Let's Put the Western Back in the Country

Amazon.com
Joni Harms established herself as Western music's preeminent female vocalist in the 1990s. For anyone hoping to understand the current dichotomy between Western and Country, her bracing opening title track explains it all. Harms may have used Nashville A-Team session musicians, but their playing is looser and more individualistic than it would be if they were backing some producer-controlled platinum act. "I've Got a Feelin' for You" has a '40s swing feel that is but one facet. Nearly every number, each co-written by Harms with various collaborators, reflects Western and ranch ethos. Her flair for storytelling drives the tragic mini-drama, "Coyote Café," and the ode to perseverance, "Cowboy Up." "We Work It Out" and "The Wind" continue that level of excellence; Harms falters only on the contrived "Louisiana Hot Sauce." While her confident voice and knack for writing quality commercial material ("Shape of My Heart" and "Love Never Hurt Nobody") merit wider exposure, one suspects that, like most Westerners, Harms prefers doing it her way, not Nashville's. For that we can be grateful. --Rich Kienzle

Let's Put the Western Back in the Country,Joni Harms,Wildcatter Records,Contemporary Country,Country,Pop

Average customer rating: Simply superb music! She keeps getting better!! TOP NOTCH

Let's Put the Western Back in the Country Joni Harms Manufacturer: Wildcatter Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Similar Items: Cowgirl Dreams After All Rum and Rodeo Highways and Honky Tonks Divide and Conquer ASIN: B0001HAICM Release Date: 2004-03-23

Tracks:

1. Let's Put the Western Back in the Country
2. I've Got a Feelin' for You
3. Murphy's Law
4. Coyote Cafe
5. A Little Bit of Love
6. Cowboy Up
7. Louisiana Hot Sauce
8. Love Never Hurt Nobody
9. Oregon Trail
10. The Wind
11. Shape of My Heart
12. We Work It Out
13. I Still Do

Amazon.com

Joni Harms established herself as Western music's preeminent female vocalist in the 1990s. For anyone hoping to understand the current dichotomy between Western and Country, her bracing opening title track explains it all. Harms may have used Nashville A-Team session musicians, but their playing is looser and more individualistic than it would be if they were backing some producer-controlled platinum act. "I've Got a Feelin' for You" has a '40s swing feel that is but one facet. Nearly every number, each co-written by Harms with various collaborators, reflects Western and ranch ethos. Her flair for storytelling drives the tragic mini-drama, "Coyote Café," and the ode to perseverance, "Cowboy Up." "We Work It Out" and "The Wind" continue that level of excellence; Harms falters only on the contrived "Louisiana Hot Sauce." While her confident voice and knack for writing quality commercial material ("Shape of My Heart" and "Love Never Hurt Nobody") merit wider exposure, one suspects that, like most Westerners, Harms prefers doing it her way, not Nashville's. For that we can be grateful. --Rich Kienzle

Customer Reviews:

Simply superb music!.......2004-06-23

Joni's found the happy medium here, preserving the authentic western sound she loves and lives, while keeping up with the times. Man, this is a super album. The fans of the very traditional Western sound will love the title cut, as well as "Cowboy Up", "I've Got A Feeling For You", and others, while listeners raised on Top 40 radio will feel right at home with "Shape Of My Heart", "A Little Bit Of Love", "Murphy's Law", and others. (Though most of the stuff on the Top 40 these days doesn't sound half as good as this!) This is a beautifully written, produced, and performed album.

Heartfelt thanks to amazon.com, which first recommended Joni's music to me. I would probably never have heard her without reading about here here. And, yes, she fits right in with Terri Clark, Anita Cochran, Heather Myles, and other fun, fearless female singers I love, just as Amazon said she would.

She keeps getting better!!.......2004-04-11

Joni's newest effort once again shows us what a tremendous writer AND performer she is. "Let's Put the Western Back in the Country" is amusing and sobering at the same time. All her songs paint pictures: listening to THE WIND is like watching a movie; COWBOY UP contains the "basic" lesson in life; MURPHY'S LAW has a sweet message which gives us all a smile at the end. Joni's wholesome thoughts and approach toward life expand beyond western, country, or any other type of music. When I'd first listened to "Cowgirl Dreams" I was so awestruck that I wanted more of her music. Now I have all 9 albums and impatiently await the creation and release of the next. Thumbs Up, Joni. Keep 'em coming, Cowgirl friend!!

TOP NOTCH.......2004-03-28

I can't say enough of Joni and her music. This album is excellent. She knows how to bring out the best in people.
She praises values of friendship, love and honesty and she knows what she's talking about.
My favorite songs on this album, to quote a few, are Coyote Café, Oregon Trail, Shape of my Heart, A little bit of Love, Let's put the Western Back in the Country.
Cowboy up, she co-wrote with Wood Newton is a real hit too, a softer version of Chris Ledoux interpretation.
Top notch album! Thanks Joni

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