Archive | July 14, 2012

Song Review: Little Big Sky By Susan Cattaneo

Susan CattaneoI was pleasantly surprised by this single “Little Big Sky” that was co-written and sung by Susan Cattaneo. I found the vocals pretty strong and natural, enjoyed the melody, and the whole optimistic message behind this mid-to-uptempo song featuring a heavy dose of fiddle. I don’t know that it will enjoy much commercial success because of today’s standards or radio airplay, but it was a good song that I would listen to again. Good production qualities, but no real “wow” moments in this one or that made it really stand out. Her style of vocals put me in mind a little of Trisha Yearwood.

Overall a good effort not great, but still a song that I think today’s country music enthusiasts might enjoy listening to.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars.

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Album Review: Punching Bag By Josh Turner

Josh TurnerJosh Turner could sing straight from the phone book and make it sound great.  He’s just THAT good.  I could listen to his soothing, deep baritone voice all night.  Most of his songs are both radio-friendly and have a very traditional feel that he never strays from.   He’s very consistent.  While I don’t expect him to win any Entertainer of the Year awards because his shows are not known for being really exciting, his voice doesn’t need a lot of fanfare and I think it’s just more his style to simply let his voice/music speak for itself.  He has great range in his voice and it all just comes so naturally for him with each release. This new album does not stray from previous albums of his and I think his fans will be pleased.  This is an album filled with plenty of traditional country and songs with religious overtones that he is known for.

One of my favorite songs off the album is “Left Hand Man” – a mid-tempo, optimistic song about love.  I love the melody and lyrics.  “Time Is Love” is another favorite.  Mid-tempo, well-written, and probably my favorite off the entire album.  I heard a lot of steel guitar and mandolin in this one.  Always my favorites to hear on any country song.   Also, “I Was There” gave me goosebumps from the start.  It is a deep, meaningful ballad.  “Good Problem” is an optimistic, uptempo song about love that I really enjoyed, too, and think would make a great single.

The one song I wasn’t crazy about was “Pallbearer”.  This song was just a little to sad and slow for me.  Don’t see this one doing well at radio if it was ever released.

Overall, this is a great album.  Well-written, meaningful, deep, beautifully sung and produced.  I highly recommend it to anyone that is both a fan of traditional and contemporary country music.

For more information, please go to his website: www.joshturner.com

Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

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Album Review: New Jersey Material By Pat Guadagno

Pat GuadagnoThis new album by Pat Guadagno is a mix of classic rock with electric guitars with almost a Spanish feel similar to that of Santana with the song “Pray That We Will”, which was the lead song, to songs with more of an Americana feel like “You Never Even Tried”, then switched to a song with Scotch-Irish influences: “Gravedigger”.  An eclectic mix of songs, for sure.   Even included an acoustic cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Born To Run”.   Pat Guadagno‘s gritty voice is soothing and honest, not great, but it just flows out naturally.  This is an artist who seems to have honed his craft through travels with many years on the road and that is reflected in his music.  At least, that’s my guess.  Someone who has seen the world and his music reflects that.

Most of the songs were stripped down to simple acoustic, tell a story, and filled with intricate guitar playing.

My least favorite song was “People My Age”.  I just wasn’t crazy about the lyrics or the song as a whole.  Too simple and stripped down.

My favorite songs from the album were “Pray That We Will” and “I Can’t Take Me Anywhere”.  I enjoyed “Pray That We Will” for the intricate guitar playing, gritty voice, and darker melody with a slight Spanish influence that hinted of Santana.  I, also, liked “I Can’t Take Me Anywhere”, which might possibly fit on today’s country radio.  It was a nice, mid-tempo song and his voice less gritty on this one.

Overall, I think this was an enjoyable album with a mix of songs that might appeal to many people with its many genres it can be placed into, but I see more of an older crowd in late 30s up enjoying it more.  However, I don’t think it’s one that would receive much, if any, airplay and I don’t see any huge commercial appeal.  It’s hard to even place the album into one musical genre, but I don’t believe the artist was going for that.  It’s a good effort, but not great.  I think he just wanted to record songs that he enjoys without being pigeon-holed into any one category.

I noted that he did not appear to have written any of the songs and one thing I really respect is a songwriter. Where he lacks in songwriting, he more than makes up for in guitar picking.

