TENNESSEE WHISKY

CHRIS STAPLETON

SONGWRITERS: DEAN DILLON & LINDA H. BARTHOLOMEW

COUNTRY: U. S. A.

ALBUM: TRAVELLER

GENRE: COUNTRY

LABEL: MERCURY NASHVILLE RECORDS

YEAR: 2015

           Christopher Alvin Stapleton (born April 15, 1978) is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. He was born in Lexington, Kentucky, and grew up in Staffordsville, Kentucky. In 2001, Stapleton moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue an engineering degree from Vanderbilt University but dropped out to pursue his career in music. Subsequently, Stapleton signed a contract with Sea Gayle Music to write and publish his music.

        As of 2018, Stapleton has amassed credits writing and co-writing over 170 songs. He has co-written six number-one country songs, including Kenny Chesney's five-week number-one "Never Wanted Nothing More", Josh Turner's "Your Man", George Strait's "Love's Gonna Make It Alright", and Luke Bryan's "Drink a Beer". His songs have appeared on many artists' albums including Adele, Kelly Clarkson, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, and Taylor Swift. He has co-written with several artists as well including Vince Gill, Peter Frampton, Sheryl Crow, and Ed Sheeran.

           As a vocalist, Stapleton sang lead in two bands before he started recording as a solo artist including a bluegrass ensemble from 2008 to 2010 called the SteelDrivers and the Jompson Brothers. After that, he released his solo debut: the critically acclaimed studio album titled Traveller (2015), which reached number one on the US Billboard 200 and was certified four-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America(RIAA). His version of "Tennessee Whiskey" was certified Diamond by the RIAA. His second studio album From a Room: Volume 1 was released in May 2017, and earned him a second CMA Award for Album of the Year and also a Grammy Award for Best Country Album. From a Room: Volume 2 was released in December 2017. Stapleton released his fourth studio album Starting Over in 2020, for which he won his third Grammy for Best Country Album. The title track was issued as its lead single.

       Stapleton has been recognized with several awards including eight Grammy Awards, 10 Academy of Country Music(ACM) Awards, and 14 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards. He was named the ACM's Artist-Songwriter of the Decade.

        Traveller is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton. The album was produced by Dave Cobb and Stapleton, and was released on May 5, 2015, through Mercury Nashville.

         Described by music publications as an old-school country, Southern rock record, Traveller received critical acclaim and earned Stapleton several awards. It was named Album of the Year at the 2015 Country Music Association Awards. Furthermore, it received a nomination at the 58th Grammy Awards for Album of the Year and a win for Best Country Album. The song "Traveller" also won Best Country Solo Performance. At the 2016 Academy of Country Music Awards it won Album of the Year, with the song "Nobody to Blame" also winning Song of the Year. It won the Billboard Music Award for Top Country Album in 2016 and 2017.

      Traveller reached number one on the US Billboard 200 chart after the 2015 Country Music Association Awards, during which Stapleton and Justin Timberlake performed a well-received duet. The album has been certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America(RIAA) and has sold over 2.6 million copies in the United States by November 2019. It was eventually ranked by Billboard as the bestselling country album of the 2010s. It generated three singles: "Traveller", "Nobody to Blame", and "Parachute". "Nobody to Blame" reached the top 10 on the Country Airplay chart. The album track "Fire Away" was accompanied by a music video. Though not released as a radio single, album track "Tennessee Whiskey" garnered popularity following its performance at the aforementioned CMA awards, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and number 20 on the Hot 100.

Used to spend my nights out in a barroom

Liquor was the only love I've known

But you rescued me from reachin' for the bottom

And brought me back from being too far gone

 

You're as smooth as Tennessee whiskey

You're as sweet as strawberry wine

You're as warm as a glass of brandy

And honey, I stay stoned on your love all the time

 

I've looked for love in all the same old places

Found the bottom of a bottle's always dry

But when you poured out your heart I didn't waste it

'Cause there's nothing like your love to get me high

 

You're as smooth as Tennessee whiskey

You're as sweet as strawberry wine

You're as warm as a glass of brandy

And honey, I stay stoned on your love all the time

 

You're as smooth as Tennessee whiskey

You're as sweet as strawberry wine

You're as warm as a glass of brandy

And honey, I stay stoned on your love all the time

 

You're as smooth as Tennessee whiskey

Tennessee whiskey

Tennessee whiskey

 

You're as smooth as Tennessee whiskey

Tennessee whiskey.

IT’S BEEN SO LONG

BLUES UNDERGROUND

SONGWRITER: YOAV LANDAU

COUNTRY: U. S. A.

ALBUM: ON MY WAY BACK HOME

GENRE: BLUES

LABEL: DEL-FI RECORDS

YEAR: 1995

 

           The "Memphis Soul" of Stax Records' mid-Sixties sound has long been recognized by the chunky portions of Hammond organ and wry guitar licks served up by their legendary studio house band, Booker T. & The MG's, with a little soul dressing of Otis Redding on the side.

