RHONDA VINCENT ~ ALL AMERICAN BLUEGRASS GIRL ROUNDER 11661-0580-2
Taking Bluegrass music to a higher plane has been one of the highlights of Rhonda Vincent's career. This CD continues to build on her former 5 Cds for Rounder. Using her road band “The Rage” plus selected guest musicians, this 12 song collection shows many others where bluegrass music is today and how far they have to go to catch up. The clarity and crispness of her vocal has won her 6 consecutive IBMA Vocalist of the Year awards and well deserved too.
The Cd opens with the autobiographical title track at a racing pace followed by an outstanding (anti-war) ballad “Forever Ain't that long anymore”. Dolly Parton joins to sing harmony on “Heartbreaker's Alibi” while the self-penned “God bless the soldier” was written after a 10 visit to an army base in Texas. She revives the Al Wood song “Rhythm of the wheels” a throwback to her childhood. Bobby Osborne duets and sings harmony on the ballad “Midnight Angel” while her brother Brian writes a 2nd verse to the song. The Byron Hill song “Till they come home”is another soldiers/sailor sad song. “Don't act” is bluegrass gospel in true traditional up-tempo style with a great message. Acoustic Bass player on most tracks Kevin Grantt and fiddle player Glen Duncan co-write the gospel flavoured “Jesus built a bridge to Heaven” and the ballad “Prettiest flower there” written by Val Johnson is sadness personified (at a funeral). Band 11 is a self-penned instrumental piece “The Ashes of Mt. Augustine”. Josh Williams who guests on mandolin and acoustic guitar on 7 tracks and sings harmony on some, takes lead vocal to open Roy Acuff's “Precious Jewel”, Mickey Harris takes verse 2 and Rhonda verse 3 on a great version of this classic.
Outstanding vocals from Rhonda, outstanding musicianship from all involved and great songs with great presentation makes this an outstanding bluegrass album. Check out www.rounder.com and www.rhondavincet.com for more details.

DANE STEVENS ~ BLUE LETTER ..BLUE DAY GREAT MUSIC 005
Here comes Dane's new 12 tracks CD of all self- penned compositions and as ever its “as country as get out”. Dane plays acoustic guitar, keyboards and harmonica, Stuart Payne great lead guitar and piano Bob Dixon outstanding steel guitar as ever and Dane's son Graham now a talented musician, plays acoustic lead guitar and dobro. This is Dane's first album of all original songs since 1998 and as a songwriter he has perfected his own style and crafts the songs well.
The opening 2 songs “Workmen in the Road” and “Cadillac Car” are both up-tempo stories while “Straight between the eyes” is a lovely positive love ballad. The bluesy title track “Blue Letter Blue Day” is another goodbye song, while the “Paper Cup Man” with an unusual tempo and arrangement is a story about a street beggar. There are some great fun songs too like “Move over Rover” “You can't fool me” “Cowboy Music” and “Low-down Country Blues” all songs that could become favourites with the dancers, as the tempos are varied and differ in style throughout the album (however I did find some of the lyrics a little too Americanised at times).
Dane's songs and albums have been awards winners and have received many nominations over the years and he deserves every accolade he gets for both the songs and the albums. No doubt this Cd will carry him to the nominations again later this year and could even turn out a winner if the voting goes his way this time.
It's available direct from Dane at 01206 826093, or via www.mjmusicshop.co.uk or check out his own web pages at www.danestevens.com
OTHER SONGS:- Why do you treat me like you do -You ain't got us -Today I crossed the country line.

AUDREY KELLY ~ SOMETHING FUNNY GOIN' ON COUNTRY ROADS MUSIC CRM 1003
At the start of this year Audrey's first single from this album and the title track “Something Funny Goin' On” entered the Hot Disc Charts and stayed there until early February reaching the top ten. In February the song “This May Be Life” entered both the NCM Country Gospel Charts and the Hot Disc Charts and was replaced on the Hotdisc in April by “Don't call Me Darling”. (It stayed on the NCM chart until end of April, reaching a high of No 3).These are all included here on this 12 track CD recorded in Scotland and running for nearly 45 minutes.
Apart from “Always on my mind” and Carl Belew's “Lonely Street” all the songs are written by Alex Birnie and there are some great songs here too. Audrey's voice is a very pleasant listen, never grating or overstretching and the CD is well produced. Jim Cassidy plays keyboards and rhythm, while Jimmy Glen plays all the guitars and they do all the musical arrangements between them. This is not a steel guitar and fiddles country album and maybe they should consider adding these instruments next time. The instruments used are well played and used to their best effects with faultless musicianship. The album has a traditional country feel to it mainly from the piano and some of the arrangements no bad thing too. As a debut album this certainly promises much and I'm sure Audrey can live up to it. She excels on ballads like “If that's so wrong” and “This may be life” with “Don't Call me darling” and “Where does love go” my other favourites. (Audrey's new single is a duet with Ireland's Tom Laverty “Silver Bird” just out on the July Hot Disc, but it's not included). Deserves to be widely heard on radio and with the Audrey scoring repeatedly on the Hot Disc chart should be a great seller. www.audreykelly.com is the web pages for more details.
OTHER SONGS:- Kitchen table- Give me one good reason -Wasted tears wasted years-Time is a healer-Just another one night stand.