For more information about Pat Guadagno, go to his website: http://magombo.com/

Rated: 2 1/2 out of 5 stars.

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Album Review: Lovely In Blue By Michelle Turley

Michelle TurleyOverall, I appreciated the traditional country feel through this entire album, especially the use of a lot of steel guitar throughout, which is one of my favorite instruments and missing too much in today’s country.  As a whole, it was very soothing and kind of an escape.  Not an album that I would listen to over and over again, but enjoyable for its traditional country qualities.   This is just the kind of country music that my dad would have enjoyed.  Although, I don’t think it would fit at all in today’s country market or receive radio airplay.  Michelle Turley‘s voice was ok, but not great and had a sort of yodeling quality to it that I was sure she would break out yodeling any minute.  Never been a huge fan of yodeling, but it does take some skill to do.  I wouldn’t say that there was any point in this album that really stood out to me and wowed me, though.

My favorite song on the album was the duet “What If” with Jay Tighe.  A pretty ballad.  “Doin’ Time” was a fun, uptempo song that I would expect to hear coming out of the doors of any of the honky tonks on Broadway.

“Stand In Line” was probably my least favorite of the album.  Just too slow in the beginning and I got that little bit of yodeling that I was expecting to come.

Notably, Michelle Turley wrote or co-wrote every song on this album.

For more information about Michelle Turley, go to her site:  www.reverbnation.com/michelleturley

Rated 2 out of 5 stars.

 

 

 

 

 

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Album Review: Dirt Road Communion By Chase Rice

Chase RiceWhile I appreciate the production, musicianship, and the melodies of the album as a whole, I found the entire album a bit cliche.  There are just too many songs about dirt roads, trucks, beer, whiskey, girls, and tractors.  Nothing groundbreaking, profound, or will truly touch your heart here.  The vocals are ok, but will not blow you away and seemed a little strained at times.  I was looking for something with a bit more depth and something to really stand out for me in this new release from Chase Rice, who many will remember as being a runner-up on the hit CBS show ‘Survivor’.

I did enjoy the mid-tempo song “Jack Daniels & Jesus”.  This song had some depth, a great melody, and good lyrics.  “PBJs & PBRs” was a fun uptempo song reminiscing about college days.  This song is radio-friendly and would do well as a summer release.

“Whoa” was a low point for me on this album.   Chase tried to rap during one part of the song. Personally, I think that any kind of rapping should be left off of a country album.  It just doesn’t belong in the genre.  I did like the melody of the song, but the lyrics were lacking.

Overall, this new album is a good listen, but not great and filled with too many country cliches that have been overdone.  It just didn’t blow me away or lacked in true depth.

For more information about Chase Rice, please visit his website at:  www.chaserice.com

Rated 2 1/2 out of 5 stars.

 

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Road To The Ram® Jam Announces Zac Brown Band As The Fourth Artist In The All-Star Country Music Series

Road To The Ram JamJune 27, 2012 – Multi platinum selling artists Zac Brown Band will join previously announced artists Kellie Pickler, Brantley Gilbert and Easton Corbin for the “Road to the Ram® Jam” series and sweepstakes.  The Road to the Ram Jam, presented by the Ram Truck brand, features five of today’s best country music artists and provides fans the opportunity to win prizes including trips for two to an invitation-only 2012 RamJam concert event December 29th in Nashville, TN, where all five artists will perform.

The Road to the Ram Jam series and sweepstakes helps bring country music fans closer to some of their favorite artists with exclusive video content, the opportunity to win prizes including collectible posters and vinyl records through participating country radio stations nationwide, and free music downloads. Fans can enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win trips for two to the invitation-only 2012 RamJam concert event at www.RamTrucks.com/RoadtoRamJam or on the Ram Trucks Facebook page at www.ramjamsweeps.com.

Zac Brown Band will offer fans a chance to win a free download of their new single “The Wind,” from the forthcoming album Uncaged set for release on July 10th on Atlantic Records/Southern Ground Artists, when they enter the Road to the Ram Jam concert sweepstakes. The last Road to the Ram Jam artist will be announced in August and all five participating will receive a lease on a 2012 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn truck. The trucks will then be auctioned off in early 2013 with all proceeds going to benefit a charity of each artist’s choice.

