COLORADO - Digital re-issues

Golspie based COLORADO were, without doubt, the most successful Country music band that Scotland has ever produced, having won the BCMA Group Of The Year award right through the 1980’s. They appeared regularly at the Wembley Festival, as well as huge events across Europe and beyond.  Geordie is still going strong, despite several attempts to retire, and the fan base just keeps going, thru the generations.
For some time now, younger fans, many who weren’t around in the 80’s, have been asking for the old Colorado albums, and now several of the old vinyl albums have been digitised and made available through the usual download and streaming services.
They include, “Tennessee Inspiration”, which includes their original version of “The Green Fields Of France”, which featured legendary Nashville steelie Lloyd Green, as well as such favourites as “Tennessee Whiskey & Texas Women” (which featured Davy Duff on lead vocals), “Boogie Grass Saturday Night” and the Stewart Ross song “A Part Of Me Will Stay With You”.
Their first album, “Colorado Sing Country Music”, which featured the Cajun classic “Thibodeaux And His Cajun Band” is also available, as is the self titled album, “Colorado”, with “All My Cloudy Days Are Gone”.
“Exclusive”, which the original album cover was a mock up of a newspaper called “The Colorado Times”, featured the catchy “Crazy Celtic Music”, which featured Tommy Collins, “Makin’ Friends” with George Hamilton IV, and their stunning version of “The Dark Island”.
And “Still Rollin”, an early retrospective look back at their career at that point, with songs like “We’ve Got Something To Say”, “Stories We Could Tell” and “Saving The Best For Last” completes the list.
I’ve still got all these albums on their original vinyl, but its pure nostalgia to hear them in today’s digital glory.

BRANDON MCPHEE (with Foster & Allen) - Walking On The Waves

These days BRANDON McPHEE is flying the musical flag for the Far North. Like Colorado, he has successfully blended his local roots with Country music. His new EP teams him up with Foster & Allen, no less, as they perform a really impressive version of the Skipinnish number, “Walking On The Waves”. The song has been covered a fair bit recently, but I have to say that Brandon, Mick & Tony have a real winner on their hands with this version. The second track is Brandon’s own version of “Old Town Road”, the recent No.1 UK Pop hit for Billy Ray Cyrus & rapper Lil Nas X. No rapping on Brandon’s version thankfully!
The EP is completed with the powerful “Take These Wings”, and the accordion tune “The Bluebird”, written by Will Starr. A good mix of Country and Scottish on one CD.

HAZEL CUMMING - Best Friends

We’ll start off with North Lanarkshire based HAZEL CUMMING, who recently launched her second album at the Fenwick Hotel in Ayrshire.
“Best Friends” was recorded at Hillside studio in Co.Down, and features acclaimed musicians such as Gerard Dornan, Stephen Smyth, Stevie Kirk and Charlie Arkins, with Carrie Benn, adding some backing vocals.
There are twelve tracks on the album, including three self penned originals.
The title track is a lovely lilting ballad, which honours the bond between mother and daughter. It’s a song that I’m sure will become a Mothers Day favourite in the future.  If “My Best Friend” was about her mum, “Here’s to Happy Years” is directed at her husband. It’s a good upbeat happy song, as is “Fake It With A Smile”. 
Of the covers, Dolly’s “Cracker Jack” stands out. It’s a song which was hidden away on a 1974 album. Dolly’s got a number of covers which get covered regularly, but good to see one of her lesser known songs getting some recognition.
Other covers include “Suds In The Bucket”, “Kiss An Angel Good Morning”, “How Blue” and “Home To Aherlow”
And there’s a strong ballad performance on Derek Ryan’s “Gods Plan”.
Hazel is certainly influenced by the Country’n’Irish sound, and this album will no doubt get the recognition it deserves in Ireland. I hope the Scottish audiences pick up on this album too.
It’s a happy, upbeat album, which is certainly worth a listen.

NORMAN BORLAND - Even The Man In The Moon Is Crying

NORMAN BORLAND has been a popular name on both sides of the Irish Sea for many years. Originally from Donegal, Norman headed for Scottish shores way back in the 70’s seeking work. His musical journey developed here, through working with Steve James and Toe The Line, whilst developing a name for himself at the same time.  He is now back on the Emerald Isle, and finally making inroads into his native land’s rich musical scene.

His latest album (his 5th, if my sums are right), “Even The Man In The Moon Is Crying” was recorded in Letterkenny, with respected Irish musicians like Jonathan Owens, Brian Kerrigan, Declan O’Hare, Al McQuilken, Mike Cleveland, Richard Nelson, James Blennerhassett and Danny Sheerin.

One thing that makes Norman really stand out from the Irish crowd, is that his music is 100% traditional Country. A huge Haggard fan, the album includes “Working Man Blues” and “The Fugitive”.

