Album Review: Amber Digby - Here Come The Teardrops
Since Amber Digby has been surrounded by musical influences her whole life it should come as no surprise that she has completely mastered such a great traditional country sound. Her father played bass for Loretta Lynn for twenty years and her mother spent seven years singing harmony for Connie Smith. She’s been singing with bands since the tender age of fifteen, and it has really paid off. I haven’t had a female singer knock me off my feet like this girl in quite some time.
My favorite song is a fantastic duet with Justin Trevino for a cheatin’ song called “Flame In My Heart”. Speaking of a cheatin’ song, this album is filled with my favorite type of songs, the heartbroken, sorrowful songs about cheatin’. Out of the instruments heard, two are my favorites, the steel guitar and fiddle. I was surprised to find that none other than Bobby Flores is the genius behind the fiddle on this album. The songs are all very well written. Some were written by George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, and Larry Gatlin.
Check out this CD if you love traditional country music, I don’t think you’ll be let down. The only thing I’m not completely satisfied about in Amber’s voice is that when she sings the sad songs, it’s hard to find the emotional pain in her voice. She still pulls it off, though. You can find more information about her on her MySpace.
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February 9, 2007 at 4:22 pm Permalink
I realize that the reviewers are different, but I can’t believe that this album received a lower rating than Jason Michael Carrol’s debut and the latest Tracy Lawrence album.
For fans of traditional country, Amber Digby is hands-down the most genuine and talented artist out there. She may not be Kitty Wells, but “Here Come the Teardrops” is excellent work from a throwback artist who is more than gratuitously traditional.
I’m glad this album got reviewed on this site. While it has no commercial potential and nowhere near the national exposure of most of the albums reviewed here, continuing to highlight excellent music like this may help reverse the pop-country trend.
February 9, 2007 at 4:23 pm Permalink
Correction: Amber is the most talented and genuine contemporary female traditional country artist.
February 9, 2007 at 5:22 pm Permalink
Hey Matt, thanks for the input. The difference between ratings probably has a lot to do with the two different reviewers, like you mentioned. I have specific criteria that I look for while Jenna has another set of criteria that she looks for. While I might look at the artists album and compare it to some of the other music that is being released today, Jenna might be rating an album based on how she interpreted it and made her feel without regard to other artists.
I’m not trying to throw Jenna under the bus and say I would have give the album a better rating (I haven’t heard the album yet), and even though we both love country music, there’s still a gap in the sounds and artists that we like which has some bearing on how we judge the music we listen to.
All in all, reviews are hard because so many people have different criteria by which they judge. Basically, all reviews are subjective. You just have to get a feel for what other types of music people like and then compare it to your own tastes and decide whether you’ll accept their recommendations or not.
February 12, 2007 at 6:11 am Permalink
This was the review I posted ar another site:
Ms Digby isn’t especially pretty but she is the best female country singer on the planet, a throwback to the days of Kitty Wells, Jean Shepard and Loretta Lynn. This album, on the Heart of Texas Records, features a nice blend of old and new material. When she does cover one of the classic country artists, she usually goes for lesser known material. Highlights are “Hinges On The Door” and a duet with Justin Trevino of an old George Jones-penned song, “Flame In My Heart”.
November 3, 2007 at 10:44 pm Permalink
I think you need to compare her to Leona Williams and Connie Smith, perhaps different voices and songs, especially Connie, but just about as good. “If you were me” is about as good as anyone can do. I also like the fact that she doesn’t warble as a lot do now. I hate that. I need to get to Texas to find some good music.
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