TERRY McKENNA…I'VE BEEN THERE HoJo2
Over the years Terry McKenna has been described as a "Storyteller" winning the BCMA's “Songwriter of the Year” title twice.
This new CD “I've Been There” confirms the fact, 10 original creative songs from his pen are garnered together, running for nearly 35 minutes, recorded in an acoustic setting and each song telling it's own distinctive story. The bittersweet longing for love is evident in “Wish I Was Seeing You Tonight”,the memory of an old flame in “I Wonder Where She is Today”, a touching storyline in “Emma” (who makes her living on the streets), while the nearly autobiographical “You can't win them all ” tells it like it is. “Sob Song of the Year” is a tongue-in-cheek broken-hearted plea while “Somewhere Between” and “She's not my style” paint different pictures of a similar theme. “Just don't keep me hanging on” could be just before the end, while the title track “I've been there” is certainly after the end. The catchy and lively “Bird on the Wing” tells about a flighty female and the up-tempo closing song “You can't win them all” both sound nearly bluegrass in style with some great dobro.
David Tucker produced the album and plays all the instruments, guitars, mandolin, dobro and autoharp and as displayed here is a talented and versatile musician. (He is currently the guitarist with the band 101 Proof ). I found the overall sound very pleasant easy on the ear with a laidback vocal telling the stories effortlessly, giving you the opportunity to listen to the stories and the songs. Some great songs too deserving good exposure and certainly radio friendly. Although not as active performing as he once was, Terry now divides his time between song writing and recording and his second love, painting in watercolours, oils and acrylics.
For further details www.terrymckenna.co.uk or call Terra direct on Tel No;- 01733 760124.

JONNY WILLIAMS…THE REAL THING MJ MUSIC MJMJW 0601
Sheffield based Jonny Williams is one of the newer names on the UK country scene, building up a fine following with his traditional approach to country and his friendly and professional approach to the scene in general. He has recorded in the past but this is his first CD for MJ Music, recorded at their studio in King's Lynn.
The 11 songs, plus a 4-songs Hank Williams medley, are chosen by Jonny himself, all covers, and these perfectly showcase his ability, and are intended to be a true reflection of the man and his music. He makes no excuse for the non inclusion of original material and that one factor could prevent this great album being considered in the Country awards later this year . Many, if not all of the songs, are already included in his stage performance. The variety is in the songs, ballads, mid and up-tempo songs, some well known and lesser known, most recognisable, particularly by the older listener. The title track “The Real Thing” a Chip Taylor song, the Hank Medley, Cash's “I still miss someone” and “All Over again“, Webb Pierce's “There stands the glass”, Buck Owens' “Crying Time” “What made Milwaukee famous” and the duet “Golden Ring” all stay true to the original version, as does the lesser known “Honey Hush”, “Hung up on you” and “Storybook Ending”. His cover of the Heather Myles “Sweet Talk and Good Lies” and “There Stands The Glass” are real winners.
Wayne Golden plays all guitars, mandolin and sings backup vocal, Tim Howard on dobro, mandolin, pedal & lap steel guitar, Scott Newstead keyboards & programming and from the USA John Permenter on fiddle on some of the tracks. Maria Futter sings backup and duet vocal on “Golden Ring” which works rather well. Here is a quality recording, well presented, reflecting a talented singer doing what he does best, singing COUNTRY and one worthy of any country collection.
It's available on the web www.mjmusicshop.co.uk or Tel; 01553 617546 9am to 5pm or direct from Jonny at his gigs

