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 Adroit Records is proud to announce that Maverick Magazine has honored Vince Melamed with a four star review of his debut CD, as well as, a feature two-page article highlighting Melamed's career written by Editor Alan Cackett. Maverick is not just a magazine. It's not just anything. It's the task of passion, it's a commitment to music, and it's the loyalty of hard working individuals that are dedicated to this music scene. There are no boundaries, and being a magazine has never quite been enough for country music enthusiast Alan Cackett.
The review is as follows:
Vince Melamed has been making music professionally for more than thirty years working with such diverse acts as The Eagles, Rosanne Cash, Bob Bylan, Jimmy Buffett, Bobby Womack and Rodney Crowell as well as being a founder member of Run C&W. Throughout his musical ramblings, Melamed has been a wonderfully inventive and versatile songwriter. His hit songs include "Walkaway Joe" for Trisha Yearwood, "Big Iron Horses" and "Tell Me What You Dream" for Restless Heart; Boy Howdy's "She'd Give Anything" and Jimmy Buffett's "Souvenirs." Though he's played on virtually hundreds of recordings, this is his solo debut, and you have to ask yourself why it's taken so long. All ten songs are Melamed's - some have been hits, including the superb title song that Ty Herndon took to the top in 1995 - and some deserve to be. "Damn Your Love" a co-write with Karyn Rochelle is one of those that someone need to pick up. A powerful, soul-tinged ballad that pulsates with undenied anger driven by Pat Buchanan's stinging guitar, David Russell's fiddle and Melamed's sometimes raspy vocals. Throughout the professional quality of the recordings let the songs show their true potential - always important when a songwriter is showcasing his wares. Melamed might not be the greatest singer you've heard, but there's genuine emotion in his performances that makes the songs real. A great album of melodic and interesting country-pop music that shows Nashville is still a great town for songwriters, and despite the moaning of older music fans, great songs are still being written today - this album is proof of that fact.
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Adroit Records recording artists Vince Melamed, Lisa Carver and Craig Monday have been featured on Music City Connection: Heroes Behind the Hits. A monthly Sirius Satellite Radio program, the series has featured the likes of Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Sugarland and Rascal Flatts. The program is recorded live before audiences at various Nashville venues presenting songwriters of all genres during an informal "in-the-round" showcase, performing their hits, discussing their influences, and sharing their personal stories of writing, recording, and living in Music City! Melamed, Carver and Monday all appear on Adroit Records' debut compilation CD "Words & Music Nashville" Heroes Behind the Hits is produced by the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, exclusively for Sirius XM Radio.
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A few weeks ago I got a call from a publicist in Nashville, asking me if I was interested in reviewing an upcoming album called "Words & Music Nashville." Finally, a project focused on songwriters, I thought. The CD came to my mailbox shortly after that, and I have done nothing but play those songs over and over again ever since. One can't help but wonder how all that stunning storytelling talent can be ignored for so long. Sure, other artists get to transform the magic in music and take it to people and places all over the world, but to be honest, songwriters are the ones who start it all. And quite frankly, how much credit do they really get? The respect and admiration I feel for songwriters has been stated several times before. They give music a reason to be, and songs a much needed way to make sense in a world where words are lacking of truth and honesty more and more. That is when country music comes in very handy, with a marvelous long for inner self-preservation, wrapped around every new song. What you are thinking will be written down; what you are feeling will be given a voice. Next thing you know, we have something like "Heaven is a Small Town" by Craig Monday...and your whole world can come tumbling down, just because you heard words that spoke to you. That is the greatness of a songwriter, the greatness of country music. From the breathtaking tale about God's home town, to the well-known story of a "Walkaway Joe," the truth about "Dirt," the "Bullets" that haunt us, the City of Memphis, the love we care about or the one that left us behind, and the song we can't get over while feeling home free, "Words & Music Nashville" feels like a well written book, full of great stories and better voices. About time Nashville made room for those who get the flame burning in the first place.
