LISA McHUGH - Old Fashioned Girl

LISA McHUGH, a Glasgow lass, has been making her name in Ireland since reaching the final of last year’s Glor Tire TV talent show. Now her debut album has arrived, and it’s a real cracker!
“Old Fashioned Girl” is the title track of the album, and was her first single. It’s a bright breezy number that really gets the feet tappin’. It’s one of three Joni Harms songs on the 13 track collection, the others being the equally catchy “Catalog Dreams”, and the slower “When I Get Over You”.
Lisa excells at quick catchy numbers and does a good job on “Ramblin’ Man” and “I’m a Little Bit Lonely”. She also covers Australian group The McClymonts “You Were Right”, and “I Wish It Would Rain”, previously best known for Nanci Griffith’ version.
She does a great tribute to Loretta Lynn on “You Aint Woman Enough”, which I particularly enjoyed.
But it’s not all uptempo. This girl can deliver a mean ballad.
“God’s Plan” is also out as a single from it’s writer Derek Ryan, but Lisa really delivers the song with stunning emotion. I’m also pleased to see her include the beautiful Cara Dillon song “There Were Roses”, a song with touches on the innocent losses suffered by families during the troubles in Ireland. She performed the song on the Glor Tire semi final, (video avaiable on You Tube) and really handles the song with such sensitivity and grace.
Add to that a number in Gealic, written by The Corrs, and a lovely song written by Daniel O’Donnell, and this album covers a real variety of material.
I really enjoyed the whole album. Every single track won me over, and I cannot rate this album highly enough. It’s a brilliant debut for the lovely Lisa.
www.lisa-mchugh.com

NEW REDWING - Glimpses, Visions & Dreams

There’s a small but very enthusiastic bluegrass scene right here in Scotland. One of the long standing groups on the scene are a family band from Glasgow, NEW REDWING, and their new album , “Glimpes,Visions + Dreams” is a beautiful mix of bluegrass , old time, acoustic and gospel music.
The album features 13 tracks, all but two self penned.
“A Glimse Of You” is just one of the lovely songs from Louise. She also does a good job on the catchy “Come Back Dear”. “The Right One” works well too, as does the more uptempo, “You’re Not Worth It”
“Wishing My Life Away” features some wonderful family 3 part harmonies, as does “Everlasting Kiss”
Meanwhile, Alan leads the instrumentals, in “Struggl’n Muggl’n“ and “Fare Thee Well” and vocally on “Dark Holler”. He also leads the vocals on the gospel flavoured “Turn To the Lord”.
Hazel’s vocals are best heard on “Broken Dreams”, in two part harmony with mum Louise.
The album was recorded in Moffat, and features an array of acoustic instruments. Louise plays resonator guitar, double bass and guitar, whilst Alan plays guitar, mandolin and fiddle ,and daughter Hazel plays the double bass.
I loved the sheer simplicity of this album. It was just a joy to listen to. I loved it.
www.myspace.com/newredwing

GOLDRUSH - Carolina Star

More homegrown bluegrass next, in the form of a new album, “Carolina Star” from GOLDRUSH, who have been part of the Scottish scene for 21 years now. The current line up features founder member John Sheldon, alongside Alan Jones, Tom Connel, Danny Hart and Kenny Marshall.
The album features covers by some of the bluegrass legends like Richard Thompson, Don Reno and Earl Scruggs. They cover Gordon Lightfoot’s “Early Morning Rain” and the title cut comes from the pen of Hugh Moffatt.
It’s all well produced banjo driven traditional bluegrass, which the band is renowned for. I especially enjoyed “Waltzing For Dreamers”, which has some nice concertina.
Contact John on 07968 124582 for your copy

JOHNNY REID - A Place Called Love (EMI Canada)

JOHNNY REID , who was born in Lanark, has had another huge year in Canada. His latest album, “A Place Called Love”(EMI Canada) was the top selling album in Canada across all kinds of music within days of it’s release.
I have to be honest, and state that this isn’t an all out Country album. Having supported Johnny since his first self released album, he has always demonstrated a raunchy soulful vocal style, and that seems to be more apparent on this new album, than ever before.
Some of the songs do sound more Motown than Music City, but he does blend the two beautifully, and even manages a Celtic twist. All the songs were co-written by Reid, many with Brent Maher, who produced the album. The album was recorded in Nashville, and features some impressive names including Eddie Bayers, Brent Mason, Tammy Rogers, Richard Bennett, Glenn Worf ,and harmonies from Vicki Hampton (ex Dave & Sugar).
“Out of The Blue” is possibly the bounciest Country radio friendly song, and he gets all sentimental on “Tell Me Margaret”, a song devoted to his grandmother. I really enjoyed “This Is Not Goodbye”, a good uptempo number which really shows off his soulful tones.
The album’s title cut is devoted to family life, of which Johnny is a strong advocate.
But I did promise a Celtic twist, and that is featured in “Today I’m Gonna Try And Change The World”, which was the first single from the album. It’s another song that Johnny cries for peace and friendship, and just when he was starting to sound like a politician, along comes Jim Drury and his bagpipes, and totally transforms the song.
Johnny wont be everyone’s idea of a Country singer, but us Scots cannot ignore such a superstar that we’ve given our Canadian cousins. We should share in his pride (he calls his fanclub The Tartan Army).
The album should be released here in the spring, but is available from Canadian outlets now.

