Totally Biased Fan Review: Cruel Country – Wilco

Years ago I bought an album by Billy Bragg and Wilco called Mermaid Avenue. When I bought it, it had just been released and nobody knew what it was or who Billy and Wilco were. It went on to be one of the biggest smash hits – chiefly critically, so much so that they released a second album.

There is something John Lennonish about Jeff Tweedy’s voice. There is the Townes/Gram feel there too. I always thought that Wilco was just a guy, but it is a band. Maybe it is because of the dominance of the Lead’s voice.

Tweedy says that Cruel country is attempt to challenge our affections for things that are flawed. There are songwriters here in Australia who do that more than Americans do. We have a more natural ability to attack sacred cows and make fun of ourselves – largely, I suspect because a lot of us are from Irish stock. And partly because we don’t take ourselves so seriously.

It is brave, especially in American country music, to point out the holes in their country’s fabric. Wilco does it in a gentle way with their country folk music.

The world has gone through a lot in the last few years and musicians are starting to write about it. There are 21 tracks on this album and they reflect a country’s condition, a world view and a personal stance.

I have learned a lot about the world in my life through the arts. Songs, books, poetry, movies, tv shows, paintings, plays, rather than from politicians and authority figures.

This album isn’t preachy, it is just painting a picture and giving us a story that is open to interpretation.

Again, as with Zach’s album, you can just have it on in the background or you can ponder the words and realise what is really going down.

It pretty much touches on every flaw of America and Americans but you can also feel the love and care that they have for a place that needs to be fixed. It is almost a cry for help.

Again, the titles tell a lot of the stories of the songs.

This album is almost like a soundtrack to a documentary. It must have been good therapy for Wilco and it is a lesson for us.

Totally Biased Fan Review: American Heartbreak – Zach Bryan

Zach said that this album is what it is like for a 26 year old guy in America. 34 tracks. 3 cds. If he is producing this stuff at 26, what is he going to be like when he is 46?

One reviewer said that Zach fuses many styles – I am now t so sure about that, I think that he covers a fair few of the 94 types of country music, including: bluegrass, folktry, blues, alt. Country, soft country rock, Celtic country, skiffle, west coast country and some spoken word etc.

Most of this album is gentle. He’s a young man who has been here before. He’s in the mould of Townes Van Zandt, Gram Parsons, James Taylor and a little of Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash and Jackson Browne and maybe even a touch of Springsteen.

Some of it is raw, all of it is honest. You will need just over 2 hours to listen to this album which has 4 producers, including Zach. There are messages, but they are delivered like a smooth brandy and not with a sledge hammer.

Zach’s voice is slightly husky, with that little country warble in there. The album takes a few listens because there is so much to take in. He is a wordsmith. Listening to the words is a gift in itself, there’s a lot of poetry in there, there’s a lot of emotion and baring of the soul. Zach does not hold back.

Even if you just look at the titles, you want to dive in and find out more. A lot of the album feels like a live album. They are obviously trying out a few things in the studio and a lot of it sounds like we are intruding on a private jam session.

You actually think that you want a break from it at times because there is so much to wade through and you just can’t let this album wash over you – you have to concentrate on what it is saying. There are a lot of metaphors but there are a lot of stories too. So it makes you stick it out.

There is some interesting phrasing, some introspective glances and some soul searching. You can imagine the rides on the horses, the drives in the cars, the nights in the bars, the observations of a young, American male, the big, open spaces, night and day.

It is a test of your patience. To be fair, it is the same time as it takes to watch a movie or most codes of football and less time than a game of baseball or cricket. I read a book when I listened the first time. If you don’t want to dig too deep, you can just have it in the background because it can be enjoyed that way, you just don’t get the full experience.

And that’s what this album boils down to – it is an experience.

Totally Biased Fan Review: Dirt Does Dylan – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is a wonderful, legendary band. What better band, other than The Band or The Byrds is there to make a Dylan tribute album? Dylan is the most covered songwriter in history. Lennon and McCartney are next, but by a 100 miles.

I have argued many times about Dylan – when people say that he is rubbish. I play them a selection of covers and they say that they like them – I say, no you don’t, that’s a Dylan song.

It surprises people. So when you are only recording 10 Dylan songs, which ones do you choose? After all, there are thousands to choose from.

There are some obvious ones that you have to do and some obvious ones that you have to leave off, because you want to be a bit original. One of my favourites, I Shall be released, I think, is done best by The Band and Bob and lots of friends in The Last Waltz. The boys with Larkin Poe do a nice job here.

I think Nitty Gritty Dirt Band do a good job of all the tracks, and I think that that they have tried to show how varied Bob can be.

The very countrified version of another fave, She Belongs to Me is probably one of my picks on the album. The fiddles on this are just fabulous.

