RSS Feed Follow me on Twitter! Country Music Tattle Tale on YouTube Country Music Tattle Tale on Flicker Follow Country Music Tattle Tale on Facebook

Archive for the ‘New Music Weekend’ Category

Mark Cooke’s “Living For The Weekend” with New EP – New Music Review

Posted by Country Girl on January 15th, 2012

Born in East Texas, Mark Cooke joined the Navy right out of high school. In his spare time, Mark would constantly perfect his singing skills. By 1997, his time was done in the Navy and he decided to make music his priority. Soon after, he had created a band in Texas that opened for acts like Miranda Lambert and John Rich. After heading towards Nashville, Cooke signed with CVR and released the six-song “Living For The Weekend” EP with hopes of a full album in 2012.

With 2 of the 6 songs just missing the Top 40 on Music Row charts, this EP is a good start to Cooke’s career. The hardest thing for a new artist is finding that one song that will put them above the rest. With “I Love It” and “Can’t Cheat in a Small Town” – which are both great songs – not making that mark, Cooke is hoping that “Anyway The Wind Blows” will be that song. The song is able to show off his strong vocals in addition to his ability to pick greats songs. The song’s basis is that he will be with a love interest “anyway the wind blows.”

Being a sucker for songs with a slower tempo, “Stay With Me Tonight” is my top pick for the EP. I could see this song at the top of the charts one day. The raw emotions that are brought out in the song provide a different side of Cooke.

An overall strong release, I can’t wait to see what Mark Cooke will do with a full album next year. I highly recommend heading over to iTunes and downloading a track or two with those gift cards you got over the holidays. If you would prefer to wait for the full release, be sure to keep up with Mark on his website (markcooke.com), twitter (@MarkCookeMusic), or facebook (facebook.com/markcookemusic).

Scotty B.
@stupidkid2150
cmttreviewer@yahoo.com

Posted in New Album Review, New Music Weekend Tags: Living For The Weekend, mark cooke 1 Comment »

Sonia Leigh “1978 December” – New Music Review

Posted by Country Girl on January 8th, 2012

sonia_leigh_1978_december_cover_art

The last few years, country music has been making a split between the more traditional singers and those that are more pop oriented. Sonia Leigh decided not to take either road when making “1978 December.” This album is 100% her and 100% title free. She was picked for Zac Brown’s Southern Ground record label and I found throughout the CD that there is definitely a Zac Brown Band feel to the album.

Sonia has independently released four previous records (one produced by John Hopkins of the ZBB). That means she is not new to the recording process. The record still exerts Sonia’s gravelly voice and impeccable songwriting skills. What is different about this release is the support behind the album. Southern Ground is not just a record label – it is a family. Zac Brown lends his voice and guitar skills on a couple tracks as well as other Southern Ground artists such as Levi Lowrey, Nic Cowen, and Oliver Wood lending vocals or instrumentals on the album.

With so many 12/13 song CD’s laced with filler songs being released recently, Sonia released a 10 song CD that left me wanting those extra couple of songs (I guess I just have to wait for the next release). Every song has its fit on the album providing a different aspect of Sonia. She wrote every song on the CD along with a few co-writes with Zac Brown himself.

The first single, “My Name Is Money,” shows one part of the unique songwriting skills that this artist possesses. Sonia puts money in the first person here. Written based on her own struggle as an up and coming artist, the catchy tune shows just how powerful a face on paper can be. “I can show you who your friends are/I can show you who they are not” and other similar quirky one liners about the power of money fill the song with a new way to look at money. This is a must have track off of the album.

For all you Zac Brown fans, you may have heard “Bar” off of the ZBB’s “Pass the Jar” DVD/2CD pack. This is the drinking song that every traditional country album has to have. The fiddle is the main instrumentation for most of this drinking-away-the-pain song.

“Roaming” is her attempt at a reggae song w/ Zac Brown. There are other stand-outs such as “Ain’t Dead Yet” or the title track “1978 December” -an acoustic track that was written for her parents about how her life has developed in the last 30-or-so years.

Overall, I think this record is a great first album on a label. Be sure to look for Sonia on the road if you want a great show. Check her tour dates at SoniaLeigh.com or keep up with her on twitter (@SoniaLeigh).

Scotty B.
@stupidkid2150
cmttreviewer@yahoo.com

Posted in New Album Review, New Music Weekend Tags: 1978 December, Sonia Leigh, Zac Brown Band 1 Comment »

The Mike McClure Band Releases “Fifty Billion” – New Music Weekend

Posted by Country Girl on January 1st, 2012

mikemcclure_fiftybillion

Mike McClure may not be a name you have heard thrown around a lot in the country music circles, but that does not mean he is new to the game. With his signature Red Dirt, alternative country sound Mike McClure released his newest album “Fifty Billion” November 1, 2011.

