Country Universe - A Country Music Blog » Jerry Douglas

The 30 Day Song Challenge: Day 10

Dan Milliken — Wed, 18 May 2011 21:24:13 +0000

Today’s category is…

A Relaxing Song.

Here are the staff picks:

Dan Milliken: “Can’t Go Back Now” – The Weepies

This husband-wife duo’s sound is mega-soothing, the perfect match for a song which gently nudges the listener to persevere through reality’s burdens and chores. When I need relaxation, it’s usually because I’ve stopped feeling like I can. This one helps me realign.

Tara Seetharam: “The Best Keeps Getting Better” – Alan Jackson

As melodramatic as it sounds, no song is truly “relaxing” for me because I have a hard time separating my emotion from music. The best I can come up with is a song that’s “comforting” – and what’s more comforting than signature Alan Jackson?

Kevin Coyne: “Coming Around Again” – Carly Simon

The hook is great, but there’s something so soothing about the instrumentation and her vocal delivery. It’s actually a pretty sad song, but somehow sounds calming and even a little uplifting.

Leeann Ward: “If I Didn’t Know Any Better” – Alison Krauss & Union Station

There’s just something so soothing about the mix of this song’s melody, Krauss’s angelic voice and Jerry Douglas’ haunting dobro that always relaxes me.

100 Greatest Albums of the Decade, Part 1: #100-#91

Kevin John Coyne — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:57:37 +0000

Ah, the naughties. The decade began and ended with pop crossover queens, with Shania Twain and Faith Hill at the top of their game in 2000 much like Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood reign supreme today. In between, we had the roots music boom, best exemplified by O Brother and the platinum-selling Nickel Creek and Alison Krauss & Union Station; the post-9/11 patriotic explosion, which brought Toby Keith and Darryl Worley to the top of the charts; the near-total banishment of women from the country radio dial for a good part of the decade, which started to fade as redneck pride ascended, thanks to a certain woman trying to make Pocahontas proud; and far too many tributes to country living and island-flavored beach bum songs to count.

All of this made for a fascinating decade to be a country fan. As radio worked its way through all of the above (with the notable exception of roots music), the internet made it far easier for acts to be discovered without ever getting a single spin of traditional radio play. With MySpace, YouTube, Facebook, and the explosion of country music blogs, the barriers have been torn down between artist and audience in a way that was never possible before.

The motley crew of Country Universe has a diversity of tastes that fit within the widest boundaries of country music, as reflected our collaborative list of the 100 best albums of the decade. Five of our writers contributed to the list, with all writer’s selections being weighed equally. We’ll reveal ten entries a day until the list is complete. A look back at the greatest singles of the decade will then follow.

The 100 Greatest Albums of the Decade, Part 1

#100
Abigail Washburn, Song of the Traveling Daughter

Song of the Traveling Daughter is the debut album from Uncle Earl claw hammer banjo player Abigail Washburn. Produced by Béla Fleck and featuring Ben Sollee, it is a subdued album filled with intriguing instrumentation and influences. Standout songs include “Nobody’s Fault but Mine,” with its interesting Civil War period influence; the upbeat “Coffee’s Cold,” originally performed by Uncle Earl; and “Song of the Traveling Daughter,” based on the classical Chinese poem “Song of the Traveling Son.” – William Ward

Recommended Tracks: “Nobody’s Fault but Mine”, “Coffee’s Cold”

#99
Kim Richey, Rise

Her ambitious swan song for Mercury Records was perhaps her least accessible record, with an emphasis on eclectic arrangements instead of hook-laden melodies. It’s also her most deeply rewarding record, one that is remarkably introspective and fully delves into themes of faith and mortality that her earlier work had only hinted at before. – Kevin Coyne

Recommended Tracks: “A Place Called Home”, “No Judges”

