New Country Star Music Reviews
NEW MUSIC REVIEWS
Album reviews are rated with a 1-5 Star rating.
Any album earning a 5 star rating, is one New Country Star
highly recommends adding to your collection.
If you have material for review and would like to have your
CD or Live Performance Review in print,
Contact mgmt@newcountrystar.com
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Here is the Country flavored album that fans of Jewel and Country Music have been waiting for. I guess those who really know Jewel and her background knew this would happen, but for those of us who didn’t think of her as “Country” even with the yodel in her voice, this album is a very pleasant surprise. In fact, there are a few cuts that renew my faith that there are still some of the “old Country” writers out there just waiting for the right time.
One such song (and it happens to be my personal favorite) is Anyone But You as those old feelings for the one you can’t seem to forget come back when you see him across a smoky dance floor, and realize it’s still not over. Good stories in all the cuts, as a couple tries to get back the excitement and passion that everyday living pushes in the background in Till It Feels Like Cheating.
The title cut Perfectly Clear brings out the things going through your mind as you know you are about to get dumped, and nothing you can do will change that. Another special sound and treat is Loved By You (Cowboy Waltz) that shows a yodeling side of Jewel that her songs always hinted at.
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JEWEL's New CD “Perfectly Clear” Earns a Perfect 4 Stars !
4 Stars !
I really like this album, and am glad for one, to see her do an album that fits her beautiful soft “hurting” voice, and hope to hear more real “old Country” from her.
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Julianne Hough " That Song In My Head "
4 Stars !
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Dancing With the Stars own Julianne Hough tries her hand or should we say voice, at country music stardom with her own 11 track Debut Self-Titled CD. Kicking it off with her current single "That Song In My Head" which is at radio now, and that is pretty much where the CD peaks, with the first track. Julianne's voice is pleasant and full of youthful energy, but what seems to be lacking is the "right" song. The first track definitely has a catchy beat and gets listeners ready and searching for their next favorite spin, that never comes. Julianne is young and definitely has a big voice for her years. Nashville should give her another shot and a little more to work with the next time around. The CD does feature a duet with Hough's brother and co-star on DWTS, Derek Hough, track number six "Dreaming Under the Same Moon". The Hough siblings talent is evident in their music and dance. Provided with better songwriting and a few more catchy tunes like "That Song In My Head", Julianne could have a great future in country music. |
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Here's an album for the broken hearted with lots of reflection on what went wrong, and longing to give it another try. The beautiful melancholy sounds from Shannon Haley show sadness mixed with regrets and hope for another chance at love. There is something inherently vulnerable in the soft hurting and reminiscing over lost love by such a sweet sounding voice, but always full of hope to give it another try.
The overwhelming message of the album is about broken romance and doubts about when the other shoe is gonna fall and you're alone again. There is a crossroads song in "Somebody's Gonna Fall" as you wonder who is gonna get hurt this time, and the upbeat "All You All the Time" is full of happy comparisons about a true love who is everything you need. Advice to your love who can't seem to forget his old love who hurt him in "Hold On To Me" offers a soft place to fall.
One of my favorites is "This Is Gonna Hurt Me" which shows better sense overtaken by temptation -- we've probably all been there. I also like "Always Reminded Of You" where everywhere you go and everything you see brings back memories of the one you lost.
Overall, I have to say I really like Shannon's voice and style, and hope to hear more of her bluesy melancholy take on love. This young songstress appears to have a wide range of musical stylesto please an ever changing country audience.
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Shannon Haley
" Someday Soon"
4 Stars !
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4 Stars !
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RANDY TRAVIS The Reviews Are In "Around The Bend"
If you are a true "old Country" fan, you will want Randy Travis' latest album titled Around The Bend. That unmistakable deep voice with the true country twang is all over this album. True country lovers will appreciate the range of issues addressed from growing up "religious" or at least memories of going to Church on Sunday morning before real religion took hold in Every Head Bowed, to advice from a loving mother to a young man about how to recognize true love in Love Is A Gamble. Then Randy sings about the wonderful love he has found in Faith In You and Dig Two Graves to express how impossible life would be without his mate.
You gotta have a drinking song to be true Country, so Randy fills this need with his conscience talking to a real party dude in trying to convince him You Didn't Have A Good Time just because there are a lot of empty bottles, and no memory of the night before.
Then, there has to be some real hurtin' songs of somebody leaving in order to round out a real country album, and Randy does just that with two of my favorite renderings on this album. Randy sings in his best hurtin' voice with From Your Knees about a heart-wrenching break-up, and a catchy Everything I Own Has Got A Dent describes a lost love and a whole "dented up" life. The album offers the vintage Randy Travis sound with lots of real old country feeling to boot.