McClure was born in Oklahoma, and has been a part of the music scene for quite sometime. In the 90’s he was a founding member of the band The Great Divide that is known for being a pioneer in the Red Dirt movement. After releasing quite a few albums with the band, McClure set out on a new path and formed the Mike McClure Band in 2004. Since then the band has released 8 studio albums and is constantly out and about playing live music on the road for their fans.

The album contains 10 songs with 4 of those songs being over 4 minutes long. Upon first listen the title track and first song on the album, “Fifty Billion” does draw you in. As you continue to listen you quickly realize that songwriting is a form of art to McClure. The lyrics are very poetic in nature and inimitable. The songs are straight from McClure’s heart and soul as he wrote or co-wrote every song on the album. While listening to this album you get the sense that McClure has many different sides to his music. While he is labeled mostly as a Red Dirt, alternative country artist he himself does not seen to adhere to any labels at all.

The songs are all about various subject matters and have contrasting musical styles. “Little Birdie” starts out very slow and calm and then turns into a much faster and beat driven song. I was drawn to the beginning of the song and found the tempo change distracting. In the song “Black Diamond” you hear influences of classic rock, then switch over to “Hell and Highwater” and you hear horns with a hint of gospel undertones. The album takes various twists and turns along the way. The song “Horseshoe” is a very mellow song with a good sound and good lyrics. It has some great lines in it like, “As I have tried to write my songs, I have tried to right my wrongs.” Out of all of the songs “Old Crow” is probably my favorite on the album. It seems to echo a folksier sort of feel that I found refreshing.

While I truly admire the artistry of the songwriting, overall the album was not as notable. It was just mediocre. If you happen to be a hard core country music fan I would caution that McClure’s album would be a far different sound than other artists being played on the radio today. However if you have a broader musical pallet you may appreciate the diverse sounds of the Mike McClure Band.

Want more info on this band? www.mikemcclureband.com

CMTT Music Contributor
Krissie Humphrey
@khmusic12 on twitter

Posted in New Music Weekend Tags: country music reviews, Fifty Billion, Mike McClure No Comments »

Katie Armiger provides “Confessional” in Re-Release

Posted by Country Girl on December 26th, 2011

Katie Armiger

At the age of 10, Katie Armiger had realized that poems could be turned into music. When she was 14 she won a local singing competition to record a two-song demo. After 8 weeks of competition, Katie came out victorious. By the young age of 15, Katie had released her debut self-titled CD. Believe was released after years of opening for acts such as Jason Aldean and Craig Morgan.

At only 20, Katie Armiger already has three albums in her catalog. Although her singles have never reached the Top 40 on US Country charts, “Confessions of a Nice Girl” is full of songs that are worthy of the honor. The album is able to portray the maturity that Katie has developed over the years. As she says, “I recorded my second album when I was 15, and between 15 and 19, there is just huge differences.” With co-writting credit on 9 of the tracks, Katie provides a confession of her talent. Although she didn’t write “Nice Girl,” “Ain’t Gonna Happen,” “Can You Handle It,” and “Strong Enough” they were picked as final cuts on the album for how well they embodied her thoughts.

Katie has now revamped the original release by releasing a deluxe “True Confessional” featuring 2 brand new songs, an acoustic version of “Cry, Cry, Cry” and a dance mix of “Best Song Ever.” There is also a bonus DVD featuring 4 music videos. These videos have taken Katie’s career to another level. “I Do But Do I” spent 3 weeks at #! on the GAC Top 20 Countdown and “Leaving Home” spent a record 18 weeks on the fan-voted Countdown. With this release, the videos are able to watch any time.

I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect as I put this CD in iTunes to review. Was this a Taylor Swift wannabe? What can a 20 year old add to country music? Within a few minutes, all of my expectations were blown away. Katie Armiger is a true talent. The CD features Country-Pop hits, but it isn’t the Taylor Swift pop, Katie’s country influences are evident throughout the entire release.

As on every young artists album, there is a fair share of long songs. “Kiss Me Now” and “Can’t Keep Myself From You” are your stereotypical caught in love songs, whereas “Best Song Ever” is able to provide an uplifting alternative to a relationship that isn’t going too well at the moment. When a love song doesn’t fit your relationship status, “Ain’t Gonna Happen” is for you. The basis behind the song is that a relationship “ain’t gonna happen as long as [you're] breathing.”

