How about a little Louisiana hot sauce with your music meal today?
That’s what is being offered by our DisCovery Award winners, Yvette Landy & The Jukes featuring Roddie Romero. They’re serving something zesty and different. Go ahead, give ‘em a taste.
Kenny Chesney takes home a Disc of the Day trophy. Give both the man and his new label props for letting his debut for the company be a benefit record for Caribbean hurricane relief.
Other worthy items on your plate today include singles by Jake Owen, the Calamity Janes and the splendid Danielle Bradbery/Thomas Rhett duet.
DALLAS REMINGTON/Never Turned Around
Writers: Dallas Remington/Regan Stewart; Producers: Kirk Willie/Kimo Forrest; Publishers: none listed; RoadWarrior
– Her vocal is just the teensiest bit flat. The punchy track is masterfully mixed.
HUNTER HAYES/Dear God
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Atlantic
– The lyric is very anguished. It reminds me of how conflicted and tormented we all felt as teenagers. The verses are semi-spoken, a style I have never liked much. But there are melodic moments in the choruses. All in all, an odd little single.
YVETTE LANDRY & THE JUKES/I Need Somebody Bad
Writers: B.J. Peters Jr.; Producers: Yvette Landry, Roddie Romero & Justin Tocket; Ben Peters, BMI; Soko Music (track)
– It’s an echoey ‘50s retro sound, complete with piano triplets, sighing steel guitar and softly punctuating sax. She has a cool, seductive voice that dips attractively into deep alto pockets. The track makes you feel like you’re in a bayou honky-tonk. And that’s a good feeling to have. The swampy, spicy album, featuring co lead vocalist Roddie Romero, is titled Louisiana Lovin.’ Seek it out.
JAKE OWEN/Down to the Honkytonk
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Luke Laird/Shane McAnally; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Big Loud
– Holy mackerel! Jake Owen has issued his most “country” tune ever, and you are going to love it. This is a barroom sing-along, a drinking anthem and a party pleaser. Steel guitar abounds. The chorus is classic. Grab a brew and stomp along.
JOHN SCHNEIDER/Can I Buy You A Beer
Writers: Mason Douglas; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Odyssey
– This sounds feeble. Find a producer.
TUCKER BEATHARD/Real World Hall of Fame
Writers: Tucker Beathard/Casey Beathard/Ryan Tyndell/Jordan Rigby; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; TB
– Written to salute his grandfather’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, it also recognizes that there are “Hall of Fame” people everywhere. The video shows footage of a teacher, a fireman, a soldier, a mom, a policeman and other folks, in addition to gridiron stars. Bobby Beathard, the granddad, was a g.m. and/or administrator of the Redskins, Chargers, Dolphins, Chiefs and Falcons during a three-decade career that included four Super Bowl wins.
CHRIS LANE & TORI KELLY/Take Back Home Girl
Writers: none listed; Producer: Joey Moi; Publishers: none listed; Big Loud
-Tuneless hip-hop. I hate it.
DANIELLE BRADBERY & THOMAS RHETT/Goodbye Summer
Writers: Thomas Rhett/Rhett Akins; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Valory Music
– They sound great together. This swirling, melodic outing showcases both voices beautifully. And both of them prove to be able harmonizers. This is headed straight to the top.
CALAMITY JANES/Light It Up
Writers: A. Childs; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed, BMI; CJ
– Love their harmonies. The gist of the languid, sensuous song is that sometimes it’s best to burn your bridges behind you.
KENNY CHESNEY & MINDY SMITH/Better Boat
Writers: Travis Meadows/Liz Rose; Publishers: none listed; Producers: Buddy Cannon/Kenny Chesney; WB/Blue Chair
– Gentle, acoustic, contemplative and completely lovely. Mindy’s harmony vocal is angelic. An exquisite listening experience.
About the Author
Robert K. Oermann is a longtime contributor to MusicRow. He is a respected music critic, author and historian.View Author Profile