The title track is a cover of a Mark Collie song from the 90’s. It was Collie’s biggest hit, and Norman does it real justice. He also does a good cover of Lee Greenwood’s “Dixie Road”.

He does Dolly’s “Gypsy Joe & Me”, although probably owing more to Ray Lynam’s version rather than the original. His version of “If Hollywood Don’t Need You”, is a bit more upbeat than Don Williams’ original. On the ballads side, his cover of the Glen Campbell/Steve Wariner song “The Hand That Rocks The Cradle” is superb, as is Collin Raye’s “Angel Of No Mercy”.

The more unusual songs for Norman to record include the popular line dance number , “My Veronica”, which has  been a really successful song for him, and The Derailers’ “The Right Place”.

Country through and through. It’s a superb album.

Available through www.sharpemusic.com

LISA McHUGH - The Best So Far

Back in 2010, a young Glasgow girl called LISA McHUGH released her first commercial album called “Old Fashioned Girl” (She did record an earlier album of covers before this). It was the start of a career which has seen her move to Ireland to become one of the biggest Country stars there.
After seven highly popular albums, Lisa has taken time out to reflect on the past nine years and look back at the songs which have been “The Best So Far” and released them in one new package (Sharpe Music).
The 20 tracks take us from “I’m A Little Bit Lonely”, which was on her first album (but taken from her Live album here), right up to recent singles “Y’All Come” and “Honey Honey”, her duet with Derek Ryan. 
In between there are a number of Dolly covers, like “Applejack”, “Blue Smoke” and “Why’d You Come In Here Lookin’ Like That”. Other hits included are Kasey Chambers’ catchy “Hillbilly Girl” and the title track to her last album, “Who I Am” (the theme to TV detective series Sue Thomas F.B.Eye).
This album proves that Lisa’s popularity, with her busy schedule on the Irish dance scene, is thanks to her happy upbeat numbers. But Lisa has had a few notable ballads of note. One example would be the lovely version she does of “Play Me The Waltz of The Angels”.  There are also duets with Nathan Carter on “You Cant Make Old Friends” and Malachi Cush on “Peggy Gordon”. There’s also “Daddy’s Little Girl” and “26 Cents”.
But the track which really stands out for me, and has done since her first album, is “There Were Roses”. Although originally on “Old Fashioned Girl”, the 5 ½ minute version here is from “Lisa Live” and is filled with so much emotion. If you’re not familiar with the song, it was written by folk singer Tommy Sands, and tells of the troubles in Northern Ireland, and the killing of two good friends across the religious divide. The song really strikes a chord, and Lisa delivers it so well.
The whole album is a good catch up on her career to date. 

ROBBIE PETRIE - Nashville On My Mind

ROBBIE PETRIE is, without doubt, one of Scotland’s longest established Country performers, especially in the North East.
Robbie has come up with a real traditional mix of songs for his latest album, “Nashville On My Mind”, which was produced by Ryan Turner, alongside musicians like Danny Sheerin and Charlie Arkins from Ireland, and Max T Barnes, Johnny Lee Carpenter and Rusty Manmyer from Nashville, He’s even got The Benn Sisters on backing vocals.
Songs include The Hag’s “Big City”, “Lonesome Fugitive” and “Mama’s Hungry Eyes”, Strait’s “Amarillo By Morning”, and Paycheck’s “A-11”. There are some other gems, like the Confederate Railroad ballad “When You Leave That Way” and “This Is My Year For Mexico”, which I remember Crystal Gayle doing early in her career. Robbie also does his take on Kathy Mattea’s “Eighteen Wheels And A Dozen Roses”.
It’s a well produced album, featuring some real traditional Country music. They’re all covers, but Robbie does them so well.
Good job Robbie!

ASHTON LANE - The In Between

The UK Country scene has developed its own brand in recent years, led by the likes of The Shires and Ward Thomas. It’s good to see Scottish acts getting recognised too. Glasgow based ASHTON LANE, who took their name from the city’s West End entertainment district, went right to No. 1 in the Official UK Country Album Chart with the release of their new album, “The In Between” (OC Records), holding onto the position for a second week.
Esther & Tim O’Connor, who make up the duo have released five previous albums (and another under Esther’s name), but this album raises their profile.
Much of the background to the album can be traced to the duo’s online “Kitchen Sessions” which has 8.7k subscribers. Many of the songs were written alongside fans, including the lead single, “Marilyn Curls”, which is based on the story of Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be publicly executed in Britain.  It offers quite a different sound for them. It’s quite haunting and bluesy.
The title track, which sits nicely half way through the album, is a lovely simple ballad, which really highlights Esther’s pure vocals.
The album kicks off with the bright & breezy “By The Field”, and followed by the mid/up tempo “People In The Valley”, which really caught my attention on my first listen.
I really liked the driving “Growing Up Together”, which has quite a Rickie Lee Jones influence to it (albeit with a less scratchy vocal style).
Esther proves she can perform a mean ballad too, shown to best effect on the haunting “Primrose Hill”, which also offers some really neat harmonies. “Desert Sky” which closes the album has many of the same attributes.  “Under The Wonder” is another which excels in their harmonies.
“I’ll Pray” is another which has a really haunting sound to it. It conjures up images of an old church, without sounding like a gospel number. For me, another of the album’s highlights.
Over time, Ashton Lane have developed a sound that is theirs. In a world where so many groups and singers all sound the same, here is an album, which sounds original. That’s because it is!

