: Kelly Pettit - Every Sunrise 2014

 

How does this west coast Canada born musician wind up in Japan doing national shows, festivals, theme parks and shows for the Canadian Embassy? Kelly Pettit's life as a musician has taken him to over 4 countries. On his 6th and latest album titled “Every Sunrise”, Kelly showcases exactly what makes him so alluring.
Dual citizenship with Australia, Kelly started busking there at age 19 to support him on his backpack travels and quickly learned that entertaining and playing well got him more success. So he practiced hard with everyone he could to learn from.
Later while attending university in Vancouver Canada, his 3 piece band got one of 15 licenses to legally busk at BC transit stations where transients would gather around the trio watching their show, often missing their rides to continue listening. From there, Kelly's trio picked up a heap of gigs from passer-by's including political functions, TV series parties, venues and more. It also led to a free trip to Japan where Kelly fell in love with the laughs and crazy adventures the foreign country provided.
Pettit's newest release “Every Sunrise” was recorded in Nashville Tennessee and produced by Aussie 90's icon Greg Arnold. After recording his 5th solo album "These Days" in Australia Kelly embarked to the States to explore the Nashville scene. The outcome is a jackpot of catchy tunes with a strong nostalgic ache of real life. A couple listens and one finds themselves in an emotional roller-coaster ride of happiness and loss in 11 songs and 38 minutes.
Kelly's past success from his 4th album FUEL launched him a large fan base by winning a $200,000 contest, song of the month awards, radio play and more. Guest appearances from old band member Cory Churko (Shania Twain, Kelly Clarkson musician) added a familiar sound their 3 piece had back in the day. This time, Kelly wanted to challenge himself more and thought Nashville might just be that key ingredient. Competitive in nature, Kelly always feels an urge to do what he can to up-the-game. On Every Sunrise, producer and award winning songwriter Greg Arnold seemed to know exactly how to unleash Kelly's ideas and polish them into well-crafted radio ready songs.
Influenced largely by Australian bands like Crowded House, Things of Stone and Wood, and Paul Kelly, along with North American counterparts The Jayhawks, Barenaked Ladies, and the Counting Crows, Kelly works to define a sound all his own and a dedication to each detail of the songwriting process. “My influences are quite diverse and that seems to show on the album. What’s constant is my attempt to find catchy melodies and happy instruments”, says Kelly.
The CD starts of with the song "Perfectly Beautiful" which is just that. With lines like, "There ain't no formula or sum, no recipe or rule of thumb to explain how I feel" is part of why this song oozes with charm. The following song "Follow Me" is a more pop rock vibe with catchy hooks laced throughout. One of those songs that you find yourself singing later in the day away from the album. Then there is the title track "Every Sunrise" which as one fan put it, "...the perfect song for a Vampire love movie". The chorus is as catchy as they come. "It Could Be Yours" just might be the first single off this album. "Tears Carved in Stone" introduces the Turkish guitar called the "Cumpus" which adds a very cool vibe to an already feel good tune. The last song "Road to London" is a Celtic spice of story telling that has made the hairs stand up on some listeners.
"Every Sunrise" could fit into several genres making it a great album for both Country and rock fans. This is undoubtedly Kelly Pettit's best effort so far. His last album "These Days" was strong and so it's pleasing to say that this album surprising surpasses expectations. It clearly puts Kelly in an elite league of genuine songwriters and it is a must listen - even as early as every sunrise.

Ben & Carmen Steneker - Remember Me

 One of the most captivating acts doing American style country music in Europe, is without a doubt Ben & Carmen Steneker, a father-daughter duo that has captured the hearts and minds of just about everyone that hears them sing. Ben has been a mind-catcher on both sides of the Atlantic for many many years, captivating American fans as well as European. Daughter Carmen grew up listening to her father sing, as well as his many friends that performed with and for him in his own club in Holland. Yes, Holland. That's where Ben and Carmen are from. It's continually amazing to hear this delightful duo sing songs that have an immediate 'connect' to what real traditional and classic country music is all about. You hear it instantly when the accordion breaks out the beautiful song "Come Back To Ireland." The harmony by father-daughter just simply cannot be topped. Dutch country music songwriter Dick van Altena contributes three amazing songs to this CD project. It continually amazes me that this combination of Dutch songwriter and Dutch singers can capture the spirit and soul of what country music is all about. Ben's voice is better than ever, and the incredible 'touch' Carmen adds to it is amazing. Backing music is also incredibly good throughout this entire project. The title song "Remember Me" starts softly with a harp-sounding intro, letting simplicity take the listener to the ultimate of sophistication. My favorite song of all the great songs on this album is "My Dixie Darling," without a doubt. Done to perfection, the harmony is exactly as it should be by Appalachian standards, or Alabama, or Georgia, or Mississippi, or Florida, or wherever you might be in the southern United States. Perfect guitar pickin' and a stunning background Dobro. The whole CD speaks loudly of the professionalism and devotion this pair of country singers has for this genre of music. Holland should be very proud of these excellent vocalists and performers of a musical genre that rings and sings around the world. I also like the closing song "Victorie In View" which was written by Ben and Carmen and has some great honky-tonk piano in it

Mandy Barnett – Sweet Dreams (2011)

 

Born Amanda Carol Barnett, Mandy Barnett began singing as a child, winning the Best Country Act at Dollywood when she was only ten, and her mother started bringing her on trips to Nashville. As a teenager, she was signed by renowned talent scout and producer Jimmy Bowen, and eventually Asylum Records. An uncompromising singer whose style was rooted in the classic country of Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, Webb Pierce, and Brenda Lee, Barnett's keen interpretive sense enabled her to delve into a song, study the intricacies of its emotional content, and render a powerful performance through her full-bodied voice. Her torchy delivery on her contemporary yet retro-sounding country and pop-tinged material recalled Patsy Cline, so it's no wonder that, while waiting to record her self-titled debut, she paid her bills by playing the legendary singer four nights a week and 26 weeks a year in the musical production Always...Patsy Cline at the Ryman Auditorium. She left Asylum for Sire Records with 1999's I've Got a Right to Cry. Winter Wonderland, a holiday album featuring a vintage Nashville sound, appeared from Rounder Records in 2010, followed by Sweet Dreams on Opry Records in 2011.