#98
Little Big Town, The Road to Here

The quartet’s second album catapulted them to the forefront thanks to the swampy anthem, “Boondocks,” and was a breath of fresh, earthy air to mainstream country music. Packed with tight harmonies and songs ranging in style from bluegrass-leaning to Fleetwood Mac-inspired, the album served as a window into the raw talent and potential of one of the best groups to hit country music in quite some time. – Tara Seetharam

Recommended Tracks: “Boondocks”, “Live With Lonesome”

#97
Dolly Parton, Halos & Horns

A gorgeous, gospel-heavy album, with tasteful bluegrass elements. Parton is effervescent as usual, and rid of any self-consciousness, which makes “Hello God” overwhelmingly stirring. A response to the September 11 tragedies, the song has Parton pleading and philosophically wrestling with God, in the sincerest of ways. – TS

Recommended Tracks: “Hello God”, “John Daniel”

#96
Brad Paisley, Part II

Sometime back before the Future, before the smirking social commentary and the endless odes to his wife, Brad Paisley was just a silly little neotraditionalist writing silly little neotraditional songs about the twists of everyday life and love. Part II captures him at his most unassuming and tuneful, waxing breezily about courtships and feeling out his new place as a neotrad spokesperson with a few classic roots songs, plus a cute Bill Anderson/Chuck Cannon co-write (“Too Country”). – Dan Milliken

Recommended Tracks: “Wrapped Around”, “Come On Over Tonight”

#95
Patty Loveless, Strong Heart

More so than any Loveless album since leaving MCA, Strong Heart draws on her pop and rock influences, with a healthy dose of Ronstadt thrown in for good measure. The contrast between her hillbilly wail and the pop-leaning arrangements of several songs manages to make her sound even more rural than she normally does. Arguably her last mainstream project, she proved that she can sound just as good chasing radio as she does ignoring it. – KC

Recommended Tracks: “The Last Thing On My Mind”, “My Heart Will Never Break This Way Again”

#94
Sara Evans, Real Fine Place

One of the finer female vocalists in the genre, Evans is a fantastic interpreter on her fifth album, carefully treading both traditional and pop country waters. The warmth and purity to her tone is prominent on this album, and this is particularly true of the songs with more traditional arrangements, on which she shines the brightest. – TS

Recommended Tracks: “Cheatin’”, “These Four Walls”

#93
Sarah Jarosz, Song Up in Her Head

Sarah Jarosz’ much hyped debut with Sugar Hill Records features Darrell Scott, Tim O’Brien, Jerry Douglas, Aofie O’Donavan, and Abigail Washburn. Notable tracks include “Shankill Butchers,” a Decemberists cover that outperforms the original; the progressive acoustic “Song up in Her Head,” reminiscent of Nickel Creek; and “Come on Up to the House,” an impressive Tom Waits cover. – WW

Recommended Tracks: “Shankill Butchers”, “Come On Up to the House”

#92
Terri Clark, Pain to Kill

This album made Clark a serious contender for Female Vocalist, the only time in her career that she reached that level of success. It’s as radio-friendly as her first two albums, but the material is substantive. This is the best collection of songs that she ever assembled, and by a healthy margin. When Trisha Yearwood finds something to cover from a record, you’ve done a great job picking songs. – KC

Recommended Tracks: “I Just Called to Say Goodbye”, “Not a Bad Thing”

#91
Dwight Yoakam, Population: Me

Genre superhero Yoakam stretched his habit of excellence into a third decade, beginning with the quirky South of Heaven, West of Hell soundtrack and continuing with this solid set. The album is notable for distilling a wide assortment of Yoakam’s mastered sounds into about half an hour, from the Eaglesy (“The Late Great Golden State”) to the Owensy (“No Such Thing”) to the Elvisy (“I’d Avoid Me Too”), all united by the singer’s uniquely buoyant brand of fatalism. – DM

Recommended Tracks: “I’d Avoid Me Too”, “The Back Of Your Hand”

- – -

Sarah Jarosz, Song Up in Her Head

William Ward — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 07:45:27 +0000

Sarah Jarosz
Song Up in Her Head

Interview emerging country music stars today and it may surprise you—especially if you listen to the radio—that they are all influenced by Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and (if they play mandolin) Bill Monroe. When you find that they also claim to emulate artists such as Garth Brooks, George Strait, Alan Jackson or whoever else has recently gone platinum (with the exception of the Dixie Chicks), it can be almost discouraging to consider that few are even that traditional.

