Former child country star Billy Gilman makes a comeback with his new single “Say You Will.” At 12 years old, he became a multi-platinum selling and Grammy nominated artist. Now, he’s 26 and ready to take on the industry with a new perspective. Continue Reading →
Tag Archives | review
Song Review: Billy Gilman | “Say You Will”
Get Away From It All With A Stay At The Inn At Fontanel
Main building (entrance, lobby, and dining area)
Just 15 minutes from downtown Nashville, you’ll find the Inn at Fontanel nestled within the country setting of Whites Creek within walking distance of the Fontanel Mansion, Cafe Fontanella, and The Woods Amphitheater at Fontanel. This luxury boutique hotel is inspired by the middle Tennessee farmhouse style and is a “five-structure hotel, connected by 2,700 square feet of deck with plush patio furniture overlooks a stunning courtyard of gardens and a view of Porter’s Pond with its bubbling fountain and waterfall.” Continue Reading →
Album Review: Miranda Lambert | ‘Platinum’
With this brand new 16-track album entitled ‘Platinum’, Miranda Lambert’s 5th album seems both contemplative and playful rather than singing the revenge anthems like “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” and “Kerosene” that she’s been known for. This is a Miranda who is having fun with a little self-effacing humor about aging (“Gravity’s a Bitch”), talks about life from the female perspective (“Girls”), the demands of beauty (“Bathroom Sink”), some really traditional and throwback country that I could imagine being played in the honky tonks on Broadway in the 60s (“All That’s Left” featuring the Time Jumpers), rip-roaring, rocking songs (“Somethin’ Bad” with Carrie Underwood), and tender ballads (“Holding On To You”). Overall, Miranda seems to be in a very contemplative place in her life for this album and wanting to share a less serious side of herself taking chances throughout the entire album. Continue Reading →
Album Review: FEELS LIKE CAROLINA | Parmalee
New country group Parmalee signed to Stoney Creek Records just released their debut album entitled FEELS LIKE CAROLINA. This 12 track cd was produced by NV, which is comprised of Kurt Allison, David Fanning, Tully Kennedy and Rich Redmond. Continue Reading →
Album Review: A Thousand Miles Left Behind By Gloriana
With their first release in 3 years, Gloriana is proving this is no sophomore slump and they are back better than ever with their debut single in the top 5 on the Billboard country chart (and still climbing).
Gloriana, also, was just awarded gold status for their debut single “(Kissed You) Good Night” from this newest release. They have had to overcome some obstacles since their last album such as the departure of Cheyenne Kimball from the band and leaving them to refocus/reorganize as a group. Thankfully they are back even better than before and being embraced by the country music fans once again.
Their new album entitled A Thousand Miles Left Behind is a solid effort. Their harmonies blend perfectly as a trio with strong melodies and lyrical depth. This is an album filled with radio-friendly hits ranging from uptempo, catchy tunes to heartfelt, emotional ballads. Tom Gossin, Rachel Reinert, and Mike Gossin who make up the trio, Gloriana, all had a hand in co-writing all of the songs on this release and each take lead on this album.
It’s hard to pick a favorite on this album. Very strong album through and through. Their first album was a great effort and this newest one shows even more growth as a group in songwriting as they worked with top songwriters all around Nashville. Hoping this newest effort solidifies them as artists and means they will be around for a long time to come. This can possibly garnish some awards for them. Those awards would be well-deserved and couldn’t happen to 3 nicer people.
Standout songs to me are as follow: “Wanna Take You Home” an uptempo, catchy song about love filled with plenty of fiddle. “Carolina Rose” is a beautiful ballad showing depth and a softer side filled with perfectly-blended harmonies that just seem to flow so naturally. “Turn My World Around” is a mid-tempo ballad filled with mandolin that I thoroughly enjoyed. I, also, love the more traditional country feel of “Gold Rush”.
Honestly, I could go straight down the list of songs and tell you something I like about each of the songs. Bottom line is it’s a very strong release, polished mastering and production, and I highly-recommend it to any contemporary country fan.
For more information about Gloriana, check out their site at: www.gloriana.com
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.
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NASHVILLE, TN – (July 31, 2012) – Country music trio Gloriana release their much anticipated second studio album A Thousand Miles Left Behind today. The album, that includes their current single “(Kissed You) Good Night” which this week lands at #2 on the Billboard Country Singles Chart, has been receiving rave reviews for the growth the band clearly displays on the 11 tracks. Gloriana, who performed on Good Morning America yesterday, will be back in New York City Friday, August 3rd to perform on Fox & Friends All-American Summer Concert Series.
Those in New York City August 3rd can attend Gloriana’s performance at Fox & Friends All-American Summer Concert Series outside the Fox News studios on Avenue of the Americas and 48th Street or can tune in at 7:30am EST (check local listings) to catch their performance. On Saturday, August 4th at 10:30pm EST fans can tune into Gloriana’s album release concert at Joe’s Bar in Chicago, IL streamed live by UV2Live. To get more information on how you can check out this concert go to http://www.gloriana.com/news/stream-glorianas-album-release-concert-32626.
You can check out Gloriana’s performance on Good Morning America at http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/gloriana-performs-kissed-good-night-16886423 as well as a special performance of “Turn My World Around” at http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/gloriana-performs-turn-world-live-gma-16887603.
