Single Review - Complicated - Gary Quinn

 

Complicated is pure Gary Quinn.  A story that speaks to you from the heart.  It may or not be Gary’s own truth, but surely a story that many of us can relate to. 

Complicated has caused some complication at Silverball Country.  Like any good story it can be seen from two sides – just like the “relationship” seems to be

Clearly they are friends, but our storyteller thinks they should be more.  He sees something in her eyes and he wants to persuade her to go to the next level.  Surely it isn’t complicated?

But is there something in her eyes.  Is he seeing what he wants to see?  Is it in fact that he is making things complicated by wanting a relationship?  Is he hoping that one more whiskey will loosen her resolve like it has already loosened his tongue? 

What do you think?  Simple, or Complicated?

Opening with a beautiful guitar before Gary’s instantly recognisable voice.  The softness of the initial lines sets the scene, using just his vocals Gary takes us to a late evening, two people together, over “another shot of whiskey”. 

The tempo lifts almost effortlessly, the repetition of “complicated” drives home the message – he thinks they should be together, she says that it is too complicated, but he seems something different in her eyes. 

The song is about that age-old story of one person wanting to cross the line of friendship and explore something more in the belief the other person is on the same page. We sometimes make things far too complicated when they don’t have to be

explained the Northern Irish singer.

The song gives some gentle persuasion, that it’s ok to take a risk.  He already fallen, perhaps too far to turn back and the whiskey has loosened not only his tongue but also his inhibitions.

Girls, this guy isn’t taking no for an answer

The instrumentation is also gentle – guitar, drums and steel providing a perfect backing to the story

Not quite a love song, but certainly a song of love, and once you can agree that it’s not complicated, one to hold your lover close to.

Complicated, the new single from Gary Quinn is available to download and stream from tomorrow

Find and follow Gary on Facebook, Instagram, his website and on Spotify

Single Review - The Devil Dealt Me You - Georgia Nevada

 

Famously, the Devil went down to Georgia, he was looking for a soul to steal.  It appears that the Devil went to Georgia Nevada and dealt her a wildcard.

We’re not sure when and why the Devil changed his style, and maybe we would rather have God deal the cards in the hope of winning ourselves an Angel!

Is love a gamble?  Should you take a risk, play high stakes for love?

With a surname matching the Las Vegas State, it is hardly a surprise that Georgia Nevada might acknowledge gambling influences in her music – and in her life!  Inspired by what can only be described as a gamble with her own love life The Devil Dealt Me You is about the risks we take in love

Opening with a with a crash of guitars, introducing Georgia’s southern influenced vocal the song is packed full of imagery.  Georgia’s voice has a rock edge to it, even in softer parts of the song you can sense the power and attitude just behind her words, and she uses that power throughout this track to emphasise her thoughts.

For such a new artist Georgia’s voice shows an incredible range and shows great control.  It is definitely more States that Stevenage, the town she left for love

Musically, the track is very well balanced and produced with backing and production by Drew Middleton.  The instruments give it a wonderfully country feel, supporting the vocal, but it is Georgia who sets the pace and the mood

The very title suggests that not only is love a gamble, but a gamble already containing quite a risk – but you sense that Georgia is able and confident enough that she can face this gamble, play her cards and win

going all in’s the name of the game

So did the Devil deal Georgia a demon card?  Or was the turn of the card the risk?  In her own life Georgia has taken a risk for love, so it looks like the Devil didn’t win this time.

When the Devil dealt me you he thought I’d fold just like I do

Lucky in cards and unlucky in love?  It seems that this has been the way for our plucky songstress/gambler in the past, but in cards and in love you sometimes have to turn the card and see what plays out

Not today Satan, not today!  The house doesn’t always win, even when the devil himself is trying to make you fold…

What card did the Devil deal?  Well, Georgia will tell us that it was the two of Hearts

The two of hearts, represents the fact that this is my second single, released in the second month of the year, and – naturally – the two hearts symbolise my partner and I

The Devil Dealt Me You was co written with Kyle Elliott who also has a new single dropping the same day as this one.

Even with the devil as the dealer, I’d not bet against Georgia enjoying success in love, in music and maybe even in cards!

The Devil Dealt Me You, the new single from Georgia Nevada is available to download and stream from Friday

Find and follow Georgia on Facebook, Instagram, her website and on Spotify

Single Review - Empty - Kyle Elliott

 

Empty has a Modern Country opening as Kyle’s deep vocals start to sing to us about drinking.

It’s a Country song about lost love.  A traditional theme, but always relevant.

Having lost her, our storyteller is using alcohol as a crutch to see him through – and as long as he is drinking, he can pretend, to himself at least, that it isn’t over, that she hasn’t gone.  He will be ok until

Jim runs out of bourbon; Jacks stops making Whiskey, until Carrie runs out of sweet red wine that was keeping me a little tipsy….

In fact, he’s going to drink until the bottle’s empty – and that’s when it will hit him that she has left.

