AUDREY KELLY

Glasgow based AUDREY KELLY was introduced to Scotland’s Country fans on the recent George Hamilton IV tour recently, and has also released a very interesting album, “Something Funny Goin’ On”.
Most of the songs are originals , from the pen of Perthshire based Alex Birnie. This is a bold move for a first album, but a very welcome one- original material gets very little exposure, especially in Country music.
The two covers she tackles are “Always On My Mind”, which is quite pleasant, but it’s Patsy Cline’s “Lonely Street” really finishes the album on a high. It’s a superb arrangement, with some really effective accordian breaks.
“Don’t Call Me Darlin” stands out as the most Country, and radio friendly track on the album. It should pick up some good airplay.
“Wasted Tears Wasted Years” and “If That’s So Wrong” are also very strong Country numbers, which display really rootsy vocals, not unlike Brenda Lee or Barbara Fairchild
Audrey also delivers some beautiful ballads, with a lot of feeling. Worth mentioning here are “This May Be Life” and “Time Is Healin”.
The instrumentation from Jimmy Glen & Jim Cassidy is first class, and brings out the best in Ms Kelly.
Audrey is relatively new into the Country market, but is set to make her mark very quickly. Here in Scotland, we don’t have artists prepared to really make a push, like the Irish or Americans do. I’ve a feeling Audrey may be the one to break the mould.
“something Funny’s Goin’ On “ is available from Country Road Records, on 01764 862962 or from the website www.audreykelly.com

Rambling Fever

Local favourites RAMBLING FEVER are back with “Girl From Yesterday”.
Self produced in their own studio’s, John & Gordon deliver another dozen covers, from the likes of The Eagles, Hank Williams, Don Williams, The Shadows, Alan Jackson & Toby Keith. As you see, a good variety.
The album begins with a bouncy “Future On Ice” and goes right through to the really rockin version of “Cest La Vie” which closes the album. Inbetween, there’s “Tequilla Sunrise” and “Girl From Yesterday” to “Who’s Your Daddy” & “Here In The Real World”.
I reckon the stand out tracks are Hank’s “Mind Your Own Business”, “She’s Got The Rythym”, which really show’s John’s vocals , and the instrumental “Apache”.
They always brew up a storm on stage, and , once again, they’ve captured that live sound onto disc.
“Girl From Yesterday” is available at Rambling Fever gigs, or from 0141 583 5145

Laura Kenny

LAURA KENNY is a Glasgow girl- a singer/songwriter who has a lot of talent, if her debut CD “Drive” (Vola Records) is anything to go by. Already she is making inroads into both West Of Scotland and Irish scene’s having been featured in BBC’s “Country Cool” TV series in Northern Ireland.
Laura has a good strong vocal style, which delivers her own songs well. There’s a good mix of emotional ballads and catchy upbeat numbers, which make for a very enjoyable listen.
On the ballads side, I especially liked “Footprints” and “If You Ever Feel Like Passing By”. “To Go” tells of leaving the family nest. The emotions, not to mention the self harmonies, really stand out on this track, making it one of the 12 track album’s highlights.
The other stand out track for me is “All I Want” - Another ballad, which suits Laura’s voice so well.
On the more uptempo side, the album’s opening tracks set the tone nicely. “Drive” is the title track, and is quickly followed by “Cleopatra Madagascar”,, probably the most Country influenced track on the album. It’s a kinda Thelma & Louise story about touring America with a band. Strange title but it works well. Certainly the most commercial track on offer here.
A couple of the tracks, namely, “You Don’t Miss What You Never Had” and “Morning Run” are a shade on the poppy side, but still fit nicely on the album.
I’ve not quite worked out who Laura’s influences are. There’s a bit of Nanci Griffith in there, a bit Kathy Mattea, and even a bit of Eva Cassidy!
Not only did she write all the songs, but Laura co-produced the efforts with David Scott, of the Pearlfishers fame.
A superb debut-note the name and listen out for her!

Maryhillbillies

THE MARYHILLBILLYS are Australian, but lead singer, Scott Richardson was Glasgow born, and followed his girlfriend back the the land of Oz five years ago.
In early 2006, the boys have been touring venues all over the UK, from Shetland, to Ullapool, several Celtic Connections gigs in Glasgow, and even as far south as Kent.
Their album “Meet The Maryhillbilly’s has also been released here.
They are a real raw, party band, and whilst all the songs have a good feel, the subject matter, in clichéd country style, is sometimes far from being something to sing about.
Take the opening cut, “Mad Ass Maniac”, has fun lyrics, unless, of course you know someone like the girl the song is about. “Battlefield” takes Scott home to his roots in Mount Florida.
“Goddam He Thinks He’s Elvis” (the single) is about a regular at their gigs in the St Kilda Bar (their local bar in Melbourne), and they even featured him in the video for the song!.
“Pills & Alcohol” is very traditional Country, dealing with a traditional Country theme, whilst “Back Home To Trouble” has a bit more of a folksy feel to it. “Déjà Vu” and the very western influenced “Stranger In Town”, meanwhile, are a bit slower, but still works well.
The Maryhillbillys are a breath of fresh air. “Meet The Maryhillbillys” is certainly one of the stand out albums of the year so far!

