Amberlee Sheehan - Old Love Letter

Amberlee Sheehan - Old Love Letter
2010, Amberlee Sheehan/BMI

Chicago’s Amberlee Sheehan recalls a more primitive time in country music, when it was more about the music and the personality behind it than the image projected by marketing companies. Sheehan dwells in the musical valley between old-time Nashville and Appalachia on her debut album, Old Love Letter, with songs of loves won and lost and the sometimes unsteady truces that lay between. In the process Sheehan touches on rockabilly and the Sun Records sounds, with a voice that's anachronistic but refreshingly real. Sheehan will win you with a vitality that's infectious even as she struggles at times on the slower material.

Old Lover Letter opens with "Sleep Baby", a sweet love song about an ideal love and the moments of peace found in the arms of the right person. "Old Love Letter" is a song about love and how it cools over time. Sheehan shows the effects of one who doesn't feel the same level of attention as she once knew and looks longingly back to a time when love ran hot. Sheehan pays tribute to her father with "A Good Man", done in a timeless story-telling style. Sheehan imbues the song with a great melody and a solid, comfortable arrangement.

Sheehan brings to mind Kitty Wells with "Reason To Sing", a great country love song with real pop sensibility. Sheehan struggles with some of the slower material on the album, ("January Morning", "Whole Again", "My Heart Of Blue"), but excels on "A Bird In The Sun". It's a song of picking up the pieces and moving on and sounds like a classic country heartbreaker. Sheehan breaks out of her country roots with the angry, Neil Young-esque rocker "I'm Still Here", in which she berates the man who left her behind. "I'm Still Here" is a pleasant surprise, even if it's clear that Sheehan doesn't have (or didn't think to use) the big powerful voice the song calls for. Sheehan's sound is a bit more lyric, while this tune calls for at least a dose of Joplin/Etheridge grit. Old Love Letter closes with "Clear Blue Sky", a song of hope built around a great melody. This may be the best songwriting on the disc, but the song is not well-produced. Sheehan's voice is too buried inside the instrumentation and has a tinny quality that is perhaps meant to sound antiquated but really doesn't do justice to Sheehan or the song. It would be interesting to hear this song re-recorded as the production keeps it from reaching its full potential.

Amberlee Sheehan goes for an organic sound on Old Love Letter, mostly eschewing recording tricks for a folksy, unvarnished sound that serves her well. Old Love Letter was the project of a lifetime for Sheehan, and is a definite accomplishment, particularly as a recording debut. If you're tired of all the polish and gloss in modern country music, then Amberlee Sheehan will be a welcome breath of fresh air. Sheehan's only going to get better. With Old Love Letter she'll sneak up on you. You'll fall for the album a bit more each time you listen to it.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Amberlee Sheehan at www.myspace.com/amberleesheehan. Old Love Letter is available as either a CD or Download from Amazon.com.

Review: Jefferson Hendricks - Dancin' On Cars / I Got Questions / Still In Production

Jefferson Hendricks - Dancin' On Cars/I Got Questions/Still In Production
2007/2008/2009 Gotcha Records

Jefferson Hendricks is a native of Lafayette, Louisiana, and carries the spice of that land over into his songwriting. Even though he resides now on the peaceful beaches of Rhode Island and records once a year in Boston, Hendricks has never forgotten his roots. Hendricks sent three CDs for review, and we'll take a quick look at each. In general, Jefferson Hendricks follows a country/rock hybrid that isn't entirely Southern Rock and isn't strictly Americana, although his newer material seems to branch out a bit beyond those boundaries. Hendricks has a pleasant vocal sound within a limited range and sticks pretty much within his comfort range across the three albums presented for review.

Dancin' On Cars
Hendricks opens with upbeat Americana/Rock on the title track, but gets a little too suave for his own good on Red Dress. Shame is a dark and commercial listen but fails to really hit memorable status. I Can't Dance is the highlight here. This song could make some noise on the country charts with the right push. Put this song on an album from a big name artist and its an instant hit. Rolleen is also interesting; Hendricks seems to go for the California Country sound of The Eagles here in a catchy, commercial offering.

