Category: Country, Folk, & Bluegrass

SUMMARY:                                     RUNNING TIME: 3:40 Min.

It’s the title track off Matraca Berg’s 1997 same-named album.  Berg also co-wrote this tune with Randy Scruggs.

REVIEW:

Matraca Berg doesn’t disappoint with the album’s title song, as the insightful lyrics are well-matched by a rollicking melody.  Describing a small town’s Saturday nightlife from the community’s ironic perspective the next morning at church, Berg’s well-played storytelling is a joy to hear.  “Sunday Morning to Saturday Night” merits serious consideration for any contemporary country playlist.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     8½ Stars

SUMMARY:                                     RUNNING TIME: 3:27 Min.

It’s the eighth track off Blake Shelton’s 2011 album: Red River Blue.

REVIEW:

The track’s best assets are a generally upbeat melody and a catchy chorus.  With some back-up help, Blake Shelton interprets the song with a style reminiscent of George Strait.  However, Shelton’s charismatic vocals can do so much disguising a slightly above-average song that leaves little, if any impression, when it’s over.  While the track is a fine download option for contemporary country playlists, “Sunny in Seattle” is still middle-of-the-pack re: Shelton’s songbook.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        6 Stars

SUMMARY:                                   RUNNING TIME: 3:13 Min.

It’s the fifth track from Matraca Berg’s 1997 country-western album, Sunday Morning to Saturday Night.  Berg also co-wrote the song with Randy Scruggs.

REVIEW:

The mid-tempo “Some People Fall, Some People Fly” is ideal for Matraca Berg.  Deftly blending elements of contemporary country, bluegrass, and gospel, Berg’s down-to-earth vocal style completes this package.  Not only is the melody terrific, Berg enunciates the lyrics with a heartfelt charm.  Either as a solo download or as part of the complete album, this gentle track is recommended – its appeal easily extends beyond country music fans.    

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                       8 Stars

SUMMARY:                                       RUNNING TIME: 3:37 Min.

Performed by The Dixie Chicks, “Loving Arms” is the third track from their 1998 country-western album, Wide Open Spaces.  

REVIEW:

The Dixie Chicks, in terms of their vocals, sound wonderful.  Yet, both the melody and this ballad’s lyrics are standard-issue for the genre.  Still, for Dixie Chicks fans, the tune packs their distinctive charm. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                                     7 Stars

SUMMARY:                                     RUNNING TIME: 3:09 Min.

From her 1996 The Girl Next Door solo album, singer/actress Crystal Bernard from NBC TV’s Wings performs this country-western track.

REVIEW:

“Till I Get Over You” delivers some upbeat honkytonk-style versatility from Crystal Bernard.  Not only are the instrumentals first-rate, Bernard’s playful vocals ensure that this tune is a real treat.  “Till I Get Over You” makes a solid download choice for contemporary country-western playlists.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     8 Stars

SUMMARY:                                 RUNNING TIME: 4:34 Min.

It’s the last track from Matraca Berg’s 1997 album, Sunday Morning to Saturday Night.  Berg also co-wrote the song with Alice Randall.

REVIEW:

While its title implies a purely gospel tune, Matraca Berg smartly conveys “The Resurrection” through the hope for urban renewal.  Written in the voice of someone revisiting her small, blue-collar hometown, she observes ways how it has fallen on hard times. 

Simultaneously, this mid-tempo ballad touches upon some personal self-discovery amidst the concept of how one can’t necessarily go home again, but one can sure try.  Berg’s poignant vocals spell out how everyone there keeps on living, just patiently waiting for the town’s own resurrection, as if it’s inevitable. 

Chosen as the album’s finale, “The Resurrection” is a well-played effort by Berg.  It’s certainly worthy of re-discovery.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                            8 Stars

SUMMARY:                                 RUNNING TIME: 4:05 Min.

This country tune appears eighth on Star Search alum Sawyer Brown’s 1989 album, The Boys Are Back.  Lead vocalist Mark Miller co-wrote the song. 

REVIEW:

“The Heartland” is the kind of tune one might hear from Alabama or The Oak Ridge Boys.  The song itself isn’t all that remarkable, but it delivers a pleasant sound. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                      6 Stars

SUMMARY:                     RUNNING TIME: 3:34 Min.

From her 1996 The Girl Next Door album, Crystal Bernard from NBC TV’s Wings performs this country-western ballad.

REVIEW:

Crystal Bernard’s charming vocals are well-matched with the song’s low-key melody.  Yet, the otherwise unremarkable song is standard-issue for the genre.  If one is interested in downloading Bernard’s album, then “Miracle” makes a pleasant showcase of her musical talents.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                         6 Stars

SUMMARY:                                   RUNNING TIME: 3:24 Min.

Released in 2016, this cover of Rachel Platten’s 2015 radio hit, “Fight Song (This is My Fight Song),” is by guitarist Steve Petrunak.  It appears on the “Most Popular Songs of 2016: Instrumental Guitar” album.

REVIEW:

Guitarist Steve Petrunak takes a self-reflective folk rock approach to “Fight Song” without losing the melody’s pacing.  His poignant acoustic effort replicating Rachel Platten’s signature pop tune makes for some classy ear candy. It’s definitely ideal for serenity-themed playlists.      

BRIAN & JAYNA’S ODD MOON RATING:            8 Stars

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SUMMARY:                                       RUNNING TIME: 3:54 Min.

Performed by The Dixie Chicks, “I Can Love You Better” is the lead-off track off their 1998 album, Wide Open Spaces.  

REVIEW:

Aging remarkably well, this likable tune is vintage Dixie Chicks.  Not only are their vocals spot-on, the down-home charm this trio exudes is readily evident.  “I Can Love You Better” makes a terrific download option for contemporary country-western enthusiasts. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   8 Stars