KAREN LYNNE…CHANGES SHOESTRING RECORDS…SR55
Karen is a multi-award winning vocalist and songwriter who first came to notice here in the UK with the release of a single “This man I love” back in June 2003. She has also toured here solo in 1999, 2002 and in 2005 across Europe with the bluegrass band “Acoustic Shock”. It's her third solo album and her 5 th in an impressive career, as she also recorded one with "Acoustic Shock" and another with singer-songwriter Pat Drummond.
From the gentle acoustic opening sound of the Waylon Patton - Jim Rushing ballad "We Should Only Have Time for Love" you know you are in for a country bluegrass treat. There are 13 tracks plus a radio remix of the opening song and a variety of tempos from acoustic ballads to strong traditional sounding up-tempo songs running 45 minutes total. There's great bluegrass covers here, like Ruth Franks' “Roses in the Snow”, Phil Ochs' “Changes”, Paul Craft's “Jealous” and the Dusty Owens' classic “Once More”. “There is a Reason” written by Ron Block is her latest single which reached No 2 on the NCM Country Gospel Chart at the end of April. It also has 2 self penned songs, “Blue Mountain Rain” co-written with Richard Porteous and “Lovin Arms” with Heather Field strong fast paced “missing you” songs. The musicians must be up there with the best Australia has to offer, faultless playing and great skill from Ian Simpson banjo & acoustic guitar, Mick Albeck fiddle, James Gillard double bass, Trev Warner mandolin & Rod McCormack guitar & mandolin. Michael Rose plays dobro on 4 songs. James & Rod also sing harmony as required, the voices in perfect unison. The album is jointly produced and engineered by Rod and Herm Kovac.
Karen's vocal ability is without question outstanding and her voice reaches a high usually only associated with seasoned American country and bluegrass female vocalists, but it would be unfair to make name comparisons. Suffice to say that had this release been widely available to radio from a bluegrass label in the USA, we would all be raving about it. As this is an independent record release from Australia you will just have to take my word and recommendation. I am greatly impressed with the quality and presentation but mostly with the voice that must surely be deserving of every award it has already received and the many that this Cd will bring.
It is available here from Honky Tonk Jukebox in Wellingborough or Good ‘n Country Records c/o “Maverick” Magazine or Norman Barton Mail Order in Rossendale, or check out Karen's web site- www.karenlynne.com
OTHER SONGS:-The circle is small-When I close my eyes-It's over-The healing kind-It wasn't me.

PRAIRIE RAMBLERS BACK TO MY MOUNTAIN HOME…BACM CD D149.
This CD concentrates on the Prairie Ramblers early years from 1935 to 38 recorded in New York, and Chicago for the last session with the band's original fiddler, Tex Atchison, in September 1938 plus two additional recordings from the band's final pre- war session in June 1941. It captures the Ramblers in a variety of styles and settings, from religious numbers to the driving string band music from the mid-30s that has caused some observers to claim the Ramblers as the direct forerunners of bluegrass, as well as modern string band swing. Some prefer to classify the Ramblers as a Kentucky string band, others as a western swing band, and in reality they were both. The group was formed as the Kentucky Ramblers in 1928 by friends Jack Taylor bass & guitar and Chick Hurt mandola and tenor banjo, plus guitarist-harmonica player Salty Holmes and left-handed fiddler Tex Atchison. In 1933, they moved to the Chicago station WLS, home of the widely popular National Barn Dance. There they became the Prairie Ramblers and were paired with singer Patsy Montana. In 1935 it was off to New York, where the Ramblers backed her on “I Wanna Be A Cowboy's Sweetheart”, also backed a young Gene Autry on a number of songs and they recorded some themselves. They settled in at WLS and became stalwarts of the National Barn Dance, a status they held into the late 1940s.Its great to hear songs like “This world is not my home” “Do Lord remember me” “In the doghouse now” “What would you give in exchange for your soul” “Be Honest with me” and “Don't think anymore about me” in this early setting all later to become country standards All the musicians are listed and the sleeve tells you who played on which songs, even down to Roland Gaines who yodelled and sang on song 6 “The Isle of Capri” (yes the same song that became a world beater from Gracie Fields).
You can order direct at www.bacm.users.btopenworld.com or by Tel:- 01304 205000.
OTHER SONGS:-We parted by the riverside-Just a kerosene lamp- Maple on the hill Part 2-There's more pretty girls than one-Life is a mighty long time-Kansas City rag-Smokey mountain Schittische-Mistook in the woman I love-I wish I had never seen sunshine-By the grave of nobody's darling-You ought to see my Fannie dance-Back yard stomp-Tell me little gal ain't I your feller.

