This Americana/acoustic sounding CD has some real nice material on it that will put a song in your heart. Most material is written by Aiken himself or with help. This CD is the first CD that Aiken has put some real top professional people in the help and it is an excellent sounding CD. This recording was two years in the making, but is scheduled for release on April 22,2013. It is produced by Aiken, Dan Baird, and Ben Strand. The sound ranges from country, roots and a bit of island sound.
It is a twelve song CD recorded at Sound Emporium Studio in Nashville, one of the best. Mastered at Yes Master in Nashville, a company with a great reputation that I have heard many fine CDs mastered by them. This recording has a very warm mix where everything is heard at a good volume. Vocals were recorded at Hot factory six and recording was mixed at Hot Factory six.
Aiken sings lead vocals, plays guitars, and slide guitar. Mike Grando plays drums. Michael Webb plays bass. Dan Baird plays electric guitar, and one of the best in the industry Dan Dugmore plays pedal steel.
I really do not think there is a bad song on this CD. My favorites are the melodic, catchy “Virginia”, the workingman’s song , “Coal Train” , One of Mike’s best for me is the slow “Your Memory Wins”, written with the help of Austin Cunningham.
I like “Save The Whales” upbeat, country song written by Joe Mcdonald. Tammy Rodgers plays some excellent fiddle here. “Summertime Song” has some real good country blues guitar. Good background vocals on this upbeat song. Mike also plays some great slide guitar on this song. This might be the best song on the CD. “Captains and Cowboys” is another upbeat song with a real good vibe going. This has been a real joy for me. Enjoy!!