Proceeds from Zac Brown Band’s Ram truck will be donated to Camp Southern Ground, which is the passion project of Grammy-Award winning musician Zac Brown, set to open in 2014. Zac donated this 500-acre piece of property, set in the farmlands of Georgia, to open the camp that will be a state-of-the-art facility whose programs will serve children ages 7-17 with both typical and special needs.  The camp will have activities that will challenge, educate, and inspire children with diverse abilities and from all socioeconomic backgrounds, races, and religions. Among the many traditional camp activities that will foster youth development and create teachable moments for campers, plans are in place to align certain elements of the facility with the latest innovative therapies and technology for those children affected by neurobehavioral disorders.  For more information on Camp Southern Ground you can go to http://www.campsouthernground.org/.

“To me, there’s nothing more important than helping kids and it’s a great to know that with support from our friends and fans, this camp is going to make a huge difference in the lives of each and every camper,” said Zac Brown.

“Ram is excited to continue partnering with Zac Brown Band,” said Fred Diaz, President and CEO – Ram Truck Brand and Chrysler de Mexico. “The Ram Truck brand and Zac Brown Band both have a unifying can-do attitude and a character filled with authenticity, care, passion and pride. It is very fitting for the band to donate their Ram 1500 Laramie auction proceeds to Camp Southern Ground, as it will be a wonderful place for children.” 

The Ram Truck brand and Zac Brown Band first worked together in 2010 on “Letters to Lyrics,” a national appreciation letter-writing campaign aimed at U.S. soldiers deployed around the world.

Two-time Grammy-Award winners and multi platinum artists Zac Brown Band have become one of music’s most heralded acts. With a historic nine consecutive #1 hit singles, awe-inspiring musicianship and dynamic live shows, the Georgia six-piece is definitely built to last. Zac Brown Band’s double-platinum major label debut ‘The Foundation’ (Atlantic Records/Home Grown/Big Picture) was named one of Billboard’s Top 20 albums of 2009, and the platinum follow-up ‘You Get What You Give’ (Atlantic/Southern Ground Artists) debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart in 2010. Since 2009, the band has garnered more than 50 combined Grammy, ACM, AMA, CMA, and CMT award nominations with wins including their 2010 Grammy win for “Best New Artist,” 2010 CMA win for “New Artist of the Year,” and 2011 ACM Top Vocal Event of the Year for “As She’s Walking Away” with Alan Jackson. No question, the past three years have been dizzying for the hardworking act. The band’s first major label release, ‘The Foundation’ was the first major label debut album in 18 years to yield five #1’s including “Chicken Fried” and “Free.” Released on November 18, 2008 on Atlantic Records, ‘The Foundation’ debuted at #17 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart and #3 on the Top Country Albums Chart.

Contest Rules

The Road to the RamRoad To The Ram® Jam Announces Zac Brown Band As The Fourth Artist In The All-Star Country Music Series ® Jam sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the 48 contiguous United States and the District of Columbia, 18 years or older at the time of entry. Residents of Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico are ineligible. No purchase or payment of money is necessary to win. The sweepstakes starts Feb. 1, 2012, and ends Sept. 30, 2012. Official rules and complete details are found at www.RamTrucks.com/RoadtoRamJam.

About Ram Truck Brand
The Ram Truck brand continues to establish its own identity and clearly define its customer since its launch as a standalone vehicle brand. Creating a distinct brand for Ram trucks has allowed the brand to concentrate on how core customers use their trucks and what new features they’d like to see. Whether focusing on a family that uses its half-ton truck day in and day out, a hard-working Ram Heavy Duty owner or a business that depends on its commercial vehicles every day, Ram has the truck market covered.

The Ram Truck brand has the most innovative lineup of full-size trucks on the market. Ram Truck has emerged as a full-size truck leader by investing substantially in new products, infusing them with great looks, refined interiors, durable engines and features that further enhance their capabilities. Truck customers, from half-ton to commercial, have a demanding range of needs and require their vehicles to provide high levels of capability. Ram trucks are designed to deliver a total package.

For more information on Road to the Ram Jam and to enter the sweepstakes, go to www.RamTrucks.com/RoadtoRamJam.


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