Randy Travis
GLORY TRAIN – Word/Curb/Warner Bros.
(Produced by Kyle Lehning)

MACON<<<Most country artists will venture to put a Gospel song on an album. Many will go as far as to do a whole album of spiritual music; but few I have heard will ever surpass the scope and sincerity delivered in Randy Travis’ GLORY TRAIN.<<<In my opinion, this album is a true offering to Jesus and totally honors God. The production is pure bluegrass country, incorporates many acoustic flavors and features some nicely orchestrated cuts. There are a generous 19 tracks on the project and none of them sound like they were included as “afterthoughts.” The musicianship is impeccable throughout the work and Randy’s vocals are superb.<<<I especially liked the three cuts featuring The Blind Boys of Alabama: “Swing Down Chariot” (featuring The Blind Boys of Alabama) is a flawless rendition of this classic tune. “Nothing But the Blood” swings along with a honky tonk feel that only Randy could pull off, making this sound fit this hymn like a glove.<<<“Nobody Knows, Nobody Cares” highlights some great bluegrass picking.<<<“Oh How I Love Jesus” has a beautiful flowing acoustic production capped by Randy’s smooth country delivery.<<< Anybody who professes to be affiliated with country music should have this CD--whether or not they believe in God--just so they can hear how real Gospel country sounds when it comes from the heart! This entire CD feels comfortable and the arrangements are in the pocket.<<<Kudos to Randy Travis, producer Kyle Lehning and Word for this landmark album.

Possibly the most influential artist to ever grace the country music genre, Randy Travis has turned his sights in recent years to pursue a spiritual passion that runs deep within this North Carolina Native. >>>The Grammy award winner admittedly acquired little, if any, religion during his youth. But songs like “Forever and Ever Amen” and “He Walked On Water” are tightly knitted to portray Christian values—making his transition into Gospel music a seamless one.>>>The fourth Gospel release in five years, GLORY TRAIN mixes traditional standards with original offerings delivered in classic Randy Travis style. Proving the man could sing the Bible and be entertaining. The CD is all acoustic—free from the distracting aspects in recording that has inundated Music Row productions as of late.>>>All that is of value shines through and is in keeping with the trend that has made Randy Travis the star that shines bright--twenty years after signing his first recording contract.>>>Track 5, “Down By The Riverside,” makes you just want to dance in the pews at a Sunday morning sermon. Wes Hightower provides backing vocals along with the Hagees, The Blind Boys of Alabama and The Crabb Family.>>>Randy’s vocals never sounded better and hanging on a note making eight syllables out of a word containing only one always leaves me saying “Wow!”>>>The CD contains 19 tracks making it a great value. It would be a wonderful Christmas gift and is a must-have addition to the Christian Music Lover’s collection.>>>God Bless Randy Travis.>>>CLEVELAND

Carrie Underwood
SOME HEARTS – Arista Records
(Produced by Mark Bright/Dann Huff)

