Category: Country, Folk, & Bluegrass

SUMMARY:                                    RUNNING TIME: 2:53 Min.

This rollicking country tune appears fifth on Star Search alum Sawyer Brown’s 1989 album, The Boys Are Back. 

REVIEW:

Closer to country rock than some of their songs, “Hey, Hey” makes a fun diversion.  Between its catchy melody and Sawyer Brown’s likable style, the tune holds up relatively well today.  Even if the song alone isn’t worth a download, “Hey, Hey” offers sufficient bait to entice fans to considering sampling more of The Boys Are Back. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     6 Stars

SUMMARY:                                  RUNNING TIME: 3:53 Min.

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

REVIEW:

The song is really more a duet, as the uncredited co-vocals belong to either Billy Dean or possibly Thomas Flora.  As well-performed as this tune is, it doesn’t stand out among so many other similar efforts in this genre.  It’s a decent download option, but more so, if included with the complete album. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 5½ Stars

SUMMARY:                             RUNNING TIME: 3:29 Min.

It’s the first track from Blake Shelton’s 2011 country-western album: Red River Blue.

REVIEW:

It’s a solid lead-off for Shelton’s album.  With his vocals in vintage form, he pitches the song’s catchy lyrics well.  In that sense, the tune’s writing style bears formulaic resemblance to Track 8: “Sunny in Seattle.”  Though this song sounds somewhat repetitive, it’s a good download option for contemporary country playlists. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                            7 Stars

SUMMARY:                                 RUNNING TIME: 3:08 Min.

This country track appears second on Suzy Bogguss’ 1993 album: Something Up My Sleeve.

REVIEW:

Anchored by a likable melody, the tune’s radio-friendliness is ideal for Suzy Bogguss’ endearingly low-key style.  Though the lyrics are standard-issue for the genre, her spot-on vocal delivery makes up the difference.  “I Keep Coming Back To You” offers a solid choice for newcomers wanting to hear an underrated Bogguss at her best.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                  8 Stars

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SUMMARY:                              RUNNING TIME: 2:56 Min.

This country-western ballad is the sixth track from Star Search alum Sawyer Brown’s 1989 album, The Boys Are Back.

REVIEW:

Anchoring it with a nice melody, Sawyer Brown ensures that the song is at least a decent listening experience.  The lyrics are solid, though they are standard-issue for the genre.  By itself, the middle-of-the-pack “Good While It Lasted” hardly justifies a download.  However, the often rollicking album, The Boys Are Back, is a good option for anyone who already is or may become a Sawyer Brown fan.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    5 Stars

SUMMARY:                                 RUNNING TIME: 4:56 Min.

Recorded by The Dixie Chicks, it’s the twelfth and last track on their 1998 album, Wide Open Spaces.  “Give It Up or Let Me Go” was written by Bonnie Raitt.     

REVIEW:

Imagine The Dixie Chicks channeling Bonnie Raitt, and this delightful country-western/bluegrass tune quickly comes to life.  Propelled by The Dixie Chicks’ endearing vocals, some catchy lyrics and an rollicking country melody gives this tune a terrific sound.  In terms of a download, “Give It Up or Let Me Go” deserves a shot at re-discovery on contemporary country-western playlists. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                           8 Stars

SUMMARY:                              RUNNING TIME: 3:55 Min.

It’s the eighth track off Matraca Berg’s 1997 album, Sunday Morning to Saturday Night.  Berg also co-wrote this slice-of-life ballad with Randy Scruggs.

REVIEW:

Demonstrating her experience as an insightful songwriter, Matraca Berg’s vocals bring to life this tale of a middle-aged, small town waitress.  Anchored by an ideal country melody, Berg’s classy storytelling is exemplified by the down-to-earth “Good Ol’ Girl.”  This track deserves a chance for re-discovery.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                         8 Stars

SUMMARY:                                RUNNING TIME: 2:50 Min.

Recorded by The Dixie Chicks, it’s the eighth track off their 1998 album, Wide Open Spaces.   

REVIEW:

Owing to The Dixie Chicks’ vocals, this upbeat bar-style tune sounds reasonably good.  Unfortunately, “Let ‘Er Rip” doesn’t live up to its promising title.  The problem is that it’s standard-issue album filler all the way.  There’s no disguising that “Let ‘Er Rip” is quickly forgettable.    

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                       4½ Stars

SUMMARY:                                    RUNNING TIME: 3:28 Min.

Instead of a duet, Martina McBride sings back-up for Blake Shelton on this seventh track for his 2011 album: Red River Blue.

REVIEW:

Fans of Blake Shelton should like this one, as he delivers a spot-on performance.  Bolstered by well-written lyrics, his distinctive vocals mesh well with the instrumentals.  The oddity, however, is that Martina McBride’s brief contribution is practically drowned out by Shelton’s far louder voice.  One is left wondering what’s the point of adding her star power when this duet is a mere pretense? 

Still, “I’m Sorry” is a pretty good song – it would likely be the album’s highlight, had Shelton actually shared the spotlight with McBride. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                            6 Stars

SUMMARY:                                    RUNNING TIME: 4:00 Min.

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

REVIEW:

To her credit, Crystal Bernard delivers a polished vocal performance on the bittersweet “Eleven Roses.”  The song itself, however, doesn’t stand out all that much.  One can attribute it to a standard-issue country-western melody that sounds merely sufficient.  Bernard’s endearing voice makes up some of the difference, as “Eleven Roses” should be a fine choice for country playlists.     

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                  6½ Stars