Thursday, November 7, 2019

Tracks On The Blood: A New Book and Record From Alison Moorer



Alison Moorer has been making records for years, but most have been lost on me. She has a wonderful voice and she can certainly write a song. But it wasn't until her collaboration of covers with her sister Shelby Lynne, 2017's "Not Dark Yet," that I got on board. I wish I could tell you the precise reason why 20 years of prior recording failed to pique my interest. But I can't. Wrong place, wrong time, I guess. 

Now seems to be the right time, as her new release, "Blood," the companion to her memoir of the same name, has really shaken me up. Moorer's not so secret life includes among other things, a divorce from husband Steve Earle, and of course, the 1986 murder-suicide of her parents, both of which I imagine take up more than a few pages in the book. While I plan on reading the memoir, until then, "Blood," the album, will get heavy rotation, thanks to some truly amazing songs, like the beautifully heartbreaking "I'm The One To Blame," a song written by sis Shelby, or "All I Wanted (Thanks Anyway)," a song Jagger & Richards have been trying to write since 1975.

My plan is to go backward and catch up on all of the Alison Moorer I have missed, that is how good "Blood" is. Give it a spin, or just sample what I have posted here. This record is another winner for 2019 and will no doubt finish high on my year-end list.
















14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like her third album, "Miss Fortune," a lot. Has the heavy hitters up front, and the rest of the album holds up its end. Like you, I've found the other albums to be not as special. But yeah, what a voice.

Ken D said...

She was interviewed the other day on "Fresh Air":

https://www.npr.org/programs/fresh-air/2019/11/04/776048898/fresh-air-for-nov-4-2019-singer-songwriter-allison-moorer?

In the interview she said that the lyrics to "I'm the One to Blame" were in fact written by her father (an amateur musician) and found in a notebook after his death. It adds another chilling layer to the song.

As for her older records, I'd recommend "The Duel" and live one, "Show."

buzzbabyjesus said...

I've been thinking about her and Shelby, who I'd never given a thought to before, ever since hearing that interview. That's a country song right there.

steve simels said...

I've loved Moorer since this one in 2000.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mOdh9-g5l8

Troy said...

Big Allison Moorer fan here. Agree on the Duel and Show as two good entries to check out. Show is a terrific live album. Her covers album 'Mockingbird' was produced by Buddy Miller and is worth a listen too.

But if I were looking for another one to check out, I would start with 'Down to Believing' which came out 3-4 years ago. Hands down, it is my favorite record of hers. Stunning album. Start there.

gms168 said...

Down to Beleiving is her best record...get it.I spun that one for a year straight.

Troy said...

@gms168....me too!!

M_Sharp said...

I listened to it at work yesterday, it sounds very intense and will definitely get a lot more serious plays. I heard the first part of the Fresh Air interview, I'll be going back to that too.

I have "The Hardest Part", haven't listened to it in a while, but I remember it was a very good country album, great vocalizing.

neal t said...

report back as I know u will when done in the AM time tunnel

heartsofstone said...

Great voice. I have been luck to see her and Shelby a number of times.

kodak ghost said...

Not Dark Yet was a switch on for me. I had not clicked with her material earlier...perhaps I wasn't in the right place. but I will now go and revisit! Thanks for the heads up on Duel. I'll go and find it. I have Down to Believing and Mockingbird.. so need to listen to them again.

Sal Nunziato said...

Just gave "Down To Believing" a full solid spin. Really great stuff, though I almost gave up a minute into the first cut, "Like It Used To Be" which sounded a bit too much like Monday Night Football, and excatly what kept me away from Allison Moorer all these years. Thankfully, I carried on. Great, great record.

Troy said...

Glad you liked Down to Believing. I had never thought of the first song sounding like MNF, so your comment actually made me LOL. I listened to it again yesterday and this morning, and was reminded of how much I love Allison. I especially like "I Lost My Crystal Ball" and "Wish I".

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the heads-up, great album, All I Wanted is a killer track.