MACON<<<OK I’m going to start off by saying (and I think Cleveland will agree if he can stop drooling over the mini poster of Carrie included in the CD) this is the best debut album from a youngster this year. The song selection is very good; the vocal performance is stellar and the production musicianship is superb. I watched and voted for Ms. Underwood on American Idol and I agree with Simon when he said Carrie would be the biggest star ever to come from the show and he predicted she’d sell more records than any other contestant. This gal is the real thing and if she takes good care, we can look forward to a lot of great music from her.<<< The first four tunes are definitely the strongest material on the album. The first song “Wasted” (Verges/Green/Lindsey) has a message--as many of the tunes on this CD do. Carrie delivers a Faith Hill-ish performance in this modern country production.<<<“Don’t Forget to Remember Me” is a strong family and faith song that is very well written (Hayes/Lovelace/Gorley).<<<“Some Hearts” (…Whoaaah! By Diane Warren--she has 3 cuts) is a pop rock production, but Carrie’s vocals keep it in the middle of the road. I’d expect to see this as a single.<<<”Jesus Take the Wheel” (James/Lindsey/Sampson) is the current radio tune and I love the message, the melody and vocals.<<<“The Night Before” (Mobley/Thrasher/Olander) is aimed at young folks.<<< “Lessons Learned” (Warren) is another rocker.<<<“Before He Cheats” (Thompkins/Kear) is a hard bluesy cut that is uncharacteristic of the rest of the CD. But again, Carrie sings her tail off making this an interesting cut.<<<“Starts With Goodbye” (Angelo/Lindsey) is a pop power ballad.<<<” I Just Can’t Live a Lie” (Robson/Hector) errrr….is another power pop ballad(ZZZZZZ).<<<“We’re Young and Beautiful” (Rutherford/McEwan) is a welcomed, young, fun song.<<<“That’s Where It Is” (Peirce/Robson/Becker) moves along nicely with a comfortable “I love you” theme. It is very poppy.<<<“Whenever You Remember” (Warren) is another power ballad. (Yes, another ballad Fortunately, the writing and vocal performance won’t put you to sleep.)<<<“I Ain’t in Checotah Any More” is a co-write for Carrie {you go girl!} with Bruce and Angelo and is obviously autobiographic.<<<“Inside Your Heaven” (Carlsson/Nyhlen/Kotecha) is the bonus track.<<<Mark Bright and Dan Huff produced this album with expertise; with great picking that doesn’t overshadow the fine vocal work from this budding artist. This album would be a great stocking-stuffer.

Reality TV—it’s what’s hot on television today. In its attempt to entertain, reality TV often falls short of its goal. Over dramatic, star wanna-be’s play for the cameras and jockey for position to try to achieve their 15 minutes of fame. Although some do reach this pinnacle (absurd as it is), the viewer at home often lies awake at night trying to rationalize to his wife and himself why the $3,000 dollar plasma television was a good investment. Never in my 40 some odd years have I witnessed such unentertaining entertainment. Can we leave the acting to the actors please?>>>In the name of bad TV, American Idol subjects its viewers weekly to unspeakable crimes of bad taste. The set of American Idol with its lights, props and camera angels seems excessive when, clearly, all that is needed is a shower stall where 99.9 of the contestants sing their best. (But, somebody’s obviously watching—like Macon who just loves to sit down and play the part of the judge!) So… imagine my surprise as I listened to the 2005 Idol winner Carrie Underwood debut album SOME HEARTS.>>>This twenty-two year old Oklahoma native can actually sing and has indeed deservingly exceeded the 15 minutes of fame afforded by the glorified karaoke that is called American Idol. Smart song selection and excellent production value sets the bar high. The first single “Jesus Take The Wheel” is currently a chart climber. Nuances in her vocal delivery validate Underwood’s musical influences that include Martina McBride, Reba McEntire and Loretta Lynn. There is undoubtedly some fluff on the CD, but it also contains some refreshing music.>>>Track No. 7, “Before He Cheats,” is my favorite and Track 14 “I Ain’t in Checotah Any More” is a Carrie Underwood co-write.>>>In closing, if girl singers are your bag, put this one in it. If you’re not, enjoy a listen from the radio—SOME HEARTS will be played!>>>CLEVELAND



Gary Allan
TOUGH ALL OVER – MCA Nashville
(Produced by Mark Wright/Gary Allan)

