If I am sure of good content, I will buy an album without hearing even one note. If a solid favorite of mine releases something new, I am getting it. No matter what! This was the case with these three recent acquisitions. From an old favorite to a few of my, surprisingly, new obsessions, these three are a nice snapshot halfway through 2024. Enjoy the new reviews!
Petty Country – Various Artists
First out the gate is a tribute to the late, great Tom Petty, Petty Country – A Country Music Celebration Of Tom Petty. These are Petty tunes sung by some well-known country music artists as well as some relative newcomers. The stretch for a country musician to play or sing a Tom Petty song is not far at all. Tom was brought up and influenced by country music as a youth in Gainesville, Florida. The Heartbreakers got their start by playing country covers around town before they dared to play any original material. Heartbreakers sound is rooted in country in music. The album touts a whopping 20 tracks.
Something for Everyone
Chris Stapleton kicks the album off with a rousing version of “I Shoulda Known It”. Its the perfect start for a rock and roll album by country artists.These twenty songs are a greatest hits collection, of sorts, with a few deep tracks that will surprise. This record will appeal to Petty fans, especially since there are no “whacked-out” versions of his classic songs. The first thing that comes to mind is just how amazing a songwriter Tom Petty was! The style goes from straight covers to countryfied versions with fiddles and slide guitars. More than a little twang can be heard in “Wildflowers” by Thomas Rhett. Petty’s quiet version is on steroids in this version. Rhett’s straightforward delivery and Petty’s great songwriting make it a very singable version. Country fans will love these versions of Tom’s songs.
There is a song I had never heard on this record too. It features Margo Price and The Heartbreakers’ own guitarist, Mike Campbell! “Ways To Be Wicked” is a 2015 release from Petty. What a brutal little ‘happy’ Tom Petty song! Margo Price belts it out with conviction. This song is the surprise gift of the collection. A NEW (to me) Petty song!
Best of the Greatest
Other standouts for me were Dolly Parton’s version of “Southern Accents”. This soft, beautiful song features a subdued Dolly almost whispering the sweet lyrics. However, by the time this song ends, Dolly is really belting it out! When Dolly sings it, I believe it! Of all the straight-ahead covers, I think “Here Comes My Girl” by Justin Moore is my favorite. It doesn’t stray far from Petty’s version but his delivery is so conversational that it stands out. George Strait closes the album with a live version “You Wreck Me”. The most badass version on the record is the smash hit “Refugee” by Wynonna and Lainey Wilson. It’s the perfect song for an album like this. The duo deliver a fiddle-ridden banger and the vocals are smoking!
There cannot be enough Tom Petty floating around in the ether. He will be remembered forever as an insightful songwriter and important figure in pop music history. His death in 2017 still , strangely , seems like a bad dream.
All in all, country music fans should love this album as much as the Heartbroken, starving Tom Petty fans. Maybe someone will hear one of these songs for the first time. Like I did! Great job on this one!
Good Together – Lake Street Dive
Is it time for Lake Street Dive to move to that upper echelon of commercial success? If that is their desire, I sure hope it happens! This album, their 8th studio album release, could just be the one that opens some bigger doors.
“Good Together” released June 21, 2024, has a strong track list of well-written, well executed, fun pop tunes that should get a lot of play . It’s only been 3 years since the groups last release yet these songs sound fresh and energetic. Perhaps since it is the first album off their new label, Fantasy. Every track perpetuates the cool vibe that Lake Street has built over the years.
Lead vocalist Rachael Price continues to draw any listener’s ear. One of today’s top voices in music and severely underappreciated, Price is consistently stellar. However it’s the duet “Good Together” that serves as the title track and album opener. Keyboardist, composer Akie Bermiss shares the singing duties in the feel-good tune that sets the tone and theme for the record.
Polyhedral Dice
According to their website , LSD purposely collaborated early on during the writing of the songs for Good Together. Rather than coming to the group with a polished song, individual members collaborated on the creation of the songs. However they left some decisions to a game of chance. It’s an interesting concept that involved a 20-sided die. What results is a record that has inspired lyrics, and proves to the listener that if we work with others, we get a better result. Good Together!
The party continues along these lines with a song penned by bassist Bridget Kearny. ‘Dance With A Stranger’ is another fun, welcoming song with a communal feeling. Kearny shines (as always) on this record with a few more well written songs. She penned the nostalgic “Twenty Five”, which features a touching vocal from Rachael Price, fondly remembering that intense time of being 25 and in love. Akie Bermiss accompanies beautifully on the piano in this quiet but powerful song. Finally, Bridget shows her true ‘side-pony’ self as she celebrates with a “Party on the Roof”.