I Got Questions
This is probably the weakest of the three albums, but it does have a few high points. A Woman For Me has a rockabilly feel and will wiggle its way into your brain. Think About It is a side trip to Margaritaville that seemed a little out of place but was otherwise enjoyable. Sweet Memories is a great song but I disliked the opening so much it ruined the song for me. Makin' Love is the gem here. It's by far the best writing on the album and would make a great crossover pop hit. You'll find yourself humming this one long after the CD has stopped spinning.

Still In Production
“Still In Production” isn’t the title of the CD, but the working title listed when the CD was sent. The new disc is due in late Spring of 2009 and is by far the best of the three CDs Hendricks sent. I'm Gonna Make It Better is a musical apology appropriate for a twelve step program. Heros is a glory days song about childhood and the wisdom of never growing up entirely. Where's The Love is a slinky bit of cabaret pop that turns into a 1960's rocker. It's a memorable and singable song that contains a statement of American character and intent that seems appropriate for a post-Bush world. NOLA is a touching tribute to New Orleans that takes on a Jimmy Buffet flavor. The best commercial shot here is Hard To Get, a song that could be a pop hit with the right arrangement.

Jefferson Hendricks manages to catch lightning in the songwriting bottle now and then across the three albums presented here. In general the songwriting and performances are average to good, but each album manages one or two tracks that are memorable. If you like Country/Americana/Rock that doesn't stick to the game plan then Hendricks will appeal to you, but I'd check out the material before you buy.

Ratings:

Dancin' On Cars - 2.5 Stars
I Got Questions - 2.0 Stars
Still In Production - 3.5 Stars

You can learn more about Jefferson Hendricks at http://www.jeffersonhendricks.com/. Hendricks currently has Dancin’ On Cars for sale on his website. The site indicates I Got Questions is available but doesn’t offer it for sale. A new album (listed here as Still In Production) is due late Spring, 2009.

Review: High Cotton - Pictures

High Cotton - Pictures
2007, In-Focus Records

Some of the best Rock N Roll music can be found in country bars these days. While major labels have encourage a barrage of rock bands who adhere to a modern rock sound that is homogeneous and pasteurized of the rebellious joy that made Rock N Roll what it was in its heyday, country bands in honky-tonk bars all over the country continue to make hybrids of good old fashioned rock. Alpharetta, Georgia’s High Cotton is just such a band. Mixing rock, soul, celtic, country, Americana and anything else they can find, High Cotton fashions a warm organic sound that sounds as off the cuff as it is meticulously planned. High Cotton's latest CD, Pictures, is a real treat.

Pictures opens with Song For A Mountain Weekend, a low-key rock tune that is pleasing to the ear and moves with a joyous energy. Crazy To Sing is a good old rockabilly tune that will have you up and moving around before eight bars are out. It's a quasi-autobiographical song about High Cotton's lead vocalist, Laura Monk and will hit the right note with many of the musicians/vocalists who are regular readers here. The title track, Pictures, is a more traditional country ballad and really displays the gorgeous timbre of Monk's voice.

Song For The Big Easy is a jazz-flavored tribute to New Orleans. It's a love song you won't want to miss. 12-String is a 1950's style ballad whose opening sounds a bit like Stand By Me. It's a sweet, sentimental love song. Long As I Don't Lose You is a country/pop gem that might have real commercial potential. Other highlights include Tattoo, Just Can't Be and Dirt Nap Lullaby.

High Cotton incorporates many different styles and sounds into their music, creating a mix that is both hearty and enjoyable. Top notch musicians all, High Cotton is reminder of why most people start out making music; they love it. Their joy shines through Pictures, and you'll find yourself returning to this CD from time to time when you need to remember what it's all supposed to be about. Pictures is not the sort of CD that's ever going to be a huge seller just on the basis of demographics, but true music fans will get this, and musicians will love it.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about High Cotton at http://www.highcottonatl.com/. You can purchase a copy of Pictures at www.cdbaby.com/highcottonmusic.