MACON<<<Listening environments must have a great impact. I first listened to this work in my studio where the monitors don’t lie and there are no distractions. My first impression was this was a rather dark sounding album. After a second listen while at my computer I think “edgy” is a better word to describe how the music makes you feel. <<<The production is nicely done. The mix has some great stereo placement of instruments. I might even go as far as to say this is the best-mixed album I’ve heard this year.<<<”Tough All Over” (the title cut and the first tune on the CD) punches hard up front and ends with a 70’s style jam. (I’ve been in a few of those!)<<<”Best I Ever Had” (which is the current radio single) is a kind of surreal country with shades of new pop sounds combined with fiddle and steel.<<<Allan gives a great vocal performance on ”I Just Got Back From Hell” a serious tune we all can relate to and “Ring Ring” reveals this dude’s west coast roots--with a Dwight Yoakamistic sound and a real country tradition style. (How do you like that word Cleveland!) This is my favorite cut and if released as a single sure to be a hit.<<<”Promise Broken” is a song written from an interesting perspective--full of Ventures’ style surf guitar.<<<”Nickajack Cave” tells a haunting story about Johnny Cash.<<<”Life Ain’t Always Beautiful” is a well written song that is almost country and “He Can’t Quit Her” sounds like pure Southern Rock.<<<”What Kind of Fool” has nice harmonies mixed with country instrumentation and features that surreal sound again. (What are we to really call this? Grunge Country?)<<<Now, “Puttin’ Memories Away” is a real nice country song in the middle of all this funky sounding stuff--produced and performed to a tee. I would have loved to have heard Gary do a whole album of this kind of music.<<<”No Damn Good” returns right back to the mood of the album. Gary gives a good vocal performance on this one.<<<The final track entitled “Putting My Misery On Display” kicks off like an Alvin Bishop blues tune. (I’m sorry folks this ain’t country as we know it, but times are a’changin.)<<<The jury’s hung on this country rocker’s new sound. From a technical standpoint, the album is very well done and features solid vocal performances throughout.

It seems only a matter of time before a country artist is pushed into playing, or wants to play, the part of a rock star. The first track on Gary Allan’s latest (TOUGH ALL OVER) is no exception. “Tough All Over,” the lead song, with its’ tambourine and in–your-face drums is as close to rock & roll as Gary should ever get.>>>Track 2 (“Best I Ever Had”) also casts Allan in the R&R light with bands like Coldplay and Green Day.>>>Track 3 and 4 (“I Just Got Back From Hell” and “Ring Ring”) are by far the weakest links in the chain of the 12 songs that make up this CD. Allan fails to deliver here.>>>He gets back on track with song No. 5 entitled “Promise Broken.” There’s a little something in this song for all of us to reflect on here.>>>On Track 6 (“Nickajack Cave”), Gary sings the chilling true tale of Johnny Cash’s rise from drug addiction to becoming a faithful follower of Jesus Christ.>>>Track 7 (“Life Ain’t Always Beautiful”) hits close to home with the recent tragedy and loss in his family. Gary has clearly lived this song and his vocal performance proves it, making this my favorite track. >>>”He Can’t Quit Her” (Track 8) is classic southern rock and is about a John falling for a ‘lady of the night.’>>>Finally on Track 10, we get a country song in “Puttin’ Memories Away.” Gary sings of a broken home and reminisces about happier times. This theme continues on to Track 11 (“No Damn Good”).>>>Gary gives us his take on life on the road on Track 12 (“Puttin’ My Misery On Display”)>>>In closing, Gary’s whiskey voice never sounded better and there are some great moments throughout the disk. In all honesty, given his personal turmoil and tragedy, I did not expect a CD release from Gary so quickly. But, country radio is better for it.>>>CLEVELAND


 
Terri Clark
LIFE GOES ON – Mercury Records
(Produced by Byron Gallimore/Special Production by James Stroud)

