Laura Benitez and the Heartache
Album: Heartless Woman
Label: Copperhead
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.laurabenitezandtheheartache.com/

This is an album that will please all fans of genuine C&W music even if it has not been recorded in Nashville. Laura does not even come from the town. The success of the TV Series, Nashville, will have attracted many new fans to this genre of music and this album will not disappoint them.

In keeping with C&W songs in general, this compilation has the usual mix of love songs, songs of woe and desperation and one cracking track entitled "Worst vacation." This was not about a vacation at all but a song written on Laura's first night in a new apartment after a separation. She woke up in the middle of the night, saw her suitcase and thought she was in a hotel. She then said to herself if this was a vacation it would be the worst one ever. A song was born! Country songs nearly always evolve from real emotion and heartfelt storytelling usually delivered by people that have suffered at one time or another. That is what makes C&W so different to most modern inane pop music.

One thing I have always liked about Country music is the often tongue in cheek titles of the songs. One that springs to mind immediately is Deana Carter's "Did I shave my legs for this." Priceless, funny, self-deprecating and I challenge you not to smile.

Laura is backed by a band of superb musicians which of course includes the mandatory Pedal Steel Guitar. Michele Kappel Sutton who plays drums also duets with Laura in a separate band named "Heartache Sisters." The "Heartless Woman" album was recorded in San Francisco but has a genuine Nashville feel and sound to it. Laura's voice is crystal clear with excellent diction making the stories so much easier to follow.

This is an album full of genuine Country songs which should appeal to all lovers of this type of music and others beyond. It has real quality and improves with each new listen. The story behind the funding of the album is also worth mentioning here. I wrote to Laura as I was fascinated by her story and she told me "I funded the recording sessions and mixes myself, and with an album's worth of songs I had to figure out how to fund the final steps of putting the album out. I had to pay for mastering, photos, graphic design, and CD duplication - I big chunk, all coming at once. I also had dreams of paying back my credit card for the cost of the recording sessions. I decided to do an IndieGoGo campaign to help with the final expenses. We ran the campaign over about a month, reaching out to friends, family and fans through email, Facebook and Twitter. While we didn't make as much as I'd hoped (so much for paying off the credit cards!) we did make enough to fund the graphic design and duplication." You have to admire that dedication and drive!

My personal favourites are both slightly upbeat songs. The opening track "Good love" starts the album off with a great driving music track and the track "Taking what's mine" just makes me smile. Laura is, in the song, walking out, taking her possessions and her dignity with her. "You can take your money and shove it where the suns don't shine." Just love it!

I mentioned Nashville above and my wife and I went there a few years ago. The place is absolutely magical with wall to wall music from any number of clubs and of course the Bluebird Café and the Grand Ole Opry. A real Mecca for music fans and Laura Benitez would not be out of place at any of the venues there.

I think this lady probably has a great sense of humour and if her music fails, which it won't, she can always pursue a career as a stand-up comedienne.

Rory Stanbridge