DALE EVANS…THE RAGE OF THE SAGE B.A.C.M. CD D 153
Born in Uvalde, Dale got a job as staff vocalist at WHAS radio in Louisville, Kentucky, when she turned 18 taking the stage name Dale Evans. She then moved back to Dallas and married for the third time in 1936.They moved to Chicago where Dale became lead vocalist with the Anson Weeks Orchestra, and got her own radio show. She moved into movies with Fox and Republic but the parts were small until 1944 when she starred in "The Cowboy And The Senorita" with the already successful singing cowboy, Roy Rogers. After her third divorce and following the death of Rogers' first wife, Roy and Dale married in 1947. They made 28 movies together until 1951 "Pals Of The Golden West" being their last. They were huge radio stars in the 40s and moved over to television, where they became household names delighting cowboy pals, and Mums and Dads who tuned in week after week to follow the adventures of Roy, Dale, Trigger, and the dog Bullet, and their home spun down home programming. Dale's vocal style was perhaps more Hollywood Style western than Patsy Montana. She was a consistent song writing, never charting herself but best remembered for penning Roy's signature song, Happy Trails. Roy died in 1998 and Dale in 2001.This Cd has 24 songs, mainly from her RCA days, both sides of the various vinyl singles on one CD with the last 3 songs from radio programmes in the late 40s. “Frankie & Johnny” “Besame Mucho” “San Fernando Valley” and “Out California Way” are included among mainly unknown (to me) songs. It's a lovely collection of mainly movie orchestration pieces and her vocal is certainly crisp and very clear. Worth a listen for the voice alone but certainly a collectors piece.
You can order direct at www.bacm.users.btopenworld.com or by Tel:- 01304 205000 .
OTHER SONGS:- If you ever come to Texas-Welcome to my heart-Under a Texas moon-His hat cost more than mine-When the white roses bloom-What fer didgee-Chihuahua Song-Nothing in my letter box-I wear a saddle on my heart-Lock stock and barrel-Heart of stone-Havaii Na-Two seated saddle & a one gaited horse-San Angelo-Snow on the mountain-Strawberry tears-Put all your kisses in an envelope-Kiss kiss kissin' korn-I'm the rage of the sage

SHARON BENJAMIN PERFECT LITTLE WORLD (Red Bak Records)
This is the 3 rd release from Sharon who along with husband Mark Hillier (bass guitar) used Red Bak Recording Studios where Reg Poole recorded his latest CD (which I reviewed last time) and they co-produced this 13 track CD.Sharon sings with great clarity, her vocal is always clean, and warm with a friendly sound sure to please Djs and listeners alike and sounding at like a young Anne Murray. The songs are all written by Sharon who has a great eye for a song line, and has developed her craft well over the years. Her songs are now being placed with other artistes across Australia, lovely lyrics and a great song-writing talent on display. The arrangements cover more that just country and there's a MOR feel to some songs aimed at the broader market. The first single “High as Heaven” is a fast paced country love song sure to please the dancers too, the love ballad “Don't” opens with soft dobro while “I want what she' havin” is a gentle rocker with great guitar. “Masterpiece” is a well written ballad of life while “Jack Of Diamonds” has a great play on words. “Why he rolls” is a trucker's song with a great story and up-tempo arrangement. The album closes with “I Love” a gentle ballad with haunting steel soft acoustic and a vocal that grabs. There's drums, keyboards, guitars-electric and acoustic, bass, dobro, mandolin steel and even harmonica from talented musicians, at the top of their game too, who play to perfection and enhance the vocal performance.
This is a sure fire winner for Sharon, www.sharonbenjamin.com for more details.
OTHER SONGS:- Love Denied-Going home- Don't- Why Would You Wanna -No Longer Broken-There's not another-Afterburn -I Love

