Long Black Train –
Josh Turner
South Carolina native Josh Turner is part of a welcome breeze in country, weaving his standard with dobros, banjos and songs with old-fashioned lyrics – even gospel leanings. Thanks to the path blazed by fellow Carolinian – albeit one from North of the border – Randy Travis, Turner’s first single, “Long Black Train,” is an instant smash.
Turner’s voice is deeper than the holler, and the sound that comes out of this guy is every bit as dynamic as Travis. “In My Dreams,” “She’ll Go on You” and “Unburn All Our Bridges” are some of the cool cuts on the train voyage. Josh admirably covers Jim Croce’s “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim.” Turner has been a big hit at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry all year, and this debut album suggests a striking new country talent has arrived. We’re glad Josh’s locomotive has pulled into the station with Long Black Train. A
Shock ‘n Y’all –
Toby Keith
Few folks in the whole entertainment biz are getting headlines quite the same as Toby, “Mr. All-American” Keith. But, then again, for the most part, Toby writes, sings and records at a different level than most of the people working out of Nashville’s Music Row these days. The boy’s a consistent hitmaker.
The Y’all fun begins with “I Love This Bar,” which has quickly become an anthem crowed out by anyone who loves their own special watering holes. T.K. turns up the rock with “Baddest Boots,” a Southern stomper that Bocephus would tip his hat to. “Whiskey Girl” is a gleeful showcase of a fast and rough woman. Keith chooses to end the album with two of his self-described “bus songs,” ditties that were written with fellow singer/songwriter Scotty Emerick on the tour bus and that are delivered here as live recordings, “The Taliban Song” and “Weed With Willie.” This album is a high time. A-
Wildwood Flower –
June Carter Cash
