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Album: Scratchin' The Surface A wonderful voice, awesome musicians and 12 great songs describe succinctly this brand new CD by this talented Arizona vocalist. Another highlight of this CD is Steel Guitar Hall of Fame legend John Hughey playing steel on 10 of the 12 cuts on one of his last sessions before his recent untimely passing. Another wonderful steel guitarist, Mike Headrick is heard on steel on Does he Love You Like I do and Ray Pennington's Somewhere Out in Texas from the great Ray Price. As a side note, John Hughey's widow, Jean said that John had an advance copy of this CD in his player constantly. The album also features the fiddle of Joe Caverlee and the guitars of Al Bruno. Tim Atwood is the pianist, Mark Beckett is heard playing drums and Ben Brogden is the bassist. The album opens with Harlan Howard's Another Bridge to Burn and then goes on to Cindy Walker's The Day You Left me, originally from Eddy Arnold. Ray takes off on Western Swing standards The Old Water Mill recorded by both Milton Brown and Jimmie Revard back in the 1930s and Tommy Duncan's Time Changes Everything originally sung by Tommy with Bob Wills. Another one from the great Ray Price is April's Fool. You Belong to Me was written by Western Swing legends Pee Wee King and Redd Stewart and scored quite well in the 1950s for pop music's Jo Stafford, Patti Page and Sue Thompson. Ray borrows I Never Go Around Mirrors from country music superstar Merle Haggard and Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins' Western Swing classic Heart of a Clown from the late Wade Ray. Also brought back is a fantastic version of recently deceased songwriter Lawton Williams' Farewell Party which originally was a huge Gene Watson hit and later brought back by the great Johnny Bush. The album closes with Stuart Hamblen's It is no Secret, a hit for both Stuart and Jo Stafford. The album can be obtained for $17 including postage from Ray Harrison at prsranch@vtc.net or 520-826-4242. It is also available from Mike Headrick on line at www.countrydiscovery.com Mike Gross, WVOF-FM, Fairfield, CT |