Our Top Five Releases Oct 22
Top Five Releases
October 2022
Our Top Five Releases Oct 22
By Rob Dickens
Charley Crockett
The Man From Waco
Son of Davy/Thirty Tigers/Cooking Vinyl Australia
9 September 2022
There is a problem in following Charley Crockett, one of his own making. That is his ability to craft quality and resounding albums in quick succession, making it hard for fans to keep up. The Man From Waco is his twelfth release in just seven years, during which he had a major health incident which seems to have motivated this talented artist to never stand still.
The twist with this release, though, is that it is the first time Crockett’s longtime band The Blue Drifters have joined him in the studio from start to finish and that adds to the tight chemistry here due to their packed touring schedule over the years. The tracks were recorded live to tape and took shape over some spirited and concise sessions at producer (and performer/songwriter) Bruce Robison’s studio in Lockhart, Texas. (Robison doubles as Crockett’s manager as well).
“Most of these songs were cut in a few takes,” Crockett says. “There was a looseness that led to a lot of inspired performances that felt good right away.”
The Man From Waco has a beautifully cinematic and classic country feel and, yes, you should buy this one too!
Via Jo Corbett Publicity
Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen
Hold On
Compass Records
2 September 2022
I’ve been a big Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen fan for a while. It’s bluegrass but not that ultra-traditional and/or religion-infused style that can be a little repetitive and too singular in focus. Rather, there’s a progressive element with the songs out front (usually original) covering a broad spectrum of topics and layered with sweet harmonies and outstanding hell-for-leather musicianship.
Solivan is the singer, songwriter and mandolinist here and the songs on Hold On reflect an optimism embodied by the titular track: “I was going through the hardest time of my life leading up to the pandemic. And then the world stopped! Exploring some of the subject matter and song ideas that came out of those difficult times led me to these songs…My hope is that the listener will be able to relate and will have these songs to help them get through difficult times.”
Together Solivan, banjo master Mike Munford, guitarist Chris Luquette and bassist Jeremy Middleton have been Grammy nominated and are multiple IBMA winners. Hold On is a bright, classy addition to the band’s catalogue.
John Fullbright
The Liar
Blue Dirt Records/Thirty Tigers
30 September 2022
It has been eight years since John Fullbright‘s last release Songs. A long time for this accomplished songwriter/singer with Grammy and Americana Music Association nominations and awards from ASCAP (The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) and the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. During that break, he has been “learning how to be in a community of musicians and less focusing on the lone, depressed songwriter…just playing something that has a beat and is really fun”.
The Liar was recorded at Steve and Charlene Ripley’s farm-to-studio compound in northeastern Oklahoma. With the future of the studio in question after Steve’s passing, Fullbright was motivated to move fast and use the facility while he had the opportunity. He engaged some of Oklahoma’s finest (and busiest) musicians Jesse Aycock, Aaron Boehler, Paul Wilkes, Stephen Lee and Paddy Ryan and they finished the songs and tracked the album in just four days.
The transition from serious, lone songwriter to full band collaborator is nowhere better exampled by than in the first single “Paranoid Heart” which starts as a folk ballad and blossoms into a classic American Tom Pettyesque rock sound.
Fullbright has let himself have some fun on The Liar and it’s a wonderful change of visage for this gifted, passionate artist.
Via IVPR Nashville
Julian Taylor
Beyond The Reservoir
Howling Turtle, Inc.
14 October 2022
This, dear friends, is one of the finds of the year.
In only the second solo album from this Toronto-based singer/songwriter, Julian Taylor exhibits a straight-as-an-arrow calm with songs full of profound insights. He’s no newbie though, with twenty years in the music biz and twelve studio albums since 2001.
I really liked his debut solo album (2020’s The Ridge which garnered Taylor a Canadian Folk Music
Award) but Beyond The Reservoir is another step beyond, a masterful compilation. According to Taylor: “It was a daunting task, but I really wanted to get past “The Ridge” by telling a story with “Beyond the Reservoir” that would broaden the horizons a bit. “I wanted the lyrics on this particular record to really hit hard from the get-go — and I think they do. In my personal opinion, “Beyond the Reservoir” is a much better lyrically written record than “The Ridge”.
Copy that 100%! There’s a persistent thread running through this record with Taylor’s deep and rich voice irresistible. Co-produced by Taylor and long-time production partner/collaborator Saam Hashemi, it was recorded at three studio locations and enlisted pianist/multi-instrumentalist Derek Downham and two of Taylor’s cousins Gene Diabo on drums and Barry Diabo on bass.
(By the way, my favourite track is “It Hurts” but I couldn’t find a clip – astoundingly good song.)
Via Annie Johnsson Publicity
Rhett Miller
The Misfit
ATO Records
16 September 2022
The frontman of Old 97’s, that rollicking cowpunk, thrash country outfit, steers well clear of those influences on The Misfit, his ninth solo outing. In its place Rhett Miller (on his first solo outing in four years) provides a Big Star-etched landscape of electronica, dreamy pop and pychedelia which will have you whistling and singing those catchy tunes and phrases for a while.
The songs were co-written and produced by Sam Cohen (who has worked with Kevin Morby, Sharon Van Etten, Danger Mouse), backing up their collaboration on Miller’s solo project 2018’s The Messenger.
Miller seems to be at peace on The Misfit and it’s contagious for the listener, a worthwhile detour from the solemn and tragic subjects that we sometimes find in abundance.
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Our Top Five Releases Oct 22
Our Top Five Releases Oct 22
Our Top Five Releases Oct 22
