By Brian Rock
Ready or not, here comes summer! With new music from India Ramey, Braxton Keith, Thomas Csorba, Peter Karp, and, Grey DeLisle and Les Greene to help you make the most of the season. Here are a few recommendations to jumpstart the playlists for your backyard BBQs and epic road trips.
Country
India Ramey Villain Era
India Ramey is not a woman you want to cross. She’s already overcome childhood abuse and prescription addiction, so she’s not intimidated by macho posers. From the fiery honky-tonk of, “Dead To Me,” to the country noir of, “Ghost Town,” to the classic country tones of “Red Red Roses Harm;” Ramey stands her ground and deftly dispatches the losers, the leeches, and the Lotharios that prey on weaker women. Other standouts include the foreboding, “We Ride At Dawn,” the playful, “Scattered and Smothered,” and the darkly exotic, “Six Feet Under.” With a commanding voice and an authentic country tone, India Ramey is a gun toting Kitty Wells.
Sizzlin’ Summer Single: “Welcome To My Villain Era”
A rousing 12-gauge warning of comeuppance to anyone who dares betray this sassy siren of honky tonk. Pounding drums, ringing telecasters, and rousing fiddle rise to match India’s fury as she turns the tables on a faithless lover and vows to, “wear that black hat with pride.”
indiaramey.com | fb | buy
Country
Braxton Keith Real Damn Deal
Braxton Keith represents both sides of the country coin. He’s the rowdy, beer drinking, good ole boy on songs like, “Real Damn Deal” and “I Ain’t Trying.” He’s also the heartbroken hero on songs like, “Don’t No More,” and “Am I All Alone.” Again, Keith represents the heads of old school country on, “Hurt By Heart” and “White Walls;” and the tails of modern country on, “Prescription,” and “Wind Blows.” Embracing all sides of country’s rich history, this Texas native puts his heart in every song. The honky-tonkers are all dance floor approved. The tear-jerkers are all hanky ready. Keith’s high baritone voice conveys authenticity to all of his highs and lows.
Sizzlin’ Summer Single: “I Own This Bar”
A fun and flirty country shuffle about dueling pickup lines. When both boy and girl are in on the joke, the more outlandish the line, the better. Acoustic guitar and pedal steel mimic the verbal interplay as Keith sings, “You can’t B.S. a B.S.er. You know it’s all in good fun, ain’t no damage done, were just two honky-tonk birds of a feather.” Whatever the outcome, this form of liar’s poker is a winner.
braxtonkeith.com | fb | buy
Americana
Thomas Csorba Tender Country
Recalling the mellow folk/country of Glenn Campbell and BJ Thomas, Csorba shines a spotlight on life’s little moments. Highlighting the small moments that pass too fast and are only later appreciated for their significance; Csorba focuses on life’s unsung defining moments. “The Big Time,” contemplates all the special times you miss when you’re chasing the big time. “You Think You Know Someone,” finds new ways to appreciate your lover even after years together. “Lived In,” notes that the worse the condition, the more something’s been appreciated. “Tony Rice & Beans,” celebrates bluegrass music and good cooking. “He Would Have Loved This,” is a heartfelt bridge between a child and her departed grandfather. Flourishes of fiddle and pedal steel add a country patina to Csorba’s mellow folk vocals to create a unique sound that can only be described as tender country.
Sizzlin’ Summer Single: “Homemade Margaritas”
Celebrating one of summer’s favorite cocktails, Csorba sings the praises of getting back to basics – both in drinks and in life. Adding a funky, Jerry Reed style bassline, he sings, “City lights and reckless nights, well honey we don’t need ‘em. We’ve got enough ‘cause we got us and homemade margaritas.” I’ll drink to that.
thomascsorba.com | fb | buy
Soul
Grey DeLisle and Les Greene Grey & Greene
At first glance, the pairing of voice actress Grey DeLisle with musical actor Les Greene seems like a head scratcher. DeLisle is the voice behind Daphne Blake in the Be Cool Scooby Doo series and Greene is the actor who portrayed Little Richard in the movie ELVIS.
But after one listen you won’t need a Mystery Machine to figure out why this pairing works so well. Sometimes singing duet, sometimes trading vocals, the pair gives a tour de force Soul performance straight out of 1960’s Memphis. “Homewrecker” and “Back Of Your Hand,” are high octane, dancefloor ready instant Soul classics. “I’m Gonna Let You Call Me Baby” and “That’s All,” capture the heartbreaking intensity of Otis Redding. “The Pieces” and “Mister,” add rustic americana tones to their Soul. “Go Go Go,” showcases a touch of swing jazz elegance. They even give a soul-icana interpretation of “You’re The One That I Want,” from the Grease soundtrack. From ballads to blasters, Grey & Greene deliver dynamic vocals dripping with soul.
Sizzlin’ Summer Single: “Shake That Thing”
A Jump Blues celebration of the feminine form. Greene shouts, “the way you shake that thing – there oughta be a law!” Gospel backup singers make the attraction a borderline religious experience. The music is pure joy as Greene channels the energy and excitement of Little Richard at his tutti-fruttiest.
greydelislegriffin.com | iamlesgreene.com | buy
Blues
Peter Karp Jersey Town
Garden State bluesman, Peter Karp paints in every hue of blue on “Jersey Town.” From the Chicago blues of, “The Man I Used To Be,” to the Texas blues of, “House Full of Love,” to the gospel blues of, “Faith,” to the Louisiana blues of, “Fate la A Train,” Karp masters the subtle differences of the many regional flavors of the genre. Part Delbert McClinton, part Charlie Musselwhite, Karp plays blues you can dance to, blues you can cry to, and blues you can chill out to.
Sizzlin’ Summer Single: “Baby Hold Tight”
Horn driven Memphis blues offer hope and heart during these turbulent times. Karp promises, “If you believe in the promise of love, there’s nothing in this world that you can’t rise above – if you hold tight.” But in order to rise, we have to know how we fell, Karp sheds some insight into the matter, singing, “Happiness is so hard to find when you’re living inside your mind.” Stop worrying about yourself and reach out to help and hold others, and everyone ends up in a better place. The hard driving rhythm moves like an unstoppable ray of sunshine breaking up the clouds of doubt.
peterkarp.com | fb | buy
Brian Rock
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