannon's first solo CD her voice will be well known to country fans for she has spent years singing background vocals on many hit records, providing back-up for several top artists and touring with Danny Davis and the Nashville Brass. The thirteen songs included on this album mix the old with the new and are largely about unrequited or lost love, for example "Tennessee Waltz", "Stranger In Our Home", "Satin Sheets" and "I Don't Believe You're Ever Coming Home". I am mighty pleased Janie decided to make this album for she has a lovely, warm, sincere voice ideally suited to country. As with all Hillside recordings the musicians are the legendary Nashville Super Pickers including Lloyd Green and Weldon Myrick (steel), Jimmy Capps and Grady Martin (guitars), Hargus "Pig" Robbins (piano), Bob Moore (bass), Buddy Harman (drums) and Buddy Spicher (fiddle). Country fans will love this. www.hillsiderecords.net
I suspect that "Love Remains" (Peacock Music) is autobiographical, telling the listener much about the Chicago based singer/writer Alice Peacock. Recorded in Nashville, the fifteen songs portray Alice as spirited and pragmatic, resourceful and reflective and always capable of love. Alice has a stunning voice and an equally stunning talent for writing songs. This, her fourth album, is not an album for stone country fans but a must for contemporary country lovers who will love this lady to bits as I do. Sample "Real Love", "All About Me", "Trying To Hold Back Time" and "Love Remains". Alice and co-producer Danny Myrick have assembled a really first class bunch of pickers including steelie Dan Dugmore, multi-instrumentalist Phil Madeira, guitarist Kenny Greenberg and fiddler/mandolinist Ilya Toshinsky. www.alicepeacock.com
Remember there are stars in the southern sky.
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