By Andrew W. Griffin
pop writer
Shane Yellowbird
"It's About Time"
(EMI / OnRamp Records) 2009
If there's anything to be said of Canadian country singer Shane Yellowbird it's that he is a natural when it comes to singing. Each song, be about love or beer or just having fun, Yellowbird gives it his all.
While in Calgary, Alberta, during the holidays, I heard about Yellowbird, a rising star on Canada's country scene who is making a bit of a splash across the border as well. My curiosity got the best of me and I decided to take a chance on Yellowbird's sophomore album "It's About Time," which was released in Canada in November and is expected to be released in the U.S. sometime this year.
I'm glad I did. Yellowbird, a Cree Indian who also is an Alberta cowboy who competes in calf-roping competitions when he can, has put together an accessible, easy-on-the-ears collection of country and country-pop songs that are bound to appeal to a wide-range of country fans.
There's a bit of that carefree, mountain-folk Brad Paisley feel to the album opener and first single, "Bare Feet On The Blacktop." Great pedal steel work on this tune.
There's a bittersweet mood on "I Get That A Lot These Days," a song that while sounding a little dated with those early 90s-esque background harmonies, has a strange appeal that had me playing it over and over.
Yellowbird and his band paint a pretty picture on the descriptive "Sedona Arizona," a song that will connect with fans of artists like Dierks Bentley and Emerson Drive.
For Yellowbird, who probably enjoys cuttin' loose like most of us, the rowdy "My Kind of Crowd" is bound to fit the bill.
Sings Yellowbird: "Ain't the country club type / always thought a black tie fit a little too tight around my neck / Botox, ballet, sushi bars, champagne / No thanks, I ain't too impressed / But if you love a kick butt barroom band / Or ever worn a cowboy hat then throw up your hands."
It's a little clunky in parts but the message is loud and clear.
Oklahoma native and successful songwriter Brett James ("Jesus, Take The Wheel," "Cowboy Casanova") co-wrote "Pabst Blue Ribbon," one of the strongest songs on the album, and not just because I like a cold PBR now and again. No, it's because Yellowbird, sounding reminiscent of early Tim McGraw, sings each lyric as if he means it. Plus, the guitar work is playful and frames Yellowbird's voice effortlessly.
Jason Barry, the Ontario-based producer behind "It's About Time," did a fine job highlighting Yellowbird's vocal strengths. A slightly more modern feel and a slightly earthier feel might make a great album even better. But that's just my opinion.
While it may be a few months before it appears in American stores, "It's About Time" by Shane Yellowbird is available at Amazon.com and at his Web site, www.shaneyellowbird.com.
Grade ? B +
