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BILLY
DON BURNS ...................HEROES,
FRIENDS & OTHER TROUBLED SOULS
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Tracks;
Mississippi(with
Tanya Tucker), I Was There, Haggard & Hank, Dark Side Of The
Spoon, No Man's Land, Sailin' Down The Nile, Patsy(with Willie
Nelson & Hank Cochran), Keith Whitley Blue, Runnin' Drugs
Out Of Mexico, Full Blown Addict, Rock On, Tired & Troubled
Soldiers, Bonus Tracks; Give My Love To Rose, Tired And Troubled
Soldiers(Radio Edit).
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In
1995, his debut album, "Long Lost Highway" was a critical,
if not commercial, success and then in 1996, Billy Don and his
frequent co-writer Hank Cochran topped the Americana music chart
with the brilliant "Desperate Men" in 1997.
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Following
on from that success, was the excellent and critically acclaimed,
although not quite as successful, "Train Called Lonesome".
Now, Billy comes up with yet another country music masterpiece!!
"Tired & Troubled Soldiers" is an album that sees
Billy singing with Willie Nelson, Tanya Tucker and once again,
Hank Cochran. The latter on one of the best tribute songs I have
ever heard. "Patsy" is of course written about Patsy
Cline and no finer tribute could ever be written to the legendary
singer. This one will have the goose-bumps standing up, that's
for sure!!
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With
12 tracks, plus 2 bonus tracks.....one being a cover of Johnny
Cash's "Give My Love To Rose, a song he added as as a tribute
to the great man after he wrote Billy a letter congratulating
him on unseating his "Unchained" album from the top
of the Americana Music charts with "Desperate Men" in
1997.....this is an excellent cd and one that every Country fan
should have in their collection!!
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Metro
Country Rating; 10/10
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KAREN
TAYLOR-GOOD ........................................HOW
MANY WOMEN
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Tracks;
Hooked On
You, You Never Said Anything About Love, God's Refrigerator, Oh,
Guinevere, How Many Women, If You Do(A wedding duet with Collin
Raye), Man Enough, Love Is A Verb, Wild Blue Yonder, Bless His
Heart, I'm Tellin' Ellen, Deep Blue Desert Sky, On Angel's Wings,
One Mile Apart, One Mile Apart(Spanish version)
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| Multi-award
winning singer/songwriter who has had songs hit the charts, when
recorded by such diverse artist's as; Laura Branigan, Melissa Manchester,
Neal McCoy, Lisa Brokop, Collin Raye, Al Jarreau, Nana Mouskouri
& Patty Loveless. |
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That
diverseness shows on this album as Country rubs shoulders with
Pop, Contemporary Folk/Rock and Gospel, success in the latter
coming with 2 song's that did well on both the Hot Country Charts
and the NCM Country Gospel Charts. One of those "Love Is
A Verb" making #1 on the Gospel chart.
Collin
Raye join's Karen for the pop ballad "If You Do" and
Walter Suhr of Latin Pop band "Mang Punch", also joins
Karen for the final track "One Mile Apart" which is
also reprised in Spanish.
This
is not an all out Country album and would only suit listener's
who like a mix of musical styles. For myself, I must add that,
the album is a pleasure to listen to!!
Metro
Country Rating; 7/10
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ANGELA
HARRIS
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ROOTS
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Tracks;
1. Livin' Life 2. Her Wisdom 3. I'm
Scared 4. Takes Me There 5. Power In Opinion 6. Ego Can Kill The
Pride 7. I'll Be Your Friend 8. Roots (Can Grow Anywhere) 9. He
Kissed Her
10. Way Down Deep
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| Harris,
is a socially driven singer/songwriter and storyteller who ....on
this showing at least,.....writes about the things going on around
her. Bluegrass, traditional country, folk and blues are all covered
on this fine album of strong material, sung with one of the most
beautiful female voice's that I have ever heard! |
Performing
at such festivals as the Vancouver Folk Music Festival and touring
internationally, Harris has shared stages with artists such as
Eliza Gilkyson, David Francey, Chuck Brodsky, Ruthie Foster, Ray
Wylie Hubbard and many others and has received a WCMA (West Coast
Music Awards) nomination in the Outstanding Roots Album category
for this latest release, which was co-produced by Angela and Eric
Reed.
"ROOTS"
is well recommended listening!!!
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Metro
Country Rating: 9/10
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Website:
www.angelaharris.net
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MERV
AND MARIA - ROLLING ALONG
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Tracks;
Rolling Along, If You're Ever Down I(n Dallas, I've Been Better,
I Keep Forgetting, Getting Over You, I Just Might Be, I Just Want
My Baby Back, Closer, Golden Years, Some Things I Know, Louisiana
Saturday Night, See You On the Other
Side, Ain't Love A Lot Like That, Do You Feel For Me.
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Father
and Daughter act, who are very well known on the U.K. country
music scene, especially with the linedancers.
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They keep mainly to covers with their material, pleasing an audience
who, always want to hear "something they know". But
they do include two original's on here, "Rolling Along"
and "Getting Over You" which are both quality songs
and deserve to do well.
A
great choice of songs on here, well performed by a very popular
and pleasing duo.
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Metro
Country Rating: 6/10
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LOOMER
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WILD
WEST ISLAND |
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Tracks:
Bang The Nails, Anastasia, Caramel Heart, Only Lovers, Old Grey
Ford, Burden Of Proof, Dirt Angel, Turnbuckle, Pull Me In, Sunday
Driver Down, Paper Doll, Endless Holiday.
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| Their
jingle jangle sound evoke's |
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memories
of "The Byrds", and McGuinn's 12 string Rickenbacker.
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When
you add some Tom Petty and mix in "The Traveling Willbury's",
that more or less sums up this excellent, Canadian band. Not for
the Country purist, this is 60/70's country/rock, dragged kicking
and screaming into the millenium.
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Metro
Country Rating: 8/10
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Website:
www.myspace.com/loomermusic.com
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ERIC
CLAPTON AND JJ CALE
THE ROAD TO ESCONDIDO
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Tracks:
1.
Danger 2. Heads In Georgia 3. Missing Person 4. When This War
Is Over 5. Sporting Life Blues 6. Dead End Road 7. It's Easy
8. Hard To Thrill 9. Anyway The Wind Blows 10. Three Little
Girls 11. Don't Cry Sister 12. Last Will And Testament 13. Who
Am I Telling You? 14. Ride The River
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"The
Road to Escondido" is a true collaboration that defies being
labeled into any one category, but instead finds influence across
the spectrum of blues, rock, country and folk. A hybrid sound
that is unique musically, while still bearing the signature styles
of Cale and Clapton recognized by fans around the world. The songs
are warm and rich, with deep flowing rhythms, yet use an economy
of words to express so much.
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Metro
Country Rating: 9/10
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Website:
http://www.jjcale.com/
Website: http://www.ericclapton.com/
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