Page 108 – Maverick Country

Review: Alright, All Right – Kelley Swindall

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Kelley Swindall’s 2020 debut album, ‘You can Call Me Darlin If You Want’ was a big success. It was packed with songs about strong and feisty female characters, all told by Swindall’s soulful vocals. You can hear the influence of Kris Kristofferson and Patsy Cline in her lyricism and sonically, the production draws upon folk and gritty, classic country sounds. Her new single ‘Alright, All Right’ features as a bonus track on the record and it is cohesive with the rest of the album. It is filled with positivity and a sense of humour, and her voice really shines on this track. This latest release shows that Swindall is using her songwriting talents to good use and her voice has never sounded better. She is touring the UK at present and has just performed for the first time at Glastonbury! Make sure you check her out if she comes to a town near you!

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Review: Crossing the Great Divide – Franky Perez

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Perez has had a long and varied career, fronting Apocalyptica and The Doors at the 2012 Sunset Strip Music Festival, and working with the likes of Darius Rucker and Ringo Starr. Perez soaks up all the experiences he’s had within the music industry like a sponge. The album is a companion to the documentary he made in 2020 of the same name which saw him travel across the country on his motorcycle, playing for healthcare workers and patients and trading stories with fellow musicians and entertainers like the Soul Rebels, Randy Travis and Bill Burr. The melodies and hooks on this record are it’s real standout feature as they get stuck in your head for the rest of the day. The album takes you on a journey of self discovery whilst the production matches the themes of travel and open space. The Cello is particularly effective. The title track is a particular highlight, well produced with a fantastic vocal performance. To summarise this record will transport you on a journey that can be enjoyed by all music lovers.

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Review: Livin My Best Life – Dylan Scott

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Dylan Scott’s latest album features some of the finest songwriters in Nashville including HARDY, Thomas Rhett and Morgan Wallen and sees him team up with friend Jimmie Allen for a superb, unifying collaboration, ‘In Our Blood’. His latest single ‘Amen To That’ epitomises all that this album is with it’s cleverly written lyrics, and it’s heartfelt sentiment. But similarly Scott is not afraid to admit his past mistakes and looks at the bigger picture on this album, that without the songs that came before, without the mistakes he made when he was younger, he wouldn’t be the man he is today and that acceptance is well crafted on ‘Boy I Was Back Then’. Scott’s vocals are the strongest they’ve ever been and we can hear the versatility in his voice as he tackles each of the 16 songs. From the ballads to the upbeat, fun numbers, there is something for everyone on this record which may be in contention for my country album of the year!

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Review: Inside Problems – Andrew Bird

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Andrew Bird’s music will not be to the taste of our traditional country music fan. He comes from an indie rock background but his lyricism on this latest album will be appreciated by most music fans. Inside Problems delves deep inside Bird’s subconscious, playing with the emotions and thoughts in his heart and mind creating one of his most personal collections to date. A laid back feel to the production, the record sounds simple and intimate, inviting the listener in to his world. Stand out tracks include the rocking ‘The Night Before Your Birthday’ and the more upbeat ‘Stop ’n’ Shop’. Single ‘Underlands’ opens the record which introduces us to the themes of the unseen on the record. It is a well produced album with some thought-provoking content within the songwriting, all delivered by Bird’s simple, yet effective vocals.

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Review: Truth Is – Vanessa Lively

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Texas songwriter, Vanessa Lively leans more towards folk and world music rather than country but country fans can surely appreciate her lyricism and soulful voice. The album begins with ‘(Truth Is) I Am Found’ which features an unusual production but nevertheless the cello is beautiful. This record in particular takes listeners on a journey. Lively, composing these songs fresh from the breakdown of a twenty year marriage, draws upon personal experience as she learns to find herself again. ‘Golden Treasure’ is a stand out track for me on this record. The chorus melodies are beautiful whilst the harmonies, emphasising the end of each line are sublime. In conclusion, she creates a unique sound with the production and the journey she takes you on is full of hope. On a side note, I want to take a moment to applaud her for creating a non-profit music program called Home Street Music which holds weekly music circles for people who have experienced chronic homelessness. With this, Lively uses her gift to give hope to people within society who have previously had none and the impact she and her organisation are having on those people’s lives is truly extraordinary!

