Billy Ray Cyrus, Crystal Shawanda, Heidi Newfield, Hank Williams III

Country Music Singles Reviews

Billy Ray Cyrus, Crystal Shawanda, Heidi Newfield, Hank Williams III.

CRYSTAL SHAWANDA : MY ROOTS ARE SHOWING:
(MY PICK OF THE WEEK)

In truth - there isn't a lot to choose from this week. But at least this young lady has the guts and voice to put out a true modern Country song.

OK - so it's a hackneyed message: Love me when my roots are showing" ......OR ELSE.

OK, OK. In fact the music's pretty ordinary, and the lyrics fairly cliched but the voice is astonishing.

This will make the top 20 for sure.

BILLY RAY CYRUS - SOMEBODY SAID A PRAYER:

If you like weepie made-for-TV movies, the kind where the good folks always come out right in the end, often with the help of a quiet hero, then this song is for you.

If movies like that turn your stomach - reach for the sick bag - you'll need it.

This song has Disney written large across the lyrics, the music and the production - and that's NOT a compliment.

the only part of it with any merit is Cyrus's vocals which are utterly professional and extraordinarily skilled.

But when you consider what this guy is capable of as an artist, a guitarist, a singer, then you have to ask why is he turning out this kind of garbage unless there's a big pay check or a water-tight contract involved! My guess is BOTH!!!  

PS Craig Wiseman & Neil Thrasher share blame for writing the ting while Mark Bright takes the brickbats for Disneyfying it as the producer!!

HANK WILLIAMS III - SIX PACK OF BEER:

If I didn't know Hank was serious about this song, I'd be curled up on the floor laughing at a thoroughly funny joke song which pretends to be Country.

Instead, I'm close to tears. And I suspect Hank will be turning in his grave.

Sure the picking's good. But the lyrics are a pastiche, and you'd think they'd have learned that speed isn't everything.

Or maybe I'm just too jaded. This is absolute stonking pile of garbage which will NEVER see the light of day in the charts!

HEIDI NEWFIELD  - - CRY CRY ('TIL THE SUN SHINES) :

You know, some artists go solo and flop. That should never happen to Heidi Newfield.

She has an amazing voice and the ability to be around for years and years.

Her Achilles heel is the material.  It is deadly dull.  

If Heidi goes on putting out stuff like this, her future is about as bright as a coalmine at midnight.