Steve Haggard
Mysterious Ways (Wild Oats Records)
Nashville singer-songwriter Steve Haggard sees his songs as an antidote for people who take life too seriously. He likes to have fun, and in his quieter moments reflect on the mysteries in life that nobody can figure out.
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"The CD" - Singer-songwriter Steve Haggard reflects on the mood of his latest recording. 2.
"Good Time Tunes" - Songs that tell people not to take life so seriously. 3.
"Ghost Town" - A Haggard favorite about the pull of old memories. 4.
"Ballads" - Steve Haggard talks about songs that remind us of the mystery in life.
Christy McWilson
The Lucky One
This CD is McWilson's first solo effort. A member of Seattle's The Pickets for 10 years, she was encourged by Dave Alvin, formerly of The Blasters, to make an album of her own songs which he produced. She is joined on the album by Mike Mills of R.E.M., Syd Straw, and Rhett Miller of the Old 97's. The sound is country with a twist. Alvin describes McWilson as "...a roots rock Sylvia Plath."
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"The Lucky One" - Say goodbye to college honey. Guess who has convinced Mom she should make an album! 2.
"Songwriting" - McWilson is successful despite a serious chronic illness. Many of her songs reflect her struggle. 3.
"Eloda" - Where are the monuments to mothers? 4.
"Fly Away" - Observations at the annual indie music conference, South by Southwest.
Jimmie Dale Gilmore
One Endless Night
After an absence of four years Jimmie Dale Gilmore has emerged from producer Buddy Miller's living room studio with an album that is an elegant country standard. He says that the his motivation for this album is "just the love of the music."
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"Mack the Knife" - Gilmore interprets a classic by Bertold Brecht and Kurt Weil and discovers their hidden country roots. 2.
"No Lonesome Tune" - This song by the late Texas singer/songwriter Townes Van Zandt is a testimonial to Van Zandt's talent and Jimmie Dale's long friendship with him. 3.
"Singing Style" - Intensity is the hallmark of Gilmore's singing. 4.
"The CD" - For Jimmie Dale Gilmore there isn't a fail safe recipe for a great record.
Rhonda Vincent
Back Home Again
After a frustrating period lost in Nashville’s star-making machinery, Rhonda Vincent’s “Back Home Again” marks her return to the music she loves most. Her singing has been characterized as too bluegrass for country and too country for bluegrass--in other words, just right for Vincent. This album sets her soulful soprano in a classic bluegrass setting.
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"The CD" - Rhonda Vincent makes no apologies for coming "back home again" to the bluegrass music she loves. 2.
"Little Angels" - How Vincent brought this tender song about a painful subject to grateful audiences.
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"Influences" - Bluegrass--it's a family tradition.