Record Reviews

Record Reviews
by Roadhouse Vic
Scott Hisey "Gettin' Over a Good Sober"
(single) Comstock Records	Scott Hisely's "Getting Over a Good Sober" is one of those classic country songs that will have you singing along after the first listen. It is a great, fun song that deals with an age old country theme....getting drunk! It's well recorded, well produced and has a great contemporary, yet traditional country feel. The song is well constructed, the hook is catchy, the word play....magnificent and full of wit and humor. To top it off, Hisely has a great voice and is obviously as adept at singing as he is at songwriting. This recording has great potential to be a "smash hit" no pun intended. I added it to my playlist on first listen. Scott's Website:www.luculentmusic.com
Kristy Jackson "Body & Soul"
CD 12 Tracks Fever Pitch Music Box 4454 Greensboro NC 27404	Bill Post the drummer in the Roadhouse Band turned me on to Kristy Jackson. A successful songwriter, Kristy wrote Reba McIntyre's big hit "Take It Back." She also wrote and performed the moving post 9/11 tribute "Little Did She Know - She Kissed a Hero." At Bill's suggestion, Kristy sent me her new CD "Body and Soul" and after one listen, I am a believer and a fan. Indeed, I haven't taken this recording out of the CD player in my car. I have been playing it and playing it. It's that good and deserves multiple listens. This talented musician is not merely an extraordinary composer and songwriter, but she can play and sing like nobody's business. This is a versatile and diverse collection of musical gems that will fit well in almost any genre. Whether your preference is cool jazz, light pop, torch songs, pop or country, Kristy's music encompasses it all. (Look out Carole King!). The music is complex, very melodic and interesting with surprising twists and turns in the chord structures of the songs. (Check out "Not a Day Goes By" track 5) Kristy's music is inventive and unpredictable; her lyrics are interesting and seem to well express many of the frustrations women face today (track 6, "Solitary Castle") But, it's not a bitter album. There's humor and irony in many of the songs. Kristy even tackles taboo subject like jealousy of other females (Track 7 "I Want What She's Got"), and marital inertia (Track 11, Beige). The album is superbly recorded. There is no clutter on this CD. The instrumentation is sparse, paino, synthesizer, bass, drums, and a few gorgeous acoustic guitar and sax parts. Bass performances by Mark Reynolds and Willie Weeks are particularly outstanding. Four of the songs are piano and vocal only. But Kristy is a masterful musician and her chord structures and voicings themselves are orchestral. The recording is clean and tight, with a lot of space, and solid punchy bass and drums. This young woman clearly has a great future and if all of her work is of the quality on "Body & Soul" we have another Carole King in the making. Buy this CD. It's great. Kristy's Website: www.kristyjackson.com email: feverpitchmusic@yahoo.com
New Releases April 2003 Singles Major Label
	This far gone - Jennifer Hanson Cool beginning...but the first couple of lines may not grab you, at first the song sounds like its been done before, though it's got some pretty chord changes...2nd verse build the dynamics nicely but you kinda sit there waiting for the hook....but when it comes it will bowl you over. It has gorgeous harmonies and beautiful changes and dynamics. Jennifer has a great voice! While "Beautiful Goodbye" is a hard song to top, this one comes close. Don't Look Now - Rodney Carrington I have been playing this over and over...boy is it funny, and I think not as gross as some of Rodney's other stuff....definitely will get airplay...it's short and funny and has a great hook and you can sing and dance to it...what more can we ask for...however if I catch my kids singing it ---it's soap in the mouth. Actually the song does have a serious message about alcoholism beneath all the humor...this song is not that much of a stretch as anyone who has had to deal with an alcoholic friend or relative will verify. Celebrity - Brad Paisly Gotta Play it along with Kenny Chesney's "Big Star" and Toby's "How do you like me now" ...I love this song...the lyric is "real" and its got a great hook and beat. Going to make Brad Paisly into a real celebrity! Real country sound and incredible work on lead guitar together with a great lyric destine this song to be a number 1 hit. Beer For My Horses - Willie Nelson/Toby Keith Two great artists....melody works better with Willie's voice in my opinion .... song comes out of left field...may just hit big because it is very different. One Last Time - Dusty Drake Nothing new or distinctive about the song...(this guy can sing though)...like a chick flick this one may appeal to the females, but you won't see any guys throwing a quarter in the jukebox for this one. She only Smokes When She Drinks - Joe Nichols The opening chords are cliched...the verse is undistinguished ...the sentiment is right out of "Straight Tequila Night" Joe Nichols has put many great recordings...this isn't one of them. It can't compare with "Brokenheartsville" However, after a few listens the song grows on you, then you can't get it out of your head. Go figure! Someday - Vince Gill Formula Vince Gill, sounds like all his other ballads, this song certainly is not his "next big thing" it's another syrupy non distinctive ballad.
Independent Label singles
	You've Got Till Closing Time- Ann Brown Here is a well recorded song by New Jersey's Ann Brown who has been a fixture on the South Jersey Country Scene for quite a while. She is produced by Tommy Overstreet. I love the lyrics on this one..."You've got till closing time, to be an old friend of mine..cause I'd never let a stranger take me home." Now that's country! And trust me, Ann can sing!