2017 CMA Nominations
The nominations for the 51st Annual CMA Awards have been announced.
Jon Randall
Single Review: Miranda Lambert, “Tin Man”
Miranda Lambert strikes up a pair of strange conversations on The Weight of These Wings.
A Country Music Conversation, Day 23: “Walking Away a Winner” to “Whiskey Lullaby”
Day 23 features tracks from Kathy Mattea, Alabama, Billy Dean, Trisha Yearwood, and Brad Paisley (with Alison Krauss).
Single Review: Blake Shelton, “Savior’s Shadow”
On his newest album, If I’m Honest, Blake Shelton diverts from the album’s generally synthesized sound to take a breather for a lovely gospel gem, which he wrote with Jessi Alexander and Jon Randall.
Single Review: Ashley Monroe, "Like a Rose"
Ashley Monroe has a new album coming out December 18, and she’s offering the title track as a free download on her Facebook page. You just might find it to be the best non-purchase you’ve made in quite some time.
Single Review: Blake Shelton, “Drink On It”
I was going to articulate the serious issues I have with this song, but I’ll let Julia Sugarbaker do it instead:
Twelve Songs of Christmas: Day Eight
Song #8: Joy to the World
Sam’s Pick: Patty Loveless
Loveless’ Bluegrass and White Snow is one of the best Christmas albums around and a staple of my holiday soundtrack. This song boasts background vocals from Jon Randall and Emmylou Harris, which proves that if you want to make a great song even better, get Emmylou to sing on it.
Single Review: Dierks Bentley, “Draw Me a Map”
This single review is written by Guest Contributor Jennifer Bernard.
“Draw Me a Map,” the second single from Up on the Ridge, contains lyrics which are cleverly evocative and packed with passion. The acoustic arrangement combined with the vocals of Dierks Bentley and Alison Krauss make for a soothing delivery of words that definitely dive below the surface. Specifically with lines such as “I’d beg forgiveness but I don’t know where to start” and “I’ve never been so at loss, I’m at a canyon I can’t get around or cross,” you can truly feel the anxiety and hopelessness that Bentley illustrates.
Album Review: Dierks Bentley, Up on the Ridge
Dierks Bentley
Up on the Ridge
As Dan observed in his single review of “Up on the Ridge”, there was a noticeable decline in Dierks Bentley’s music after his well received Long Trip Alone album. It is purely speculative to suggest, but one can’t help but wonder if Bentley himself felt staleness creeping into his music as well. It’s not farfetched for the idea to be true, since Dierks has proven himself to be an astute artist in the past. So, why wouldn’t he notice if there was, indeed, a shift?
100 Greatest Albums of the Decade, Part 3: #80-#71
The 100 Greatest Albums of the Decade, Part 3
#80
Martina McBride, Timeless
McBride has a voice that would have been as relevant in country music fifty years ago as it is today, and her album of cover songs exemplifies this. She doesn’t attempt to move any of the songs to a different level, but instead inhabits the artists’ original style with precision and spirit. The result is a pure, respectful homage to the country greats. – Tara Seetharam
Recommended Tracks: “Make The World Go Away”, “Pick Me Up On Your Way Down”
#79
Felice Brothers, Yonder is the Clock
The Felice Brothers are the least-known among the members of ‘The Big Surprise Tour’ headlined by Old Crow Medicine Show and featuring Dave Rawlings Machine with Gillian Welch, and Justin Townes Earle. Melding country-rock and folk-rock, they are roots-influenced and made their start playing in the subway. While it may take an extremely big tent to call them “country,” consistent Dylan comparisons make Yonder is the Clock hard to ignore. – William Ward