Trisha Yearwood, "Jasper County"

[drock89]

Yearwood Returns With New Album, Tour


By Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y.


Save for a handful of one-off performances and appearances, Trisha Yearwood has not been on the road in three years. That will change this fall with a 27-date tour that will open Sept. 29 in Mesa, Ariz., and run through a Nov. 19 show in Robinsonville, Miss.

Yearwood will be touring in support of her new album, "Jasper County," due Sept. 13 from MCA Nashville. The Garth Fundis-produced set is the follow-up to 2001's "Inside Out."

"I've never taken this long to make a record," Yearwood says. "I've never recorded as many songs. I'd never completely started over on an album like I did on this one. Overall, it was a two-year process to make this record."

In fact, Yearwood and Fundis scrapped an album's worth of material and decided they could do better. "Once we did that, we were able to get to the next layer of songs, to dig a little deeper," she says. "When we got into the second set of sessions, it felt instantly right. That's when I knew. You could just feel that it was special."

The album is led by the single "Georgia Rain," which is No. 18 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart. The song features a harmony vocal by Yearwood's fiancée, country superstar Garth Brooks. Fans who pre-order the album through Apple's iTunes music store beginning Aug. 30 will receive a bonus acoustic version of the single.

Also contributing guest vocals to the album are Brooks & Dunn's Ronnie Dunn ("Try Me") and Beth Nielsen Chapman, who sings on the ballad she co-wrote, "Trying to Love You." Other "Jasper County" cuts include the bluesy opener "Who Invented the Wheel" and the upbeat songs "Baby Don't You Let Go," "Gimme the Good Stuff" and "Pistol."

Yearwood has a few appearances planned prior to the tour's kick off. Tomorrow (Aug. 20) she'll be in St. Paul, Minn., to perform at the Starkey Hearing Foundation's So the World May Hear Awards Gala, which Brooks will also attend. Michael Bolton, Donny Osmond and Paul Williams will also perform at the event, which aims to raise $3 million for the charity.

As previously reported, Yearwood has been tapped to sing the National Anthem Sept. 8 as part of the NFL Kickoff 2005 ABC special before the opening game of the professional football season.

Also on tap are appearances on NBC's "Today" morning show, as well as the network's "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno," CBS' "The Late Show With David Letterman," ABC's "Good Morning America" and "The View" and the syndicated "Ellen DeGeneres Show" and "Martha."

Yearwood is expected to be on hand in January for Nashville's inaugural Sound and Speed Presented by SunTrust, a Motorsports and Music Celebration.

Here is the "Jasper County" track list:

"Who Invented the Wheel"
"Pistol"
"Trying to Love You"
"River of You"
"Baby Don't You Let Go"
"Standing Out in a Crowd"
"Georgia Rain"
"Sweet Love"
"Try Me"
"Gimme the Good Stuff"
"It's Alright"

Here are Yearwood's tour dates:

Sept. 29: Mesa, Ariz. (Mesa Performing Arts Center)
Sept. 30-Oct. 1: Las Vegas (Las Vegas Hilton)
Oct. 2: Pomona, Calif. (Los Angeles County Fairgrounds)
Oct. 4: Palm Desert, Calif. (McCallum Theatre for Performing Arts)
Oct. 5: Escondido, Calif. (California Center for the Arts)
Oct. 7: Santa Rosa, Calif. (Luther Burbank Center for the Arts)
Oct. 8: Reno, Nev. (Reno Hilton Theater)
Oct. 9: Jackson, Calif. (Jackson Rancheria Casino)
Oct. 15: Norfolk, Va. (Fleet Rec. Park)
Oct. 17: Atlanta (Symphony Hall)
Oct. 18: Jacksonville, Fla. (Florida Theatre)
Oct. 20: Melbourne, Fla. (King Center)
Oct. 21: West Palm Beach, Fla. (Kravis Center for the Performing Arts)
Oct. 22: Clearwater, Fla. (Ruth Eckerd Hall)
Oct. 23: Fort Myers, Fla. (Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall)
Oct. 27: Prior Lake, Minn. (Celebrity Palace)
Oct. 28: Joliet, Ill. (Rialto Square Theatre)
Nov. 2: Glenside, Pa. (Keswick Theatre)
Nov. 3: Easton, Pa. (State Theatre)
Nov. 4: Mashantucket, Conn. (Foxwoods Resort and Casino)
Nov. 5: Albany, N.Y. (Palace Theatre)
Nov. 6: Waterbury, Conn. (Palace Theatre)
Nov. 10: Baltimore (France-Merrick Performing Arts Center)
Nov. 11: Atlantic City, N.J. (Atlantic City Hilton Casino)
Nov. 18: Shreveport, La. (Sam's Town)
Nov. 19: Robinsonville, Miss. (Sam's Town)

[bamafan2102]

Very boring album. Hard to pick the singles because the songs are all so bland.

[bigbluenote]

bamafan2102 said:

Very boring album. Hard to pick the singles because the songs are all so bland.

That's just Trisha for ya. She may have a beautiful voice, but she is as boring as they come.

[musicbuff78]

Real Live Woman was a disappointment, and as much as I LOVE Trisha, I have to say I'm not liking the album either. Pistol, however, would make a good single.

[sbp17]

Trisha boring? If only every country female could be so boring.

But I guess we would be better off if she could add a gem or two like All Jacked Up or Honey I'm Home to her repertoire.

[bigbluenote]

Yeah, I'll take that. Does Trisha know how to sing honky tonk songs?