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ANNE MURRAY DUETS: FRIENDS & LEGENDS The January 15th release of ANNE MURRAY DUETS is long overdue in my opinion. This 17 track CD is nothing short of spectacular for Anne Murray fans everywhere. The legendary Canadian singer whose career spans four decades, with awards too numerous to mention, still has the same lilting, melodious voice rich and full of expression and emotion as ever, and has teamed up with top legends of today and yesterday in this "gotta have" album. "When I Fall In Love" recorded live with Celine Dion is a stunning rendition of this favorite, and sounds like these voices were made to be blended. "Time Don't Run Out On Me" with Carole King shows longing for the old days when things were new, as she laments the possibility of time running out before getting those feelings back. A very special "You Needed Me" with Shania Twain is a gorgeous blend of two exceptional voices made for each other. "You Won't See Me" with Shelby Lynn is great. John Lennon himself told Anne that her's was the best cover of a Beatles' song that he had ever heard. Wow! My personal favorite "Si Jamais Je Te Revois" with leading French chanteuse Isabelle Boulay is absolutely wonderful. (I gotta get the words in English!) There are no "bad" cuts on this CD. Love it. Absolutely 5 Stars!
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5 Stars !
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4 Stars ! |
Willie Nelson's CD "Moment of Forever" is in stores everywhere. This new offering by Nelson has something for everybody as he takes time to reflect on his past which consists of squandered opportunities with nothing to show for it in "Keep Me From Blowing Away".
He also has happy childhood memories as he sings "When I Was Young and Grandma Wasn't Old." This writers favorite is probably the collaboration of Kris Kristofferson and Danny Timms as Willie sings the title song "Moments of Forever" about time spent with a special love.
Willie teams up with Kenny Chesney, who's also credited as producer on the project, in "Worry B Gone" as they sing about their methoderson and Danny Timms as Willie sings the title song "Moments of Forever" about time spent with a special love.
Willie teams up with Kenny Chesney, who's also credited as producer on the project, in "Worry B Gone" as they sing about their method of forgetting troubles. There is much much more to think about as he sings of "Louisiana" and the flood, and his "Gravedigger" plea. This CD is a must for true Willie Nelson fans!
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Looks like Reba and friends have a winner in the new "Reba Duets" album recently released. As this writer already figured out, Reba is adaptable and can sing with anyone and it sounds great. She shows her versatility with heartbreaking songs about divorced parents sharing custody and longing for meeting an old lover in a bar and wanting to try again with Don Henley in "Break Each Other's Hearts Again." Reba and Ronnie Dunn long for the old home town in "Does The Wind Still Blow In Oklahoma?", and belts out doubts with Kelly Clarkson in "Because Of You". Reba and Trisha Yearwood lament an alcoholic husband in "She Can't Save Him", and blends voices beautifully with Justin Timberlake and Rascal Flatts. This album has lots to offer in sentimentality and longing with a great blend of these and many other selections -- with a few offerings which may stand alone as hit singles.
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Reba Can Sing with Anyone and Sound Great !
5 Stars ! |
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Whiskey Falls New Country Star Brings You Live Concert Coverage of the Hottest New Band In Country Music
This Video Production By New Country Star
THUMBS UP!
Artist Star Rating: 5 Stars
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Midas Records has an absolute "Ace in the Hole" with their newly signed band Whiskey Falls. New Country Star staff went out exclusively to cover the all male band in concert, and let's just say we'll be following these guys for a long, long while. Their song " Last Train Running " is an instant "HIT!" Lead guitar Damon Johnson and Lead Vocalist, Seven Williams know how to get a crowd going. The harmony was amazing, "it's almost as if they were born to make music together. They asked for noise, and they certainly got it from Kansas City. The crowd gathered on the lawn looked like Woodstock and absolutely loved what they were hearing.
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J.C. Andersen
Album Title: " When The Tide Rolls In "
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This kid knows how to make country music! Each of the ten tracks on J.C. Andersen's debut CD "When The Tide Rolls In," could be a chart topper. This is one of the greatest selections of songs to come together on a new artist's CD of all time. It's no wonder, with at least four of the tracks written by Curb recording artist Rodney Atkins. One of Atkins song's, a ballad titled "All Along," is delivered by Andersen with such soulful tenderness that you'd think you were listening to a well seasoned veteran with decades of recordings under his belt. It's very rare when reviewing a new artist and a debut CD, that you don't come to at least one song that makes you want to reach for the "skip" button on your player. Every track on this CD commands a listen and truly calls you back for another play. Songs with catchy lyrics, like Leanin' which Andersen boasts " if she ain't fallin' then she dang sure is leanin' " and Sing Along, which phrases " hotter than your grandma's girdle, " beg to be played again and again. Andersen also has the ability to throw his vocals back into a country yodel, as he demonstrates at the end of "A Kiss Away" and again on the high notes in "Hearts and Horses." The talent J.C. Andersen brings to this CD coupled with the incredible production by Ted Hewitt, make this project a top notch piece of work that could stand up next to any Nashville offerings today. |
Artist Star Rating: 5 Stars |
Kacey Musgraves
Album Title: " Kacey Musgraves "
Artist Star Rating: 5 Stars
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From the moment she hits the
first note on her debut CD, Kacey Musgraves has your full attention.