EVE GRAHAM - A Matter Of Time

It’s hard to believe that it’s nearly 50 years since The New Seekers were hitting the pop charts around the world with hits like “I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing” (used as a worldwide TV ad for Coca Cola) and “Beg, Steal Or Borrow”. Lead singer with the group back then was one EVE GRAHAM from Perthshire.
Eve recorded a Scottish album and a Christmas collection around 12 years back, and is back with a new collection, “A Matter Of Time” (Scotdisc). 
The album maintains Eve’s New Seekers connections. The project is produced by Australian born David Mackay, who was her producer all these years ago. In between times, he’s produced the likes of Cliff Richard, Bonnie Tyler, The Bee Gees and Elaine Paige.
Several of the songs were written by David Mindel, a songwriter who began his career as a record plugger during The New Seekers heyday. One of them, “The Nashville Dream”, is a quirky fun number, although I’m sure the lyrics may be a bit close to home for many aspiring Music City songwriters. It captures, so well, the struggles of an aspiring songwriter in Music City.
Another Nashville connection is songwriter Angela Kaset, who has written some great songs for the likes of Suzy Bogguss, Linda Davis and Aaron Tippin. Angela’s biggest hit was “Something In Red”, recorded by Lorrie Morgan. Eve records a very nice version of the song on this album, alongside two more numbers written by Angela, “I Could Be The One”, which has quite a vintage New Seekers sound to it, and the fun “Turning Into My Mother”. 
There’a also a couple of songs penned by Muscle Shoals native Michael Anthony Curtis, including the celtic infused “When I Am No More” and the reflective “The Last Time”.
She does a nice version of Dougie McLean’s “Caledonia”.
The tracks which worked best for me include “Slipping Away” and the delicate “Catch The Wild Wind”, which closes the album. It’s really the stand out track for me.
Essentially, it’s a nice easy listening, middle of the road collection, and good to hear Eve still recording after all these years.

DOUGIE STEVENSON - Scottish Steel Guitar Chill Out Album

DOUGIE STEVENSON has long been recognised as one of our premier steel guitar and dobro players, having been in Legend, and supported everyone from Boxcar Willie, Stella Parton & Billie Jo Spears to Sydney Devine, and scores of other artists.
Back in 1979, Dougie released a solo steel guitar album, “Steel On My Mind”. Now, 40 years on, comes the follow up, “Scottish Steel Guitar Chillout Album” (Scotdisc).
The title sums up the album. It’s a nice relaxing collection of Scottish anthems like “Dark Island”, “Over The Sea To Skye”, “Caledonia” and “Westering Home”, with the help of musicians like accordionist Stuart Anderson and Laura Beth Salter on mandolin.
I love the steel guitar sound, and enjoyed this collection, but this is more of a Scottish collection, rather than Country. But certainly one to chillout with. 

LIZ CLARKE - A Night At The Opry

Readers will recall that LIZ CLARKE held her “Stetsons & Heels” show at Glasgow’s Grand Ole Opry earlier in the year. If you need a reminder of the night, check out her latest album, “A Night At The Opry”, which features many of the songs which were featured on the night.
Although her last album, “The Vanishing Breed” featured a few more original numbers, this album features a wide range of classic Country hits, which everyone will know, although not overdone.
Alongside “Coat Of Many Colours”, “Funny Face” and “Sing Me An Old Fashioned Song”, you’ll find more recent songs like “Suds In The Bucket” and “Girl Crush”.
And it’s not just female covers which Liz has picked up on. She also takes on Marty Stuart’s “Tempted”, and Dwight’s “Guitars, Cadillacs” and “Turn It On, Turn It Up, Turn Me Loose”.
Liz also teams up with Donnie Henderson for a duet on The Bellamy’s “I Need More Of You”.
And there’s a celtic twist too with Karl Denver’s “Voices Of The Highlands” and “Home To Donegal”, featured in the 20 track collection, which was recorded at Stealth Studio in Glasgow.
Liz has also just released her second duet single with Paul Jackson from Sunderland. Under the banner of “JACKSON & CLARKE”, the duo have delivered an original romantic ballad called “Loves Embrace”. Their previous collaboration was on an old Tim McGraw/Faith Hill song. This song could also have been from the Nashville couple. Paul & Liz deliver a really strong vocal, harmonising together beautifully. Be sure to check it out.