Nashville Skyline is my favourite Dylan album and one of my favourite country albums. Johnny Cash said once that Dylan was one of his heroes and that he knew his songs better than he did. There is some music from that album, here.

They didn’t do the song that I want at my funeral – Every Grain of Sand, but they did a lot of my faves – again, how do you just pick 10? I am a Dylan nut, but still, how do you pick just 10?

They have really countrified Dylan’s songs, but then, aren’t folk and country cousins?

The times they are a changin’ had to be here, it is as relevant today as it was in the 60’s. Many stars help out on this, including Rosanne Cash and Steve Earle. It is a powerhouse version.

Don’t think twice, it’s all right is just one of those songs in history that is a must in your collection, no matter who sings it.

Quinn the Eskimo shows Dylan’s fun side, and yes he does have one.

If you are a Dylan nut like me, or a Dirt nut like me, then it is a no brainer. Buy this. If you appreciate great lyrics and amazing tunes then buy it too.

Totally Biased Fan Review: All In – Chris Janson

This is a lot of album. 16 big tracks. Eric Church and Travis Tritt join Chris on some tracks. There are nods to country music heroes and a mixture of fast guitars and mellow tunes.

Chris is a younger guy with an old soul. The influences are obvious, especially in Halfway to crazy with Rhett Akins and Love don’t sleep.

Patriotism is rife with Flag on the wall and My American World. (Although the former may be a bit of a shot at certain sectors of the nation). Even the saddest song is about love, Bye Mom.

There is a lot of joy and hope and love in these songs. Chris co-produced his last album, and from what I read, he pretty much had a hand in everything here.

He said that it allowed him to experiment more. I personally think that it could have been edited a bit. It is a bit too much. Even though there are a variety of country styles there is a sameness within some of those types.

This is a good album without being a great album. There are some standout songs but there are some ordinary ones too. Chris definitely has the chops but there is room for improvement.

Totally Biased Fan Review: Jerry Jeff – Steve Earle

This is the third in an unofficial trilogy. Steve Earle with his Dukes, has paid tribute to Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt and now Jerry Jeff Walker – the albums that he has called the works of his first hand teachers. He also did a tribute album to his eldest son, Justin Townes Earle last year.

One reviewer described Earle’s music and the music that he pays homage to as alternatively tender and tenacious and I tend to agree.

Jerry Jeff Walker will be remembered chiefly for Mr Bojangles, but he wrote many others. One reviewer said that it shouldn’t be on here, but I think more people would question its absence.

I must admit, that I learned some different songs here, and in some cases, I had heard the song but didn’t realise that it was a Jerry Jeff song.

Steve Earle is a master musician, singer/songwriter in his own right and there is no doubt that he will write more original albums soon. He picks his heroes well and you can hear their influence in Steve’s music.

When Steve Earle plays someone else’s song, he makes it sound like his own. Not many people can do that. You can always hear the heart in Steve’s renditions. You can almost hear him crying or laughing.

I was late in coming to know Steve Earle, but my respect for his music and how he respects other people’s music is next level. I have devoured all of his albums and I have reviewed many of them in the last few years. I always enjoy doing so, though many tears usually accompany my writing.

Little Bird is one of my favourites, but it is hard to dissect and discuss each song without using the same adjectives- great, fabulous, marvellous, etc.

Steve waxes lyrical about his admiration for Jerry Jeff Walker, and he says that even though Guy and Townes are equally profoundly influential, Jerry Jeff was the first.

Steve Earle is a storyteller, and whether he is telling his own stories or those of others, he delivers them well.

Totally Biased Fan Review: I Don’t Know Who To Call EEP – Jem Cassar-Daley

Confusing times! Jem released an EP and an EEP within 7 days of each other. The four songs that I reviewed this morning from the EP are marked and I won’t repeat them, but will talk about the other songs!

The EEP has the same qualities and feel of the EP. That haunting voice threads it’s way through the music on this extended, extended play.

Standing Still is a beautiful, sad song. By the Sea continues that haunting quality.

I don’t think that Jem will ever be an in your face power ballad singer – her style is more soft, gentle and searching. Jem’s songs make me think of a young woman finding her place in the world. They are little journeys.

The last song on the EEP has a long title which is apt considering the subject.

Jem’s sad songs have a magical quality. The strings and the content make them deeper than the suggested style.

I think that Jem can go in a few directions. Soak it up.

Totally Biased Fan Review – Oh No – Jem Cassar-Daley EP

Technically, this is a pop EP but since Jem is part of the country music family – literally- I am writing a review.

It is a tradition these days in Australian music, particularly country music, to make it a family business.

Troy and Laurel have two kids who have more than dabbled in music. I have seen both Jem and Clay play with Troy and they have featured on Troy’s albums. The there is definitely there.

