Audrey Auld
Album: Tonk
Label: Reckless
Tracks: 14
Website: http://www.audreyauld.com

Audrey, an ex-pat Australian, living in East Nashville for the past six years, wears her passionate love for old-school country on her sleeve, but, claims the press handout, without being retro-devotional - and you can't go wrong with that. Authentic as they come, with no frills, here Audrey's ever-stylish "music with the dirt left on" is backed by a tight little ol' band of musicians who sound for all the world equally devoted to the cause. This handsome combo comprises solid names like Kenny Vaughan (guitars), Paul Martin (bass), Harry Stinson (percussion), Andy Leftwich (violin, mandolin), George Bradfute (violin, viola, cello, slide guitar), Chris Scruggs (steel guitar) and Gary Carter (pedal steel), and Kenny & George together supply sparing and clear-managed arrangements that ensure everything is in its place yet not overcooked, configured in the approved honky-tonk tradition and all points west and with a generous helping of soft-toned twang.

It all sounds like it was played live in the studio, and it turns out that's exactly what happened - the sessions took place over just two days, in the late Jim Reeves' Nashville studio, and hey, do they sound good! Classic and classy. Audrey sings in a no-nonsense way, honest and true, with shades of Kitty Wells at times it must be said but actually paying all due respect to the whole of country tradition and well versed in all its various modes, from straight-down-the-line heartbreak (Nashville #2), the Loretta-Lynn-style Drinking Problem, a tearful namechecking of stars from the Country Hall Of Fame (Lonely Town) to witty putdown (Your Wife), via high-energy Porter-Wagoner-style duetting (Bound For Glory) and edgy shuffle (Kiss Me); though having said that, the delicious easy-going contemporary roots Americana feel of Siren Song provides the disc with one of its standout tracks.

Aside from a pair of covers - Fred Eaglesmith's Crying The Blues (sporting a nicely undersold string arrangement) and Terry McArthur's Sweet Alcohol; everything else comes from Audrey's own pen, and (apart from the cheeky, over-bouncy Australian slang of Rack Off! and the would-be-funny-but misfires Bury Me At Walmart, which sound rather out of place in this company) there's not a really a weak cut among the 12 on offer - well, the complete tally is actually 14, cos apparently you can access a further two songs recorded at the same sessions (listed as "unsuitable for kids or the delicate" - but one of them's just an even more profane version of Rack Off!) on mp3s that are available for download from Audrey's website.

The album cover shows Audrey and her guitar in silhouette against the title spelt out in glaring spotlights; this is typical of Audrey's unassuming stance, that the music is the message and not the personality here - although her performance has bags of personality, as you'll hear. The two exceptions listed above aside, Tonk can surely be regarded as a genuine homage to the kind of good-humoured old-school country you just don't seem to hear much any more.

David Kidman