Rhinestoned

by

Pam Tillis

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Playing Time - 44:52 -- Born in 1957, the daughter of country music singer Mel Tillis first appeared at the Ryman Auditorium when she was just eight years old. Now she's on the list of top female country singers of all time. Drawing material from many influences, Pam's always been known for incorporating pop, rock, bluegrass, folk and other influences into her country. For example, acoustic stringsters like Bryan Sutton, Sam Bush, Aubrey Haynie, Steven Sheehan and Jonathan Yudkin add a few tasty bluegrass flavorings to the mix that primarily emphasizes electric guitar, bass, piano, organ and drums. Pam's own composition, "Life Has Sure Changed Us Around" is a tongue-in-cheek statement sung with John Anderson in one of the more acoustic arrangements.

For a Texas rockabilly beat with some understated banjo, John Armenti's "Down by the Water" is just the ticket. Jim Hoke's clarinet and harmonica impart an old-time jazz sensibility to "Crazy By Myself." The talking blues storyline of "Bettin' Money on Love" evolves into a cautionary tale about taking chances, making choices, winding up hurting, and spending a little fortune on love. Anyone who's ever played or partied in the country honky-tonks will be able to relate to the story of Red, Louise and Tommy in "Band in the Window." Drawn to trouble and courting disaster, Pam's own self-penned "The Hard Way" is an expressive statement as she sings "I love to play with matches `tho I have to walk through fire." Bluegrass and Celtic instrumental flavorings of banjo, mandolin and pennywhistle close the set in "Over My Head."

It's been a few years since Pam released her "Thunder and Roses" and "It's All Relative" projects. "Rhinestoned" is a thoughtful and eclectic set of well-arranged songs that beats with the rhythm of her country heart and tender soul. Her traditional sensitivity comes through front and center. The result is a creative and impressionable set of reality music. It's refreshing to hear songs arranged, with stellar musicianship, around vibrant, colorful and sincere messages and stories. Right on, Pam! (Joe Ross, Roseburg, OR.)