This brings us to Sarah Jarosz, whose debut with Sugar Hill Records, Song Up in Her Head, presents a very different view of influences and a noticeably different performer in its eighteen year old co-producer.

Seven years ago, while requesting an autograph from Chris Thile, Sarah Jarosz, not yet a teenager, expressed interest in, someday, playing music with Chris Thile. Since then, she has added Darrell Scott, Tim O’Brien, Jerry Douglas, Aofie O’Donavan, and Abigail Washburn—all who appear on her album—to her most often quoted list of influences. As a result, we are presented with an impressive, but much less calculated list than one might expect from a newcomer. Given that these are some of my favorite artists, it also sets a high bar with this particular reviewer. Fortunately for this recent high school graduate who plays mandolin, guitar, clawhammer banjo, octave mandolin, piano, and toy piano (we will get to that) on her debut album, these lofty expectations are not beyond her ability.

Song Up in Her Head opens with its title track, a progressive bluegrass number that will remind listeners (in no small part to Chris Thile’s contribution) of progressive acoustic prodigies of the past. While those influences certainly exist, it would be a mistake to use them to typecast Jarosz, who has as much in common musically with Darrel Scott or Gillian Welch as she does with the progressive acoustic scene.

From the well-written “Tell me True,” which rolls comfortably upon tight lyrics and a repeating chorus, to “Left Home,” and impressive vocal number with the outstanding Aofie O’Donovan singing harmony vocals Jarosz more than establishes her songwriting credentials penning eleven of thirteen tracks on the album. Particularly notable is the balance between youth and maturity that seems to exist throughout these songs. Presenting the experiences of Sarah Jarosz, they only occasionally feel adolescent, always managing to escape the self-importance rampant among pop music acts her age. The finest example of this comes in “Broussard’s Lament,” a challenging song written in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina that came out of “an interview on the Sunday morning news program “Meet the Press,” with a man named Aaron Broussard. His interview was heart wrenching, and it inspired me to write the tune.”

Inserted neatly between her songs are two well-chosen covers, Tom Waits “Come on Up to the House” and The Decemberists “Shankill Butchers.” While the Tom Waits cover is notable, “Shankill Butchers” excellent production makes it stand out. Using a toy piano along with Sarah’s compelling vocals, its mood ideally fits the modern nursery rhyme to the degree that it outshines the original recording.

Despite being an accomplished singer and mandolin player Sarah Jarosz does not go out of her way to list Bill Monroe as an influence—and the thing is she doesn’t have to. Unlike those pronouncing the influences that they feel they should have, with Song Up in Her Head you can hear influences being explored side by side with the effects of her colleagues close mentoring. Sarah Jarosz’ debut is delightfully distinct; supplementing her own talents with the best just-off-the-radar artists available today she has found a voice that will undoubtedly continue to produce eloquent music for another fifty years.

2009 Americana Music Association Awards Nominees Announced

Kevin John Coyne — Thu, 21 May 2009 15:39:19 +0000

The nominations for the 8th Annual Americana Music Association Awards have been announced:

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Real Animal, by ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO
Written in Chalk, by BUDDY & JULIE MILLER
Jason Isbell & The 40 Unit, by JASON ISBELL & THE 40 UNIT
Midnight At The Movies, by JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO
BUDDY MILLER
JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE
RAUL MALO

INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR
BUDDY MILLER
GURF MORLIX
JERRY DOUGLAS
SAM BUSH

NEW & EMERGING ARTIST
BAND OF HEATHENS
BELLEVILLE OUTFIT
JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE
SARAH BORGES