It’s an authentic story – looking for the answers at the bottom of a glass and how alcohol is used as a remedy to fix a broken heart. Drinking to avoid reality.

The drum beat and guitar breaks carry us along in Kyle’s tale of woe, and his voice has power to it. It a catchy chorus, that you’ll want to sing along to.

The idea was inspired by Chris Stapleton's "Whiskey and You".

Kyle Elliott says:

Empty is a true turning point for me. This song sets a whole new standard for my releases moving forward...It captures the emotions and true empty feeling of a heartbreak story

If this is the standard, I can’t wait to hear more.

Empty, the new single from Kyle Elliott is available to stream and download from Friday 26 February

You can find and follow Kyle on Facebook, Instagram, his website and on Spotify

 

Single Review - On The Loose - Charlotte Young featuring Georgia Nevada

After the studio production opening,  reminiscent of listening to an old record, including the slight distortion; On The Loose kicks into a whole different gear with energetic piano and guitar, and a drumbeat that keeps the tempo up for the whole song.  There is a bit of steel under there too to give a very authentic/traditional backing to the track.

Both Charlotte and Georgia sing their parts at almost breakneck speed, keeping pace with the instrumentation - a real change from Charlotte’s more usual acoustic guitar and voice combo.

Charlotte describes this track as a tale of female empowerment with some tongue in cheek lyrics and a whole lot of sass! 

Rather than having her heart broken over and over our pair of storytellers have decided it is time to turn the tables and be the heart breaker (“the bad ass”) instead.  Recognises your own strengths and it isn’t your problem if others love you, but you will enjoy them chasing after you.  A unique and interesting twist to country heartbreak tales.

The pace of the melody adds to the feel of a whirlwind, hitting town, causing upset and moving on.

It feels like a full swing band and you should be on your feet dancing around and singing into your hairbrush ladies!

“I’m a heartbreaker on the loose”

On The Loose, the new single from Charlotte Young ft Georgia Nevada is available to download and stream from Friday

Find and follow Charlotte on Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify

Georgia is also on Facebook, Insta, her website and Spotify

Single Review - Good Life - Tim Prottey-Jones

 

Good Life, the newest single from Tim Prottey-Jones has a soft understated opening, but it builds to Tim’s vocals as he starts to ask the questions about how we live in this world which is the theme to the whole track.

Even as he takes the track up a gear, with his distinctive voice and the backing getting louder, it is still not accusatory but questioning, inviting you to think about how we all behave towards each other.

Life isn’t about money, power or influence. It’s about adventure, friends, family and passion. We can all get hung up on these things & this song is just about asking yourself a question. Can I be better?

Whilst it is very difficult at the present to be grateful for “friends and adventure” we should hold on to that feeling for the future – when perhaps we will be even more grateful!  Lockdown is certainly a time for “counting your blessings” and perhaps Tim is telling us how much he enjoys spending time with his own little family while reminding us to do the same!

The song is modern country, and showcases Tim’s vocal range as well as his production skills, with layered backing vocals, guitar and drums providing the backdrop to his voice as he gets his message across.

Following a successful career so far, Tim’s decision to strike out alone as a solo artiste sits alongside his impressive list of production credits, and his dream list of venues played.  Perhaps this is what leads him to the idea of “appreciating what you already have & loving the little things that make you smile”. 

Good Life is about living the good life – perhaps not the one you would associate with money and wealth - and realising that you can.  A song to make you think and smile, if not to dance!

 

Good Life, the thought-provoking new single from Tim Prottey-Jones is available to download and stream from Friday 5 February

Find and follow Tim on Facebook, Instagram, his website and Spotify

Single Review - Morphine - Backwoods Creek

 

They might not have been on stage at Nashville nights as they were a year ago but that hasn't stopped the Creeker boys kicking off 2021 with a bang. 

In their own words "After a year filled with new sorts of crazy and old sorts of attitude, they're back to help you lose those bad blues and fill your head with good ones" with their new single, Morphine.

 

The opening guitar licks are a taste of the Rolling Stones style – loud and uplifting, grabbing your attention straight away, and your attention is held throughout.

The musical skill and guitar artistry that we have come to expect is very much there with this track, showing why Backwoods Creek are so popular with their live shows, their energy and their sense of fun when performing, the whole band combining to produce a song filled that is full to bursting.

This track is very much a combination of the whole band, with Yannick’s guitar driving the song with the solid beat from Kamil at the back on drums. Guitar, bass, and vocals come together to give us what feels like a live performance rolled up into three and a half minutes!

The song itself is a quick little tale of the one through the window that you couldn't let get away. The one that slows your world down and gives you a hit so good you need it on a drip. 

There is no doubt that Morphine is loud and will give you a lift from the first note to the last drop, the perfect antidote to these live music free times.

 

Caution: heard once you will be addicted!

Morphine, the new single from Backwoods Creek is available to download and stream from Friday 5 February

You can find and follow Backwoods Creek on Facebook, Instagram, their website and on Spotify