SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:35 Min.
It’s the second track off Blake Shelton’s 2011 album: Red River Blue.
REVIEW:
If anything, “Ready to Roll” concocts an intriguing mix of country-western and R&B. The song has a nice upbeat sound anchoring Shelton’s appealing vocals. The tune isn’t dynamite, but it’s still solid entertainment. “Ready to Roll” merits consideration as a download option for contemporary country playlists.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:49 Min.
This ballad is Track # 3 on Chely Wright’s 1997 album, Let Me In.
REVIEW:
Chely Wright’s tune about a woman finally listening to her conscience and leaving behind a troubled romance remains one of her best-ever tracks. Wright’s spot-on vocals meld with poignant lyrics and a low-key melody to make “Shut Up and Drive” a country-western gem. Recommended!
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
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SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:20 Min.
In a duet with his then-wife, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton concludes his 2011 album, Red River Blue, with the title song.
REVIEW:
Blake Shelton & Miranda Lambert deliver some nice, low-key work with this melancholic tune. Contemplative and down-to-earth, this acoustic-like ballad is a decent finish – yet, it just as well might have served as the album’s opener.
As a best guess, the downbeat “Red River Blue” is meant for Shelton’s loyal fanbase. Casual listeners would be less inclined to purchase this good but not-exactly-entertaining song as a solo download.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:20 Min.
Off her 1996 The Girl Next Door album, Crystal Bernard of NBC TV’s Wings performs this country-western tune.
REVIEW:
Though the subject matter is similar to Track # 3’s “You’re Gonna Miss a Whole Lot of Love,” Crystal Bernard this time opts for a feistier melody. Even if the song isn’t memorable, her up-tempo vocal effort is entertaining enough to consider adding to a contemporary country playlist.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:37 Min.
Written and performed by The Dixie Chicks, “You Were Mine” is the fifth track off their 1998 album, Wide Open Spaces.
REVIEW:
The Dixie Chicks are in solid storytelling form. The first-person lyrics describing a wife’s grief over losing her husband to another woman isn’t about originality. What this trio instead conjures up is a nicely-rendered and bittersweet ballad. For fans of contemporary country, “You Were Mine” merits a chance at re-discovery.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:03 Min.
Off her 1996 The Girl Next Door album, Crystal Bernard of NBC TV’s Wings performs this country-western ballad. It’s Track # 3.
REVIEW:
Crystal Bernard delivers a gentle, low-key sound. It’s the right approach bringing this tune’s well-written lyrics to life. For contemporary county-western enthusiasts, “You’re Gonna Miss a Whole Lot of Love” merits consideration as a download option.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:34 Min.
This rollicking country tune appears seventh on Star Search alum Sawyer Brown’s 1989 album, The Boys Are Back. Lead vocalist Mark Miller wrote the track.
REVIEW:
It’s the kind of entertaining upbeat sound Sawyer Brown is known for. Sticking to reliable country basics, Sawyer Brown ensures that anybody will have fun riding this “Locomotive.” In addition to their long-time fans, newcomers should get a kick out of hearing Sawyer Brown in vintage form.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:43 Min.
Concluding her 1996 The Girl Next Door album, Crystal Bernard from NBC TV’s Wings performs this country-western ballad.
REVIEW:
Most songs on Crystal Bernard’s The Girl Next Door are solid, though generally one-dimensional for the genre. Despite an unimaginative title, “If You Have Love” stands out, as Bernard turns this poignant track in something akin to a Dolly Parton tune. In particular, her gentle vocals bolster the track’s solid melody into something special. Not only is this song worthwhile for country playlists, “If You Have Love” serves as an ideal showcase of Bernard’s creative talents.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:34 Min.
This country-western tune appears third off Star Search alum Sawyer Brown’s 1989 album, The Boys Are Back. Lead vocalist Mark Miller wrote the song.
REVIEW:
It’s a likable enough tune from Sawyer Brown’s arsenal. “I Did It for Love” isn’t any stand-out, but this mid-tempo track plays well for occasional listening on a contemporary country playlist.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:12 Min.
It’s the ninth track from Blake Shelton’s 2011 contemporary country album: Red River Blue.
REVIEW:
“Over” is a solid enough tune, as it works for Blake Shelton’s vocal style. The song has a likable sound making it worth consideration for a contemporary country playlist. The downside, however, is that Shelton’s charm makes up much of the difference for a middle-of-the-pack song.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars
