Steve Earle - Townes (2009)

When you hear people like Steve Earle talk about Townes Van Zandt, the story comes across as more of one belonging to a cowboy legend or folk hero rather than a flesh and blood, songwriting man. His documentary, Be Here to Love Me: A Film about Townes Van Zandt, is both an amazing portrait of a poetic songwriter and a haunting look inside the life of an awkwardly talented man who seems determined to destroy himself. Although people may be familiar with Van Zandt's songs covered by some of the biggest names in country and folk, less people recognize Townes playing his own songs. On Townes, Earle offers up his own renditions of van Zandt's gems mixed in with near-impersonations, and, for the most part, does a really good job. With a consolidation nod to Bob Dylan, Earle has been quoted as deeming Van Zandt the world's greatest songwriter, in addition to being his mentor and good friend. The respect and admiration shines through on the album, and people who are fans of Earle and Van Zandt should find the familiarity of Earle's sound and Van Zandt's songs a good blend. I guess the questions is: Did Earle bring anything new to the table, as far as Van Zandt's songs go? I would say that he brings enough to make this album worth checking out, especially if you are interested in hearing some cleaner version of Van Zandt's later songs.

Paula Sinclair - Steady Girl (2009)

It is no secret that I have a soft spot in my heart for female country singers. Nothing makes me happier than when I hear a woman with a mature voice belting out a tune from her gut. I was recently introduced to Paula Sinclair's new album, Steady Girl, and instantly fell in love with almost every single song. Her from-the-heart lyrics reveals a lady in search of love, but also hardened by the sadness romance often brings.

Sinclair commands attention from her very first track "Something Sweeter", and honestly, heartache has never sounded better. The fact that she has relocated from Kentucky to Portland only makes me love her more. Steady Girl also includes a cover of Steve Earle's "Fearless Heart", which I think is even better than the original (granted Earle wrote that song in 1986). Sinclair's rendition is warmer, more soulful, and is actually one of my favorites on the album.

Having been disappointed by Lucinda Williams' recent recordings, Paula Sinclair easily takes a firm position in my top favorites among the likes of Emmylou Harris, Loretta Lynn, and Caitlin Cary.

Other favorites on the album include: "Medicine Burn", "Blue-Eyed Kentucky Boy," and "Looking for Love".

Michael Dean Damron - Father's Day (2009)

I'd be surprised if fans of the Drive-By Truckers' Patterson Hood and Lucero's Ben Nichols aren't immediately drawn to Portland's similarly scratchy-voiced Michael Dean Damron and his barroom folk songs of heartbreak and regret. I also hear a lot of Steve Earle's simultaneously world-weary and rebellious attitude. He seems to aspire (and fit) Earle's definition of a "Hard Core Troubadour", a song referenced on "I'm A Bastard". Damron's soulful vocals on "Dead Days" mix acceptance and reflection and allow the electric guitar to provide a touch of optimism. Like early Bottle Rocket's albums, black humor runs throughout Father's Day, evident in songs like "Boy With A Car" and "SOS", which could be country punk if he picked up the pace. As usual, I tend to favor the electric guitar and harmonica driven tracks like "Tornado Song", but he does justice to the slower acoustic numbers as well, like a couple of covers of Townes Van Zandt and King Harvest.