SONG OF THE YEAR
“Chalk,” written by JULIE MILLER, performed by BUDDY MILLER & PATTY GRIFFIN
“Country Love” by the GOURDS
“Homeland Refugee,” by JOE ELY, JIMMIE DALE GILMORE, and BUTCH HANCOCK, performed by the FLATLANDERS
“Rattlin’ Bones” by KASEY CHAMBERS & SHANE NICHOLSON, performed by KASEY CHAMBERS & SHANE NICHOLSON
“Sex And Gasoline,” by RODNEY CROWELL, performed by RODNEY CROWELL

DUO GROUP OF THE YEAR
BUDDY & JULIE MILLER
FLATLANDERS
KASEY CHAMBERS & SHANE NICHOLSON
RECKLESS KELLY

The awards will be given out at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on September 17. Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale will serve as hosts.

Country Universe Staff: 2008 CMA Predictions

Kevin John Coyne — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:31:34 +0000

This afternoon, the Country Universe staff is following up last night’s personal picks with our actual predictions about who will win tonight. Check back tonight at show time to join the live blog and mock us for our defective divinations. Less than four hours until showtime!

Entertainer

Kenny Chesney- Kevin, Leeann, Blake
Brad Paisley – Dan
George Strait
Sugarland
Keith Urban

Kevin: BMG has to throw their weight behind either Chesney or Paisley. My hunch is they’ll back Chesney for Entertainer and Paisley for Male Vocalist.
_
Leeann: It’s been Chesney all this time and not much has changed to make me think it won’t be Kenny again this year.
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Blake: Chesney remained steady on the concert trail and earned three #1 singles in the past year. This would be his fourth win, tying Garth Brooks for the most ever in the Entertainer lineup.
_
Dan: It seems somewhat foolish to bet against a Chesney repeat, but I just have a nagging feeling that the favor will be thrown in Paisley’s direction this year by voters looking to honor someone new.

_

Male Vocalist

Kenny Chesney
Alan Jackson
Brad Paisley - Kevin, Leeann, Blake, Dan
George Strait
Keith Urban

Kevin: Every winner of this award since 1991 has repeated at least once, with the notable exception of Toby Keith (2001), who lost to the sweeping Alan Jackson the following year. It would be a big surprise for this to go to someone other than Brad Paisley.

Leeann: Again, I can’t see why any of the other nominees would knock Paisley off of his throne for this award. There are no game changers on the list.

Blake: Paisley’s last single to fail at reaching the chart summit was “Alcohol” in the summer of 2005. His unmatched dominance at radio, stellar stats at retail and increased popularity as a live act will win the day.

Dan: They’ve all been on a relatively equal plane of success this past year, so there’s no real reason to stray from the incumbent Paisley.

Female Vocalist

Alison Krauss
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood - Kevin, Leeann, Blake, Dan

Kevin: It’s going to be a tighter race this year, with Miranda Lambert posing a serious threat to Carrie Underwood, but with them being on the same label, it’s going to be tough for Lambert to pull it off. Swift could upset, but her lack of nominations in other categories indicates her support among voters isn’t that deep. Underwood for the win.

Leeann: Carrie, no doubt, has the vocal chops that the CMA voters tend to look for in this award.

Blake: Only Tammy Wynette, Reba McEntire and Martina McBride have won three consecutive trophies for Female. Though Lambert is also a tremendous talent, bet on Underwood becoming the fourth woman on this illustrious list.

Dan: Lambert has definite coup appeal, but Underwood sustains the hope that music can still make money. I don’t think she needs to worry too much.

Vocal Duo

Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland – Kevin, Leeann, Blake, Dan
The Wreckers

Kevin: Sugarland’s strong presence across the ballot makes it likely that they’ll repeat in this category, especially given the weak year that Brooks & Dunn had.

Leeann: Sugarland is really the only duo who would make sense to make a win this year. However, I wouldn’t be extremely surprised if Brooks And Dunn won out of habit.

Blake: With Brooks & Dunn experiencing a slow year, Sugarland’s rise will be rewarded with a repeat in this category.

