Taylor Swift

By Brandon Jonson

When a genre of music becomes popular it seems that it is distorted in every way possible so that everyone can fit into the genre and market it to the masses. This is what is happening now with country music as you had the success of Taylor Swift who is a mix of country, pop, and folk but she was definitely not the first country act to use a pop edge to make her point and gain new fans.

As country music came into the forefront in the early 90′s it had always before been seen as only something that those who lived in rural America could listen to and was seen as corny to many of the so called mainstream music fans. The early 90′s country music brought artists such as Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, and of course the funny but catchy Billy Ray Cyrus song “Achy Breaky Heart.” It only continued throughout the 90′s with over twenty pop influenced artists logging top ten hits.

There have been many artists who have started their careers before the country music pop revolution and still maintain relevancy. You could argue that these are the real artists of country music as they have not followed trends but instead stood up to the test of time and still create music that is as popular as ever. You cannot start mentioning these types of artists without talking about artists such as George Strait, Alan Jackson, and more. You also have newer country artists who are more traditional such as Brad Paisley who is selling out tour dates all over the country and has been for years now. To call Brad Paisley newer is a stretch as he has been in the music industry for almost two decades now but if you compare him to George Strait and others he is fairly young.

There are many new country music artists who have been popping up for a year or so and then fade into oblivion where you do not ever hear a mention of their names. There have been a few country artists as of late who seem to be in it for the long run such as Blake Shelton, Ashton Shepherd, Miranda Lambert, and others. It is tough in the music industry today to stay relevant and have a successful career. This is why Taylor Swift’s story is so intriguing because even though she is not completely country she still has many country values and a slight twang in some of her songs but yet still appeals to a massive fan base of mostly younger listeners. The lyrical content of country has not changed over the years as it is still about love, hard times, and family but that is something that will probably never change in country music.

Brandon Jonson is a writer for BusinessRaid.com a business and product review site that has an Instyler Review [http://businessraid.com/instyler-rotating-hair-iron-review], Ally Bank Review [http://businessraid.com/ally-bank-review], and more.

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Taylor Swift

By Jason Greiner

There are some artists out there who are better suited to working in the studio. And, when it comes to live performances, they leave much to be desired. Taylor Swift is definitely not one of them.

June 18, Taylor took her “Speak Now” Tour to Heinz Field in Pittsburgh and performed in front of a crowd of an estimated 52,000 fans. And all in all, the show was fantastic and worth every penny.

There were three opening acts including Danny Gokey of American Idol fame, Randy Montana and South Carolina Country/Rock band Need to Breathe. Swift took the stage at about 8:45 to the resounding screams of adoring fans.

Swift started the show with her hit “Sparks Fly” and from the very beginning it was obvious that this was going to be a big, theatrical production.

In addition to belting out most of the titles featured on the “Speak Now” album, the country superstar delighted her audience with a few hits from the past including “Our Song,” “Love Story” and “Fearless.”

Swift went through a number of wardrobe changes but didn’t leave the crowd with the irritating downtime that sometimes comes with them. During wardrobe changes and changes to the set, fans were treated to instrumental renditions of her songs, a tap dancing chimney sweep reminiscent of an old Hollywood musical and the dance stylings of a classic ballerina.

Overall, the drama and artistry of the entire production came across almost as if it were a play with a fantastic storyline. But then again, I guess that shouldn’t be surprising when the concert headliner actually writes her own songs.

Possibly the most memorable parts came during the performances of her hits “Haunted” and the aforementioned “Fearless.”

While Swift had shown her mastery of various other instruments at different points during the show, she used “Fearless” as an opportunity to showcase her skills with a ukulele while sitting under a gigantic white and purple glowing tree. And, with the scene set to compliment the tone of “Haunted,” she forcefully pounded a large bell ringing out in accord with the song’s powerful violin intro.

Swift sang the fun and inspirational “Long Live” as her pre-encore show closer giving a shout out to the city of Pittsburgh.

When all was said and done, the show was nothing short of amazing. While the operators of the venue itself could have been better prepared in terms of organization, every aspect of the show itself went off without a hitch. Never before have I seen such a wonderfully creative live performance.

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Taylor Swift

As Taylor Swift’s about to step into the spotlight as the first COUNTRY Saturday Night Live host and musical guest since Dolly (decades ago) and after just re-releasing “Fearless” in a Platinum edition… here’s a re-cap of how far the teen has come. Is the Entertainer Of The Year Award in the cards?

