ACE is no slouch when it comes to unearthing compilations of exceptional cohesion and surprise. Out Of Left Field -- a new collection of soul standards tweaked and crafted for the country market -- is no exception.
"The close musical relationship between country and soul music has been explored with great success across three CDs in Kent's 'Where Country Meets Soul' series. As a complement to this well-received series, Ace now presents the other side of the musical coin, with 24 tracks that show what happens in the place 'Where Soul Meets Country'. 'Out Of Left Field' brings together 24 exceptional versions of soul and R&B hits and classics, performed by some of the best-known names in country music. All titles lend themselves extremely well to country and demonstrate just how blurred the line that separates soul and country could get at times. A great compilation in its own right, and sure to have a broader appeal than many others in the genre due to the interest from soul fans. It features Hank Williams Jr, Willie Nelson, Don Gibson, Mel Street, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Ronnie Milsap and more." - Rough Trade
In the past couple of years Ace has brought you three “Where Country Meets Soul” CDs featuring R&B and soul greats singing songs that were originally aimed at country music fans. Given how many country songs have been successfully remade as soul gems, it’s unsurprising that many country artists would try their hand at interpreting material originally aimed at soul buyers. Here in “Out Of Left Field” we reveal what takes place “Where Soul Meets Country”.
You’ll hear songs from the catalogues of some of soul music’s best-known writers and singers reworked for the country market, yet retaining much of the soul of the original versions. It’s no surprise that the songs sound so comfortable in unfamiliar surroundings. Many of those who wrote them heard as much country music in their formative years as they did R&B. Some, like Dan Penn, enjoyed hits in the country field long before achieving soul and pop success. And many of the featured musicians also played on soul sessions at the same studios these country recordings were made. There may be a steel guitar here where you would hear a sax solo there, but the end results sound no less soulful in the final analysis. That’s hardly surprising either, as the artists include several of country music’s greatest voices of the past 50 years.
- See more at: http://acerecords.co.uk/out-of-left-field-where-soul-meets-country#sthash.LX06034Z.dpufYou’ll hear songs from the catalogues of some of soul music’s best-known writers and singers reworked for the country market, yet retaining much of the soul of the original versions. It’s no surprise that the songs sound so comfortable in unfamiliar surroundings. Many of those who wrote them heard as much country music in their formative years as they did R&B. Some, like Dan Penn, enjoyed hits in the country field long before achieving soul and pop success. And many of the featured musicians also played on soul sessions at the same studios these country recordings were made. There may be a steel guitar here where you would hear a sax solo there, but the end results sound no less soulful in the final analysis. That’s hardly surprising either, as the artists include several of country music’s greatest voices of the past 50 years.
Tony Rounce
- See more at: http://acerecords.co.uk/out-of-left-field-where-soul-meets-country#sthash.LX06034Z.dpufYou’ll hear songs from the catalogues of some of soul music’s best-known writers and singers reworked for the country market, yet retaining much of the soul of the original versions. It’s no surprise that the songs sound so comfortable in unfamiliar surroundings. Many of those who wrote them heard as much country music in their formative years as they did R&B. Some, like Dan Penn, enjoyed hits in the country field long before achieving soul and pop success. And many of the featured musicians also played on soul sessions at the same studios these country recordings were made. There may be a steel guitar here where you would hear a sax solo there, but the end results sound no less soulful in the final analysis. That’s hardly surprising either, as the artists include several of country music’s greatest voices of the past 50 years.
Tony Rounce
- See more at: http://acerecords.co.uk/out-of-left-field-where-soul-meets-country#sthash.LX06034Z.dpufYou’ll hear songs from the catalogues of some of soul music’s best-known writers and singers reworked for the country market, yet retaining much of the soul of the original versions. It’s no surprise that the songs sound so comfortable in unfamiliar surroundings. Many of those who wrote them heard as much country music in their formative years as they did R&B. Some, like Dan Penn, enjoyed hits in the country field long before achieving soul and pop success. And many of the featured musicians also played on soul sessions at the same studios these country recordings were made. There may be a steel guitar here where you would hear a sax solo there, but the end results sound no less soulful in the final analysis. That’s hardly surprising either, as the artists include several of country music’s greatest voices of the past 50 years.
Tony Rounce
- See more at: http://acerecords.co.uk/out-of-left-field-where-soul-meets-country#sthash.LX06034Z.dpufYou’ll hear songs from the catalogues of some of soul music’s best-known writers and singers reworked for the country market, yet retaining much of the soul of the original versions. It’s no surprise that the songs sound so comfortable in unfamiliar surroundings. Many of those who wrote them heard as much country music in their formative years as they did R&B. Some, like Dan Penn, enjoyed hits in the country field long before achieving soul and pop success. And many of the featured musicians also played on soul sessions at the same studios these country recordings were made. There may be a steel guitar here where you would hear a sax solo there, but the end results sound no less soulful in the final analysis. That’s hardly surprising either, as the artists include several of country music’s greatest voices of the past 50 years.
Tony Rounce
- See more at: http://acerecords.co.uk/out-of-left-field-where-soul-meets-country#sthash.LX06034Z.dpuf