Saturday, January 29, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Hall Of Famer Charlie Louvin Loses Battle With Pancreatic Cancer
Louvin had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the summer of 2010 and had subsequently undergone surgery to help combat the disease. The surgery was limited in its success, but Charlie’s health was stable enough that he was able to enjoy his love of performing live up until the end of his life.
Louvin’s own words to Nashville newspaper The Tennessean in 2010 characterize the constant professionalism and work ethic he was renowned for within the industry, and his “Show business is all I really know how to do,” said Louvin. “and I would like for it to be the last thing I do.”
“I had the honor and pleasure to be Charlie Louvin’s manager,” Says Brett Steele. “Some artist’s greatest contribution can be the influence they have over other artists and Charlie’s reach was immeasurable from The Beatles to Gram Parson. While The Louvin Brothers will be remembered as one of the greatest country duos in the history of country music Charlie’s solo career was just as successful and relevant. But his greatest legacy was Charlie Louvin the man, husband, father and friend. That outshines any of his musical contributions to our society. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten.”
Louvin, a Country Music Hall of Famer, was revered as a true icon of country music for decades. He began his career as one half of The Louvin Brothers, and has released nearly 20 albums spanning over forty years. His music had strong influence over an array of acclaimed artists including Emmylou Harris, Gram Parsons, and The Raconteurs. Louvin was the oldest living member of the Grand Ole Opry having been made a member in 1955.
In 2004, Livin', Lovin' Losin': Songs of the Louvin Brothers musical tribute to the Louvin Brothers featuring James Taylor, Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, and Johnny Cash won two GRAMMY® Awards for Best Country Album and, Best Country Collaboration.
In recent years, Louvin continued his solo work and enjoyed a revitalization of his career. In November of 2010 he released his final studio albume The Battle Rages On, emotional collection of war songs dating back to the American Civil War which includes the talents of special guests Del McCoury and Jamie Dailey.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
CD Album Review- Lori McKenna- Lorraine
And therein lies the strength of Lori McKenna’s new album, Lorraine. It’s a highly introspective collection told from a powerful and personal place. She has woven a patchwork of life moments- mostly relationship-oriented ones- that are hypnotically autobiographical. McKenna has channeled her own experiences into song and brought with them all of her own hopes and dreams. The songs bathe themselves in insecurities, vulnerabilities and celebrations of life. It results in an emotional history that a listener can actually feel and hear in sound.
With a voice that’s kind of a cross between Miranda Lambert and Jessica Andrews, McKenna has thus far been known as much for being a successful songwriter than a performing artist. Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Alison Krauss, Keith Urban and Lee Ann Rimes are all artists that have recorded McKenna songs. If the world was just and fair, McKenna would be a star in her own right.
No song epitomizes the gist of this album more than the title track, “Lorraine.” Not only is it Lori’s given full name, but it is her mother’s name as well. The resulting song draws on her life-story as a child. She harkens back to her childhood and reflects on her mom- who passed away tragically when she was only seven years old- whose character and sacrifice made an indelible impact. Details of the celebratory daily life minutia that cement those memories in her mind spill out in lines like dancing to Judy Garland’s Carnegie Hall concert. Those joyful memories that may not seem important to anyone else, (“That don’t mean a thing to you but it does to me,)” are extremely important because she allows us to peek behind the curtain.
There is a power that comes with the use of I as the protagonist- as long as it’s believable and feels lived in. On “All I Ever Do,” McKenna the storyteller takes the mundane of everyday life and wraps up an incredible love story in it every lover wishes they had. “You Get a Love Song” is an upbeat look at her own relationship that details her marriage at a young age. It reveals the lack of glamour love can have at times and the hard work and effort that goes into it. Getting a love song named after you seems a just reward. The song is incredibly relatable for anyone married with kids who still has mad love for their spouse but has a difficult time locating that fairytale love story that Taylor Swift sometimes sings about. “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” analyzes the other side of the relationship coin in a song that reminds the listener of all of the best parts of Sarah Buxton/Keith Urban’s raw and emotional “Stupid Boy.”
She even draws in the reader to fill in the blanks. On “That’s How You Know,” she never comes out and says what you should know about. But with a descriptive collection of symptoms of heartbreak and recovery, the reader can place themselves in the middle of the song while still gaining more insight into McKenna the person.
The album closes with a song that doubles as a prayer to her mother, Lorraine. “Still Down Here” is an emotional dedication to the loved ones that have left their earthly bindings behind them and gone on to heaven. But the song balances that with an equal reflection of the ones who don’t want to be forgotten about still on Earth. They search for love, validation and guidance as well. It’s hauntingly written and the slight waver in her voice- perhaps even a warble- tells as much about Lori’s love for her mom as any of the lyrics that precede it.
The album resonates so well because McKenna has blurred the lines between herself and the character(s) she creates. She literally fills the area between the lines with her own experiences. It’s nothing overtly commercial, instead communicative, compassionate and personally revealing. I love it.
Key Tracks:
The Luxury Of Knowing
If He Tried
Lorraine
You Get A Love Song
All I Ever Do
Still Down Here
The Verdict:
Four and a half stars out of five
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)