BFD/Audium

****1/2

Throughout the 1990s Collin Raye chalked up an incredible run of hit singles and gold and platinum albums. A unique stylist who seems committed to quality work with every release, his biggest successes came with dramatic, topical songs that often have him assuming the role of defender of traditional values and protector of the abused, especially children. What helped him to stand out from the pack, beyond his ultra-smooth and emotional tenor, was his unerring song sense. He carved a unique niche in the country music industry as someone who succeeded at country radio whether he was delivering punchy, up-tempo tunes, romantic ballads, or poignant social commentaries. For this latest album, his first to feature all new original material in almost ten years, he’s wisely chosen to ignore the restrictive dictates of the mainstream country radio playlists and record songs that he knows will reverberate with his dedicated fan base and hopefully appeal to new, inquisitive music lovers.

In the past he tended to rely on Music Row’s famed songwriting community, but for this collection he has written or co-written 12 of the 14 songs, with his brother, Scotty Wray being responsible for the title song (a co-write with Tony Ramey) and opener Ghost Story. Sighing voices, mournful, yet transcendent, steel guitar wafting, swaying guitars and spiralling drama unveil the desolation and hope, the desperation and redemption that float through the powerful Ghost Story, as it speaks volumes about the pain of a break-up. The empowering Scars acknowledges lasting relational wounds with a swelling display of compassion and composure. Miranda Lambert’s harmony vocals elevate and capture the ironic poignant nature of the song to create a classic performance.

In the midst of the ever-present cycle of controversy about authenticity in country music, we all know that sincerity is the key that unlocks the whole mystery. Though Collin Raye lacks the ‘twang-factor’ deemed so crucial to the genre by many pundits, he compensates for that with integrity, honesty and unfettered emotion, Dancing Alone in the Streets demonstrates that Collin Raye is a dead-serious storyteller as this tale of one man’s addiction and the demise of a relationship unfolds. This and several other songs featured show that he has real substance and is not afraid to turn to risky, socially conscious songs. I’ve Got A Lot to Drink About is a sombre song that also hones-in on alcohol and how excessive drinking can lead to a relationship break-up. Rather than sorting out the problem, the guy returns to the bar to ‘drink about how it got this bad …’ It’s another powerful ballad that is rich with life’s experiences and brought into sharp focus by his riveting vocals.

There is a variety of styles at work throughout this album. The spare mandolin opening of Loved By An Angel conducts into the quiet complexity of the ups and downs of life and relationships as he takes a deep look into the balance of the virtuous and immoral where he notes how we’ve all committed deceitful acts and expresses compassion toward every honest person who’s also flawed. A gentle folksy ballad with acoustic guitar, banjo and fiddle picking that develops into a fuller sound with tasteful electric guitar, pedal steel and strings. Sawing fiddle opens Rodeo Girl as Collin is joined by Vince Gill on harmony vocals over a traditional country guitar and pedal steel melody about waiting on a girl who can’t seem to put down roots, no matter where she goes as she pursues the rodeo lifestyle. Echoes of the 1950s and 1960s rock’n’roll seeps into the fibres of the autobiographical Rock’n’Roll Bone. Piano pounds as drums bop— quite impressive. This song is stellar and Raye’s vocal is dynamite. He maintains the look back on his own family life with the closing Mama Sure Could Sing, a gospel-styled song co-written with his brother Scotty. An Appalachian arrangement of fiddle, acoustic guitar and the two brothers harmonising as only siblings can, this is a side of Collin Raye that we’ve never experienced before.

This album is proof yet again that there is life after the major labels for genuinely talented performers. The underlying theme of resilience that runs through these tracks demonstrates Collin Raye’s ability to pair bold storytelling with compassion.

To each of these songs he brings that personal touch that connects instantly with the listener. Some may dismiss it as sweet and sugary, easy-listening country, but listen with an open mind and you’ll find heaps of genuine integrity in the music of Collin Raye on a uniquely sounding, deeply memorable album. 

www.collinraye.com

December 2020