I have never been a fan of cover albums not only in country but any music genre as I don’t think they do justice to the originals. However, once in a blue moon an artist comes along with an album of covers that makes me take a step back in amazement with the quality of not only sound but also the performance and does justice to the originals. One such artist is Texan Amy Francis with her latest album “Balladacious”.
Amy, who is a wife and mother of three children, has been involved in music all her life and was brought up on a mixture of country, bluegrass and gospel. In her early childhood years she performed in church, her parents were gospel singers, and in her teens sang professionally every weekend. She also studied music at the University of Texas Her talent and love for music inevitably lead her not only to perform as a singer in numerous venues but she also played piano and compose songs too.
Amy has recorded two previous solo albums prior to this latest offering “Balladacious”. The album, which is traditional country music, covers a wide range of tracks which will undoubtedly be recognised by dedicated country fans. They include “Apartment #9” (Tammy Wynette’s first chart entry), “Don’t Touch Me” (Jeannie Seeley’s first chart hit from 1966), “Picture of Me Without You” (first recorded by George Jones and later Lorrie Morgan), “Sweet Dreams”(recorded by many artists including Faron Young, Don Gibson, Patsy Cline and Emmylou Harris).
Amy has a powerful and versatile voice capable of conveying the essence of the song’s lyrics and unquestionably does justice to the originals. Her performance combined with the excellent backing musicians, background vocals and recording make this truly an outstanding album and one that should be in your collection. Highly recommended – do yourself a favour and get this album! It is available in the UK from Smart Choice Music. For more information on Amy and her music check out her website.

If, like a lot of fans particularly the older ones, you mourn the demise of country music with the trend over the years to a more manufactured pop sound then “Last Of The Honky Tonks” is most certainly one album that will, literally, be music to your ears.

Michael Ubaldini has been making music for a large number of years, in fact he started playing the guitar and writing at the tender age of 7, and his music has been described as Folk, Americana, Rock and Country. Over the years he has received a string of music awards in the USA for Country, Roots and Rock music. He is also an accomplished poet and his book “Lost American Nights: Lyrics & Poems” was accepted to the Public Library’s poetry canon in Southern California. It seemed though in 2009 that his career was about to end when he struck down and tests revealed he was suffering from a heart valve infection. He was told it may not be able to play a guitar again or even walk but therapy and his determination lead to his recovery. Most of Michael’s albums over the years, from the late nineties, have been solo but for this latest one, he has formed a group "The Lonesome Playboys" who, like himself, lament the loss of their country heritage. The album consists of 14 tracks which, unlike a lot of today’s music, was recorded live on analogue tape with no overdubs to get a natural sound. Essentially the music is reminiscent of the old styles of country which alas don’t get coverage that they once did and it is certainly refreshing to hear a natural sound without all the manipulation found on many of today’s ‘country’ albums.

So If you are a diehard old style country fan then this album, which is excellent from beginning to the end, is a must for your collection. For more information check out his website www.rocknrollpoet.com

Over recent years the standard of some British country acts has undoubtedly improved. At one time it seemed they could only sing the ‘country music standards’ and covers mimicking both the sound and performance of the US artists. This situation seems to be gradually changing and some British artists are now showing their own individuality in performance and the material they sing. The Sunshine Delay, a Scottish based group are one such group.
They are essentially an Americana/Alt Country group interlaced with some pop, rock and roots and this latest album is their 2nd since being formed in 2001. The 4 piece group consist of husband and wife, David and Paula McKee along with Iain Barbour and Brendan O’Brien. The album is a mixture of varying tempo numbers performed by Paula, whose voice I particularly like, and David both of whom also play instruments along with the other 2 members of the group. The group have toured in the USA, opened for acts, such as Chuck Prophet and Allison Moorer and provided backing for the likes of Jason Ringenburg and Amy Rigby on UK tours. Apart from their originality in performance I admire their ability to write their own material – certainly overall a refreshing change! I only hope that the radio media are aware of the British group and give their material the airplay it deserves.
This is undoubtedly one of the few British country albums I would recommend without any hesitation. For more information about the group visit their website.