BRAD JOHNER ~ SUMMERTOWN ROAD 306 RECORDS/UNIVERSAL/3060001
Brad Johner has collected awards since he recorded this Cd last year in Nashville…Male Artist of the Year/ Independent Male Artist of the Year/ Single of the Year "I've Got It Good"/Independent Single of the Year for "I've Got It Good"/Album of the Year for "Summertown Road" and CMT Video of the Year for "I've Got It Good" The CMA invited him to perform at the Annual Global Artist Party, held in Nashville in June. While he recorded this using 22 top session players in Nashville over various sessions. he works in his native Canada, has a rugged look and style favoured by many. He has a great voice and unique delivery which makes his voice instantly recognisable. He co-writes 3 songs in this 10 song CD, the rest are from top songwriters, including Tim Nichols, Wade Kirby on 2 songs and John Barner on 2 more songs. This is modern Nashville, brash upfront country aimed exclusively at the charts with great songs sure to please the “today” country fan. Yes steel and a little fiddle at times but this is guitar country at its best. Great songs well sung like the hit “I've got it good” “Living Big” and “Your luck is my luck” are up-tempo good time songs, while “Summertown Road” and “She moved” are more gentle story songs about home-town values. The ballad “What a girl wants” is one of the best songs on the album for me but I also liked the ones I mentioned above. On this outing for Brad I'd say his future is secure and you will be hearing more from and about him in the future.
Check out their great web site at www.306records.com for details about Brad and their other artistes.
OTHER SONGS:- I'd rather be lucky-Beautiful world-Every other Saturday-You can't beat an original.

ROD DOWSETT DODGING BULLETS (Own Label)
In 2003 newcomer Rod recorded an EP titled “Six Tracks Down” with the help of a couple of friends producer Pete Dyball and Bill Chambers (Dead Ringer Band). Rod was able to produce a recording that gained recognition from his peers and won him a place in the finals of the Buskers Championship at the Tamworth festival. His latest project is this album “Dodging Bullets“,
10 self -penned songs, each one telling it's own individual story based on his own experiences. The music and song has a rawness not found in many of today's songs, more like early Steve Earl and others in that mould. Pete produces the album and also plays bass, drums and el. guitar, string guitar and even the kitchen sink (used as a percussion instrument) while Rod calls again on Bill for lap steel, mandolin, electric guitar and dobro, and also adds Tim Webbe on accordion on one song with Roger Faynes on organ and piano on others and Rod himself also plays guitar. Not your slick Nashville country sound then I hear you say and rightly so, as the honesty found here is in a class of its own, Great personal songs sung from the heart and well produced . This is what we once called “Outlaw” music but this Cd is more that cowboy hats and boots. As a debut this will find a niche and create a place for Rod probably at the edge but then that's as good a place as any to set up your stall. Most enjoyable and refreshing and deserving of success which I'm sure it will find.
Check out www.robdowsett.com for more details on how to get a copy.
SONGS:- Reap what you so-I Got Me A Boat- Time will tell- Thrill Of The Chase-Killin'time-Drunken A**ehole - I´ll Never Understand Why- Robbin- Dodging Bullets-Like you want me to.

FELICITY URQUHART MY LIFE ~ SHOCK RECORDS (Australia) FU004
Golden Guitar winner/ Independent Entertainer of the Year/ Australian Country Music Achiever Awards 2005/ Female Vocalist of the Year ACMLA People's Choice Awards/ Female Vocalist of the Year, Tamworth / Female Vocalist of the Year Australian Independent Country Music Awards/ Two MO Awards and Three ACE Awards over the last few years have placed Felicity at the forefront in Australia. Felicity has spent the past few years writing songs for this latest album and the finished result takes some beating. It's more than just country, its an acoustic roots folk and country flavoured album with loads of class.
This collection of well written songs is sure to impress. She writes 2 songs herself and co-writes 8 more with Nashville's Randy Scruggs Jr, Robert Lee Castleman, AI Anderson and Jennifer Kimball, and with Australian writers Kevin Bennett and Glen Hannah. In 2004 her independent EP, “Turn Out The Light” reached the Top 5 in the country charts and that song is added as a bonus track. Widespread airplay has helped gain a Top 5 hit for the first single “The Flood”, a moving dedication to her parents. Its the sort of song that will draw you in and serves as a powerful introduction to the CD. Her new single and title track “My life” penned by Robert Lee Castleman should carry on the charts successes. The musicians are all top notch with guitars in all forms, mandolin, banjo, bass, drums, percussion, pedal steel dobro, fiddle, organ, accordion, cello and harp not all at the same time but specialist instruments added around an outstanding voice that oozes freshness and quality. Great production by Glen Hannah who also plays guitars sings harmony and adds percussion as well as co-writing 3 of the songs. Sure to keep Felicity at the top of her game, this is a most enjoyable collection.(13 songs 50 minutes plus). www.felicityurquhart.com is worth a visit.
OTHER SONGS;-On & on-Big black cloud-Breathe-No mistakes-A little joy-Lonely girl-That boy sure can jump a train-Mr catfish-Still alive-Take me back. Keep On Keeping It Country, Gerry Ford