Reviews

Victoria Bailey’s Jesus, Red Wine & Patsy Cline

Posted by on September 28, 2020 at 8:30 am

Victoria Bailey
By Brian Rock

Victoria Bailey pays homage to classic country on her debut release, Jesus, Red Wine & Patsy Cline. As you might surmise from the title, the album is chock full of references to classic country artists and themes. References to Hank Williams, Buck Owens, Dolly Parton and Patsy Cline? Check. Songs about drinking, broken hearts and momma? You got ‘em. Weepy steel guitar and lonesome fiddle strains? In spades! So, the only questions that remain are: Can she sing? And are the songs worth singing? The answer to both is a resounding, YES!

Bailey’s voice is clearly influenced by Patsy Cline and Tammy Wynette, but it’s as modern and vibrant as Eilen Jewell and Mandy Barnett. Not content to be a trendy, flash in the pan social media phenomena, she has clearly set her sights on joining the ranks of the legendary honky-tonk angels who came before her. To that end, her lead track, “Honky Tonk Woman,” spells out her ambitions in vivid detail: “I want to feel those pedal steel stings pulling on my heart. I wanna play over the jukebox tonight.” With a steady, country backbeat, the song is adorned with yearning steel guitar and high, lonesome fiddle strains, just as you’d expect to hear from a 1960’s dancehall jukebox.

Those golden, early 60’s tones keep ringing loud and clear on the optimistic tale of new love, “The Beginning,” and the Johnny Cash cover, “Tennessee.” Then, inevitably, the topic turns to heartache. “Ramblin’ Man,” “Spent My Last Dime on White Wine,” “Outlaws,” and “Travelin’ Kind,” all recount the sorrows of falling in love with the wrong man. In “Ranblin’ Man,” for instance, she sings, “You left me on the dance floor, blind from your two timin’ schemes. And you call yourself a cowboy, because you come and go as you please.” But, rather than wallow in self-pity, she shows the same spunk and independence of early country songstresses. She calls the cheater out for being a phony cowboy and moves on with her life, singing, “I’m heading out west with my fringed boots and dress. And I’m gonna dance all night long… You’re out of luck if you think we’ll still ever be together again.”

Celebrating her independence, she belts out two boot-scooting honky-tonk tunes, “Homegrown Roots,” and “Skid Row.” Both songs are tributes to her native California. Singing the praises of wearing jeans and dancing to Merle Haggard and Dwight Yokam, she faithfully captures the Bakersfield sound.

With her strong soprano voice and gorgeous classic country melodies, Victoria Bailey’s Jesus, Red Wine & Patsy Cline, will transport you to country’s golden age.

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Brian Rock

Brian Rock

Brian was raised gypsy style, moving every other year until well after college. As friendships proved to be temporary, Brian found a constant companion in music, wearing the grooves off Beatles and Dylan albums before moving on to Lyle Lovett and Dwight Yokam. Living so often in flux, he has come to value music and lyrics of lasting quality. Not moved by trends or fashion, he is drawn to timeless lyrics and soulful rhythms. Although now settled down, Brian still expresses his gypsy spirit through his writing. He has co-written songs with musician friends he’s met along the way, including several contributions to the 2012 ICMA Album of the Year, Family Album. Brian also writes children’s books and poems, including the Children’s Book Council featured title, The Deductive Detective.
Brian Rock

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