Friday, October 3, 2014

Country Music Pride

Country Music Pride

Lee Ann Womack “The Way I’m Livin'” Album Review

Posted: 02 Oct 2014 04:40 PM PDT

By: Tony Manfetano

Towards the end of an album, probably right after a song about having a cold one while driving down a back road with someone you just picked up from a bar, that is where you will find most artists redemption song. One cannot say their words lack heart or are without meaning, but some singers just have not experienced enough to honestly need it.

Lee Ann Womack comes out of the gate letting us know her latest album, The Way I'm Livin', means something. And she is going to make sure you get it. The pure emotion in these songs emanates from someone who truly believes what she is singing. Or is that good to make us think she does. I presume it's the former.

Lee Ann drops it on us with the very first track, Prelude:Fly. Featuring only her vocals over acoustic guitar. This spiritual ditty shows us with brevity and simplicity what we are in for. To talk about how great her voice is at this point would be trite. Any aspiring female artist who does not have Lee Ann Womack on her list of influences may want to consider a new career path.

The title track picks up the pace a little with a classic country music tale of, "you know I'd change if I could, but bein' bad, it feels so good", to borrow a line from the song.  Written by Adam Wright, this song pairs a soulful groove with Lee Ann's outstanding ability.

Without denying the religious tones of the album, I would be remiss to imply that the lack of rock guitars and electronic drums takes the rebel out of this record.  Lee Ann's rendition of the Julie Miller tune, Don't Listen To The Wind, gives us an ominous minor key string intro leading up to deep drums and rhythm. The hard four count and steel guitar makes this song sound like something you would be likely to hear in an old Nashville honky-tonk.

On Same kind of Different the artist lends her talents to the lyrical prowess of writers Natalie Hemby and Adam Hood. This song offers a cool spin on the "opposites attract" trope, and with no appearance from MC Skat Kat. What about a song to swing my sweet baby to on the dance floor, you ask? Tomorrow Night In Baltimore answers your beckoning with electric guitar and upbeat timing no women could resist being drunkenly twirled to under neon chandeliers in backwoods ballrooms.

Track listing on this album makes all the difference. We get to go on a moving forty-six minute journey with Lee Ann Womack. The Way I'm Livin'  is Lee Ann's debut from new label Sugar Hill Records. Indeed, we know what late career label changes could mean for an artist, but Womack has solidified her place among music row royalty taking one more win in the fight to save traditional country.

Find all of Lee Ann Womack's tour dates at LeeAnnWomack.com. If you are a fan of true country I would not miss this album. If not, check it out anyway. You might learn something.
Listen Loud.

Garth Brooks New SIngle “People Loving People” – Our Thoughts

Posted: 02 Oct 2014 04:18 PM PDT

By: Chase Miller

Legendary country artist, Garth Brooks, is officially on the road to making his comeback. Releasing his new song "People Loving People," as his first single since 2008, there is no doubt that Garth Brooks is on his way back to the top of the billboards. This empowering song, off of his new album set to release sometime in November, is a smash hit that I think most common folks can relate to.

The song begins with a catchy guitar riff that makes you kinda say to yourself  “hmmm, you’ve got my attention, what have you got from me next?”. As the song moves along you take stock of the lyrics and realize a theme arises: equality, peace and how people are the solution to the worlds every day problems. The direct message of the song seems to be that when people stand next to one another to support a cause that they can find a solution. It is great to see an artist write a hit song based on such a simple, yet relevant, concept.

Garth touches on incredibly relevant issues in everyday society such as political indifference, acceptance of different cultures, and drug abuse. Bringing up real problems that affect the world we live in makes this song relatable and so allows itself to one that stays with you after the radio is turned off.  The first line in the song, “Doctor you ain’t got a pill, for whatever’s making this world ill,” leaves the listener knowing exactly where he is going.

Overall this is an uplifting and empowering song that gets your foot tapping and makes you feel, makes you feel part of the human race. Trust me when I say this is only the beginning of Garth Brooks' comeback and I am sure we will see much more of him in the near future. Long live Garth and his fancy shirts!
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