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Retro Single Review: Dolly Parton, “My Tennessee Mountain Home”

February 3, 2012 Ben Foster 4

1973 | #15

These days country radio is peppered with songs about where the singer supposedly grew up. Though often commercially successful, they tend to fail on an artistic level. Why? They very often lack some vital ingredients: Detail. Authenticity. Sincerity. That’s why Dolly Parton’s classic “My Tennessee Mountain Home” outclasses nearly all of them.

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Single Review: Eric Church, “Springsteen”

January 29, 2012 Guest Contributor 11

You already know that feeling.

One Sunday afternoon you go about rummaging through your attic, looking for items to donate to a local rescue mission…..and suddenly you find yourself re-acquainted with a bedroom poster depicting your favorite artist growing up, lightly caked in dust. At that very moment you let out a bittersweet sigh, and fondly stare into space as you reminisce of an early flame that came and went in your life, while that artist contributes the soundtrack to your saudade.

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Retro Single Review: Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton, “Together Always”

January 25, 2012 Ben Foster 0

1972 | #14

It’s another Porter and Dolly love song, and such do tend to be less memorable then their heartbreak songs and bickering-couple songs. The chorus of “Together Always” is rather blank lyrically, but it’s lifted to a higher level by Parton’s spirited performance. The lilting melody and light piano-driven arrangement lend a subtly infectious, joyful sound to the record.

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Single Review: Rascal Flatts, “Banjo”

January 19, 2012 Guest Contributor 22

According to Rascal Flatts bass guitarist Jay DeMarcus, the banjo has become an elusive, endangered species.

(So is a Rascal Flatts rocker that doesn’t want to make you jam with anyone named Elroy, throw away your old Igloo cooler and lose your appetite every time you see a Sonic Drive-In.)

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