Jem is now standing alone and her sound is very haunting and beautiful. Her music is classed as pop but I think that is limiting. Her range is broad and a bit unique.

Her voice is a little like Beth Nielsen Chapman and Sarah McLachlan – she could go folky like Joni or even light opera like Marina and Sylvie

Her voice is pure and strong. Of the four songs featured – which are all terrific, the soulful Changes is my favourite.

Keep it going, Jem. It’s all up to you, kid.

Totally Biased Fan Review: Already Drank That Beer – Ashley Cooke EEP

A gentle duet with Brett Young starts a mixed country music EEP for Ashley Cooke. Gettin’ Somewhere is more poppy, but it still has twang and a country theme.

Rolling Stone announced her as an up and coming star last year. The release dates and title of the EEP are varied, maybe for American vs International audiences.

I think that Ashley’s music on here does follow a real mix in each song. There are Country elements in each song – subjects and her undeniably country voice but there are poppy elements too.

Already Drank that Beer is the standout song and the most ‘country’ song on the EEP. It also showcases Ashley’s amazing voice. I’d go so far to say that it is one of my fave songs of the year so far.

Opposite of love is a bluesy number which is another change up. A fabulous song.

Ashley has a hand in most songs. Good Goodbye features the wonderful Jimmie Allen and predictably is a soulful, achy Breaky Song. Definitely one to sing in the shower. I have the dance moves ready.

Vince Gill once said that good music is good music. Ashley could go in a few directions with her music – I think most of them will land her in a bar because they are mostly drinking songs! She definitely has the makings of a big star. There are 8 songs with one reprised as a solo, Never Til Now in a more folky fashion.

Something about her reminds me of Deana Carter. If you like one, you’ll like the other.

Totally Biased Fan Review: Neon Blue – Joshua Hedley

It has been 4 years between drinks at that old bar on the corner with Joshua Hedley. Joshua’s 2018 album, Mr Jukebox, was his take on his country music heroes’ stylings of the 50’s and 60’s. This album, produced by Jordan Lehning and Skylar Wilson, is more of a nod to American country music of the 90’s which, really, in many ways was a modern version of the 50’s and 60’s.

Hedley has said that the 90’s was the last time in America that you could turn on the radio and hear a true country song before it went pop. It has always been my favourite era of American country music – when gals, guys and bands and duos were plentiful and they were quality.

I have listened to this album 8 times already. It goes by so fast. One reviewer said that modern day American country musicians want to fill stadiums with big booming music and Hedley just wants to fill a bar and have a beer with y’all.

In the reviews, Brooks and Dunn, Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson and George Strait have been mentioned in comparison and I get that.

I was lucky enough to see and hear Joshua in a small venue in Melbourne after Mr Jukebox was released. He is all that is good about country but he also surprised me with a bit of sass and perhaps not the conduct of his heroes but he did urge the crowd to check out our own country music scene as ‘it hasn’t gone the way of America, yet’.

His music is his music but you do feel transported to the eras that he is referring to and the artists from those eras. George and Alan sang about the murder on music row, Loretta, though diverse and a rule breaker has justifiably grumbled about country schlop (her word) and Clint Black has had a dig and there are others too. I think, however, that the wheel is turning back and not just with Joshua, but with a growing group of artists who are emerging with that good old sound.

He is as at home with a sad old song as he is with a honky tonk hoofer. There’s all what you would expect- crying, hurting songs, a round at the bar, hard luck stories, tinkling pianos, soaring fiddles and good old guitars with twang.

Joshua isn’t prolific, but he is quality and he is the real deal. Get on your horse and head for the nearest honky tonk saloon.

Totally Biased Fan Review: Raised – Hailey Whitters

The intro and the outro of this album basically translates to : to the stars on the wings of a pig. I guess that has a relationship with when pigs fly.

Other than that, Hailey has written all but one song on the album. The reviews have been mixed. I love it. Despite the fact that she lives in Nashville now, she was a raised in a little town with a population of just over 700 and she is as American country as biscuits and gravy and apple pie.

This album is generous in content and it is everything that a country music album should be – Loretta, Tammy, Reba, Dolly and Patsy would be proud with a bit of Tanya’s sass and modern twist.

Male critics don’t get her songs as much and one stupid reviewer tried to call her sis country, as an equivalent of bro country. Blow it out your ukulele you idiot.

She has more torch and twang and gusto than one back to front baseball cap and sunglasses.

Hailey was writing for Little Big Town and Alan Jackson and co. She’s the real deal. Her songs are varied in rhythm and rhyme but they all have the heart of a thoroughbred horse and the soul of the middle of America.

If you love your trad American country music of the 90’s, which blends trad, 70’s and new country twists and energy than you will love this.

Simply put, this is country music at its finest.