BY LESLEY HASTINGS
As I’m sure most of you are aware, not long after the release of her acclaimed 2021 album “Rosegold” Ashley Monroe was diagnosed with lymphoma and consequently went through months of associated treatment. During this time her focus understandably shifted to her recovery and her family (including her young son Dalton) and any creative thoughts escaped her totally. Now thankfully in remission she has emerged as she says “with a pretty profound perspective shift“, focussing on her new found appreciation of living in the moment and surrounding herself with those she loves. This is reflected in her new music and on August 8th she gets to release her 6th studio album, “Tennessee Lightning”.
As on its predecessor it sees Ashley tapping into her varied musical influences, evolving even further creatively and exploring the freedom she now has as an independent artist. Renewing her working relationship with Gina Johnson as co-producer, each track has its own unique identity when it comes to the arrangements which is further enhanced by contributions from guest artists including T-Bone Burnett, Karen Fairchild and Waylon Payne. But it’s Ashley’s pure, understated vocals that stand out for me throughout.
There’s a lot of spirituality shining through which is evident from the very start on album opener “I’m Gonna Run“, a slow, dreamy love song with gospel vibes (those background vocals, wow) about being reunited with someone special, featuring the legendary T-Bone Burnett whose playing introduces both track and album so impressively.
These gospel influences recur on several of the seventeen tracks, including the second song “Risen Road” which looks back on her journey to find solace whilst growing up, helped not only by her faith but also buy taking pain pills stolen from her parents! And the album closes with Ashley’s version of the timeless gospel hymn “Jesus Hold My Hand” which looks to the future, asking for guidance and support. The track order seems to be largely chronological in fact, and it’s the future which is also the subject of the penultimate track “Moon Child”, a beautiful and dreamy message to her son. Whatever may happen in life, even if she’s no longer around physically and he is feeling lost and lonely then all he needs to do is “Look up at the moon, child, always find me right underneath the same moon, child“. The stripped back accompaniment is perfect, I can imagine her singing it to him as bedtime lullaby.
In general, I’d describe the album has having a gentle ethereal vibe, but there’s are a few notable exceptions including “Hot Rod Pipe Dream“, a much punchier track which was released as a single over a year ago…..what a fun, playful Summer anthem it is too, which as Ashley explains draws on “all the best summer, rock ‘ n’ roll , beach boy lovin’ vibes” she and her frequent co-write Brendan Benson, could muster.
And then there’s the swampy, bluesy “Magnolia“, the latest single to be made available…..no surprise to me to discover the video was shot in Muscle Shoals, Alabama…..but there’s a really sensual feel to the track too, a feel which pervades much of the album and which I absolutely adore. It’s where Ashley truly shines in my opinion, her voice is just made for these types of songs (who can forget “Hands on You” from her 2018 album “Sparrow“?).
So it’s no surprise that among my favourite tracks on this new release those which show that side of her ……there’s the steamy “Closer” (co-written with the wonderful Ashley Ray) which explores unrequited desire. “The Touch” celebrates finally finding love with the right person and hoping they are also in it for the long haul…..a simple bass accompaniment augmented by a beautiful guitar riff from Marty Stuart.
“Moth” will be highly relatable to anyone who is still uncontrollably drawn to their ex despite knowing they will end up getting hurt (“something ’bout you must be worth the pain, I go and let you burn me anyway, moth to a flame“). What a great analogy, immediately a real stand out for me. Set in a bar, this is a great picture painting track too which plays out as the evening progresses.
Then we have “There You Are” with its simple piano accompaniment, again an absolute stunner of a song in every respect with Ashley’s angst ridden vocals conveying the dilemma she faces as she dreams about a former love before waking up beside her current one ….”you’re everything I want, he’s everything I need“. Ouch.
On the other end of the spectrum accompaniment-wise is possibly my total favourite on this album, “My Favourite Movie“, with its appropriately dramatic, cinematic, full orchestral accompaniment including sweeping strings. A celebration of real love which will live in her memory for ever. Amazing in every way!
This is such a varied album that no doubt everyone will home in on different tracks, different vibes, and I’ve just concentrated on those which particularly resonate with me.
I’ll just wrap things up by thanking Ashley for baring her heart and soul both lyrically and vocally on this unique, creative and genre-defying project. The emotional electricity which underpins it is both tangible and credible. I’ll try to hold things together when I see her live in London later this month , but no guarantees!
Tennessee LightningTracklist:
1. I’m Gonna Run (feat. T Bone Burnett) (Ashley Monroe, Sally Barris)
2. Risen Road (Ashley Monroe, Brendan Benson, Waylon Payne)
3. Closer (Ashley Monroe, Ashley Ray, Ben West)
4. The Touch (feat. Marty Stuart) (Ashley Monroe, Marty Stuart)
5. Magnolia (Ashley Monroe, Waylon Payne, Brendan Benson)
6. My Favorite Movie (Ashley Monroe, Vince Gill)
7. Hot Rod Pipe Dream (Ashley Monroe, Brendan Benson)
8. Amen Love (Ashley Monroe, Ashley Ray, Summer Overstreet)
9. Moth (Ashley Monroe, Carter Faith, Connie Harrington, Jessi Alexander)
10. Bitter Swisher Sweet (feat. Brittney Spencer) (Ashley Monroe, Emily Landis, Logan Wall)
11. You and Me (Jay Robinson)
12. Recover (feat. Karen Fairchild) (Ashley Monroe, Karen Fairchild, Ashley Ray, Andrew Petroff)
13. There You Are (Jessi Alexander, Margaret Findley, Sally Barris)
14. Blown Away (feat. Brendan Benson) (Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty)
15. That’s No Way To Say Goodbye (Leonard Cohen)
16. Moon Child (Ashley Monroe, Andrew Petroff, Meg McRee, Tenille Townes)
17. Jesus Hold My Hand (feat. Armand Hutton) (Albert Brumley)
UK/EU Tour Dates:
Thursday, 21st August – Manchester, UK – Band On The Wall*
Friday, 22nd August – Sunday, 24th August – Lutterworth, UK – The Long Road Festival^
Monday, 25th August – Glasgow, UK – St. Luke’s*
Wednesday, 27th August – London, UK – Islington Assembly Hall*
Thursday, 28th August – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Melkweg Upstairs
** headline show
^ festival appearance
FULL DETAILS OF ALL UK TOUR DATES ARE ON THE COUNTRY LOWDOWN GIG GUIDE
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