John Denver is one of those artists that traversed musical genres to be accepted not only by country music fans but also those of folk and popular music. His music abilities were evident in his teenage years after his grandmother gave him a Gibson guitar and he started performing at clubs whilst at university. He dropped out of university and moved from Texas to Los Angeles where he joined the Chad Mitchell Trio and then for a brief spell a trio called Denver, Boise and Johnson. In 1969 John decided to go solo and recorded his first album, which included probably one of his most well known songs “Leaving On A Jet Plane” which was a world wide hit for the group Peter, Paul and Mary. However, it wasn’t until his 1971when his album “Poems Prayers and Promises” brought him to the attention of the masses with his hit single “Take Me Home Country Roads”. In subsequent years he had many hits around the world, the majority of which are included in this latest compilation “John Denver – The Ultimate Collection” including his No 1 on the U.K. Charts “Annie’s Song” along with such classics as “Take Me Home Country Roads”, “Rocky Mountain High”, “Thank God I’m A Country Boy”, “Back Home Again”, “I’m Sorry” and “Fly Away”, the latter which featured Olivia Newton-John on vocals.

Dallas born Jolie Holliday has been influenced by music since an early age when she was exposed to it firstly by her singer/songwriter mother and then by listening to country music during long periods on her grand father’s farm. She was singing at the age of 5 and in her early teens performed at numerous venues and concerts. All of these experiences in her early years have combined, resulting in Jolie pursuing music as her career and so far as resulted in her recording 2 albums.

“Lucky Enough”, Jolie’s 2nd and current album, was released a considerable time ago but I have only recently been Lucky Enough to be introduced to the excellent music by this Texan. The 10 tracks are essentially modern country and that doesn’t mean the current pop country which is found so much today especially on the charts. The songs are a mix of up tempo, mid tempo and soulful ballads written by many of today’s respected songwriters such as Bill Anderson, Jeff Stevens, Ashley Gorey and Jim Beavers. Jolie also shows her talent as a songwriter with a co-write of the track “Driving To Hollywood”. The songs have meaningful lyrics which truly show Jolie’s vocal range and adaptability interpreting them so the listener believes she has experienced the stories being told. The subjects are about various aspects of life such as putting love behind you and moving on, being chatted up in a bar, regrets after the breakup, finding it hard to wait to get home to see a lover and not needing material things when you have love.

This album has everything, great songs, good musicians, well produced and above all the impressive voice of Jolie. I have no hesitation in highly recommending this truly excellent album which is undoubtedly one of the best I have heard for quite some time. Well Done!
For more information on Jolie and her music visit her website.

Proposition are a new name to me and are a UK trio, comprising of Simon Middleton, Nigel Orme and Steve “Crash” Clark based in Norwich. Although they have only been together as a group for a relative short time they all have extensive experience playing in other groups.

This four track E.P. “Dirt Tracks” showcases both their individual and combined talents not only with some powerful vocals but also their ability with a variety of musical instruments including banjo, guitar, mandolin and keyboards. Whilst the aforementioned are integral to a good sound, more important to me are the songs and I certainly wasn’t disappointed with the four tracks, all of which are originals written by the trio. Another important factor is to be able to hear the vocals without them being drowned out by the backing and this EP ticks this box as well. The music, whilst coming under the country umbrella, is an amalgam of various styles, Americana, alt country, acoustic, folk with tinges of bluegrass and certainly gets the feet tapping.

Heaven To Heartache, is singer-songwriter Susan Cattaneo’s follow-up to her 2009 debut album Brave And Wild. Music has always been a part in Susan’s life from her early days in New Jersey including performing in college bands, playing in piano bars in Italy and as a lead singer in a funk-folk group. Working in other forms of the media including song writing led to, following her graduation from Berklee College of Music, being hired by their song writing department. In the succeeding years she combined teaching, raising a family and writing in Nashville. 2009 saw Susan return to performing with her debut album which received much acclaim..

This new album, released on February 14th, is one that, whilst fusing several music styles, predominately has a country sound reminiscent of the early 1990’s female performers. Susan has written or co-written all the 12 tracks which are a mixture of different tempos and subjects include life and relationships. The songs are all well written and seamlessly performed by Susan who obviously, as the writer, knows how she intended them to be interpreted to achieve the message given to the listener. Mention must also be made of the excellent musicianship which compliments Susan’s songs and beautiful mature voice and of course the production which allows the listener to hear her voice without being drowned by the backing.