This is country music at its finest. Vocals that warble in that
smooth southern style and that could only come out of an artist of this
caliber. After writing music reviews for a number of years, this one
was certainly a pleasure and one that will be on the list of my most
memorable, right alongside George Strait, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Partons'
early reviews. Thank you Texas, for giving country music another
slice of heaven. Kacey Musgraves voice is absolutely golden. Absolutely five stars! |
Todd Fritsch
Album Title: " Sawdust "
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Todd Fritsch is one of a new breed of singers coming out of Texas. They are RAW, GRITTY and make you want to dance. Todd brings all of this and more to the table. His style is really in your face. From the driving Honky Tonk sounds of "No Part Of" and "If You Don't Like Country" to the nostalgic ballads of "The Rock" he will make you go back to listen to his music "one more time." This young artist can not be pigeon holed into one nook. There is an obvious feel of sitting in a Texas Honky Tonk."
Artist Star Rating: 4 Stars |
Fritsch has a promising career ahead of him, when he finds a way to break loose from the pack. His voice is hauntingly like Rodney Adkins. That said, Todd has his own style that separates him from the pack, and will most certainly drive him forward.I think he very well may have a top country hit with his song "Texas Talkin" I think this is the song that could catapult him to the ranks of Country Music Elite. |
Blake Shelton
Album Title: " Pure BS "
Artist Star Rating: 5 Stars |
Any one of the 11 tracks on Pure BS has the potential to become a #1 Hit single. Shelton starts off rocking with "This Can't Be Good," and Good just becomes Better. Blake Shelton pours his heartache out on this emotionally charged power packed album. The album includes a few surprise guests such as Rachel Proctor who lends some distinctive background vocals in "I Have Been Lonely," and appropriately finishes up with "The Last Country Song," which features country legends John Anderson and George Jones. Shelton's vocals harmonize so well with the two legends that he is most certain to become one of them himself, and just might have already accomplished that with this project. "Pure BS is like a great movie, it has you in tears one minute and laughing the next," with powerful ballads like "Don't Make Me" to humorous cuts like "The More I Drink." This CD is a MUST Have BUY NOW ! |
Angela Hacker
Album Title: " The Winner Is "
Artist Star Rating: 4 1/2 Stars
Review By: Alison Richards
The Winner Is…. Angela Hacker’s debut album for Warner Records is a wonderful follow-up to her winning performances that proved she was truly a Nashville Star. The album contains songs Angela used for her performances like “Starwberry Wine” and “I Can’t Make You Love Me”, as well as four original songs; “Love Me Wild,” “You Got Me,” “Emotionless,” and her debut single “Total Loss.”
Angela’s talent for stirring emotions is evident in her song selection as each song, married with her soulful voice, has the ability to touch you deep inside. There isn’t a song on this album that a person can’t relate to. From teaching a man how to love his woman, to a woman’s memories of her life, this CD has it all. It’s also a wonderful taste of what we have to look forward to in Angela’s career as both a singer and a songwriter.
As a bonus, Zac Hacker, Angela’s younger brother and the second place winner of Nashville Star, makes a guest appearance singing the duet “Hard to Handle.” Angela had mentioned during the series that it was Zac who helped bring her back into singing, and having him sing a duet with his sister only seems fitting.
If you haven’t heard Angela sing “Total Loss,” then head on over to your local Walmart and get your copy of …The Winner Is today.
Produced By Nathan Chapman and Tracy Gershon
Hint: There is a bonus song,
“You Don’t Even Know Who I Am”
if you purchase the album from Itunes
Live Performance Reviews From CMA Fest 2007
Who to watch for and who to see when they come to your home town.
New Country Staff are also Country Music Fans who have made it their job to take in
every Live Performance of every New Artist in Country Music worth hearing and seeing.
They lay it all out for you here with their own personal editorials and ratings.
CODIE PREVOST
It's no doubt Codie Prevost wins over every crowd to which he performs.
Not only is he an exceptionally gifted singer, songwriter and guitarist, he
has the charm and charisma to match. Site Administrator Sara Jo Anthony
said, "This guy is a natural, there's noother way to put it." After attending
the New Country Star VIP Party and catching Codie Prevost on stage,
Sara Jo commented, "We had fans in attendance just for
his appearance, which says a lot. He was great at getting the
audience involved, but he really didn't have to try, it seemed to come
naturally. He really makes it all look so easy, which simply states he's
doing what he was born to do. "Codie Prevost, a Canadian farm
boy who spends a lot more of his time in Nashville these days, is on
the fast track to Country Stardom. We couldn't just tell you what
a superb performer and gifted vocalist and performer Codie Prevost
is, we wanted you the reader, to actually get the whole experience.
