CMT

MusicFog

Washington Post

“The singer’s poise is particularly impressive with “Bad Angel,” a swaggering, roadhouse-ready tune about facing down addiction. Flanked by Miranda Lambert and Jamey Johnson — two of Nashville’s heirs to the outlaw country mantle — Bentley holds his own. “I’m standing at the crossroads of temptation and Salvation Street,” he sings, his voice packing enough bravura, you actually believe that he’s not only been to the bottom — he’s going to pull through, too. ”

-Chris Richards

Get Dierks’ new album at Amazon or at Dierk’s Store now!

For all its hot licks and just-right harmonies, Dierks Bentley’s new full-length Up on the Ridge lets its bluegrass-meets-country concept disperse into songs that skirt Music Row hackdom and playing that is virtuosic but empty. On his 2005 single “Lot of Leavin’ Left to Do,” Bentley and producer Brett Beavers achieved a dense fusion of bluegrass and country-rock. A limited if genial singer, Bentley has made records more notable for their sonics and devotion to the mythos of the road (and the free love it encourages) than their emotional depth. Still, Up on the Ridge plays out as intermittently interesting bluegrass-flavored country. Jon Randall Stewart’s production gives room to guests on the order of Sam Bush and Alison Krauss — hot licks abound. Bentley covers Dylan and U2 effectively, but his bluesy version of Verlon Thompson and Suzi Ragsdale’s “Bad Angel” is the keeper.

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Altville In Store

Hey Everybody, I just realized I’ve been clear across this beautiful country in the past couple of months and thought I’d share a little travelog with you.

At the end of January, I gave myself the gift of Grammy tickets (I’m so good to me!) and flew out of snowy Nashville to sunny LA.  KKGO, one of the stations that’s been playing my record had invited me to be their guest for an in-store at LA Audi where owner and Americana artist, Darryl Holter shared the stage with me.  Vicki Pepper, the host of KKGO’s show “Altville” was there along with Nancy Nisi who helped to organize the show.  All are pictured in the first photo above.  Now I normally don’t wear cocktail dresses, chandelier earrings and 5 inch heels to play my little folk songs but this gig was at noon on the day of the Grammys! From the in store I went straight to Staples center for the early awards.

@ the Grammy pre-telecast awards

It was a people watching extravaganza, well catered and casual as the nominees and their entourages floated in and out of the ceremony.  High points were talking with Jamey Johnson, meeting Adam Rodriguez from CSI Miami and watching my friend Buick Audra win a Grammy for Best Traditional Gospel Album.  Well, she wasn’t actually able to be there but won for her duet of “This Little Light of Mine” with Joss Stone.

The televised Grammy ceremony was truly spectacular!  We actually had great seats and were thoroughly entertained – favorites were Elton John with Lady Gaga and Pink… three hours went by pretty quickly.

@ the Grammy After Party

The after party was pretty amazing too — even more well catered with endless buffets of seafood, tenderloin, salads, pastas, Asian, Mexican, vegetarian … you name it … everything to drink as well, my favorite being the Ultimat Vodka Martini ice sculpture bar.  Yep, the entire bar was made of ice, complete with an ice Grammy award.  Had to have my picture with it … got my shoes wet …

Ice sculpture martini bar @ the After Party

As the night was winding down we sat to watch the stage and I couldn’t believe it, my friend Sam Moore was the grand finale!  The original “Soul Man”, “Hold On, I’m Comin’” (which Sam asked Barrack Obama to stop using during his Presidential campaign, not wanting to endorse either party), “I Thank You” and many others.  Well, I couldn’t resist.  When he went to the side of the stage to let one of the background girls sing lead, I went around and told the security guard I knew Sam and his wife, Joyce.  He let me through, we all hugged and reunited and they both said, “Get up there and sing!”  I said, “Oh, no, I couldn’t”  I’m kidding!  I joined his back up group for the last 6 or seven songs of the night, feeling grateful and thrilled to be there.

"Soul Man" Sam Moore

Chick Singers

Ok, I know this blog’s getting long … I’ll wind it down.

The next photos are from a short trip east of Nashville, first to the Blue Plate Special radio show on WDVX in Knoxville (thanks, Tony Lawson and Red!)