So if you’re a fan of Americana, Singer-songwriters or Country from the early 90’s then this is an album that you should seriously consider seeking out and one that I have no hesitation in recommending. For more information about Susan and her music check out her website

Louisiana born Trace Adkins has one of the most distinctive and recognisable voices in country music with his deep baritone vocals and over the years has had many chart hits. Like many artists Trace’s interest in music started at an early age when learnt to play guitar and went on to study music at Louisiana Tech. Following his graduation he worked on an oil rig then several years later his love of music drew him to join a gospel group before he decided to pursue a solo career. He played honkytonks and clubs but it was his decision to move to Nashville that spurred his country music career when he was soon signed to Capitol Records by Scott Hendricks.

In 1996, his first album “ Dreamin’ Out Loud” was released and gave him 3 Top Ten singles with “Every Light In The House” (No 3), “I Left Something Turned On At Hone” (No 2) and (This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing” (No 1). Successive albums have yielded more chart singles with “Ladies Love Country Boys” and “You’re Gonna Miss This” reaching the coveted No 1 spot. This latest compilation album “The Definitive Greatest Hits”covers the whole of Trace’s thirteen year career with Capitol Records and comprises of 28 tracks on 2 cds

This set will undoubtedly appeal to those fans who enjoy the more traditional country sound but this should not deter other country music fans adding it to their collection.

There can’t be many country music fans who haven’t heard of Tom T Hall, one of the most prolific and successful country songwriters who is known as the “Storyteller”. Tom had started writing poetry as a child and after being given a guitar, by his father, he started learning music and also writing songs. One of the people from whom he learnt was later to be the subject of one of Tom’s songs – Clayton Delaney. Personal circumstances forced Tom to leave school and find work to support the family but whilst at work he founded his first band, the Kentucky Travelers but following their breakup he became a dj. After a stint in the army he again worked at a radio station where he was spotted by a Nashville songwriter and the rest is really history. Several artists have recorded his songs including Jimmy C Newman, Dave Dudley, Johnny Wright and of course Jeannie C Riley with “Harper Valley PTA” which was voted “Single of the Year” by the CMA in 1968. The latter brought attention to Tom which started his own success as a performer as well as a songwriter and throughout the first half of the 1970s he had numerous chart success with his own songs such as “Ballad of Forty Dollars”, “A Week In A Country Jail”, “Shoeshine Man”, “The Year That Clayton Delaney Died” and “Old Dogs and Watermelon Wine”.

This 2 cd set includes all of his hits and many more, including “Hello We’re Lonely” with Patti Page and “The Last Of The Drifters” with Johnny Cash. A total of 50 tracks together with a lyrics handbook, should be in all country music fans’ music collection whether a lover of the old style or, a newer convert to the music. A piece of Country Music history! Highly Recommended

Eighty three year old Charlie Elzer Loudermilk, better known as Charlie Louvin has been making music since the 1930’s when he sang gospel music in church and then started playing the guitar and singing with his brother Ira. They played together for many years with a couple of breaks when Charlie joined the army in the 40’s and again went he went to fight in the Korean but in 1963 they decided to go their separate ways and Charlie pursued a solo career

The Battle Rages On” is Charlie’s latest tells stories of war from different viewpoints and at times the words are very emotional and poignant and although the themes are about the patriotism of America I’m sure that people from other countries will be able to identify with many of the sentiments expressed. In “More Than A Name On A Wall”, a grieving mother who is visiting a memorial looks up to heaven and asks God to tell her son he will always mean much more to her than just his name in front of her. A couple of tracks relate stories of mothers receiving letters, one from her son but when she reads it she realizes he hasn’t finished writing it because he has died in action , “A Soldier’s Last Letter”.. There’s a soldier in prison who hasn’t had a letter from home “I Wonder If They Ever Think Of Me” and “Searching For A Soldier’s Grave” is about travelling thousands of miles to try to find the grave of a soldier.

The album is one that will not appeal to everyone and undoubtedly will be considered morbid by some but Charlie produces some thought provoking songs.

