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Terry Smith
Texas Roots |
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Terry Smith, who was voted by the Traditional Music Association as its Songwriter of the Year in both 1995 and 1996, wrote "Far-Side Banks of Jordan," which is featured twice in Robert Duvall's movie, The Apostle and is included on the film's soundtrack CD. June Carter Cash, who plays Duvall's mother, sings the song at the close of the opening scene, and later in the film, when she dies, an instrumental version provides background music. The song was also recorded by the Cox Family and Alison Krauss on their 1995 Grammy winning album, "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow." Johnny and June Cash cut the first version of this song in the seventies, and June also recorded it with Mother Maybelle and her sisters as part of a Carter Family album. Fast becoming a gospel and bluegrass standard, "Far-Side Banks of Jordan" has been recorded over forty times. Terry
also wrote one of Roy Acuff's last singles, "I Can't Find a Train,"
and the Oak Ridge Boys recorded his rousing gospel number, "Lord,
I've Been Ready for Years." Kitty Wells cut "It Doesn't Say," while
Terry's "Ten Seconds in the Saddle," recorded by Chris LeDoux, received
airplay in markets as far apart as Wyoming and Germany. A traditional country singer in his own right, Terry has released four albums of original material to date. The one reviewed here, "Texas Roots," released earlier this year, (2000) is a collection of songs exploring Terry's Texas musical heritage. The album contains a mix of western swing, honky-tonk, ballads and tongue-in-cheek novelty songs, all tied together by a Texas theme. The album kicks off with title track "Texas Roots," a great western swing tune extolling the virtues of the Lonestar state, that is impossible to keep your feet still to. If swing is your thing, then take a listen also to "Texas Skies," and "Doing Fort Worth In Style" a guaranteed dance floor filler that features Regina Walker Overhalser on harmony vocals. Regina also provides vocal back-up on "When You've Cried All You Can Cry," a story of heartache after the break-up of a relationship and "Honky Tonk Tradition" a lively track telling of how the honky tonks are the traditional port of call for any man wanting to drown his sorrows over the woman he lost. On the brighter side are "A Lotta Bull" an amusing rodeo tale and "You Can't Miss It" a semi spoken, fun track telling of the problems you can encounter trying to find your way around a strange town by asking directions. I love this one and have already played it on the show a few times. Of the ballads, "Trying Hard To Make It All Make Sense" is a wonderful song about trying to get over the death of a partner, while "Ring Around The Rosey, To Rings Around Our Fingers" is a great story song, comparable to Tom T Hall's - "Old Dog's", that tells of a flight to San Antone listening to an elderly passenger in the next seat tell his story of why he is going there. With
train song, "Country Train"
and the cowboy/gospel "The Cowboy And The
Lord," plus two steppers, "You
Can Bet Your Boots" and "On
The Texas Side Of Arkansas," Terry has just about every
style of Texas country music covered on 'Texas Roots'. After listening to this excellent album, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Terry Smith is one hell of a songwriter who also possesses a good voice and put's the songs over well. Texas Roots is definitely one of the best albums I received in 2000 and is a most welcome addition to the Metro Country library. If your country music preferences lie with the Lonestar State, do yourself a favour and add excellent this album to your collection. You won't be disappointed!!!
Terry
Smith |
