This is the debut of a new series designed to spotlight some of the best tracks released in a given calendar month. The focus will generally be non-singles on new albums released within the month, but I reserve the right to include singles or any newish indie stuff that I discovered within the month and think you might not have heard about yet.
I’m giving myself a little extra leeway with the indie albums because they don’t get the same promotional push on release day, so they’re harder to know about right away.
It will be rare that a recommended track comes from a sucky album, so if one of my picks piques your curiosity, you’re encouraged to check out the rest of album as well.
Ryan Cook – “O.C.D. Blues”
from Peaks & Valleys
Former punk rocker raised on a Nova Scotian dairy farm teams with some of Nashville’s best pickers (Lloyd Green, Andy Leftwich, Alison Brown) to record a tongue-in-cheek, obsessive-compulsive yodeling blues? Yes please. See also: “Navina,” “Gaspereau Valley,” “My Permanent Heartache.” I should review the whole album.
Sunny Sweeney – “Staying’s Worse Than Leaving”
from Sunny Sweeney EP
Written with Radney Foster and Jay Clementi, an early favorite for coolest breakup song of the year.
Cumberland Gap Connection – “Waiting at the Harbor”
from A Whole Lotta Lonesome
If there’s a more amusingly on-the-nose metaphor for feeling left behind in love than “I feel like I’m waiting at the harbor for a train,” it’s not coming to mind. Written and sung by Mike Bentley, frontman of this talented young Kentucky bluegrass outfit, “Waiting” sounds like something Keith Whitley could have recorded.
Steel Magnolia – “Homespun Love”
from Steel Magnolia
“Glass Houses” suggests the Can You Duet duo could make a strong roots album in the vein of Rattlin’ Bones, but their spin on this Keith Urban/The Ranch chestnut proves they’re just fine right where they are. Fluffy, feel good pop-country doesn’t come much sweeter. Bonus points for the generous helping of Dobro.
Jesse Dayton – “Pretty Girls Make the World Go ‘Round”
from One for the Dance Halls
Ray Price couldn’t have said it any better.
Great Recession Orchestra – “Fan It”
from Have You Ever Even Heard of Milton Brown?
A bunch of musicians around Fort Worth got together to revive the memory of western swing pioneer Milton Brown. But their good intentions (and swanky website) might all be for naught if the music itself weren’t such a kick. Their reverent-yet-soulful take on “Fan It” is especially enjoyable.
Lori McKenna – “The Luxury of Knowing”
from Lorraine
Another song recorded by Keith Urban, but you’ll forget that when you hear the writer’s own version.
Finis. Sample ‘em below, and feel free to comment with your own January favorites.
Country California’s Best of 2011 Lists
Best Country Albums Recap, 2007-2010
Prime Cuts: February 2011
Prime Cuts: August 2011
A freelance writer and humorist with an abiding love of country music, C.M. Wilcox's cutting, clear-eyed take on the genre has drawn the attention of Country Weekly, The Washington Post, and The Tennessean in the years since this site began. He lives near Sacramento and can be reached by email at CMW (at) countrycalifornia.com.
Nice feature CM. I might actually wind up downloading a track or two if they are available on Amazon. I already have Sunny Sweeney’s song but the “O.C.D Blues” is my top pick. Ryan Cook should team up with Brennen Leigh for a song writing session some time! I also really like the song “Waiting At The Harbor” but think I’d like it a whole lot more without the bluegrass instrumentation and especially if they cut out that annoying banjo!!! The Great Recession Orchestra reminds me of what Old Crow Medicine Show would kinda sound like tackling vintage western swing Music. I’m so spoiled by Hank Penny’s version of “Fan It” with Jaye P. Morgan (not her real name) that other versions just seem lackluster in comparison. That includes Willie Nelson’s limp and soggy cover on “Willie & The Wheel”…
That ‘Homespun Love’ cover is pretty cool, but it ain’t a patch on the original. God, I love THE RANCH.
Awesome feature.
Sweet. Been waiting for someone whose taste I identify with to pick up this ball – loved when Brady used to do it at The 9513. I’m still not liberated enough schedule-wise to be the comprehensive listener I’d like to be, so it’s great to have tips now and then.
I think Urban’s version of “Homespun Love” is still better, though good on Steel Magnolia or whoever for digging out that little gem. That’d be a neat single.
(By “or whoever” I obviously meant “or some handler or adviser of Steel Magnolia’s,” not that I don’t know and respect who the duo is. :p)
Hey, I just found this nice write-up on THE GREAT RECESSION ORCHESTRA.
Thanks, Steve in DFW