Taylor Swift – The Rise of a Superstar
By Gregory Ortel

Taylor Swift, born in December 1989, is a rising superstar in the music world. At such a young age, she has been able to appeal and capture fans from all over the world. This American pop singer is a song writer, guitarist as well as a good actress. She made her debuted in the music world in 2006 with “Tim McGraw” which reached sixth position on Billboard country charts. And later in October of the same year, she released another album “Taylor Swift” with five major hit singles and the album got certified with 3X Multi-platinum. This album was for sure a delight experience for pop music lovers.

The great ability of writing makes her songs potential hits. Swift is a great music artist with beautiful and delighting voice, writing skills and guitar playing skills as well. She has a very rare ability of infusing conventions of country music within modern themes. Taylor Swift has been able to create her mark in the music industry and has taken pop music and country music with storm.

The best thing about her songs is that she includes her personal experience in them and takes the listener to their young and teen age when one experiences the most beautiful feeling of love.

Albums of Swift:
Taylor Swift 2006
Fearless 2008

Famous tracks:
Teardrops on my Guitar
Just to see you smile
Last Christmas
Picture to burn
Should’ve said no
Love story
White horse
Forever & Always

EP’s:
Sounds of the Season: The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection 2007
Beautiful Eyes 2008

Apart from being a singer, guitarist, piano player and song writer, the talented Swift is working on a movie Valentine’s Day which is all set to release in 2010. Otherwise she has worked in music videos such as Online, 2007; Best days of your life, 2008 and also played a small role in Hannah Montana: The movie.

Taylor Swift has been reported to be one of the most visited artists on MySpace.

Gregory has been involved with internet marketing online for over 10 years. Not only is he a stay-at-home dad, but he is into building web sites and internet marketing. You can also check out his latest experiment at Lake Tahoe Hotels which reviews a few Lake Tahoe hotels.

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Lucky Old Sun plays like a sequel to Kenny’s previous specialty project “Be As You Are” that featured all island vibe music. That was a CD that was primarily written by Chesney but was not targeted to radio… in fact there was never a single released. Lucky Old Sun is Different in that regard; there’s another smash single “Everybody Want’s To GoTo Heaven” leading the grand processional to album release and it should be another multiple week number one.

Be As You Are was considered sort of an experiment and released as such (but had mainstream sales success). Sun is far from a mainstream or traditional sounding country record even by Chesney’s standards. Tropical country is what he does. The only fear may be that radio willroll thier eyes at another country song with more steel drums than steel guitar.

Still, “Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven” has such a Caribbean sound that many are surprised it was ever a radio single let alone the lead single. Turns out to be a perfect song for Chesney hitting his island theme in a different very mainstream country sing along kinda way. The Wailers make an appearance on the album track.

This album also features three notable guest appearances. Dave Matthews on the very mainstream radio / pop sounding “I’m Alive.” Mac McAnally (fans know him for penning concert favorite “Back Where I Come From”) joins in on his “Down The Road.” And Willie Nelson shows up for the title track.

The liner notes are a good set up for songs like “Way Down Here” where he writes, “Knoxville for Christmas Eve with my family was nice but I was just mentally miserable from the year I had, personally and emotionally.”

Try to pick up the Lucky Old Sun “Deluxe Fan Pack” version of the CD before it sells out. Fans can get it cheaper than the standard version that will be released a week later. Fan pack includes a special contest, exclusive videos and the extras:

AUDIO TRACKS:
1. Boston (Live)
2. Got A Little Crazy (Live)
3. Soul Of A Sailor (Live)
4. Guitars And Tiki Bars (Live)

VIDEO:
• The signature Pirate Opening from Kenny’s 2008 Poets & Pirates Tour
• The “Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven” full length video

If you liked “Be As You Are; Songs From an Old Blue Chair” (the chair makes an appearance on the back cover) you’ll like Lucky Old Sun too.

OVERALL GRADE: A
DONT MISS: “Ten With A Two” – This could be a radio hit with a laugh out loud punchline. Surprisng no one came up with this song before.

It’s easy to lose track of guys like Montgomery Gentry.   They’re kind of in the shadows of the noisy headliners keeping to themselves… until suddenly you realize… whoa… they’ve go about twenty songs you can sing along with and have sold a ton of CDs.   With their new project "Back When I Knew It All" hitting stores this week they get a bit noisier while taking the next step to A list.

From my calculations this will be Montgomery Gentry’s 7th cd since 1999′s debut Tattoos and Scars.  Eighth if you count a "Super Hits" compilation.  They’re doing great but still not household names.  However it looks like longevity will be Eddie and Troys friend with a solid new batch of songs and a smart concert booking and party partnership with Toby Keith’s summer tour. (In Charleston 6/29.)

