ASHTON SHEPHERD TO RELEASE SOUNDS SO GOOD MARCH 4

DEBUT SINGLE “TAKIN’ OFF THIS PAIN” TOPPING CHARTS

NASHVILLE, TN – MCA Nashville will release Ashton Shepherd’s debut record Sounds So Good, produced by Buddy Cannon (Kenny Chesney, Reba McEntire), March 4.  Shepherd co-wrote 10 songs for the 11-track album, 7 of which she single-handedly penned, including the debut single “Takin’ Off This Pain”.

Wise beyond her years, the Alabama native began performing at an early age.  She taught herself guitar and won a contest that awarded her an opening spot for Lorrie Morgan, which drew attention from Nashville.

“Right after I got the record deal, I was asked how many original songs I had,” Shepherd recalls.  “I said, ‘About 150.’”

“I started singing as soon as I could talk,” commented Shepherd.  “I entered my first country showdown when I was eight years old.  As soon as I was big enough to write on paper, I was coming up with stuff.  I’ve got notebooks where I was writing down songs when I couldn’t even spell correctly, from the time I was five, six, seven years old.  A pinch before I turned 15, I started playing.  When I picked up the guitar, the songs just started pouring out, just one after the other.” 

For more information on Ashton Shepherd, log on to www.ashtonshepherd.com .

Check out some of her music here.

That at almost 75 years of age, and close to 50 years after the release of his debut album, Willie Nelson still manages to release music is impressive. The fact that he can release an album as fresh and timeless sounding as Moment Of Forever in 2008 is astounding.

Willie’s career has taken on many phases, sounds and shapes. He’s been a legend so long now it’s hard to think of him as much else. Before he reached those heights though he had many other stops along the way. Outlaw is one of the titles he seemed to wear most proudly. It’s fitting then that he had Kenny Chesney produce this album. Chesney is one of the most successful acts in country today, yet at least by perception and reputation he seems to stand outside the Nashville mainstream and go his own way.

Moment Of Forever does a fine job of combining Willie Nelson originals with well chosen covers. Dave Matthews’ “Gravedigger” retains enough of the original versions funky vibe while simultaneously being unmistakably Willie. “Takin’ On Water” has some organ parts that bring to mind mid 70′s Stevie Wonder in their soulfulness. “You Don’t Think I’m Funny Anymore” with it’s old juke joint stomping feel to it is the best of the Nelson originals on the album. The closer though, a cover of Dylan’s “Gotta Serve Somebody,” delivered with stirring conviction is the definitive highlight of the album.

Chesney’s production is clean and streamlined. He doesn’t bog the album done with any unnecessary layers. He acts as a conduit to bring Willie and the songs directly through the speakers to the listener.

Detractors might point out that “Moment of Forever” isn’t quite ”Shotgun Willie” or “Phases and Stages.” And while that is true, “Moment of Forever” goes beyond what one can rightly expect from someone 50 years into a recording career.

Saint Louis based rock band Ludo are set to release their major label debut on February 26th. They recorded the album in L.A. over a stretch of approximately two months. Matt Wallace who has worked with artists such as Faith No More, Maroon 5 and Blues Traveler produced.

One thing many of the artists Matt Wallace has worked with have in common is they feature well crafted songs. Ludo is no exception to this. You’re Awful I Love Youis full of terrific harmonies and hooks. Imagine songs as catchy as the jangly guitar pop Fountains of Wayne creates, and lyrics as cynical as Warren Zevon’s. That would give you an entry point to understand Ludo’s sound. They are however, much more than that.

Their stated motto is to “entertain people without making them dumber.” They achieve that goal on their major label debut. “You’re Awful, I Love You” is an incredibly entertaining, catchy, easily accessible album to listen to. But it has a ton of substance and not only bears but rewards repeated listening. Beneath the amusing lyrics there are layers of musical complexity. On some tunes, guitar is out-front. In other cases the guitar takes a back seat to the Moog Synth that Tim Convy plays to great effect. On every song they manage to create wildly catchy melodic rock with great harmonies and darkly amusing lyrics. If that sounds like your cup of tea I recommend marking the February 26th release date on your calendar and grabbing “You’re Awful, I Love You” before everyone else on your block has it. Ludo sounds like they’re poised for great things. Don’t be the last one to catch on.

Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo does a good job answering the question, “What kind of songs does Rivers Cuomo write?” The eighteen tracks that make up this release run the gamut of piano ballads, punk infused numbers and jangly guitar pop to name a few of the styles he tackles. There are also a couple of covers on the album. Most notably “Little Diane,” the Dion & The Belmont’s chestnut. It’s recorded with Sloan as his backing band.

One of the great features of this CD is the extensive liner notes that Rivers Cuomo provides. They give the sort of insight into the songs, performances and inspirations that’s usually reserved for box sets.

There are many fascinating tracks on “Alone….” One of them is “Dude We’re finally Landing.” It’s less than a minute long and performed Acapella. It works perfectly.

The last track, “I was Made For You” was intended for the next Weezer album. However the band voted on a different composition instead. It’s filled with melancholy and yearning, a tremendous closer.