Dan: Sugarland had an even bigger year this time, so I don’t see why they shouldn’t repeat. Even “All I Want to Do” can’t keep them from the prize.

Vocal Group

Eagles
Emerson Drive
Lady Antebellum – Kevin
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts - Leeann, Blake, Dan

Kevin: It may be unwise to bet against Rascal Flatts, but with Lady Antebellum being the only credible alternative, there is now an obvious place for the anti-Flatts vote to go.

_
Leeann: I just can’t imagine it going any other way, though I’ll be cheering the loudest if I’m wrong.

Blake: Irritating harmonies and saccharine songwriting make Rascal Flatts one of Music Row’s commercial favorites.

Dan: A Lady Antebellum upset is not out of the question (and I certainly wouldn’t mind it), but I do think they’re probably a bit too new for a lot of voters to champion them. My guess is that the CMA will begrudgingly give Flatts one more trophy, then put the streak to rest with Lady A or Little Big Town next year when one of those acts has had a bit more time to build momentum.

New Artist

Jason Aldean
Rodney Atkins – Leeann, Blake, Dan
Lady Antebellum
James Otto
Kellie Pickler – Kevin

Kevin: I pick Pickler, just because she’s on BMG.

Leeann: With the radio success that Atkins has had in the past year, it’s odd that he’s not considered some kind of superstar, but he isn’t. So, it stands to reason that he’ll at least get some new Artist recognition.

Blake: Pickler has endured a sophomore slump, and Lady A suffers from the group curse of this category. That leaves the trio of men to decide the trophy. Atkins is acknowledged for selling for almost two millions albums in the past two years while riding a hot streak at radio.

Dan: BMG’s conglomerate super powers may well triumph, but I think voters will ultimately go with the highest seller in the category. I can kind of see it going to anyone but Otto, though. Tough call.

Album

Brooks & Dunn, Cowboy Town
Kenny Chesney, Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates
Alan Jackson, Good Time - Leeann, Blake, Dan
George Strait, Troubadour - Kevin
Carrie Underwood, Carnival Ride

Kevin: George Strait was the surprise winner last year, despite being up against critically acclaimed projects by Vince Gill and Dierks Bentley. With all four other albums coming from the same label, Strait has a clear path to another victory, unless voters want to reward Underwood for her massive success with this project.

_
Leeann: This is a weak category, so I’m not invested in my prediction at all. However, I suspect Jackson will win as a reward for returning to the commercial viable format, along with writing all of his songs on a 17 track album.

Blake: Jackson was the sole writer on his album, a seventeen-track behemoth that re-established his mainstream popularity after detours into country-pop (Like Red on a Rose) and gospel (Precious Memories). In a weak category, he’ll capture a second Album victory.

Dan: Strait’s chances are strong, but I think a lot of voters may opt to give Jackson the trophy instead, if only for mixing up the format of his output a bit (and returning to contemporary country). Of course, if voters do want to reward the only great commercial success here, Underwood will triumph. It’s hard to know where the general psyche lies these days.

Single

“Don’t Blink” – Kenny Chesney
“Gunpowder & Lead” – Miranda Lambert
“I Saw God Today” – George Strait
“Stay” – Sugarland - Kevin, Leeann, Blake, Dan
“You’re Gonna Miss This” – Trace Adkins

Kevin: “Stay” is easily the biggest hit nominated this year. I think that Lambert’s the only real competition for Sugarland, but I have a hunch that the duo is going to win big like they did at the ACMs earlier this year.

_
Leeann: Lambert’s and Sugarland’s songs are the strongest on this list, but I think Sugarland will be the safer choice of the two.

Blake: Voters will be gunshy, choosing Sugarland’s sparse ballad of self-deception over Lambert’s equally deserving entry.

Dan: Love for Adkins or Lambert might power one of them to a win here, but I think the avant garde “Stay” will still have been the most interesting thing on the ballot to most voters.

