For anyone who has missed ‘real’ country music on the
radio, here is a CD that will warm your heart.
When commercial Country Music made its switch from Country into
70s-Rock-called-Country in the late 1980s, it left its vital core behind. The
heart and soul of country that was – and still is – heard in voices such as
Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris was usurped by the glitz and rock
beat of the “New Country” singers. True Country fans need not despair, though.
With Durango Red, Tracy O’Connell has shown that she knows what “country
heart” is. Much of Country Music is about surviving loss and hard times. Tracy
obviously understands; her songs tell stories that we all have known at one time
or another. There's the heartbreak of lost love in "Change of Heart," and the
heartbreak of losing a loved one in "Salvation Army." For me, the title cut
gives a more resigned feeling of 'not again' as they face losing the home once
again in another fire. And finally, "Old Prairie Waltz," is the gentlest of
benedictions.
As terrific as her lyrics are, Tracy's voice is equally appealing, clear and
pure; and the production is perfect. There are no extra fluffs of technical
anything that distract the listener from her and her voice and those wonderful
lyrics. These songs don’t need dressing up; they're solid all by themselves.
For all who have been hungering for good country music, look no further.
~
Robyne Fawx, Co-Host, The Saturday
Morning Folk Show, KDVS Radio 90.3 fm Davis CA
www.kdvs.org