The Dixie Chicks came to worldwide attention of Country Music fans following the release of their album “Wide Open Spaces” in 1998 but the group albeit in different line-up was originally formed some nine years earlier in Dallas, Texas. The group, who took their name from Little Feat’s song “Dixie Chickens”, consisted of sisters Martie Seidel and Emily Erwin along with Laura Lynch and Robin Lynn Macey and they played a mix of traditional country, folk and bluegrass on street corners and in clubs around Dallas, Texas. Eventually Robin left and Laura took over lead vocalist but she was also to leave and was replaced by Natalie Maines. The new line-up, with a different sound, signed to Monument Records and their first single “I Can Love You Better”, in 1997, gave them their first chart single reaching No 7 on Billboard’s Country Singles Chart and the album “Wide Open Spaces” their first No 1

This latest album “The Essential Dixie Chicks” consists of 30 tracks on 2 cds and chronicles the group’s rise to fame as a worldwide hit with all their 6 No 1 singles “There’s Your Trouble”, “Wide Open Spaces”, “You Were Mine”, “Cowboy Take Me Away”, “Without You” and “Travelin’ Soldier”. There are numerous other chart singles such as “Not Ready To Make Nice”, “Long Time Gone”, “Landslide”, “Ready To Run” and Goodbye Earl” with the remaining tracks taken from their four No 1 albums.

Most fans of Country Music will be aware of this multi award winning group and familiar with their music and this superb album, which is in essence a piece of Country Music history, most definitely deserves to be in all Country Music fans’ music collection.

Steven L Smith hails from New York state and has been writing songs since he was a teenager when he was inspired by many artists including Merle Haggard, Roy Clark and Kris Kristofferson. Apart from writing Steven also plays acoustic guitar and also makes guitars
.
All of the songs on his latest album “Outside Of Tupelo”, which is sixth album of original material and has produced it himself, have been written by Stephen and therefore he knows exactly the interpretation he had in mind for the performances. The tracks, which are a mix of Country and Americana have stories of love of various kinds and life. The lead off song “Woman On A Pole” is a honky tonk number telling the tale of a drunk in a bar who falls in love with a woman on a pole at whom he throws his money. The theme of drinking continues on “I’ve Got You” about a man love was drink but then finds the love of a woman. Drink also rears its head in country rocker “I Stole A Bible” when he wakes up, after a drunken night, in a hotel room and instead of taking the usual things like soap ands shampoo, the drunk takes a Gideon Bible and reads it on the way home. On “Outside of Tupelo” is about a trucker chasing a girl and “Molly” tells of a guy following a girl to Hollywood where she becomes a prostitute but is eventually taken home.

Apart from the excellent story songs written and performed superbly by Steven, there are first rate musicians playing dobro, guitar, mandolin and steel guitar. It’s an album that I definitely recommend.
For more information about Steven check out his website

Trace Adkins has been a consistent chart visitor since his 1 st album “Dreamin’ Out Loud” in 1996 through to his latest “Cowboy’s Back In Town” which has topped Billboard’s Country Album Charts and has given him one chart single so far with “This Ain’t No Love Song” Although not a prolific writer himself,although he has co -written the title track, he is a great interpreter of songs and seems to have the gift of choosing those that are ideal for his rich baritone vocals which are undoubtedly one of the most recognisable in the world of country.

This latest album, his first on Show Dog-Universal, is mainly up tempo songs but also has some mid tempo numbers and a couple of ballads. There are fun tracks such as “Hold My Beer” about a redneck wedding and “Hell I Can Do That” takes a look at sport. Love is inevitably covered with “Still Love You”, “Break Her Fall” and “This Ain’t No love Song”. Overall the sound of the album has plenty of heavy rock guitars and loud drums with a good mix of tracks performed most ably by Trace who is joined by fellow label artists Trailer Choir on the track “Don’t Mind If I Do”.

Trace has had many chart entries for over a decade and judging by this album he will continue to have many more in the future.

In the late 70’s, after moving to Nashville, singer/songwriter Kevin Welch signed to Sony/Tree as a staff writer and over the forthcoming years his songs were recorded by a multitude of artists such as Garth Brooks, Waylon Jennings, Patty Loveless, Reba McEntire Roger Miller, Ricky Skaggs, Don Williams and Trisha Yearwood. His self titled debut was released in 1990 and yielded 4 singles which made the lower part of the Country Singles Charts.

