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.