WDVX Blue Plate Special, Knoxville

… then to the Down Home Pickin’ Parlor, where I’ve been playing periodically for more than 18 years.  My guitarist Craig, co-writer Chancy and I had to get creative with our lodging, due to the NASCAR races in Bristol, so we stayed at a local B&B with 5 llamas and two very sweet innkeepers …

with Craig @ the Down Home

Furry Beasts

The last photo is from my most recent trip to Cape May and Boston, where I had the pleasure of interviewing with John Laurenti of WUMB.  Later that night we went to the Lizard Lounge and enjoyed the open mic challenge…

with John Laurenti in Boston

It was all good … but I’m happy to be home!  Spring cleaning, gardening, writing … beautiful sunny day, gonna go soak it up!

Cheers,

Suzi

“Wishbone” Video

Click HERE to hear a great interview with Bill Cody of WSM too.

Suzi Ragsdale- Full Length EPK Best Regards/ Less of the Same from Suzi Ragsdale on Vimeo.

Hi Everybody,

This is my first attempt to insert audio into a blog post, so … we’ll see, it looks a little suspect here in the draft stage …

In any case, I’ve been finalizing all the music and graphics for the release of my second short collection of songs to share.  I love the idea of releasing EPs, and more frequently … but I’m also releasing a 2 disc package with 12 songs and more photos, etc…  I’ll let you know when that’s available.

Initially, I did the 2 disc set to meet the requirements and protocol of the gracious and welcoming boutiques and stores that will carry my music (hopefully to you!) … now, after marrying the 2 projects and seeing both side by side, i’m very excited about how beautiful the package is and how it all hangs together.

Huge thanks to my distribution team for making my music available!!  Even huger thanks to Sabrina, Doug & Ray at Ray Stevens Music/Clyde Records (and to Sanna & BJ & Mike & Sherri & Buddy!)

I wanted to share an advance track from the newest EP, Less Of The Same.  It’s actually the only song of these 12 that I didn’t write.  It was written by my old friend, Darrell Scott, and I’ve had the pleasure of  performing it with him, both on stage & in studio, for many years…

Full Light fit very naturally into this group of songs and fit me as well … and I’m always pleased to draw attention, if possible, to great artistry.

Which brings me to my duet partner on this song, Gabe Dixon.  If you know his music then I need say nothing… if you don’t, do yourself a favor & look him up!  He’ll be on facebook & myspace & his own site … gabedixonband.com

http://oliverdiplace.blogspot.com/

Suzi Ragsdale sounds like Suzi Ragsdale. I’m sure she could list off her musical influences if asked, but Ragsdale has found her own voice. Best Regards includes six original songs, and it was hard to pick just one for this post. I chose Wishbone, because I find that I cannot listen to it and sit still at the same time. The song features an arrangement for a full folk-rock band. But I could just as easily have gone with Virginia, arranged for acoustic guitar and strings. Or the title track, for Ragsdale’s piano playing, with bass, acoustic guitar, strings, brass, and woodwinds. Or Two on a Tightrope, with full band and circus effects at the end.

All of this may make it sound like Best Regards is overproduced, and no one would be more bothered by that than me. But Ragsdale is cooking here, and she is in perfect control of her ingredients. She gives each song the arrangement it needs, and nothing is overdone. And her voice is always out front in the mix, with the arrangements complimenting her voice, never competing with it.

Ragsdale sings in an alto voice, which goes from an almost whisper, to a purr, to a clear tone. Again, she knows exactly what each song needs. And she puts over the feeling of each song without ever oversinging.

Ragsdale’s songs are short stories. A good short story should have a tidy plot, a sketch of the character, and a satisfying denouement. And these are good. Wishbone charts the progress of a romance through the changing wishes of its protagonist. Two on a Tightrope also tells of a romance, this time through the metaphor of a tightrope act. And in Virginia, a heartbroken woman gains some much-needed perspective by observing her elderly neighbor at work in her garden.

I hope this review does not sound overly adoring. But this CD just knocked me out. I do however, have one complaint: there are only six songs! I have had word from Ragsdale that she is working on a full-length album. I’m looking forward to it.