MACON<<<My first year in Nashville, I hit downtown on a regular basis and one of my most memorable events was enjoying Terri Clark at the Wildhorse Saloon one Friday night. She puts on a great live show--so I keep that in mind as I write this review.<<<The CD opens with “Life Goes On” with a great hook, but wordy verses. (I guess Terri had a lot to say.)<<<“Damn Right” sounds like vintage Terri Clark but with an edge. The production chores are split between James Stroud and Byron Gallimore--the latter having the most cuts. Hearing their works side by side on this CD is really interesting. I like Gallimore’s style better, but it seems Stroud got one of the better songs on the project to work with entitled “She Didn’t Have Time,” Terri’s lead single from the album. This is a great song performed wonderfully by Clark.<<<The album continues with typical Terri-style stuff like “Cowboy Days” which is a real honky tonker.<<<“Not Enough Tequila” is a well blended, country style ballad with salty chord changes iced with a strong vocal performance.<<< “Big Windows” shows Terri’s vocal savvy again; she reminds me a bit of Patty Loveless on this tune. (That would put her in good company).<<<“I Wish He’d Been Drinkin’ Whiskey” is a bittersweet song that shows off Terri’s range.<<<You know, I keep talking about her vocals--Terri did a great job on this whole album. I don’t like all the songs, but her performance is rock solid which brings me to the “Honky Tonk Song” (rrrrrrrrrrh). This song is probably fun to do live, but it doesn’t tear me up on a record.<<<“Travelin’ Soul” has a good feel and melody.<<<“Everybody’s Gotta Go Sometime” is another song that doesn’t knock me out but again, Terri wears the song well and the production is good.<<<As for “Slow News Day,” I liked this song. It says what we all think from to time to time (except Cleveland, if it doesn’t have beer and sex in the headlines…he doesn’t think!). This song shows Terri’s soft side and sounds personal.<<<“Tear It All Down” is funky country and well performed, but left me with a down turn as a follow-up to the last song of the work. (It is really important to place songs in good order and the powers-that-be missed it on this album in that aspect.)<<<All said and done, this CD is good if you select the right tunes on the shuffle.

With the success of Trisha Yearwood, Suzy Bogguss, Pam Tillis and fellow Canadian, Michelle Wright, the male artists seeking a record deal in the mid-1990’s almost had to be willing to wear a dress to be appealing to country radio and its’ audience. As with most success in the entertainment biz, being at the right place at the right time is key. Sadly, vocal ability and paying “membership“ dues often take a back seat to pretty faces, youth and trends. Case in point…Mercury Records bet their money on a very young, very green Terri Clark. The video of “I’ve Got Better Things To Do” was my virtual introduction to Clark and I must admit, the Alberta, Canada native looked like a fabricated Amarillo, Texas ranch hand with mediocre singing ability, singing an even worse song, and surely she’d have a short lived career in country music. Well, like my stock and mutual fund ventures throughout the last decade, I was dead wrong. Terri’s staying power and chart success must be taken seriously and with that…I pressed play..>>>The title track on LIFE GOES ON blends bluegrass phrasing with a cheesy country take on the woes of relation-ships and life.>>>Track 2 (“Damn Right”) is a soda-pop reflection on the bittersweet voyage that we call life.>>>Track 3 (“She Didn’t Have Time”) expresses the hardships of being a single parent.>>>Terri shines on Track 4 (“Cowboy Days”) a ramblin’ foot-stomper with great lyrics, pickin’ and vocal performance. (Sure to be a hit with Honky Tonk dancers and radio. Macon will most likely shake a leg when he hears it!)>>>On Track 5, entitled “Not Enough Tequila,” Clark discovers there is no cure for heartache including Mexico’s vast tequila surplus.>>>”Bigger Windows” (Track 6) is a take on a humble raising, leaving home and dreams of a better life. >>>Track 7 (“I Wish He’d Been Drinkin’ Whiskey”) is a waltz that suggests that the sober truth is more devastating than psychological abuse ala the whiskey. (A well-written song by the way.)>>>Speaking of whiskey, Track 8 (“Honky Tonk Song”) is a classic drinking song. (Every country album needs one.)>>>Track 9 (“Travelin’ Soul”) seems out of place here and isn’t strong enough to stand on its own.>>>Track 10 entitled “Everybody’s Gotta Go Sometime” echoes Track 6 (leaving and living).>>>”Slow News Day” (Track 11) captures the media’s obsession with controversy and the public’s need to live vicariously through others.>>>The last track “Tear It All Down” is a fitting end to a lackluster project.>>>Overall, production value sounds “techno” and Clark fails to grab the listener (well this one anyway). But…in her defense, song selection is weak and adds to this sadly disappointing effort.>>>CLEVELAND