Country music features all kinds of songs, but I am a sucker for those heart-felt emotion wrenching songs. Katie is able to provide a couple of those on this CD. “I Will Be,” “That’s Why,” and “Cry, Cry, Cry” all take you through a musical heartache. In my opinion, “Leaving Home” is the standout track on this CD. Written about her move to Nashville, the song also acts as the anthem for those headed off to college. More than 30 schools across the nation have used this song to symbolize the transition on graduation day. Not only is the song great for those currently experiencing this, but it acts as a time capsule for those who experienced the same emotions many years ago.

I highly recommend checking out this CD/DVD set that is less than $10 (including shipping) over at Overstock.com. This CD will not disappoint any listeners! It is definitely “Worth It.”

For more on Katie go to her website (www.katiearmiger.com) or follow her on twitter @KatieArmiger

Scotty B.
@stupidkid2150
cmttreviewer@yahoo.com

Posted in Katie Armiger, New Music Weekend Tags: Katie Armiger No Comments »

Attwater Releases “Christmas” EP That Won’t Disappoint – New Music Review

Posted by Country Girl on December 23rd, 2011

If you are looking for contemporary takes on some of your favorite Christmas classics, Attwater has the perfect EP for you! It is hard to find Christmas songs that don’t sound exactly like the original, and the group composed of Erika Attwater and Jonathan Richards has found a way of making these songs sound like their own.

The group was signed to an indy label Twenty Ten Records in December of 2010. After hearing the Civil Wars, @AttwaterMusic began following producer Charlie Peacock on Twitter. When he saw the follow, he checked the group out and was blown away by Erika’s vocals and contacted the band -the rest is history. He produced the groups yet-to-be-released debut project off of which their singles “Never Gonna Happen” and “Daydreaming” are from.

While awaiting their release of the album, Erika & Jonathan decided to release a “Christmas” EP. With a steel guitar lacing the instrumentals, it is evident that their is a country vibe throughout the release.

“O Holy Night” – The Christmas classic that you have all heard. Although I’ve heard this song a million times, Attwater is able to make this unique. Erika has switched some of the melodies of the song to make it her own. The song begins in it’s classic feel, but by the end, you are left on an uplifting high. If I had to pick one song from this EP for you to buy, it would be this song!

“Little Drummer Boy” – Although the melodies are consistent with the original, what is unique about this song is Erika Attwater’s powerful vocals behind the song. They are able to provide a feel unlike any other artist.

“It Won’t Seem Like Christmas” – Loretta Lynn released this in 1966 and I haven’t heard a cover of this song since that release. This song pays homage to the original with a track that Loretta herself could be proud of!

“Christmas Song (Walk Me Home)” – Originally performed by the Indie/Rock duo The Raveonettes, you may have heard it on Christmas With The Kranks. Personally, I had never heard the song prior to hearing Attwater’s release, but it is now quickly becoming one of my favorite Christmas songs this season. It is based behind wanting to be with loved ones around the holiday season. At the end of the song, Attwater laces in a little “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” to add a new twist to the song. You must add this track to your holiday collection!
”
All I Want For Christmas Is You” – Mariah Carey was the first to record this song only 17 years ago. In that timeframe, it has become a Christmas classic. It has been covered by Country artists such as Katie Armiger, Whitney Duncan, and LeAnn Rimes, but this is my favorite country version I have heard so far! It is similar to the original, but there is just something about the production of the song that sets it apart from the rest! Give it a listen and you will know exactly what I mean.

Must Have Tracks – “O Holy Night,” “Christmas Song,” and “All I Want For Christmas Is You”

Be sure to head over to iTunes and download this EP before it is too late! I know I will be playing it around my house for many years to come. Click here for a link to download on iTunes.

For more on Attwater, head over to AttwaterMusic.com or follow them on twitter @AttwaterMusic.

Scotty B.
@stupidkid2150
cmttreviewer@yahoo.com

Posted in Attwater, New Music Weekend Tags: Attwater, Christmas Music No Comments »
« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Categories !NoTitle

Recent Comments

  • Chrissy: Whoever thinks that chad warrix is not talented ne...
  • Karen: WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG!!!!!!!!! LOVE EVERYTHING YOU...
  • Doreen: What I would do to win these tickets and get to me...
  • : All time favorite song of Easton's is I Can't Love...
  • Mary: My favorite song is Roll With It! and I LOVE liste...
  • Raina Smith: My favorite song is "a little bit more country tha...
  • Becky: Wow! I loved her music but she has grown quite the...