Tom, Mike, and Rachel have funneled everything they’ve learned into A Thousand Miles Left Behind intent on revealing more of themselves as artists. Gloriana worked with some of Nashville’s finest songwriters and had a hand in writing every track on the album. The result is an alluring mix of up-tempo songs, “Wanna Take You Home,” “Sunset Lovin’,” “Go On…Miss Me,” “Doin’ It Our Way,” and graceful, heartfelt tunes: current single “(Kissed You) Good Night,” “Can’t Shake You,” “Turn My World Around,” “Carolina Rose,” and “Soldier Song.”
Fans can get up to date information on Gloriana’s tour and more information on the rising country group by going to www.Gloriana.com.
Album Review: New Jersey Material By Pat Guadagno
This 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.
Album Review: Mark Cooke ‘Living For The Weekend’
It took me a while to review this 6-track EP from Mark Cooke entitled ‘Living For The Weekend’. Unfortunately, it fell under a big pile of things to do.
Well, I just have to say that I’m glad that it did not get lost in that pile for good! This album from new country artist, Mark Cooke, was well-written with great vocals that put me in mind of musical greats like Clint Black and George Strait. In fact, I picked up a hint of Texas in this cd while listening. Being originally from Texas myself, I couldn’t help but hear that, I suppose. I just HAD to check his website to see where Mark is originally from. Yes, Texas! haha I just KNEW it! I guess you can take us out of Texas, but can’t take the Texas out of us, huh? 🙂 Anyway…see my track by track review below.
Track by track review:
“Any Way The Wind Blows”: Uptempo, full of optimism, hope…really a great song!
“Living For The Weekend”: Another uptempo, fun song. Makes you want to get up and dance.
“Can’t Cheat In A Small Town”: My favorite song of the album. A mid-tempo song with a slightly dark feel to this song.
“Stay With Me Tonight”: Beautiful, poignant ballad. Even gave me chills a couple of times.
“I Love It”: A great, uptempo song that would be just right for the summer.
“I’ll Take This Town”: Mid-tempo, great vocals, well-written, and can easily visualize a video from this one. Another great one for the summer.
I highly recommend this album from new artist, Mark Cooke. If you like steel guitar, banjo, fiddles, well-written songs, excellent vocals with both a traditional/contemporary country fell, then this album is for you. Check Mark Cooke out, he’s worth a listen!
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.
Album Review: Tim McGraw’s ‘Emotional Traffic’
Immediately, I was struck by the musical depth of this highly-anticipated album by Tim McGraw. This new release entitled ‘Emotional Traffic’ has been described by Tim McGraw as his best ever and I have to say I would have to agree. Slated for a release of January 24th, this 12-track album will surely appeal to country fans, as well as, the masses and be a huge crossover hit.
It’s not an album that will probably appeal to a real country traditionalist-type, but Tim McGraw fans, contemporary country, and simply fans of great music will appreciate this. I believe Tim was spreading his musical wings and exploring creatively without constraints. He’s reached that point in his career that he can do that.
Track by track review:
“Halo”: The first track “Halo” gave me chills from the beginning to end. It’s a dark, mid-tempo song about love going wrong. This was a hauntingly-beautiful song and I would say this is my favorite song ever by Tim McGraw. This is a crossover hit in the making that would appeal to the pop world. Very contemporary feel to this song.
“Right Back Atcha Babe”: I wasn’t quite as crazy about this one when I first listened to it. It is my least favorite of the album. It’s ok, just not my favorite. It grew on me more the 2nd and 3rd time I listened to it. I guess there are just some songs that you have to listen to a couple of times before you fully appreciate it. Now, it puts me in mind of a song that might have been by the Little River Band, and I love them! So, I think I’ve now been converted to liking this song.
“One Part, Two Part”: I really enjoyed this mid-tempo song. Kind of a soulful feel to it and just an all-around feelgood song about love. This one makes you want to grab a loved one, dance, and sing along. I like it especially when they break it down near the end.
“I Will Not Fall Down”: This ballad brought me to tears and gave me chills. Beautifully written with emotional depth…another crossover hit that many will enjoy. Another favorite.
“The One”: Enjoyed this one, too. Simply a light, bluesy, feelgood, mid-tempo song about “the one” you love and how they make you feel.
“Better Than I Used To Be”: This song would appeal those fans of traditional country. Mid-tempo, reflective, and honest.
“Touchdown Jesus”: Not my favorite on the album, but still a good one. More in the traditional country vain. A lot of religious references in this mid-tempo tune. Many will appreciate the uplifting message in this tune.
“The One That Got Away”: Powerful, radio-friendly ballad that country fans will love. It’s slightly dark and melancholy, but filled with hope at the same time. This song tells a story like many great country songs do.
“Felt Good On My Lips”: Uptempo, playful, fun, and another favorite on the album. A great summer song for those long roadtrips and very country radio-friendly.
“Hey Now”: More of a pop, bluesy-feel. Enjoyable. Not the strongest on the album, but still enjoyable.
“Only Human”: Powerful and thought-provoking ballad featuring pop/R&B star, Ne-Yo. Sure to be a cross-over hit that will reach into the hearts of many.
“Die By My Own Hand”: Another powerful ballad with thought-provoking, beautiful lyrics that will surely be a hit on country radio.
This whole album is my favorite release of Tim McGraw’s to date and I strongly recommend it when it hits stores January 24th. Not just country fans will enjoy this album, but simply fans of great music. Well-done, Tim! Well worth the wait.
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.
