Summer officially started on Wednesday, and country music is ready.
Unleashing sounds tailored to the season this week are Kenny Chesney, Josh Turner, Miranda Lambert and Granger Smith.
Another summer-sounding song earns our Disc of the Day award. It’s the gorgeous, top-down celebration “Never Land” by the Eli Young Band.
The DisCovery Award this week goes to a personable singer named Heidi Raye. I’m confident that we’ll be hearing much more from her.
JOSH TURNER/All About You
Writer: None listed; Producer: None listed; Publisher: None listed
– This has a nice, funky sound that’s a really attractive change of pace for this artist. The bright, lively tempo is just right for summer listening.
LITTLE BIG TOWN/when Someone Stops Loving You
Writers: Hillary Lindsey/Chase McGill/Lori McKenna; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publisher: None listed
– Jimi’s torrid tenor is one of the most underrated vocal instruments in contemporary country music. He blazes brilliantly throughout this bonfire heartache ballad performance.
KENNY CHESNEY/All The Pretty Girls
Writers: Nicole Galyon/Tommy Lee James/Josh Osborne; Producer: Publisher: Warner-Tamerlane/A Girl Named Charlie/BMG Platinum/SWMBMGBMI/Once in a Blue Tune/Anderson Fork in the Road/Smackville/Kobalt, BMI/ASCAP
– Toss beach balls on the sand while this bouncer blasts from a boombox.
LINDSAY ELL/Waiting On You
Writers: None listed; Producer: None listed; Publishers: None listed
- Well sung and produced with clarity and exquisite taste. Eminently programmable. She’s been in the news this week because a radio station punished her for dating a perceived competitor, Bobby Bones. Just listen to the music, folks.
MIRANDA LAMBERT/Pink Sunglasses
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Luke Dick/Natalie Hemby; Producer: Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf & Eric Masse; Publishers: Round Hill Works/Big Loud Proud Crowd/Farm Town/Sony-ATV Tree/Little Loudere/Emileon/HappyGoWrucke/Creative Pulse/These Are Pulse, BMI
–Embarrassing piffle.
HEIDI RAYE/Worth a Shot
Writers: Heidi Raye/Justin Ebach; Producer: None listed; Publisher: None listed
– Quite promising. This nifty little “attitude” ditty is sung with chuckling, winking, pert personality. The “shot,” you see, is whiskey.
TYLER FARR/I Should Go to Church Sometime
Writers: None listed; Producer: None listed; Publisher: None listed
– It’s certainly an interesting premise for a song. But since it never really resolves itself after he works himself into a lather, it is ultimately rather unsatisfying.
ELI YOUNG BAND/Never Land
Writers: Mike Eli/James Young/Ross Copperman/Jon Nite; Producer: Ross Copperman & Jeremy Stover; Publisher: Small Town Kid/Young James Young/NYAC/EMI Blackwood/Rezolant/EMI April/Sony-ATV, BMI
– The group returns strongly to form with this wooshing rush of a performance. The production is stunning. The melody is addictive. The mood is inspiring. Turn it up and play it again.
CHARLEY PRIDE/Music in My Heart
Writers: Country Johnny Mathis; Producer: Billy Yates; Publisher: Avid Group, BMI
– The title tune of Pride’s first new album in more than six years is a toe tapper that is as country as grits. Twang that steel.
GRANGER SMITH/Happens Like That
Writers: None listed; Producer: None listed; Publisher: None listed
– This master showman stages another bid for chart success with this mid-tempo reflection on sudden romance. The echoey atmosphere in the arrangement gives his vocal extra impact.
About the Author
Robert K. Oermann is a longtime contributor to MusicRow. He is a respected music critic, author and historian.View Author Profile