Roll The Dice

An act who are no strangers to audiences in the Central belt are ROLL THE DICE, and it’s great to see Ian & Trish release their first full CD. “Restless Legs” features a broad mix of Country old & new, tried & tested numbers, and originals.
The production is first class, their voices work well on the chosen tracks, and Trish’s accordian just adds that little something to the finished product.
There are 15 tracks on the CD, including covers of Kathy Mattea’s “18 Wheels” and Pam Tillis’ “Don’t Tell Me What To Do”, to classics like “Heartaches By The Number” and “Walking After Midnight”.
There’s also four originals, from the duo’s own pen. “Does My Ass Look Big In This” has a good solid dance beat, and should go down well, as should “Mexican Dreams”, adding the accordian for really good effect. “Bad Boy” moves along quite nicely, whilst “Part Time Lovers” slows the tempo down. It a really nice song, which probably fits the CD better than in a live set.
Recorded in Penicuik, I was really impressed with this nice’n’easy listening offering from Roll The Dice. They’re never too far away from your club, so make sure you pick up a copy of the CD the next time you see them.

Manson Grant

Some years ago, Wick based, MANSON GRANT & THE DYNAMOS, when David Shearer was in the line up with Manson & Robert, they went over to Music City, and laid down some tracks at Mark Moseley’s Sound Control Studio. The ensuing album, “Golden Memories” was issued on an Irish label, but didn’t really get the attention it deserved.
The album has now been remastered, repackaged and re-released on their own Pan label, and sounds really fresh.
With top notch Nashville pickers like Hargus Pig Robbins, Glenn Worf, Buddy Spicher and the recently departed Hal Rugg playing alongside The Dynamos, the arrangements are first class.
Of course, we all know that unique Manson Grant sound is steeped in an easy listening style, which has kept them busy for many years, and they wont change that, even with the additional musicians.
Whilst Dynamos fans will recognise these songs from the album’s first outing, they weren’t the tried & tested fayre you may have expected. It’s mainly happy party numbers, although “When We First Fell In Love”, from the pen of Aussie Brian Leyton stands out for it’s superb harmonies.
Also catching the ear is the title, and opening track, “Golden Memories”, which sums up Country music’s history in just under three minutes!.
Manson Grant has never had the recognition from their “ain folk”, especially in the Central Belt. If you only ever listen to one Manson Grant album in your life, make it this one!

Steve James

There’s no doubt that Steve James aims at the more modern Country fan. Steve’s new album, “ The Upside Of Down” is a collection of bang up to date covers, including “Five O’Clock Somewhere”, “Beer For My Horses”, “We Danced” and “Some Beach”. There’s more from the likes of Toby Keith, Darryl Worley and Tracy Byrd.
Recorded with brother Nick and band fellow Norrie Boreland, Steve does a fair version of Randy Travis’ “Three Wooden Crosses”, which works fine, within an album of less traditional fare.
Steve also offers an original. The title track (good to see Scottish acts having faith in their own material to title albums with!). “The Upside Of Down” is an uptempo number which fits well on the album.
The album finishes with Steve’s legendary “Glenn Miller Medley”. OK, it’s not Country, and hardly hits the format for the rest of the album, but it has been part of Steve’s act for many years, and it’s good to hear it down on CD.
The production is quite impressive, and no doubt this will be a big seller at Steve’s gigs across the Country!.

Gerry Ford

It’s been some time since Gerry Ford last had a new album out, and even longer since he recorded an album here in the UK. (Usually Gerry went to Nashville or Ireland to record). His last couple of albums have been repackages of earlier recorded material, and you could be mistaken for thinking that this was another. For Gerry has chosen to record a number of the songs he’s been singing for many years, yet had never put down on record.
Recorded in Mervyn J Futter’s Oasis Studios in Kings Lynn, and Phillip Anderson (of Shogun)’s studio in Orkney, Gerry gives us 14 tracks, from the pens of the likes of Max D Barnes, Mel McDaniel and Jamie O’Hara.
He covers the classic “No One Will Ever Know”, “Freddie Fender’s “Before The Next Teardrop Falls”, Ricky Skaggs’ “Cajun Moon” and Tom Russell’s “Blue Wing”, all in Gerry’s pleasing laid back style.
The title cut is his version of Isla Grant’s “One More Time”, and he has another cut from Australian Johnny Chester (who wrote Lord I’d Forgotten).
There’s two of Gerry’s own compositions. “Another Chance To Dance” is aimed at the linedancers, presented in a Maverick’s style. His other cut is “I Wrote My Own Song”, which gives Gerry the chance to namedrop by citing Willie Nelson as helping him to become a songwriter!. It’s a familiar beat, with a simple heartfelt story of a wannabee songwriter.
Gerry has been part of the Country scene for as long as any of us can remember and knows more than most about the market. Once again, he meets that audience with a well produced, well thought out collection, which has been a long time in the making.
“One More Time” is on the TrimTop label . Tel (01592 641209).