This new album “A Patch Of Blue Sky” consists of 10 tracks. all of which he has written or co-written, and is probably best described as a mix of Americana, folk, singer/songwriter mix with a country flavour. The majority of the tracks are about Kevin’s observations of life including the forces of nature like floods and brush fires in Australia, love, death and dreams but it’s not however, a mournful album. Kevin’s son, Dustin made a remark that Woody Guthrie would be a punk today if he were still alive and this gave Kevin the idea for the opening track “Come A Rain” in which he name checks various people including Jesus, Elvis Presley, Buddha, Ghandi and Jimmie Hendrix. It’s essentially acoustic sung by the deep and quiet voice of Kevin with excellent musicianship and supported by many fine voices including his daughter Savannah and Eliza Gilkyson.
This latest album, “A Patch Of Blue Sky” is his first solo one since 2001 but the wait has certainly been worthwhile. Highly recommended.

For more information about Kevin and the album check out his website.

The Quebe Sisters comprises of Grace, Sophia and Hulda Quebe backed by musicians Joey McKenzie, Drew Phelps and Dennis Crouch, all of whom blend their talents on this superb album of Western Swing music. The title “Timeless” says it all really because the music the band play takes you on a nostalgic trip back to the heyday ofWestern Swing with memories of Bob & His Texas Playboys and Sons of the Pioneers. The girls’ tight harmonies are exceptional especially as they have only been singing professionally for a relative short period but their talent doesn’t end there it also extends to their outstanding fiddle playing as well. They have already received awards for their music with Group of the Year at The Academy of Western Music and the Crescendo Award from the Western Music Association and have been championed by respected performers like Jimmy Buffet, Ricky Skaggs and Marty Stuart. The tracks on the album are a mixture of vocal and instrumental and include “Twin Guitar Special”, “Shame On You”, “Take The ‘A’ Train”, “Tumbling Tumbleweeds” “Along The Navajo Trail” and “Roly Poly”.

This is a absolutely fantastic album that will get you tapping your foot from beginning to end and is one that undoubtedly you will play again and again.

You can find out more about the band from their website

If you like singer/songwriter or Americana type music then this latest album from Roy Schneider is definitely one for your collection.

“Erleichda” (pronounced “err-like-duh”), Roy’s 3 rd album, comprises of 13 tracks, 12 of which have been written by him including one of which is an instrumental “Dancing With A Horse”. The album starts with an upbeat track “South In The Summertime” which is about travelling through the Southern states of the USA. Many of the songs tell about life’s aspirations and experiences and that we only get out of life what we put into it. They are performed with great feeling in the manner that only a singer/songwriter can do, as obviously Roy knows what message he wants to convey and in what manner to get his ‘stories’ across to the listener. Not only is Roy a singer/songwriter but also an accomplished multi instrumentalist, playing guitar, mandolin, banjo, harmonica, flute and drums and is ably assisted on the album by Keven Aland, David C Johnson, Kim Mayfield and the legend that is Charlie McCoy on harmonica. The final track on the album is a credible cover of a Grateful Dead song “Brokedown Palace”. “Erleichda” certainly deserves a place in your collection

Roy is making his first tour in the UK in 2010 including the Wombwell Folk Festival in Barnsley.

Larkin Poe, is the name of the great, great, great grandfather of the Lovell Sisters, which the duo Rebecca and Megan Lovell decide to adopt when their siste,r Jessica, decided to leave the family progressive bluegrass group, the Lovell Sisters.

This, Rebecca and Megan's debut album “Spring An EP” consists of 9 original tracks, written by them, with the well known themes of different aspects of love and life that form the basis of many artists’ songs but that’s not to say that the songs on the album are run-of-the-mill. Rebecca is the lead vocalist on all the songs and shows her versatility with a mix of varying styles complimented by Megan’s beautiful harmonies. The sisters’ talents not only cover writing and singing but they are both accomplished musicians with Megan playing dobro, lapsteel and ukulele and Rebecca, mandolin and guitar. In fact, at the tender age of 15 Rebecca became the youngest person and only woman to have won the mandolin contest at Merlefest in 2006.