             Likewise, the twin themes of exile and poverty (and perhaps the poor treatment of men by their big-legged women) in Mississippi Delta Blues runs deep and from as many sources as the rivers that flow into the region itself. From Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and Little Milton, to the royal highness of guitarists Albert and B.B. King, the very essence of the Delta sound begs the curious question: "Was there something in the water?"

      These two Southern sources are readily apparent in the grooves of the disc you're now listening to. Maybe "you don't miss your water till the well runs dry" but there's no chance of that with Blues Underground's generous flood of great songs. Listen to the deep, dark-hued voice of Roy Jones, who hails from the banks of the Mississippi river and Humphrey, Arkansas, sixty close miles from Memphis and the birthplace of these mighty sounds. Listen to the way he makes the woeful "St. James Infirmary" his own, or the way he breaks your heart with the group's self-penned title track "On My Way Back Home," and you'll hear what a sobering effect his liquid vocals have. There's a sense that he's lived the hard luck of "Born Under A Bad sign" one minute, then convincing us he means it when he tells us "The Thrill Is Gone" the next… and all this despite his incredible success on Broadway in the Eighties (where he may have been influenced as much by Paul Robeson as anyone else). That's the high watermark of his talent, to make us believe in the Blues he sings.

           Now, add to this chilling cocktail the thick, oozing Hammond organ of Walt Thompson, the rippling bass lines of Michael Sunday, and the shimmering ice-blue rhythms of Dan Bachar's Fender guitar, and you have a potent drink, refreshing and cool. Like a subterranean river bubbling just below the surface, this is the sound of the Underground. (Bryan Thomas)

I don't know what I was thinking

Leaving my child behind

Now I suffer the curse and now I am blind

With all this anger, guilt and sadness

Coming to haunt me forever

I can't wait for the cliff at the end of the river

 

Is this revenge I am seeking?

Or seeking someone to avenge me?

Stuck in my own paradox, I wanna set myself free

Maybe I should chase and find

Before they'll try to stop it

It won't be long before I'll become a puppet

 

It's been so long

Since I last have seen my son lost to this monster

To the man behind the slaughter

Since you've been gone

I've been singing this stupid song so I could ponder

The sanity of your mother

 

I wish I lived in the present

With the gift of my past mistakes

But the future keeps luring in like a pack of snakes

Your sweet little eyes, your little smile is all I remember

Those fuzzy memories mess with my temper

 

Justification is killing me

But killing isn't justified

What happened to my son? I'm terrified

It lingers in my mind

And the thought keeps on getting bigger

I'm sorry my sweet baby, I wish I've been there

 

It's been so long

Since I last have seen my son lost to this monster

To the man behind the slaughter

Since you've been gone

I've been singing this stupid song so I could ponder

The sanity of your mother.

BLUES HAS GOT ME

PETE GAGE

Songwriter: pete gage

Country: u. k.

Album: left over blues

Label: goofin’ records

Genre: blues

Year: 2005

 

     Peter Gage(born 12 February 1946, St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, London) is a British blues musician. A vocalist, harmonica player and pianist, Gage is best known for fronting the Jet Harris Band and Dr. Feelgood, although he has also led his own band and has issued solo albums featuring artists such as Gypie Mayo.

         Gage's father was a drummer. The younger Gage started his musical career as vocalist and harmonica player in a London band "The Sloane Squares", led by Gwyn Headley, in the mid-1960s. The Sloane Squares were well known for their tight music and live shows, and were supporting Jimi Hendrix when they were spotted by Jet Harris, the former Shadows bass player, who asked them to become his backing band. The Jet Harris single "My Lady" c/w "You Don't Live Twice" (1967) features Pete Gage on vocals.

    Gage left Jet Harris in 1968 but continued performing with numerous bands, including London based soul-blues-band The Blazers. He moved to the West Country, joining the Pink Torpedoes from 1988 to 1992. He also sang and played Hammond organ in his own band, the original Pete Gage Band from 1992–1995. The band was also known as the Pete Gage Expression, whose album, Give it With a Feeling was issued in May 1995.

       After the death of their frontman Lee Brilleaux, Dr. Feelgood had a year's break before agreeing to audition for a new vocalist/harpist. After an initial audition followed by a studio recording and a photoshoot, Gage joined Dr Feelgood in June 1995. After initial opposition from some long-term fans, "because Lee Brilleaux wasn't there", Gage became accepted. They resumed a heavy touring schedule and Gage recorded their 1996 On the Road Again album. He also appears on their 1997 release Twenty Five Years of Dr. Feelgood.

      Whilst with the Feelgoods, Gage recorded a piano-based blues-album Out of Hours, which was recorded in Finland, and released in 1997 by Finnish record company Goofin' Records. The tensions of constant touring in Dr Feelgood mounted, and it was "mutually agreed that Pete would stand down".

