Various - Country Girl : New Sounds of the Old West Vol 5

  by Geraint Jones

published: 11 / 8 / 2007

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The fifth instalment of Loose’ ongoing occasional ‘New Sounds Of The Old West’ series is something of a departure from its predecessors; this time focusing its attentions entirely on current women performers from across the alt country/Americana spectrum. Opening appealingly with the irresistible title track from Devon Sproule’s acclaimed album ‘Keep Your Silver Shined’, things couldn’t have got off to a better start. With a good balance of newcomers alongside a few more established talents – it’s good to hear Oh Susanna again after a few years hiatus, duds are few, but then it’s also true that there are few truly exceptional gems to be found here either. The standard on the whole is still pretty good though and as a primer of the genre and an introduction to some the many women talents to be found, this does a pretty effective job. Perhaps lacking a few edgier performers – things seem to get perilously MOR at times, at least from an alt country perspective. Jill Barber brings a welcome touch of buoyancy to the proceedings, and Emily Barker’s ‘This Is How It’s Meant To Be’ from her ‘Photos, Fires, Fables’ set, is reason enough to reassess that ‘paucity of gems’ claim as a tad erroneous. Nice set closer too, in a rare, unreleased solo outing from Hannah Elton-Wall of The Redlands Palomino Company. Some more information on the artists featured wouldn’t have gone amiss, but on balance, this is still an interesting set and a worthy entry in the series.

Track Listing:-

1 Devon Sproule- Keep Your Silver Shined
2 Laura Gibson- Hands In Pockets
3 The Watson Twins- Southern Manners
4 Jaimi Shuey- Wrong Girl
5 Chelsea Taube- Desperate Winters
6 Oh Susanna- Greyhound Bus
7 Jenny Whiteley- Indoor Lightning
8 Cat Martino Tangerine Dress
9 Jenn Grant- Morning Break
10 Jill Barber- Hard Line
11 Emily Barker- This Is How It's Meant To Be
12 Nina Violet & The Invisible Orchestra- The Dog Tomorrow
13 Salt Who Changed Their Name To Sofia- Dig Me A Hole
14 Ana Egge -Apple Tree
15 The Mendoza Line- Water Surrounds
16 Rachel Ries- We'll All Be The Same
17 Lana Rebel- Loneliest Love Song
18 Hannah From Redlands Palomino Co.- Closing Time

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