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Nashville's music industry and the country music industry in general is built on the backs of a good song. Adroit Records executive and producer James Tract completely understands this side of the business and has done his part to bring some of his personal favorites and overall outstanding songwriters to the forefront with his labels debut compilation "Words & Music Nashville." The track that is the obvious stand out from the album comes from Vince Melamed as he performs the smash hit "Walkaway Joe," that Trisha Yearwood took to #2 on the charts. This collection of songs combines a wide range of influences and backgrounds that lets each artist show their craft and art in the way that they do it best. Take for example,
Lucas Hoge's "Dirt," in which he sings a darker lyric about being buried in the dirt of his own land when his time comes, or Joshua Rush's "I Found Myself Dancing," which touches on the very relatable subject of marriage and how you have to respect each other enough not to cross that one particular line. With easily relatable songs, wrapped around a huge hit, James Tract's labor of love compilation will introduce people to many new songwriters through a variety of different styles that can be classified as country, but in reality just good songs written by good songwriters. |
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"Words & Music Nashville" serves as a sampler for the upstart record label Adroit, which specializes in offering Music City songwriters the chance to be heard as performers. The initial roster is a mixed bag of newcomers and veterans in a surprisingly wide range of styles. The biggest name on hand is that of Vince Melamed, who offers his own version of the hit he co-wrote for Trisha Yearwood and Don Henley, "Walkaway Joe." But the most captivating track here is the most unusual "Bullets," Lisa Carver's stark six-and-a-half-minute meditation on the helplessness of a killer without consciousness. |
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This collection spotlights 10 names well respected and admired by the professionals, but probably less recognized by general consumers. From Vince Melamed, whose rousing version of his "Walkway Joe" opens the collection, on through many other equally fine pieces, the CD covers confessional and testimonial pieces, slice-of-life bits, recollections and incidents tied to particular places or people. There is even light- hearted celebratory material such as Joshua Rush's "I Found Myself Dancin" and Mason Douglas' "Home Free." The set's thematic and performance diversity reflects the many worlds these performers straddle. |
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It's interesting that you would think that the track that would be the obvious stand out from the album would be Vince Melamed's performance of his smash hit "Walkaway Joe," that Trisha Yearwood took to #2 on the charts. However, upon deeper review, there are several songs that we would rate as bigger favorites on the album. Take for example, Lucas Hoge's "Dirt," in which he sings a darker and beautifully arranged song about being buried in the dirt of his own land when his time comes. Craig Monday has had songs recorded by Kenny Chesney, Vince Gill, Mark Wills, and his "Heaven Is A Small Town" (co-written with Chris Wallin) showcases a beautiful tenor voice that draws comparisons to Vince Gill. Monday's song is about what life is like after we cross overcomparing it all to small town USA. Our favorite track was Brendan McKinney's dobro and slide guitar drenched "Yeah, She Does." It's simple, straight-forward and goes down smooth- all while making you want to move your feet. |
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"Words & Music Nashville" compilation CD from Adroit Records has raised a few heads in Nashville and let me just say with good reason. These songwriters, who have mostly always been in the background of the music industry, are being placed in front of the fans. It's a refreshing change and one that I hope continues. Nashville's newest trend in music includes plenty of not only independent artists popping up on the www but also plenty of new breed Independent Record labels like Adroit Records. Both of which are tackling the the music industry with a zest for music and the working ability to get it heard by the masses. While it's a hard task that these folks have undertaken, they are knocking down a few fence posts along the way. Tunes on the compilation that caught my eye included "Home Free" by Mason Douglas and "Yeah She Does" by Brendan McKinney. Home Free wasn't a big surprise to me since I remembered it from awhile back when it garnered some national attention on the Big D & Bubba show. Although, "Yeah She Does" literally stopped me in my tracks. The raspy and oh so sexy voice of Brendan McKinney reminded me of Dylan and songwriting skills that reached way back into my memories of Neil Young. The lyrics immediately sent me searching for more of his tunes. |
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What a unique concept of recording the songwriters performing their original songs. What most listeners don't know is how often a song goes through changes to enhance it just for radio and the country music public. This album is a collection of ten songs performed by the original songwriters. It's nice to hear a song as it was supposed to be heard. The album opens with "Dirt," written by Lucas Hoge, Jeff Daton and Eddie Kilgallon and performed by Lucas Hoge. This song is true to the tradition of your basic country song. Written by Craig Monday and Chris Wallin, "Heaven Is A Small Town," is a song takes us on a beautiful journey through heaven. Featured on this incredible album is the original recording of "Walkaway Joe." Once recorded by The Judds and made popular by Trisha Yearwood, this song was written by Greg Barnhill and Vince Melamed. "I Found Myself Dancing," written by Joshua Rush, Warren Sellers and Dee Briggs, is a musical journey filled with revelations. The country blues are found in "Yeah She Does," written and performed by Brendan McKinney. A true guy's style country song, whereas the classic blues are truly found in "Memphis (Ain't No Place To Lose The Blues)." Written by Ray Sisk and Craig Monday, this song gives us a true taste of the music of Memphis. Everyone who has ever tried to recover from a broken heart has turned towards music as a healingmedicine. Written by Cheley Tackett, Nicoleitt and Rick Tiger, "Play The One I Like," is a heartbreak healing song. As part of growing up, all of us finally come to the realization that eventually we will lose the ones we love. "I'm Not Ready," written by Karleen Watt, takes us on a journey of a woman facing this realization; a truly remarkable and heart wrenching song. Lisa Carver wrote "Bullets," A haunting song that takes us on a journey of a soldier's life. The album ends with another incredible song about a soldier in "Home Free." Written by Mason Douglas, this song takes us on a journey of a soldier's beliefs. In the end, this album is one that has everything to be played on the radio. I sure hope that Adroit Records continues to produce albums that feature the vast unknown talents from Nashville.
On September 15th, 2009 eight of Adroit Records' singer-songwriters came together at the world famous Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, TN, for a concert to benefit the ALS Foundation (Lou Gherig's disease). Organized by Adroit Records president Jim Tract, the show was an incredible success. The syndicated television show, "Inside Music Row", sent a film crew and taped a segment, which was featured again on their Best of 2009 year end broadcast. The event was sponsored by Tract Music, LLC, Adams and Reese LLP and the Nashville Scene. "It was a very
special evening, in a special venue for a special cause," said Tract. "Thanks to the sponsors, the Bluebird Cafe, and to all the artists who gave of their time and talent. Most importantly to Inside Music Row, who supports not only our artistic endeavors in a very big way, but also our charity efforts. How cool is that?"
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