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Review: Wish You Were Here – Terry Emm

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Following on from his 2018 EP ‘Ornate’ Terry Emm revisits a track called ‘Here’ originally released in 2012. Lukas Drinkwater takes over the production, enriching it by adding new instrumentation to the track which explores love and loss. It is given an Americana identity and the addition of the double bass helps to bring the song to life. The new version gives it more of a vintage 70s vibe whilst maintaining his non-conformist approach to song structure and form. The lyrics are particularly strong on this track. After going so long without releasing new music you may wonder why Emm hasn’t released something new and original that we haven’t heard before but his reimagining of this track was right on time and he has made it new. Now firmly back in the saddle, I’m keen to hear more from Emm and hope he continues to collaborate with Drinkwater as it appears to be the perfect combination.

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Review: The Bear – Dan Britton

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One thing is for sure, Britton knows how to record in style! Does it get much more idyllic than a studio on a narrowboat? Well, that’s where his latest offering ‘The Bear’ was recorded in Leicester. Britton is a seasoned pro having played guitar for Jackie Leven, Bob Cheevers and Cathy Lesurf and released music solo, with his band and with duet partner Chris Conway. The new album features some of Britton’s most heartfelt and honest lyrics, all passionately delivered by his gritty vocals. The title track is set to a familiar tune, and addresses the loss of important figures in Britton’s life like his father and dear friend. My favourite track on the album comes in the form of ‘Come Back To Us Friend’, it begins tugging on the heart strings from the moment that organ starts playing this long sustained notes. The harmonies add to the feeling at the end of the verses. It is well produced, the producer has brought the best out of Britton’s acoustic guitar playing which is of course a strong point on the record. To summarise, Britton delivers the full package, strong production, strong musicianship and a great collection of songs.

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Review: Crocodile – Chloe Jones

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Well, if the album cover is anything to go by, I wouldn’t like to get on the wrong side of Chloe! With a gun in her hand and one by her side, Chloe strikes me as an artist who stands for no messing, who’s fierce in her delivery. The first thing I notice upon first listen is the beautiful tone of her voice, how she manages to bend words and switch so eloquently from her head voice to her chest voice. Secondly, I notice the power in which she delivers her lines and the control she exhibits, you really can’t fault her. Backed by what appears to be a pedal steel their is an authenticity in the production to accompany the lyrics which perfectly paint a picture. The Mancunian is another graduate of The Voice UK and has garnered lots of attention online during lockdown with her live streams proving a big hit. S ince live performances resumed Chloe has impressed UK country fans at Buckle and Boots and Country on the Clyde and this latest single is bound to captivate fans both old and new.

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Review: Going The Distance – Jim Patton and Sherry Brokus

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Jim Patton and Sherry Brokus met in a bar in Arnold, Maryland. Brokus approached Patton on a break and asked if she could sing a song with his band. He asked her to sing Neil Young’s “Cow-girl in the Sand” with them and they have sung together ever since. The album opens with the title track, ‘Going The Distance’. Though it starts off vulnerable, Patton’s vocals find their strength in the second chorus and add a bit more power to the song when Brokus joins too. ‘We had friends that were waiting and songs left to play’ resonates after the last two years where life has been on the pause button. The record ends with a slight reprise of this track, the harmonies shine on these heavily effected vocals which linger in the air over the lack of instrumentation to distract from it. My favourite track is ‘That’s What I Do’, it’s got a simple lyric which is set to a simple tune but it’s catchy and memorable with a traditional country instrumentation. I think this album has a lot to offer and Patton has written some very relatable lyrics on this record.

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Review: More Than a Maybe – Juna n Joey

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Sibling duo Juna n Joey featured in our Spotlight section not too long ago. They spoke of how they had a big year ahead of them this year as they gear up to release an EP this summer. They broke onto the scene over here after touring with Twinnie and appearing at The British Country Music Festival in 2021 and have since returned to the UK for a school tour. Their song, ’Til Your Heart Breaks’ gained widespread praise and now, they are keeping up momentum with the release of their new single ‘More Than a Maybe’. The track, which they wrote with Bill DiLuigi and Kayliann Lowe, captures the excitement of falling for a new love. It’s upbeat with a catchy melody and the duo’s signature vocal harmonies help it to reach new heights. It’s a radio ready single that should perform well on the US charts given half a chance. The guitar solo adds another layer to the song and Juna’s vocals in particular are the best I’ve heard them. To summarise, I think this is the best song they’ve released so far and should do well commercially.

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