ISLA GRANT - Movin' On

Another successful songwriting talent we have here in Scotland is ISLA GRANT.
Isla’s latest album, “Movin’ On” has just been released on Rosette Records here.
Whilst Isla is a household name in Ireland, and has huge followings in Australia, New Zealand & Canada, she has found her homeland a harder nut to crack.
Her music has, traditionally leaned towards the sentimental side of Country music, which is no doubt why Ireland has embraced her so warmly.
However, Isla is much more than that. Her last album was full of Hank Williams songs, and this new album has her displaying different styles from blues to bluegrass.
The title track is kinda bluesy, but this style suits her vocals, as much as the sentimental numbers like “I Still Love You”.
I really enjoyed hearing the rather sentimental, yet bluegrass sounding, “Sleep Little Baby”. It reminded of the music from “Oh Brother Where Art Thou”. There’s an old timey feel to “You Don’t Belong” too.
Then there’s gospel. Isla does a fantastic job on “A Train Called Glory”. Such a well crafted song, and it stands out on the album for me. It’s a feel good uptempo number.
Elsewhere, she goes back to her old folk roots on “The Old Canal”.
As those who have seen the lady in concert over the past couple of years will know, she’s been adding harmonica to her set, and this is prominent on “It’s Not Easy”
She also revs it up with some uptempo numbers, like “What Are You Trying To Do To Me” and “What Love Can Do”
Isla hasn’t changed completely. Songs like “It’s Too Late Sweetheart” and “Dont Give Up On Me” bear her well loved sentimental stamp.
Having written songs about Scotland, Ireland & Australia, Isla’s latest place is New Zealand. She closes the album with a lovely song for her kiwi fans in “Aotearoa”. It’s a lovely song that you don’t have to be from the other side of the world to appreciate.
With 15 tracks, Isla has delivered a superb album of all original material.

JOHN MILLER - Still Carrying A Flame

JOHN MILLER has one of Scotland’s purest traditional Country voices, and has just released his third solo album ,”Still Carrying A Flame (Folk & Western label).
As with his previous offerings, John has written all the songs, and offers a good variety of tempos and styles.
From the catchy opening track, “Take It From Somebody Who Knows” to the softer “My Dreaming Party”, and the western swing styling of “My Baby Ain’t My Baby Any More” and the rockabilly flavoured “Mama Says No”, John is in fine voice/
There’s some nice harmony from Seonaid Aitkin on “Heavy Hangs The Head”.
One track which pleasantly surprised me was “Tiny Sweetheart Roses” which has a very sentimental, almost Irish Country, feel to it. I’m sure there’ll be a lot of interest in this one.
“Feeling Sorry For Ourselves” has a great Asleep At The Wheel swing feel to it, complete with an 86 second instrumental intro. He even tops off the album with “Trucking On Back To You”, a pedal pumping big trucking number.
One song I recognised was “Take Me Back To San Francisco”, which was previously recorded by John on The Radio Sweethearts’ “Lonesome Blue” album. I liked the dobro and organ, giving it quite a different arrangement ten years on.
I particularly enjoyed “I Just Cant Live Without You”, with it’s superb steel intro and superb delivery.
Whatever track you listen to, it’s pure Country music.
He has a good line up of players on the album, including BJ Cole, Francis MacDonald, Andy McDowell, Martin Barrett and David McClean, The whole thing (except BJ’s steel licks) was recorded in Busby.
www.johnmillermusic.com