Terri Hendrix - The Ring

San Antonio singer/ songwriter Terri Hendrix has delved into some strange territory at times on her 6th album, 5th with producer Lloyd Maines. What she's done may be nothing out of the ordinary for Americana, or even alt-country listeners, but may strike a different chord with mainstream country listeners, especially those of the "Nashville sound" variety. A voice that is gentle and innocent, and at times can remind you of Deanna Carter, other times can cause you to think of Lucinda Williams, even Emmylou at times.

Those comparisons I don't feel do justice to the vocals of Terri Hendrix on the ring, rather they are just that, comparisons for folks who haven't heard her own style YET. I say yet for a reason, I feel that Terri Hendrix if not a well known name, will establish a much larger "cult" following if more folks give her the chance, and look past the more unusual ? Maybe for traditional country, but read on, this gal makes it work, somehow.

When I talk of the odder selections, those who've heard the disc will probably know I'm talking about "From another planet" that add a bit of traditional swing music with a bit of rockabilly guitar. The lyrics after you sort through, make sense in an odd way "....... we go 90 miles an hour just to sleep alone". She also admits the song was written over answering machine tag- messages with co-producer Lloyd Maines. Then there's some great new country memories on songs like "Long Time Coming", the up-tempo disc opener "Goodbye Charlie Brown" that first sold me on her style from a mere clip.

New country from the wild frontier is a thought I had while listening to the disc, sound odd, well I found myself with memories of Country's past, as well as some more recent memories added by songs like "Consider Me". I like to get lost in the songs on an album, and I got to do that here. Some songs that could be added to any country radio station in, well, the planet! Then there's the story songs that sweep me away, and I especially like to really get swept away by stories that are written because of true life experiences that can take me away, like "The Ring" represents. Then there's the "song for my friends" type that sometimes mean something to me, and "Prayer For My Friends" seems to really mean a lot to me this year.

The bottom line here is if you enter this CD with an open mind, you are sure to find more than a couple songs that will hold your attention and bring you back. I will say it has truly made me want to discover more by this talented Texan. Fun, and a good sense of humor added in the right places.

  ( 5 Stars out of 6 )

Terri Hendrix - vocals, harmonica, acoustic guitar, papoose, mandolin
Lloyd Maines - acoustic, electric, and steel guitars, papoose, mandolin, wissenborn, dulcimer, dobro, background vocals
Glenn Fukunaga -bass
Paul Pearcy - drums, percussion
Riley Osbourn - keyboards
Adam Odor - accordion
Marcus Hummon – accordion, baritone mandolin
John Mills - saxophone
Sara Hickman – background vocals on "Consider Me"