The sound of the album is difficult to categorize, as are a lot of albums these days, and it would probably be best to sum it up as a mixture of roots. Bluegrass, singer/songwriter with tinges of pop, soul and jazz.

It’s an album that I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend. The duo are planning to tour the UK and Ireland in the autumn and the dates will be posted on the Tours page when known. For more information about this young duo check out their website.

Jeni (Hankins) and Billy (Kemp) met around 5 years ago at his recording studio and shortly afterwards they started collaborating with writing and performing together and this latest album, Longing For Heaven is the nd full length one from duo.

Their music is old time, Appalachian, acoustic, country folk performed with great emotion from Jeni with superb harmonies by Billy and excellent instrumentation from both of them who play a multitude of instruments including guitar, banjo and mandolin. The album comprises of 10 simple down home tracks, including traditional songs and originals, the latter which Jeni and Billy have written. They tell stories of love “While I Stay At Home And Weep”, small town life and religion like “Father Will You Meet Me In Heaven”, the story of Johnny Cash’s brother, Jack who brought his father to Jesus while he lay dying. Listening to the album is just as though you are in the room with the duo performing live for you.

ALAN WEST - THE WAY OF THE WORLD

Alan’s love of and dedication to country music over the years is most definitely illustrated in this latest album, “The Way of the Word”, his third solo. The album is a mix of both upbeat tracks such as “The World That’s Lost Your Name” and “Devil Or An Angel” through to slower ballads like “I’m Not Over You” and “Wasilla” but no matter what he is singing you can feel his belief and fervour for the music. Apart from Alan’s excellent performances on all the tracks, mention must be made of the superbly written songs from the pen of fellow Brit Steve Black, the musicians which include guest appearances by Sarah Jory and Albert Lee and the recording engineers.

It very refreshing to hear such an outstanding album from a British artist who isn’t trying to mimic US country singers or sing the “old standards” and has his own style. If you love country music this excellent album from the impressive voice of Alan West should certainly be part of your collection.

KIM RICHEY - WRECK YOUR WHEELS

Since her debut album, Kim tended to move away from her original style at times although this didn’t detract from musical abilities or listenability at all but I’m very pleased to find with this latest album she has returned to her Americana roots. All the 11 songs, which have been co-written by Kim, are beautifully crafted and performed in her inimitable style with her hypnotic, emotional voice that draws the listener into her world. Unlike a lot of mainstream music there is no ‘studio gimmickry’ just pure simple and unadulterated music that you can listen to time and time again. Kim is a regular visitor to the U.K and well worth seeing live – check the Tours page for details of her latest gigs.

NICKY SWANN - MATCHES & DISPATCHES

I must admit I was more than taken aback by the overall quality of the album and it’s one that I would more than recommend particularly to Americana/folk lovers. You can find out more about Nicky and listen to some ofhermusic on her website.

THE WYNNTOWN MARSHALS - WESTERNER
This is the debut album from the group, Wynntown Marshals, with Keith Benzie, (guitar and harmonica), Keith Jones, (drums, percussion and backing vocals), Iain Sloan, (pedal steel, guitars and backing vocals), Iain Barbour, (lead and baritone guitars) and Murdo MacLeod (bass guitar) and were formed in Edinburgh in 2007.

There are few albums from British country artists that I find appealing due to various reasons including the same old standard songs, trying to imitate the American accent, lack of original material and inferior recording. Thankfully the album which is essential Americana, does not include most of the above and subsequently a more than credible debut with the themes of the songs being quite varied and telling a variety of stories, some being quite diverse in subject. It’s a joy for me to hear original songs which apart from “The Ballad of Jayne”, a 1980’s cover, are written by lead vocalist Keith Benzie and performed in a professional manner with good harmonies, instrumentation and recording.

BRAND NEW STRINGS - NO STRINGS ATTACHED

Although the group was formed in 2008 their individual musical credentials go back a number of years playing both solo and with different bluegrass and gospel groups and this experience is certainly evident from their performances on this album. Apart from their musical prowess with their instrumentation and vocals, six of the songs have been written by members of the group, Randall and Mike and tell stories of everyday life. Other tracks include their version of Gram Parsons’ “Wheels” and Don Williams’ “Rainy Nights and Memories”.

