Nashville: The Music Of Nashville Original Soundtrack Season 2, Volume 1

Big Machine Records
BMRNV0200A




The second series of Nashville, the hit American music-based TV drama, is set to begin screening on our TV screens shortly, which ties in neatly with the release of this third soundtrack album, which features musical highlights from this latest series. Produced by legendary Americana guitarist and producer Buddy Miller, the hip factor and country music authenticity is high throughout. He has brought in some of Nashville’s finest studio musicians—Colin Linden, Kenny Greenberg, Greg Morrow, Bryan Sutton, JT Corenflos, Dennis Crouch—and utilised some of Music Row’s finest songwriters. As before, the performers are first and foremost actors, but each one of them acquits themselves with reputations intact.  

There are several new names here that were not in the first series, so it will be interesting to see how they fit into the storylines. Chris Carmack, who opens this set with What If I Was Willing, turns in a fine performance on this modern country-rock number. His voice is raw, wavering and unbelievably credible and JT Corenflos’ electric guitar work is super nifty. Another new name is Aubrey Peeples, who possesses a voice that effortlessly glides from a feline purr to the full-bodied belt of a rock diva on the ultra-commercial Tell Me. Then we have Chaley Rose who performs a goose-bumps a cappella rendition of the traditional Wayfaring Stranger. Though not a definitive version, it still hits the mark with much credibility. The final newcomer is Jonathan Jackson who tackles How You Learn To Live Alone, a gorgeous ballad co-written by Mary Gauthier and Gretchen Peters. Framed by ghostly piano and a slow-swelling arrangement, this stripped back track is sombre yet uplifting.

Then we come back to old favourites beginning with Sam Palladio and Can’t Get It Right. His smoky, whispery delivery and Lily Costner’s ethereal harmony contrasts effectively with the stinging whiplash of Kenny Greenberg’s electric lead. Youngsters Lennon & Maisy are maturing nicely as they demonstrate with Ashley Monroe’s A Life That’s Good. With its smooth fiddle-mandolin-accordion arrangement and the sisters’ charming vocals, this is ripe for crossover success. They also turn in a neat rendition of Garrison Starr’s Share With You. Though their vocal is a bit limited in range, the girls compensate with considerable playful charm. Again the musical arrangement sticks more to acoustic instrumentation that suits the song perfectly. Paul Kennerley’s Ball And Chain, a duet by Connie Britton and Will Chase, is another track that sounds like a potential hit. By the time Chase joins in on the chorus, you’re hooked by the brain-embedding melody and a lyric that is as catchy as can be. Hayden Panettiere’s Trouble Is, falls neatly into today’s modern country format. The skilful production, the strength of the song and most of all Hayden’s heartfelt performance make it a strong contender for broad acceptance. A highlight duet is the delicate Why Can’t I Say Goodbye by Australian Clare Bowen and Sam Palladio. Though her voice is somewhat lightweight, it carries much emotion and conviction that suits the yearning quality of this song. Having listened to this album many times over the past few weeks, I’m suitably impressed and look forward to seeing how these songs and performances fit into the Nashville storyline.

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