Akie B. is no longer the new guy in the band, that title now goes to James Cornelison on guitar and vocals. Akie’s duets with Price and his sound on the keyboards has definitely expanded the band’s palette. His writing ability is undeniable too, evident by the peppy “Better Not Tell You”. This song is one of several on the record that feature the horn section from jazz band Huntertones. Bermiss also co-wrote (with Kearny) the album’s lush closer, “Set Sail (Prometheus and Eros)”.
Seats At The Bar
My favorite moment on the record is a song penned by drummer and background vocalist, Mike Calbrese . Seats At The Bar is a groovy little song that has a cosmopolitan feel to it. Calbrese captures the ‘cocktail lounge” vibe that inspired the design concept of the record. Coolness happens in those seats at the bar. this is part of the magic trick that LSD performs constantly. It’s the art of immersing the listener in a vividly depicted environment through evocative descriptions in both words and music.
Lake Street Dive has been gaining popularity over the last few years and they deserve all of it. Quite a unique band that is comprised of very talented musicians with a unique perspective. I always tell friends who are unfamiliar with LSD that they will love the band. I say that to everyone, no matter of age or musical inclination, because I am THAT confident in their appeal. Try them, you WILL like them! At the very least, dance with a stranger on your way to your seats at the bar.
$10 Cowboy – Charlie Crockett
Charley Crockett, The Son of Davy, is an Americana artist. He’s not exactly country but close. He is a little blues, a little R & B, and all authentic. He sort of lives in between the country world and parts unknown. The music industry has had a hard time categorizing Crockett ever since he became undeniably popular with fans of all ages. I’ve written about him before (read: Twangy Country Even Rockers Love…7/2023).
In April 2024, Charley released his 13th studio album in 9 years. That is a lot of music! His latest is “$10 Cowboy” and is an album of original songs. Crocket has been known to release tribute albums in between his original releases. In February 2021, Charley released a tribute album to James Hand titled 10 For Slim: Charley Crockett Sings James Hand which gained critical acclaim from a variety of publications, including Rolling Stone.
America, how are ya
Crockett’s original songs usually sound like they come from country music’s golden age , however this new record sounds like an attempt to push his own envelope and update his sound a little, while keeping to the traditions that he embodies. Charley’s songwriting has never been better than displayed on these 12 tracks. His persona of a downtrodden troubadour is explored in songs like “Hard, Luck & Circumstances”. I predict a future hit with the powerful “America”. Right off the start, a catchy horn melody drags the listener in as Charley assesses his place in this country of ours.
The itinerate troubadour is a persona that Crockett has lived for real. He got his start on the streets, busking for change. Charley has worked hard to present himself in a very specific way. His throwback style is not limited to his music, it is also his appearance. Calculated or not (he has been criticized by country music snobs for being a fake “cowboy”) it’s an attractive look and one that he is very comfortable in. Check out his music videos, especially from his 2020 album “Welcome to Hard Times”. Crockett spent the pandemic recording cinematic videos in state parks for the album’s tracks. These videos really cemented his cowboy-singer persona.
Blue Drifters
One can’t argue with Charley’s work ethic: tirelessly touring with fantastic live shows and album after album. If he is a fake cowboy, he’s a good one. This record has everything that makes Charley Crockett great. “Gettin’ Tired Again” is an R & B tune that will get those heads nodding in the crowd. Solitary Road is another road-weary song with a fantastic guitar hook driving it, courtesy of Alexis Sanchez. Charley’s band is the Blue Drifters and they are a big part of his live show’s appeal. All very talented and understated musicians that are the perfect foil for Crockett’s bombastic stage persona. Kullen Fox is the organ player, composer who doubles on trumpet. Occasionally playing both instruments at the same time!
They Got A Lot To Say…
With every release, Crockett’s confidence and appeal grows. His songwriting has gotten better as he finds the perfect niche for his talents. He is an artist in the true sense. His discography proves that he learns from the masters. He takes the best songwriting traits he’s learned and applies them to his own storytelling. After years of “standing behind his guitar and busking on street corners” he knows what excites a crowd. In 2023 he played the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville for the first time. To understand what a big deal this was, you only have to listen to his song “Music City USA” from the album of the same name. ”I shouldn’ta come here in the first place. These folks out here don’t like my kind”. It was a triumph for our hero! Nashville may have been slow on accepting Crockett but the rest of the country hasn’t been.
I have a feeling that $10 Cowboy will be a breakout record for Charley Crockett. There is talk of bigger things to come for him in the cinematic world as well. All this remains to be seen from this unlikely musical hero. Has the tough road to success prepared him for what’s to come? We shall see but in the meantime, do yourself a favor and take a long look at this man from south Texas, Charley Crockett. It’s worth it!
Great long read