Album Review: Michelle Wright / Everything And More
Current mood: jubilant
Category: Music

Artist:  Michelle Wright
Title:  Everything And More
Label:  Savannah Music
Produced by:  Tony Haselden & Russ Zavitson
Released:  2008

Welcome home, Michelle Wright!  It's been ten years since Michelle delivered a full-blown country project, but it has been well worth the wait!  You can feel Michelle's emancipation from major label constraints.  This is a personal venture and her voice is even more soulful, sassy, and sultry than ever.  The compositions are first-class with Michelle taking pen in hand with Patricia Conroy and Gerald O'Brien for "Everything And More" and "In The Blink Of An Eye."  Other notable songwriters including George Ducas, Joe Diffie, Tim Mensy, and Craig Bickhardt (just to mention a few), lend material to this album.  I love the overall positive feel and strong attitude throughout this collection.  Michelle's vocals capture each song making it bend to her will.  Standouts are "Everything And More," "I Don't Wanna Be That Strong," "My Give A Damn's Busted," and "Voodoo."

-- Myrtle McKim Shaw

Track Listing:
1.  Everything And More
2.  Dance In The Boat
3.  Riding Around The Sun
4. I Don't Wanna Be That Strong
5.  In The Blink Of An Eye
6.  I've Forgotten You
7.  Love Me Anyway
8.  Something Wild
9.  You Can't Lose Them All
10.  My Give A Damn's Busted
11.  Like An Angel
12.  Voodoo

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Album Review: Timothy Craig / You Got It
Current mood: rockin
Category: Music

Artist:  Timothy Craig

Title:  You Got It

Label:  Ball & Chain Entertainment

Produced by:  Tom Harding and Timothy Craig

Released:  2008

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Myrtle’s Music Morsels - July 21, 2008
Current mood: excited
Category: Music

Myspace is an uncharted ocean of music!  Any genre from around the world – a virtual smorgasbord for music lovers!  As I navigate the waters, I will be reporting back on the country music treasures I uncover.

Not only are there new artists to discover, but familiar voices as well.  For instance, this week I located Donna Fargo.  You may remember her as "The Happiest Girl In The Whole U.S.A."  Well, not only is Donna writing greeting cards and books for Blue Mountain Arts, but she is still writing and recording amazing music!  In this election year filled with rising gas prices and unrest around the world, Donna has penned a song that should become America's anthem, "We Can Do Better In America."  Take a listen on Donna's myspace … http://www.myspace.com/donnafargo

The first of the newcomers this week is Cody McCarver.  True country music has always placed a lot of emphasis on lyrics.  Cody maintains this tradition with his song, "Through God's Eyes."  This is hard-livin', hard-drivin' country at it's finest … http://www.myspace.com/codymccarver

Oklahoma singer, Rachel Stacy hits the myspace airwaves with attitude!  Check out "Damn You Look Good."  While most of her airplay has come from Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Louisiana, I doubt it will be long before she hits the national scene … http://www.myspace.com/rachelstacymusic

Triple Shot – no, I'm not talking alcohol – I'm talking group!  This group is made up of exceptional talent – Kimberly Moses, Mark Matejka (guitar player for Lynyrd Skynyrd), and Randy Threet (bass player for The Outlaws).  All have extensive resumes in the industry – combined they are extraordinary.  They are appearing at the Nashville Palace in Nashville, TN – I would recommend checking them out if you're in the area, I plan to … http://www.myspace.com/tripleshotmusic

If you love harmonies, you'll love High Valley.  Their blend of country and Christian music is awesome.  Three brothers from Alberta, Canada – heartfelt music with family harmonies – it doesn't get any better than this … http://www.myspace.com/highvalley

Enjoy the music!

11:29 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Album Review: Brinley Addington / All Over Town
Current mood: cheerful
Category: Music

Artist:  Brinley Addington    

Title:  All Over Town

Country music is alive and well if you look to Tennessee native, Brinley Addington.  With a touch of contemporary stylings (similar to that of Marty Raybon), Brinley makes a fine showing with these four songs on his All Over Town EP.  My favorite tune, "What I Wouldn't Do," is a toe-tappin' number that compels me to get up and dance…and I don't even dance!!  At live appearances, I'm sure ladies melt when this handsome crooner sings about such devotion!  "Why I Never Will" is an anthem for country living and lost love (small town boy loses love to big city dreams).  His vocals pull me into the song and remind me of my own country roots.  A very nice ballad.  "Baby Needs Some New Orleans" and "All Over Town" are also solid cuts.  Over all, it's a good production with heartfelt vocals and is well worth a listen.  I look forward to hearing more from Brinley.

-- Myrtle McKim Shaw

Track Listing:

1.  What I Wouldn't Do

2.  Why I Never Will

3.  Baby Needs Some New Orleans

4.  All Over Town

For more information on Brinley Addington: 

http://www.myspace.com/brinleyaddingtonmusic

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Album Review: Pam Tillis / Rhinestoned
Current mood: giddy

Artist:  Pam Tillis
Title:  Rhinestoned

Label:  Stellar Cat Records

Produced by:  Pam Tillis, Gary Nicholson and Matt Spicher

Released:  2007

I didn't realize how much my heart was aching for traditional country music until I popped Pam Tillis' new CD, Rhinestoned into the player.  By the time I reached the chorus in the first song, "Something Burning Out," I was hooked.  The steel guitar and fiddles compliment Pam's vocals perfectly.  From there, Pam goes into "Band In The Window" which is about life as a musician on  Nashville's lower Broadway (and by the way Pam, I believe Patsy would be proud!).  "Train Without A Whistle" is without a doubt the best song on the CD, although I didn't find a bad one in the bunch.  This slow ballad fits Pam's voice wonderfully and she delivers the song with such emotion that your heart breaks as if you had been the one left.  "Life Has Sure Changed Us Around" pairs Pam with country music great, John Anderson!  Not really a combination I would have thought of, but it works!  This song will get your toes tappin' for sure!  Pam co-wrote this song with Gary Nicholson.  She also co-wrote another fantastic ballad, "The Hard Way" with brother, Mel Tillis, Jr.   I believe this to be Pam's best work to date – totally Pam doing what she does best and uninhibited from major label pressure.  The last song, "Over My Head" is a great positive ending.  Pam, "there's a light shinin' over your head" without a doubt!  This album is a must-have for all traditional country music fans.

-- Myrtle McKim Shaw

Track Listing:

1.  Somthing Burning Out

2.  Band In The Window

3.  Train Without A Whistle

4.  Life Has Sure Changed Us Around

5.  Someone Somewhere Tonight

6.  Down By The Water

7.  Crazy By Myself

8.  Bettin' Money On Love

9.  That Was A Heartache

10.  The Hard Way

11.  Over My Head

For more information on Pam Tillis:

http://www.myspace.com/pamtillis

http://www.pamtillis.com

11:15 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment