Ashley Monroe – “Has Anybody Ever Told You”
Songwriter: Ashley Monroe.
In 2007 Ashley Monroe released two stellar but underperforming singles–“Satisfied” and “I Don’t Want To”– and recorded a debut album that was shelved by her label (Satisfied was finally released in May exclusively by digital retailers). Despite such setbacks Monroe soldiered on, and last year she recorded a bluegrass version of the Raconteurs’ “Old Enough” (with Jack White and Ricky Skaggs) which certainly upped her cred if not her sales.
Now here she is on the third volume of Ten Out of Tenn, the compilation sponsored by American Songwriter magazine and organized by Nashville musician Trent Dabbs (available September 13). Its goal is to promote up-and-coming singer-songwriters from the Volunteer State, and Volume Three ranges from the hyperactive keyboard pop of Kyle Andrews to the bluesy simmer of Mikky Ekko.
In a perfect world, Monroe wouldn’t be up and coming–she’d already be there. Possessing a soft twang and good looks, she may be unfairly disregarded as yet another Nashville pop starlet. But “Has Anybody Ever Told You,” like the pair of singles that came before it, shows her to be a sensitive singer and shrewd songwriter with a flair for bold, simple melodies and straightforward lyrics. “Has Anybody Ever Told You” places her in a live band setting: a gentle gospel piano sets the pace, guitars and drums remain unobtrusive, and those strings threaten to weigh the song down but never do. Monroe’s vocals are set a bit low in the mix, which lends it the feel of an off-the-cuff performance.
With her expressive voice, eloquent phrasing, and warm presence that recall a young Dolly Parton, Monroe shows great restraint and sensitivity on “Has Anybody Ever Told You.” She forgoes grand gestures and melodramatic belting in favor of a slow burn, easily evoking romantic magnetism with an undercurrent of desperate desire. Few artists, signed or unsigned, display such confident poise.
Listen on mySpace: Ashley Monroe – “Has Anybody Ever Told You”
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July 7, 2009 at 4:00 pm Permalink
Well said. By the way, Stephen, I am a big fan of your work and am a Paste fanatic. It’s pretty cool to read you here on my favorite website too…that wasnt too mushy was it?
July 7, 2009 at 4:53 pm Permalink
As much as I like “Has Anybody Ever Told You” I almost wish Trent and Ashley had chosen a song like “I Can’t Get Past You” or “Dear Time” instead as I think they are more powerful. Ashley can write (and co-write) quality songs in many different country styles beyond what one hears on her “Satisfied” album or her digital EP collaboration with Trent. Ashley was a songwriter on “Flat On The Floor” (on Carrie Underwood’s “Carnival Ride” album) and “Swingin’ Door” (which was recorded by both Catherine Britt and Joey Daniels), so Ashley can kick up her heels when she chooses. Fortunately Ashley’s songwriting talent has been recognized by her peers in Nashville as recent songwriting sessions with Vince Gill can attest.
Ashley was featured on the Tuesday Night Opry just a week ago, which is quite an honor for a currently independent, unsigned artist in Nashville! Its obvious the Opry folks recognize her talent and want to support her career such as it is. Its a shame that Ashley’s being like a junior version of Dolly Parton is actually a bad thing in today’s pop-rock mainstream country radio marketplace. I would like to at least see Ashley put out indie albums like Elizabeth Cook rather than just fade into the background as a seldom heard songwriter.
July 7, 2009 at 5:10 pm Permalink
PS to Steven – Since you write for Paste, does this mean we might actually see an article here on The 9513 about Jill Andrews now that the EverybodyFields have disbanded? I was just wonderin’…
July 7, 2009 at 9:00 pm Permalink
Kelly, that’s not too mushy at all. It means a lot that people are reading my stuff and that they don’t mind me writing for their favorite site. Thanks!
Rick, I didn’t realize the Everybodyfields had broken up! Will have to look into this.
July 7, 2009 at 9:14 pm Permalink
Ashley also has a great song called “Canary” on a compilation that I can’t recall the title of right now. It’s American something though, I think.
July 7, 2009 at 9:37 pm Permalink
Leeann, “Canary” is fortunately available for download as a single at Amazon.com. I don’t normally download but I’ll make an exception for Ashley! (Well as long as its not a duet with Trent Dabbs anyway…lol)
July 7, 2009 at 10:31 pm Permalink
LOVED “I Don’t Want To” with Ronnie Dunn. Killer track that didn’t get enough credit.
July 8, 2009 at 7:44 am Permalink
I dont think any song that has been released by her has gotten enough credit!!!
Have not heard a song by her that I do not like!!! (I think she is the reason that I started reading this website…..)
July 8, 2009 at 11:01 am Permalink
I’m glad to see Ashley Monroe will be on a tour that she’s going to get some great recognition from(The Ten out of TN Tour). As everyone has said she definitely deserves way more credit than she gets from the mainstream. Thankfully there are great magazines like Paste and American Songwriter and blogs like The 9513 that spread her music to the masses. Her stuff with Trent Dabbs is great in my opinion. Check out the video for “Some People Call It Love” on YouTube. In my opinion this is a great song!
July 8, 2009 at 11:17 am Permalink
If you don’t get on a good tour as an opening act, good lucky going anywhere, no matter how talented you are.
July 8, 2009 at 11:18 am Permalink
I’m encouraged that Jewel has Ashley opening her west coast concert dates later this month performing in a solo acoustic capacity (because its cheaper that way! lol). Unfortunately the closest Ashley comes to LA is Santa Ynez (close by Michael Jackson’s “Neverland Ranch”), the tickets are expensive, and biggest obstacle is I’m not a fan of Jewel at all. I’m still hoping Ashely will do a show in Los Angeles at some point. Joey + Rory did a show out here, so miracles do happen! (lol)
July 8, 2009 at 3:56 pm Permalink
I just love this girl. She’s going to have a great career whether mainstream stardom ever comes knocking or not.
July 8, 2009 at 11:18 pm Permalink
It’s good to see such solid support for the girl across the frequenters of this site. In my biased view.. anything she does is gold.
July 9, 2009 at 4:04 pm Permalink
I love the song. I love her voice!
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