Song

“Good Time” – Alan Jackson
“I Saw God Today” – Rodney Clawson/Monty Criswell/Wade Kirby
“Letter to Me” – Brad Paisley – Leeann
“Stay” – Jennifer Nettles – Kevin, Blake, Dan
“You’re Gonna Miss This” – Ashley Gorley/Lee Thomas Miller

Kevin: “Stay” is a perfect example of it being all about the song, with no bells or whistles getting in the way. It’s a career record, and the CMA likes to reward those.

Leeann: The CMAs like Paisley and this is one of his few serious songs, which is something the Association seems to like to reward.

Blake: An unremarkable lineup, the likely victor is Sugarland’s simple, straightforward warning about the pleasures and the pain of cheating.

_
Dan: The only way I can see “Stay” not winning is if voters decide to go the always-appealing religious route and pick the Strait hit, or if there’s a much bigger amount of love for “You’re Gonna Miss This” than I realize (or fully understand).

Musical Event

“Another Try” – Josh Turner featuring Trisha Yearwood
“Every Other Weekend” – Reba McEntire & Kenny Chesney
“Gone Gone Gone” – Alison Krauss & Robert Plant – Kevin, Dan
“Life In A Northern Town” – Sugarland featuring Little Big Town & Jake Owen - Blake
“Shiftwork” – Kenny Chesney (duet with George Strait) - Leeann

Kevin: I’m guessing that the cool factor will prevail and Krauss & Plant emerge victorious.

Leeann: Both Chesney and Strait are big artists in the business. It’s hard for me to believe that such a high profile collaboration won’t be celebrated. I’m not set on this prediction though.

Blake: The best example of an event in this category is “Life.” Its surprising success at radio and sterling harmonies pulls the upset.

Dan: Ditto what Kevin said, though I wonder if the seven-part collaboration on “Life in a Northern Town” might pull support from voters looking for a chance to honor one of the three involved acts.

Music Video

“Don’t Blink” – Kenny Chesney
“Good Time” – Alan Jackson
“Stay” – Sugarland –
“Waitin’ on a Woman” – Brad Paisley – Kevin, Leeann, Blake, Dan
“You’re Gonna Miss This” – Trace Adkins

Kevin: Paisley’s already tied with Hank Jr. for the most wins in this category. Andy Griffith will help earn him sole ownership of that title.

Leeann: Why wouldn’t they vote for Paisley for this one? Also, because it’s the newest of the nominated videos, aside from Jackson’s uninteresting one, it won’t seem like a stale choice like the others might at this point.

Blake: The appearance of the television living legend, Griffith. A humorous, yet heartfelt ballad. Stirring religious imagery. Paisley passes with flying colors for the third time in five years and fourth time overall.

Dan: It’s an easy win for Paisley.

Musician

Jerry Douglas – Kevin, Blake, Dan
Paul Franklin
Dann Huff - Leeann
Brent Mason
Mac McAnally

Kevin: Every time he’s been nominated, Jerry Douglas has either won the award or lost to Randy Scruggs. With Randy Scruggs not in the running this year, my money’s on Douglas. (Fun fact:the only person Randy Scruggs ever lost to? Jerry Douglas.)

Leeann: Because of Kevin’s compelling argument, I thought about switching to Douglas as well, but will stick with Huff because country music really seems to embrace electric guitars these days. Huff’s name is everywhere on commercial country albums. I don’t know though, maybe I should have switched…

Blake: Dann Huff is omnipresent in Nashville, but Douglas shows unsurpassed skill on the dobro. Again, the Musician category is the best gauge of talent in Music City, and all five men are deserving. On another note, where are the women of this category?

Dan: I was going to go with super-entity Dann Huff, too, but I feel sufficiently schooled by Kevin’s factoid. So, Jerry Douglas.

Discussion: Vote for Your CMA Picks

Kevin John Coyne — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 01:59:57 +0000

Seems appropriate for Election Day. Vote for your favorites and share your thoughts in the comments. Be sure to click “more” so you can see all of the categories.

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