In fact, Toby has a rockin’ duet (or is that now a trio) with MG on the record that’s sure to please the roughneck crowd.  "I Pick My Parties" has some radio potential although I’d REALY like to hear a recorded live version.

"We’ve always been consistent about choosing songs that deal with the working class, songs people can identify with," says Troy Gentry and you have to agree when you hear the new material.   There’s a lot of southern rock and a lot of soulful soul searching.  More heart than is expected from two Kentucky tough guys.

The old fire and brimstone preacher cranks up to the first track then it’s immediately to The Big Revival and setting the table with a full glass f moonshine.   Next… "Long Line Of Losers" one of many that opens with a classic southern rock slide guitar and cranks up from there.  There’s plenty of tempo to please the party crowd.  In fact "One In Every Crowd" (co written by Eddie) is perfect writing for the duo and is worth a good laugh.

The song choices are right on for their fan base.  The ballads sound so good I’d like t hear a few more.  "You Only Get One Trip" has a classic feel (great line: "order up the good wine… soak up the sunshine."

More than anything else the CD shows off the duo’s heart in their signature hillbilly way.   Who else is making hard work look cool these days.  Check out "It Ain’t About Easy" and you’ll be ready to plow the field.

Expect to hear three or four on country radio over the next year… I’d expect "One In Every Crowd" and the Toby duet (If they have singles rights).  No doubt Eddie and -
TRoy are still in the radio game for two more years with this collection of smart song choices and with the summer tour they’ll have a big stage to show off some new Montgomery Gentry stuff. 

Hear "Back When I Knew It All"  HERE for Free.

Troubadour – the CD and the song – both live up to most all the heritage that those definitions convey.  There’s a real timeless, almost old fashioned, feel to most of the songs. I’ve never been a typical Strait fan.  I liked individual songs.   After tracking through what will become his 38th album
I’m hooked.  Come to think of it – I doubt Strait ever really loses a fan… just keeps gaining them.   Just as he keeps gaining accolades and awards too; the album’s stellar first single, “I Saw God Today,” already set a personal mark when it debuted at No. 19 on the country radio charts—higher than any other song he’s released in his career.

Look for "I Saw God Today" to be another #1… there will be more here too… and I can only hope the title track will be sanctioned for radio play.

Willie Nelson

Now, at a time when he could be slowing down, he has released one of his best albums to date;  an album produced by country superstar Kenny Chesney (and longtime Chesney Producer BuddyCannon). The CD "Moment of Forever" is in stores now and is a solid  offering.

Nelson fans will love the fact that, no matter how influential the producer, if you have Willie singing it will always sound like a good old Willie Nelson CD.  Chesney and Cannon do nothing to tarnish Willie’s catalog.  In fact they add some really special tracks to the library.  

When gaging Chesney’s contribution it’s obvious to first look at his duet with Willie "Worry Be Gone."     With Kenny’s latest single (another duet with another legend George Strait) skyrocketing up the charts it’s unlikely "Worry" will be a radio single but I think it couold’ve worked. 

The reality is mainstream radio has always been fickle with Willie.   The airplay love affair ended about 1989 after 21 or so number one country hits.   Nown it looks like he has to packaged in a duet to get airplay (like Mendocino Country line and Beer For My Horses).  Plus I’m not sure the label machine ever gets it quite right with him.

Nelson – the songwriter – contributed three songs: "Over You Again," which he wrote with sons Micah and Lukas, and two that he wrote solo, including the hilarious "You Don’t Think I’m Funny Anymore" ("Did you hear the one about the dirty &%$!/Oh, I forgot . . . you don’t think I’m funny anymore"). Chesney and Cannon also delivered songs for the project.

Willie’s Grave Digger Video
Jessica Simpson in Willie’s "You Don’t Think I’m Funny Anymore Video

My Grade: B+
Don’t Miss: "The Bob Song" (A pirate treasure. Yes that’s Big Kenny who wrote the cut).
Fast Forward: "Louisiana" (written by Randy Newman is about 2 years late and misses the mark unless you’re from the state.)

Track List:
1. Over You Again
2. Moment of Forever
3. The Bob Song
4. Louisiana
5. Gravedigger
6. Keep Me From Blowing Away
7. Takin’ On Water
8. Always Now
9. I’m Alive
10. When I Was Young and Grandma Wasn’t Old
11. Worry B Gone (duet with Kenny Chesney)
12. You Don’t Think I’m Funny Anymore
13. Gotta Serve Somebody