Matraca Berg
Album: Love's Truck Stop
Label: Proper
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.matracaberg.com

When it comes to album releases Matraca Berg is hardly prolific, five in the 1990's then nothing until last year. 'Loves Truck Stop' is only her 7th album in twenty two years and one of those was a compilation. However, when it comes to artists releasing her songs she has a consistent track record going back to 1983 and has had number 1 hits for Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood, Deanna Carter and Martina McBride. All of which makes it remarkable that RCA pulled her to be second album for not sounding mainstream enough!

This albums title track and opener sounds like it has been plucked straight from the Billboard Hot Country Chart but after that you get to thinking that the RCA executives may have had a point. I cannot see 'Magdalene' or 'My Heart Will Never Break This Way Again' getting heavy rotation on the country music stations but they are two utterly compelling and engrossing songs.

'Sad Magnolia' is dutifully mournful, complete with aching fiddle, lonesome harp and just a hint of banjo. With "Well I chain smoked cigarettes all night long 'till they burnt my finger tips / drinking whiskey from the bottle but I still taste you on my lips" 'Waiting On A Slow Train' has a great line (and more lonesome harp).

Going by her past record we could now be waiting a long time for the next Matraca Berg album: I so hope this is not the case.

John 'The Jacket' Hawes