        Gage left Dr Feelgood in September 1999 to focus on various other projects, the main one being the development of his own blues band The Pete Gage Band in which he leads from the piano and highlights his gritty vocals. This band continues to feature prominently in the pubs and clubs in the South-West of England. He also continued performing with different bands in England, Spain and particularly Finland, where he has a "large and loyal fan base". An offshoot from his current blues band is The Pete Gage Blues Trio, featuring Paul Hartshorn on guitar, Duncan Kingston on double bass, and Pete himself on piano and vocals, playing classic blues standards in a laid-back style. He also spent 12 years from 2000 as the vocalist/frontman for the Mike Hoddinott Blues All-Stars

       In 2010, Gage made an album, Tough Talk(GRCD 6165), recorded and released in Finland. Backed by Finnish band Doctor's Order, (who normally back Johnny Spence, formerly of Johnny Kidd & The Pirates) the album features ex Feelgoods guitarist, and Gages's close friend, the late Gypie Mayo on six tracks. In May 2013 Gage played the Dagenham Roundhouse as part of the Big Blues Jam and reappeared there in September 2013 with the re-united Pink Torpedoes. 

Blues has got me,

and I have to make a brand new start.

Blues has got me,

and I have to make a brand new start.

Nothing I can do to please you babe,

so I guess we have to part.

You were the one,

told me your love was true.

You were the one, babe,

told me your love was true.

But you left me for another man,

now what I’m gonna do?

 

So many times,

I’ve asked you to come home.

So many times, babe, versuri.us

I’ve asked you to come home.

But I’ve finally realized,

that you’re really gone.

Blues has got me,

blues has gotta hold on.

Blues has got me, babe,

blues has gotta hold on.

Only one thing I ask you,

don’t forget me please.

FLY AWAY

LENNY KRAVITZ

SONGWRITER: Lenny Albert Kravitz

COUNTRY: U. S. A.

ALBUM: 5

LABEL: VIRGIN RECORDS

GENRE: FUNK ROCK

YEAR: 1998

 

             Leonard Albert Kravitz(born May 26, 1964) is an American singer-songwriter and actor. His style incorporates elements of rock, blues, soul, R&B, funk, jazz, reggae, hard rock, psychedelic, pop and folk.

         Kravitz won the Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance four years in a row from 1999 to 2002, breaking the record for most wins in that category and setting the record for most consecutive wins in one category by a male. He has been nominated for and won other awards, including American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, Radio Music Awards, Brit Awards, and Blockbuster Entertainment Awards. Kravitz's hit singles include "It Ain't Over 'til It's Over" (1991) and "Again" (2000), each of which reached the top 10 on the Billboard Top 100 chart; other hits include "Let Love Rule"(1989), "Always on the Run" (1991), "Are You Gonna Go My Way"(1993), "Fly Away"(1998), and "American Woman"(1999), each of which reached the top 10 on the Alternative Airplay chart.

        Kravitz was ranked at Nº 93 on VH1's "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock".He was made an Officer of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2011, and has played Cinna in the Hunger Games film series. In his career, Kravitz has sold over 40 million albums worldwide. He is the son of actress Roxie Roker, a cousin of television anchor Al Roker, and the father of actress Zöe Kravitz.

     5 is the fifth full-length studio album by American rock musician Lenny Kravitz, released on May 12, 1998, by Virgin Records. The album produced six singles released over the course of 1998 and 1999.

         The album featured such hits as "Fly Away" and "I Belong to You", which helped Kravitz to expand his success in Europe. The album won two Grammy Awards.

            5 was re-issued in 1999, including Lenny Kravitz's latest single from the soundtrack of Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, "American Woman", plus a bonus track called "Without You"—initially a B-side to the lead single, "If You Can't Say No".

         Initially, the album received mediocre reviews by some critics, and its rise to commercial success was quite slow, until it gained traction towards the end of 1998 and throughout 1999 producing a string of worldwide hits and becoming one of the most successful albums of 1999. Despite paling in comparison in US chart position with Kravitz's other albums, it managed to have a remarkably long chart-life, charting for nearly three years straight on the Billboard 200, two of which were spent in the top 100.

     The album gained Kravitz multiple awards nominations and gave him his first two Grammy Awards in the Best Male Rock Vocal Performance category for the hits "Fly Away" and "American Woman"

I wish that I could fly

Into the sky

So very high

Just like a dragonfly

 

I'd fly above the trees

Over the seas in all degrees

To anywhere I please, oh

 

I want to get away

I want to fly away

Yeah, yeah, yeah

 

I want to get away

I want to fly away

Yeah, yeah, yeah

 

Let's go and see the stars

The Milky Way or even Mars

Where it could just be ours

 

Let's fade into the sun

Let your spirit fly

Where we are one

Just for a little fun

Oh, oh, oh yeah

 

I want to get away

I want to fly away

Yeah, yeah, yeah

 

I want to get away

I want to fly away

Yeah, yeah, yeah

 

I got to get away (get away, get away)

Girl, I got to get away (get away, get away)

Oh, oh, oh yeah

 

I want to get away

I want to fly away

Yeah (with you), yeah, yeah (oh yeah)

 

I want to get away

I want to fly away

Yeah (with you) yeah, yeah

I got to get away

 

I want to get away

I want to get away

I want to get away

I want to get away, yeah

 

I want to get away

I want to fly away

Yeah (with you) yeah, yeah

Oh girl, I got to get away

 

I want to get away

I want to get away

I want to get away

I want to get away, yeah

 

I want to get away

I want to fly away

Yeah (with you) yeah, yeah

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.