The Scuffers - Scrambled Pictures

I wasn’t familiar with THE SCUFFERS, but I am now.
They are a Glasgow based band, whose music has an likeable rawness to it. They’re not what I’d label a Country band, but there are definite Country influences in their music.
“Scrambled Pictures”, is their second album, and apparently the first one had more of a Country feel to it.
Recorded at Glasgow’s Carlton studios, all the songs were written by Gavin Wallace, who also leads the vocals, and plays acoustic guitar, harmonica,recorder and melodica. There are six members in the band, but a total of ten musicians are playing on the album.
Some of the tracks are on the rocky side, but there are plenty of Country influences, notably the simple “I Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now”, the haunting story song, “The Night God Came To Town”, and the breezy “Take Me Down”, and “A Man Who Treats You Right”
The harmonies at the start of “A Heartful Of Lovin’” are superb, and really show the important part Angie Darcy plays on the album. This track also features some nice melodica.
“High And Low” has a good strumming guitar beat, in a Dave Edmunds style. Elsewhere, The Scuffers reminded me of another Glasgow band of yesteryear, the Humpff Family.
I really enjoyed the album. It was bright and breezy and refreshing.
Only one caution. Track 10, an otherwise pleasant ballad called “Here’s To The Day’s”, is spoiled by the use of unneccesary swearing, which will certainly prevent it getting radio play.
http://www.myspace.com/thescuffers

SYDNEY DEVINE - Skiffle Country (Scotdisc)

Nobody can deny that SYDNEY DEVINE has been Scotland’s most succesful Country singer. 55 years in
the entertainment business, 25 albums, and his TV and radio shows tell it all. As in Barbara Mandrell’s song, Sydney was “Country Before Country was Cool”. He certainly brought Country music to a huge audience in Scotland in his heyday.
His latest album, “Skiffle Country” (Scotdisc) takes him back to his early years, by covering Lonnie Donegan hits like “Battle Of New Orleans” and “Putting On The Style”, and Nancy Whiskey’s “Freight Train”.
He has also covered “Tennessee Waltz” , “I’m Movin’ On” and a couple of old Hank Williams tunes, including “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” and “Move It On Over”.
The album sleeve gives a history of Skiffle music, which I liked.
Produced by Bill Garden, the album features Dougie Stevenson, Bill Garden, Stevie Lawrence, Stuart Anderson, Chas McKenzie, Eve Graham & Kevin Finn.
Sydney’s in fine voice throughout the album. If you’re a Sydney fan, this is one for you.

BOB LESLIE - In A Different World

BOB LESLIE is from Glasgow, and proud of it, if his new album, “In A Different World” is anything to go by. Most “Country” acts here depend heavily on American Country music, but this is a definate Glasgow album.
Originally from Edinburgh, Bob has been involved with music all his life. His Glaswegian mother was a professional club and theatre singer, while his father's Orkney Islands folk tradition showed itself in his mastery of piano, accordion, and fiddle. Bob started singing from the cradle and made an early mark on the Edinburgh music scene, winning his first talent show at 14 years old.
20 years as a professional musician, and many more semi-pro, have honed Bob's performance and writing skills to a keen edge. He has played every type of venue from folk and working men's clubs to festivals and theatres.
“The Cultural Imperialists Have Got Me” is a good fun number to kick things off. In it, Bob recalls a lot of musical headliners who have influenced him over the years.
He slows down on “Beans & Beer”, in a gospel sounding number (he has a good voice for gospel), before a catchy line about ducks and hens really get your attention.
There’s a good number of slower numbers, some of which owe more to jazz than country, but listenable all the same. Of the ballads, I particularly enjoyed “Time To Smell the Roses”
But it’s the uptempo numbers which really leave their mark on the album.
“The Star Harmonica Band” is a fine tribute to a guy called Jimmy Fletcher, who not only was an inspirational musician, but an inspiration to young junior footballers too. The song features some really neat harmonica too, courtesy of Fraser Spiers.
But the one that’ll get the most reaction has to be “Cowboy In The Heart Of Glasgow”, which for a few readers, may just be too close to home, but I think we all know a few candidates. It’s a good fun, inoffensive song.
As well as Fraser Spiers, Bob has amassed a good set of players in Alex Mack, Carl Esprit Bridgeman, Craig Nelson, Jim Keilt and Robin Rankin. There’s also backing vocals from Alice Leslie and Bernadette Collier.
The main project was recorded at North Glasgow College in Springburn.
I enjoyed the album. I especially liked the Glasgow aspect. That really worked for me.
www.bobleslie.biz

BRIAN HUGHES - My Kind Of Paradise

Another new Glasgow recorded album comes from BRIAN HUGHES , the Dumbarton based singer songwriter , who has made quite a mark on the British Country scene. His last album won the British Country Music Album of the Year in 2008, and his new release “My Kind Of Paradise” could certainly follow on from that success.
Once again, it’s eleven self penned tracks, recorded at Blue Productions in Glasgow City Centre.
His regular band, The Lonesharks, together with some top notch musicians give the songs a good backing.
The songs vary from the young love of “Get Over It” and “Home By Ten” to the working man influence on “God Bless Friday Night” and his autobiographical “Overnight Success”.
The title track bounces along nicely, billed as Brian’s observations. This one could have the X Factor, after all there’s a line in here, “ Watching TV on a Saturday Night, My Kind Of Paradise”.
I particularly enjoyed “Fly”, which apparently was a last minute inclusion on the album. It has a really catchy beat, whilst “Lost In You” and “Memphis By Midnight” both have a softer beat to them.
If you’re aware of Brian’s music, you’ll know that he mamages to blend Country & rock without losing the Country influence.
It fits in nicely with today’s American Country sounds, and he’s right here in Scotland.
www.brianhughesmusic.com