Dreamin My Dreams Cut By Cut

It’s all in the song. When I’m getting ready for a project, Emory Gordy Jr. (my husband and producer) sits down with a guitar or similar instrument and I try to make the lyrics “speak.” If you can make a song come off with just your voice and one instrument, or NO instrument at all, then you’ve got a really good song. Adding a bunch of “bells ‘n whistles” to a bad lyric isn’t going to make it any better. It’s very simple - the song has to be “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth” for it to work. Country music is all about the song. God bless the writers who poured their hearts out for me. God bless the musicians, singers, and engineers who gave me all they had…and then some.

“Keep Your Distance”
Richard Thompson

There is very little you can write about a relationship that hasn’t already been said. But a really good writer like Richard Thompson will give you a brand new perspective…one of those, “I’ve always felt this way but could never wrap words around the feelings so concisely.” The message is “It must be all or nothing,” and most of us can relate to those feelings when it comes to relationships.

“Keep Your Distance” is very simple, yet very effective. It’s also a good musical introduction to the rest of this album. It’s a wonderful cross between the ‘raucous rock’ and the ‘mountain soul’ that I love.


“Old Soul”
Lee Roy Parnell / Tony Arata

I cannot begin to tell you how many women I know who will immediately connect with this song. “Old Soul” tells the unfortunate recurring story of those who have sought happiness but met (with quiet resignation) an all too predictable fate. This is also a tribute to those ladies who deserve praise for their patience and acceptance. God has a special place for Old Souls.


“When Being Who You Are Is Not Enough”
Jim Lauderdale / Leslie Satcher

Being an artist or musician can sometimes be like a relationship where someone has a fixed idea of what they’re looking for. It’s difficult enough trying to figure out where you fit in and everybody seems to know exactly how you should look, how you should sound, who you should be…except you. Emmylou (Harris) is not noted for the rich low notes she sings on this but she takes great pride in being able to sing the ‘low-baritone.’ Her performance adds great emotional depth to this track. I think maybe she identifies with this song as much as I do.


“Nobody Here by That Name”
Tony Arata / Pete Wasner

Here’s another great lyric from Tony. He wrote “Here I Am” (from my album, When Fallen Angels Fly). Almost everyone has experienced a failed relationship with someone who continues to cling, long after it’s over…someone who has little concern for your pain and selfishly continues to seek comfort and advice from you--offering nothing in return. And yes, there’s a place for those “someones” too.


“Same Kind of Crazy”
Gary Nicholson / Delbert McClinton

I know Gary and Delbert but I didn’t think they knew THAT much about me and my husband. It’s like they planted hidden cameras in our little corner of the world.


“Everything but the Words”
Jim Lauderdale / Leslie Satcher

Have you ever run into a situation where you wanted everything to be perfect and you had so much riding on it…your life could change forever at that specific time? It’s a moment you planned for your whole life and want it to be perfect. You even had it perfectly scripted in your mind…all except for the right words. Jim and Leslie found the perfect “right words” to describe that moment.


“Dreaming My Dreams with You”
Allen Reynolds

God, I miss Waylon! The first performance I ever heard of this song was by Waylon Jennings. It seems like he put so little effort into that performance but he managed to knock me to the ground with the words. I’m lucky if I can get 1/10th of the impact out of a lyric that he does. Maybe that’s the way it works: Just give in and go-with-the-flow, let go but always keep the hope.


“On the Verge of Tears”
Thom Schuyler

A lot of times, I might have a song that I hold on to for a long time before cutting it. Although we did cut this some years back, I think we ended up beating it to death. This time around, we tried a much simpler approach -- choosing the right musicians and vocalists to enable the song to speak for itself. Once more: A very simple lyric that clearly and simply nails the devastating feeling of losing that special someone.


“Never Ending Song of Love”
Delaney Bramlett

The original version of “Never Ending Song of Love” recorded by Bonnie and Delaney had sparks and fireworks all over it. When we were doing the pre-production, I wanted to capture that same energy. I instantly thought of Dwight Yoakam. We were born in the same year, in the same month, in the same town, in the same hospital. PERFECT! As they say where I’m from (and ‘scuse my Franch), Dwight has that certain ‘Jenny say squat’ -- that mountain twang-thang.


“Big Chance”
Patty Loveless / Emory Gordy, Jr.

Seems like we spend the first part of our lives leaving and the second part going back. “Pretty Little Miss” (cut #8 on my Mountain Soul project) is wearing out that first part about leaving home. When we last heard from her she was arguing with her momma, “….he’s gonna marry me when I turn twelve this summer.” This time she’s a little older - around 14 or so and definitely wants out of that “holler.” She’s got the ‘burning itch to get hitched.’ She’s found her ticket outta there - her “Big Chance!” The problem is, momma and daddy keep running off them boys from down ‘round Shelby Gap. What’s a girl to do?


“My Old Friend the Blues”
Steve Earle

Being on the road can be very exciting…for the first few days and then it sets in. You’re on a really nice bus with a microwave, ‘fridge, satellite TV, comfy bunks. Even with all those luxuries, it’s still just a damned old bus. Even with some of your best friends around, the long-lost haunt seems to make its way back into your soul. Steve Earle hit the nail on the head. This should be every musician’s anthem.


“When I Reach the Place I’m Going”
Emory Gordy, Jr. / Joe Henry


I like to record at least one spiritual song on each of my projects. This song was originally written about a very young girl who was dying of cancer. What I look for in a song like this is a lyric/melody combination that is all encompassing -- sad yet therapeutic. I think that when you address something you can’t handle -- something that’s just too big and painful to make sense of, you meet it head on and in the process it can be cathartic and healing. I dedicate this song to the memory of my mother-in-law and close friend, Christie Gordy McLendon. God always has a special place for everyone, especially people as wonderful as she was.