This is more than a credible debut album which combines great instrumentation, harmonies and vocals with that inimitable bluegrass sound. Recommended not only for fans of Bluegrass but to others who may want to expand their musical appreciation.

JOSH TURNER - HAYWIRE - DELUXE EDITION
Josh Turner must have one of the most recognisable voices in country music with his rich baritone tine and this is his 4 th album, this deluxe edition includes four extra tracks including two live versions of previous hits, debut chart single “Long Black Train” (No 13) and “Your Man” (No 1). He has seen chart success in the past with albums “Long Black Train” (No 3) which was certified Platinum, “Your Man” (No 1) certified 2 Platinum and “Everything Is Fine (No 3).
The first track on this latest album “Why Don’t We Just Dance” has reached No 1 in the Top Ten Singles and undoubtedly there will be more entries from this album. The tracks, of which Josh has written or co-written several of them, are a mix of ballads and upbeat songs mainly about love and unlike a lot of albums around recently there are none that are about unfaithfulness, arguments or drinking. Josh also includes a cover of “I Wouldn’t Be A Man” which older country fans may recall was a Top 10 for Don Williams over 20 years ago.

An excellent album which should appeal to his current fans and new ones too.

Often overlooked there have been and are many excellent music performers from Canada and the duo Madison Violet can definitely be added to the list. The duo comprises of Brenley MacEachern and Lisa MacIsaac, both from Scottish small towns in Canada. They met in 1999 in Toronto, since which time they have recorded two previous albums, both in London, but this latest album “No Fool For Trying” was recorded in Canada.

Three years ago they started writing for "No Fool For Trying" but this was halted when, tragically, Brenley’s brother was murdered. Quite understandably she was devastated and unable to concentrate and therefore work on the album was postponed but eventually after over a year she felt she could start writing again. Obviously, the experience has had an effect on the writing which has resulted in some intimate and melancholic songs, such as “Woodshop”, covering life on the road, lost love, lonely nights, heartache and grief. Despite the subjects covered however, the album is in no way depressing. All the songs are written/co-written by Brenley and Lisa are well-crafted with simple lyrics and beautiful melodies. They are performed with great vocals and smooth harmonies blending perfectly with the instrumentation which includes acoustic and electric guitar, pedal steel, banjo and fiddle. I’m pleased that the instruments do not overwhelm the vocals as happens quite frequently these days and full credit to the production.

In conclusion there is nothing derogatory to say, everything about this album, which is a mix of alt country/Americana and folk is, first class and impressive and I have no qualms about highly recommending. It’s certainly one of my Top 5 of this year.

You can catch Madison Violet on tour in the UK – see Tours page for details. To learn more about them check out their website and MySpace

Unless you caught one of her UK gigs in March 2009, the name Stephanie Lambring will probably be new to you. Stephanie is a 22 year old singer/songwriter who was born in Indiana and started writing songs after being involved in a car accident, in which she broke her ankle, whilst in her Senior year at High School. The injury meant she had to postpone going to Nashville’s Belmont University from where she has recently graduated, gaining a Bachelors of Business Administration in Music Business Degree. She has won several songwriter awards from ASCAP and has been in Belmont University’s “Best of the Best Showcase” for three consecutive years.

“Lonely To Alone” is the debut album from this young talented singer/songwriter and contains 11 songs of which Stephanie has shown her writing prowess on ten of them. The songs look at the several aspects of love and life’s challenges including the effects of drink, cheating, being used and ignored, feelings of remorse, moral dilemmas and what’s beneath the ‘exterior’. The songs are essentially wistful, which Stephanie admits she likes to write and perform, but this should not put the listener off the album as most will find at least one track with which they can identify with the situation portrayed. The only track on the album which she did not write is her interpretation of the Britney Spears’ song “Baby One More Time”.

The songs are beautifully crafted and poignant, performed with great emotion from this young gifted singer/songwriter(who also plays guitar and keyboards), making this an excellent debut album and certainly an artist to watch out for in the future. You can listen to some of the Stephanie’s songs on her myspace site Recommended