Post Description

Here’s a question for you.  Who’s the female John Hiatt, or Randy Newman, or Willie Nelson?  All are people who were super well-known in the music business for the quality of their songs long before they hit the public eye.  I’ll be the first to admit that  it’s maybe pointless to discuss the sex of a songwriter because a song is a song.  But there’s definitely a difference between the woman’s perspective and the man’s.  Listen to Janis sing Me and Bobby McGee versus Kristofferson’s original.  Although not as prolific  as some of the above names, Kim Richey is definitely known more for her songs than her performance.  She’s had two number 1 hits and a Grammy nomination and didn’t get a record deal until she was 37.

Her latest record is Thorn In My Heart and although producer Neilson Hubbard extracts fine performances from Richey and her bandmates it’s the songs that keep pulling you back in.  The hooks are just all over the place.  Take my favorite from the album, No Means Yes.  It’s a catchy sweet, slow waltz with good country piano that’s a very traditional sound.  But even better she reminds us “it feels so right to be so wrong” and no means yes could be an anthem to having fun when you know better.  Or Angel’s Share about addiction where you “drink it up til there’s nothing left but the angel’s share”.  Sad, but so true.
 
The overall feel of the album is clearly a country record.  The title song, and opening tune, sets the right precedent as something you just know you’ve heard on the radio, although you almost certainly haven’t.  Breakaway Speed isn’t just another song about leaving someone, but about doing it as fast as you can, “breakaway speed.”  London Town is a foot-tapper and benefits greatly from some choice trumpet bits.  The non-standard country instrumentation also takes center stage on Love Is, where a clarinet adds just the right amount of melancholy.
 
It’s nearly impossible to listen to Thorn In My Heart and not think so-and-so really needs to sing this song for a couple of the selections.  Play the what-if game and see what you think.  For me, I think Margot Timmons has to tackle the overwhelming weariness of Take Me To the Other Side.  And I want to hear Erika Wennerstrom power chord her way through I Will Wait, that here Kim records with Trisha Yearwood, the singer of that Grammy nominated Richey song.


Verenigde Staten
Country / Folk
Label: Yep Roc


1. Thorn In My Heart
 2. London Town
 3. Something More
 4. Breakaway Speed
 5. Angels' Share
 6. Come On
 7. Love Is
 8. I Will Wait
 9. I'm Going Down
 10. No Means Yes
 11. Take Me To The Other Side
 12. Everything's Gonna Be Good