Country CD shows different side of real soul music

By Strings

Some folks have marveled at my willingness to try different things-especially as a musician. I've played R&B, rock 'n' roll, heavy metal, a bit of classical, Mexican norte?a and tropical, tons of jazz, West Afrikan music, blues, Afrocuban, musique concrete and electronic music, folk and new age, among other things. I've fooled around with a number of instruments-saxophone, flute, recorder, guitar, congas, electric and contrabass, dununs, djembe and recently banjo!

So, it should come as no surprise that I like all kinds of music-yes, even country to reference a classic scene with Thelonious Monk (for those of you in the know). Given that (and the fact that I have a daughter who is a huge country fan herself) I can find something of a kindred spirit in singer Tricia Barnwell.

Not to buy into other people's stereotypes, but looking at the picture of the attractive, casually but tastefully dressed young African American woman on the cover, country music would be the last thing most people would expect to hear, despite its telling title: "Country All Over Me" Tricia Barnwell (Three Gems Records/Phat Sound Promotions). Well, surprise-that's exactly what it is. Yes, folks, there are more of us into country than the great Charlie Pride, Cowboy Troy and the late great Ray Charles!

The liner notes explain that Barnwell, who was born in Warner Robins, Ga., grew up listening to country music. Actually, I know a lot of black folks from the South who are fans of the genre, particularly the old classic sounds which a lot of folks lovingly refer to as "white folks" blues. Like black blues, real country music tells stories about everyday folks-not just their adventures, but their hopes and fears as well. Both are real soul music. Like blues, it offers plain but deep insight into life. If you don't believe it, spend an evening listening to a mix of Lightning Hopkins and Hank Williams Sr. The similarities will blow your mind.

Anyway, Barnwell has translated her love and appreciation of good country songs into a CD, produced by the legendary southern soul and blues performer, writer and producer Roy C. The majority of the 15-song collection features some time honored American country music classics such as Ivory Joe Hunter's "Since I Met You Baby," which proved big for a number of artists including Freddie Fender; Willie Nelson's "Crazy," a monster hit for the great Patsy Cline; Shania Twain's dynamite love song "You're Still The One," the Dixie Chick's "Wide Open Spaces," a cover of Bonnie Raitt's hit "Something to Talk About" and Lee Greenwood's anthem "God Bless the USA" among others. There's also an interesting, mellow version Lynyrd Skynyrd's often misunderstood and misinterpreted southern rock classic "Sweet Home Alabama."

Barnwell's approach to the songs is unique-no fake or overly pronounced twang to make it sound "authentic." She sings all the tunes in an easy going, sweet fashion that's all her own, choosing to interpret the songs in her own way rather than opting to simply copy the performances she admires. Barnwell seems particularly at home on tracks such as Raitt's showstopping heartbreak ballad "I Can't Make You Love Me." Interestingly enough, one of the most "pure" country sounding tracks on the CD is the tasty little "I'm Pulling The Plug," cowritten by Barnwell and her mother Linda Barnwell. It's reminiscent of one of those tear in your beer-no make that "git out the house"-of tunes by Loretta Lynn. Barnwell's mother also contributes the clever "Your Love Is Like A Light Switch" which has a bit of a gospel flavor.

Roy C has assembled a group of musicians who know their way around a country song including Randy Smith and David Dellinger who add a nice flavor on banjo and steel guitar respectively, Jonathan Burton on bass, guitar and keyboard, Gerad Blume on lead guitar, Diane Blume on keyboard, Anthony Haines and Joe Exum on drums and Elddy Trevino on guitar and bass, who also mixed the album along with Roy C and later mastered the record.

All and all, if you're into hearing something different, check out "Country All Over Me" by Tricia Barnwell. To find out more about this unique entertainer, go to www.triciamusic.com.

This is part of the January 30, 2008 online edition of Frost Illustrated.

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