Check Out the Video Performance
Below, and get to know Codie
Prevost and his music.
Purchase Codie Prevost's CD
"The Road Ahead"
www.myspace.com/codieprevostmusic
JORRIN TYLER
There was a new name in Nashville
during the annual CMA Festival
this year, and we were lucky enough
to have him perform for us at the
New Country Star VIP Party.
Jorrin Tyler is a young singer and
incredible guitar player from the
state of Missouri. At age 11, he's
already making a name for himself
in country music. When I saw this
quiet young man take the stage,
I had no idea that I was about to
witness a legend in the making.
With a voice as big as Dallas,
Jorrin Tyler commands the stage.
To say he can "play" the guitar,
is an understatement. I caught
him warming up before his
performance and literally ripping up and down the
neck of the guitar like a country version of Eddie Van Halen.
I had the chance to speak with his mom, and she said "he is
completely driven, it's hard for us to get his mind off of music."
There's no doubt this guy is going places and bringing a
loyal following from the Midwest with him. This is one talented kid,
with good looks to match. Country Music's got a keeper.
Find Out More
About
Jorrin Tyler
MIKO MARKS
One of the most emotionally charged performances of
the day, came when Mirrome Recording Artist, Miko Marks
took the stage. From the moment she hit her first note, she had
the attention of everyone in the room. You simply knew that
you were in the presence of greatness. Miko, who was
voted Best New Country Artist of 2006, by New Music Weekly,
most certainly deserves that title and more. The soulful
and heartfelt lyrics to her song "Mama," had everyone
including Miko in tears, captured in the photo above. One guest
had this to say after seeing Miko's performance at the
New Country Star VIP Party. "One of the best performers
I saw today, was Miko Marks, thank you so much for having
her in your show and introducing me to her music."
The video to the song Mama features Erykah Badu, and can
be seen on CMT.com, VH1.com,
MTV.com, and BET.com
Visit Miko Marks
JOHNNY BULFORD
Singer Songwriter Johnny Bulford
gave an incredible 45 minute
performance at the Marriott
in Nashville on June 8th.
For a few of us, it was the first
time to see Johnny Bulford perform,
and his songs were delivered
with pure perfection. His songs?
Yes, this 22 year old from
Orlando, Florida writes all his own
music. Lyrics that sound like he's
lived well beyond his 22 years.
Songs like "How Could I Not,"
which could possibly be one of the most
touching unheard love songs of the
decade, tenderly flows "how could I be
here with you without endlessly,
hopelessly, helplessly totally loving
you with all that I've got."
From ballads, to fun upbeat songs
like his current single, "What
Happens Here Stays Here," and
"I'm Related To the Wrong People,"
which most anyone can "relate" to,
all sound as if they were written by
a seasoned veteran, and could stand
alongside any top notch work out of Nashville today. The exceptional
songwriting then performed by
Bulford himself, with his powerful
yet tender melodic voice uncomparable
to many on the charts right now, make
for an unforgettable experience.
Our suggestion, catch a Johnny
Bulford show if you can, and most
definitely check out the music.
You will be hooked!
Visit
for more information or
check him out in the
New Country Star Directory.
GWEN SEBASTIAN
Recording Artist Gwen Sebastian
Performing at the New Country Star
1st Annual VIP Fan Party
Although a few staffers of New Country Star had already
seen this spunky gal perform Live, for some of us, it was a first.
She did not disappoint! Gwen Sebastian is a name that many
know around Nashville from her time performing as the house
band at the Wildhorse Saloon. If you haven't seen her in Nashville,
or anywhere else for that matter, this is a must! From the moment
Gwen Sebastian takes the stage, the audience is captivated by
her vivacious personality. She can warm up any crowd and with
perfect pitch, immersed in song, she's got the attention of all eyes
and ears. When will she be coming to your town? Well,
lyrically speaking...
Two Months, three weeks, five days...but who's counting?
Every country music fan should be, that's who!
Visit Gwen Sebastian
at
Gwen Sebastian's New CD
"Invitation" is a recommended
purchase by New Country Star.
LAUREN ALEXANDER
This little cutie came
straight from East Texas with
the voice to prove it!
Ms. Lauren Alexander is
the name of the future, already
charting on Texas Music Charts,
she is absolutely adorable.
Make sure you check
out her single "Good Bye You."
Music reviews must be written by NCS staff members.
Show reviews will only be accepted from Official NCS Staff who have
personally attended an artist's Live Performance.
