CD
REVIEW: JONI HARMS – LUCKY 13 – BY
RITCHIE RITCHISON FOR COUNTRY MUSIC NEWS INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE AND RADIO SHOW
Bless The Farmer
Spending The Night Out In
Love
Merle
I Can See In Your Eyes
A Way Around My Heart
There’s No Way I Can Love
You Anymore
Horse Sense
The Loop
Bob Tail Bob
Tofu
Sweet Summer Hay
Cowgirl Tuff
American Dream
Lucky 13
is the thirteenth offering from Rancher/Singer-Songwriter Joni Harms.
It is
filled with a tapestry of western images and picturesque landscapes clearly
showing why this music was once called Country and Western.
Harms
does a good job of balancing country and western music in this 13 song set
making good use of pedal steel but also filling these songs with a variety of
country instruments that give this album
an earthy quality. Mandolin, Fiddle Harmonica and Accordion are mixed throughout
this disc. Helping reinforce the images she paints in every song.
My
favorite cuts are the two she co-wrote with Wood Newton. “Horse Sense” and “Bob
Tail Bob” are a touch on the humorous side or at least the fun side of things
and Joni sings them well.
I did not
care for the tribute song “Merle”. It seems these days everyone has a Merle
tribute song filled with the titles of his songs written in a “cute” way. I am
sorry folks but I am over it. Merle was a genius at doing what he did but no
one will ever say it better than Merle himself. So if you wanna do these songs
live for your fans go ahead but please don’t commit any more of them to vinyl
or disc.
The
production on this CD was good but not great. Joni Harms’ voice is strong
enough it doesn’t need to be “soaked in reverb” to sound good. Let her voice
stand on its own.
I have
seen Joni live and she is the real deal. She looks the part and sings the part
as true as anyone.
While
there are a few flaws with this disc my overall impression is that there are
not enough Joni Harms in the world or the future of Country and Western Music
would be in very good hands. Thankfully we at least have Joni Harms.
I give
this disc a 4 out 5 Stars.