McKENZIE - 2 For The Road

The long awaited new album from McKENZIE arrived just before Christmas. “2 For The Road” features the duo talents of Zoe Caryl and Scots born Kenny Plenderleith. There is a third member of McKenzie. You don’t hear him, but Perthshire’s Alex Birnie contributed no less than eleven of the tracks on the 14 track album.
The album includes “Ice Road Truckers”, which features George Hamilton IV, and there’s also some neat steel guitar from BJ Cole on three of the tracks.
Zoe is obviously the main vocalist in the duo. She has a great voice for ballads like “That Country Song”, “Waiting For You”, “One Tear From Home” and “I Cant Love You Anymore”, whilst “Just Because You’ve Fallen Out Of Love” is a bit more uptempo. They also do a neat tribute to “Les & Mary”, really capturing folk duo’s sound.
Kenny’s vocals are featured on the rather poppy “Live ‘n’ Kicking”, and the duo share harmonies on “Loved Rolled Me Over”.
The album certainly featured some nice original music, is well produced, and well worth a listen.
Check out their music at www.myspace.com/mckenziecountry

JOHNNY REID -Dance with Me

Lanark born JOHNNY REID won 5 awards at the 2009 Canadian Country Music Awards, establishing himself as one of Canada’s top Country music performers.
His latest album, “Dance With Me” (Open Road label) won the Album of The Year accolade, and it is certainly his best to date.
Johnny has a raw, wholesome, vocal style, and certainly has his own sound in Country music.
The album kicks off with the strumming guitar sound of “A Woman Like You”, which develops into an arrangement with some lovely pedal steel. It’s a really catchy radio friendly opener, and is followed with the equally catchy “Old Flame”.
The title track is a soft romantic number, co-written with rising star Victoria Banks.
Despite having moved to Canada over twenty years ago, Johnny has never lost his roots. He still has an unmistakable brogue, and calls his fan club, his “Tartan Army”. It’s reflected in his music too, with a strong celtic feel to “Brings Me Home” (what a great song for our Year of Homecoming ! ) and “My Old Friend”.
There’s touches of pop and rock’n’roll in his music too, but should still appeal to Country listeners.
The album was recorded in Nashville. Johnny co wrote all the songs, with people like Brent Maher, who produced the album, and Tia Sillers, Mark Selway,Thom Hardwell and Cindi Thomson. But just look at the musicians – Glenn Worff, Richard Bennett, Tammy Rogers, Fats Kaplin, John Jarvis and Sam Lovine, amongst others. Then there’s Vicki Hampton (ex Dave & Sugar) on backing vocals.
This is a major Nashville production.
It’s ten years since Johnny Reid showcased at Country Music Week in Calgary. With his haul of awards, and such a superb album, which was a Top 10 album in Canada (all music genres), 2009 has certainly been Johnny Reid’s year.

IAN MAIRS - Green Eyed Women

IAN MAIRS has been part of the Scottish bluegrass scene for many years, in Old Hickory, Banjo Cocktail and The Moonshiners. He was with The Moonshiners for 20 years, before leaving last year to pursue a solo career.
“Green Eyed Woman” is, in fact, Ian’s third solo album, and is released on Houndog Records. The album features all self written material, and was recorded in Dunfermline.
As you would expect from a bluegrass album, there’s plenty of banjo & fiddle. Ian, himself, is playing guitar and leading the vocals. His vocal style is quite listenable, and the songs have grown on my quickly.
I cant pick out a favourite from the album, but I will say that there are uptempo numbers like “Can’t Be A Lonely Man”, “The Old Grey Mare” and “Say That You Love Me Again”, whilst “A Million Miles Away” is quite easy listening.
“Green Eyed Women” sounds a bit more folksy, whilst the CD’s closing track, “I Left My Hat In Tighnabruaich” (a parody on San Francisco) is done accapella.
I really enjoyed the album. It’s great to hear bluegrass done so well right here in Scotland.
www.myspace.com/ianmairssolo