“Alone…” works on several levels. On one hand it’s a fascinating look into the creative process of the mind composing Weezer’s music. Additionally it works well as a stand alone piece, even if you’re unfamiliar with Weezer.  The Tunes are fleshed out enough that this doesn’t sound nearly like nearly the demo reel it seems like it might be at first blush.

This album is a great choice for fans of melodic, well constructed pop music. Rivers Cuomo displays what can be achieved when the primary goal is writing a good song.

Tis the season to be jolly or perhaps grumpy. That depends on each of our moods and dispositions as much as anything. But regardless of if we’re walking around spreading Cheer or dying to scream Bah Humbug the thing none of us can avoid at this time of year is Christmas Music. It’s everywhere.  That said here are my picks for the five best Christmas Albums of all time.

5) James Brown - Funky Christmas. I love that fact that James put funky right in the title. Is there a chance that anything JB put out wasn’t going to be funky? One important thing to note is that this isn’t your average Christmas album. It’s not James singing a dozen or so standards, not that I wouldn’t enjoy that too. This was James at the top of his game in terms of social awareness and message songs. So he sprinkles some of that in with the Christmas cheer. But with songs like “Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto,” James is clearly trying to do more than just entertain. He does mix in some standards like “Merry Christmas Baby.” Taken as a whole it’s an interesting package and the Godfather makes it work.

4) Dean Martin – Making Spirits Bright. Dino’s Christmas album is the polar opposite of James Brown’s. On this collection he rips through 15 classics with those legendary pipes.  Whether it’s “Silent Night” or “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” Dean sings his butt off. If you’re looking for a collection of Christmas standards sung by a legendary crooner you’re going to have a hard time doing better than this Dean Martin collection. The is one Christmas album that should make the whole family happy. It was remastered a few years back, so the sound is up to par as well.

3) B.B. King – A Christmas Celebration of Hope. B.B. King has accomplished so much in his legendary career it’s hard to believe it took him 50 years to release a Christmas album. In 2001 The King of the Blues finally clocked in with a full length Christmas release and it was worth the wait. As with much of his music there’s an inherent joy in every note he wrings out of his guitar. He runs through some standards such as “Please Come Home for Christmas” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” But he also includes some lesser known tunes and an original, “Christmas Love.” One of the highlights is the closing track, an instrumental take on “Auld Lang Syne.” B.B. King is truly a treasure of American Music. His Christmas Album befits a king.

2) Ray Charles – The Spirit of Christmas. Brother Ray’s Christmas album is perfectly titled. The passion and spirit he brings to the recordings on this album reverberate through the speakers. He runs through eleven well known Christmas songs and pretty much makes most of them his own. Whether he’s singing lighter fare like “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer” or the more serious “What Child Is This” he injects each track with his soulful vocals and inventive musical styling. For my money though the closing track, “Baby It’s Cold Outside” is the highlight of the set and one of the benchmark vocals of his career. Crank up some Brother Ray this Christmas, he’ll keep you warm!

1) Elvis Presley – Elvis’ Christmas Album. All these years later the one Christmas album I play the most every year is this one. It’s also one of the first I owned. 2007 marks 50 years that this one has been out. Like most of Elvis’ output from the late 50′s it still sounds fresh and integral. Does anyone want to hear anyone else sing “Blue Christmas” after hearing Elvis own it? “Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me)” is probably worth the cost of the CD all on it’s own. Elvis runs through several more sacred numbers on the album and he sings them with reverence. If you’re only going to own one Christmas album, Elvis’ is the one to go with. He’s the King for a reason.

Pop-Punk-Rockers Mink have given their fans an early Christmas present in the form of a holiday single. “Little Drummer Boy (Girl)”has soaring guitar riffs and a driving beat that certainly rocks in a more furious way than other version of the song I’ve heard. An urgent vocal and some well placed drum fills complete the package. Assuming Kiss in the “Animalize” era had recorded ”Little Drummer Boy” it might have a similar sound. If you’re tired of hearing Holiday songs by the likes of Bing Crosby and Johnny Mathis, Mink’s new Holiday Chestnut might be just the sonic nugget your ears have been hoping would be in your stocking.

Stacey Kent’s newest release Breakfast on the Morning Tram marks the first time she has recorded songs written particularly with her in mind. Previous releases have focused more specifically on standards.

In total there are four tunes written expressly for her and this album. The lead track “The Ice House” and the title track are two of them. They also happen to be amongst the strongest tracks on this release.

Stacey Kent’s voice is unique and enjoyable to listen to for it’s impressive range of styles. Her collaborators on this album form a strong jazz ensemble that swings.  Every note shows them to be accomplished players well suited to Kent’s strong vocals. One of the most interesting song choices is Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide.” Stacey Kent’s version will have you hearing the song in an entirely new way. Her voice is smooth as silk where Stevie Nicks voice is rough around the edges. The important thing is that it works wonderfully.

Less surprising, but no less successful is her version of “What a Wonderful World.” Are there any songs in the jazz world more associated with a performer than that one is with Louis Armstrong? What sets this version apart is that she makes it her own and forces the listener to look at a well known tune in a brand new light.

Stacey Kent has a strong following in France and thus there are 2 songs with vocals in French on this album.

If you’re a fan of Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughn or Norah Jones, Stacey Kent is an artist to seek out. “Breakfast on the Morning Tram” is a good place to start.