[sbp17]

Try It's Alright or Pistol on her latest cd.

[prenatt1166]

Is there any indication on what the next single will be?

[KMCB]

bigbluenote said:

Yeah, I'll take that. Does Trisha know how to sing honky tonk songs?

Honestly, I think she can sing anything.

I hope there is a little more to this album than you all are saying though. She needs something spicy to release to radio. I like "Pistol" as well.

[bamafan2102]

Trisha is one of my favorite female artist and I was looking forward to her return hoping for a HUGE comeback. This album is far from it. It has been a while since I have listened so I will try again. The first thing I listen for when I spin a cd for the first time is what songs will possibly be singles. I honestly couldn't pick one out of the bunch. But as I said I will try again and hopefully hear something I missed the first time.

[WhySoSerious?]

I was expecting the worst given the comments around here the past two months, but this album isn't bad at all.

I don't think it ranks among her best work, but the bluesy rock of "Who Invented The Wheel" and the gentleness of "Trying To Love You" are great.

Overall everything has this bluesy southern rock vibe. And her vocals sound as good as ever. My only complaint is that the songs could be a little hookier. She's stated herself that finding songs was more difficult this time than ever before, and I do think that shows a little bit.

[bigbluenote]

Can someone tell me what they think is the best song or two? From what I hear, a lot of insiders (like some of yall) have already heard this album. I won't buy the album, but I will buy a song from iTunes. Oh, and the best fun/upbeat/catchy song or two. Thanks.

[WhySoSerious?]

bigbluenote said:

Can someone tell me what they think is the best song or two? From what I hear, a lot of insiders (like some of yall) have already heard this album. I won't buy the album, but I will buy a song from iTunes. Oh, and the best fun/upbeat/catchy song or two. Thanks.

Try "Pistol" or "Who Invented The Wheel"

[Jim King]

bigbluenote said:

Can someone tell me what they think is the best song or two? From what I hear, a lot of insiders (like some of yall) have already heard this album. I won't buy the album, but I will buy a song from iTunes. Oh, and the best fun/upbeat/catchy song or two. Thanks.

I was pretty discouraged until I got to the end. I love "Gimme The Good Stuff" and It's Alright," the Sara Evans and Kelly Willis soundalikes, respectively.

~ Jim

[kyhomeg]

Wonder how she is going to do with first week sales. I have noticed there is  a lot of albums debuting that week, even in country. Both Patty Loveless( that's my favorite female) and Lonestar releases an album that week.

Here is Trisha's numbers on her last album. I think she will debut with higher numbers than her last album.

Yearwood, Trisha
MCA Nashville 06/05/01 45,000(first week sales) 423,500 (total sales to date).
     

[musicbuff78]

I can't really see her debuting below Patty, but I could be wrong.

[kyhomeg]

Myself I would love Patty to debut #1 on the country charts. She is my favorite female except Loretta.

Trisha is going to have to debutwith better numbers than her last album to be #1 in the country charts. Her 45,000 with her last album isn't enough to get #1 this time.


Sadly Lonestar will have higher numbers than both Trisha and Patty. Their last album debuted with over 100,00 last time.

[anitabakerfan]

I never found Trisha to be boring....she has one of the most pure and richest voices in country....Trisha may not offer a big production on stage but there are not lot of country singers out today that can hold a note like Trisha can....Go ahead Trish

[sandis]

This album gets better every time you listen to it. It has "happier" songs than you usually find on a Trisha album, which is pretty unusual, but it just makes you smile. I've heard her sing "Wheel", "Pistol", and "Georgia Rain" live, and they're incredible--especially "Wheel". No one is better than Trisha live, by any means.

Give it a chance, it's really a very good album. A great mix of songs--southern rock-ish, bluesy, the Trisha power ballad, everything.

[musicbuff78]

And I see on Billboard, where Georgia Rain was bulleted and jumped 18-15.

[J.T.]

I just wonder if the fact that entire cd was leaked all the way back in May is gonna have any impact on sales at all. Her record company had to know, so why not push up the release to help the problem?

Also why not do exclusives like bonus tracks or dvds or something to get people to go out and buy it

[Jim King]

bigbluenote said:

Can someone tell me what they think is the best song or two?

After careful listening today in the car, I would add "Trying To Love You" and "Try Me" to "Gimme The Good Stuff" (very Kim Richey/Angelo sounding) and "It's Alright" (very Kelly Willis sounding). And "Georgia Rain" of course.

Does anyone know why the CD digital signature says "Jasper County [Bonus Disc] Disc 1"?

~ Jim

[someguy]

I got the album this morning, and I've listened to it a few times already. Right now, I'd rank this as my 3rd or 4th favorite from Trisha. Not her very best, but I was pleasantly surprised after reading all the comments on here.

At this point, the standouts to me are "Who Invented The Wheel", "Pistol", "Trying To Love You", "Standing Out In A Crowd" and "Georgia Rain". I think that "Pistol" should be the next single. Depending on how that does, then either WITW or SOIAC should be the next two singles.

[Deleted]

It looks like Trisha will definitely beat Lonestar this week.

She won't have the # 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart, but she'll definitely have the # 1 Country album for next week.

Hits Daily Double predicts that Trisha will more than double Lonestar's sales.

[someguy]

That's awesome news for Trisha. I would've been happy if she had sold 60-70K, 100+ is fantastic. I'm surprised at Lonestar though, 35-40K is terrible for them.

[musicbuff78]

Heck with as crappy as Lonestar, that's good for them. BLAH.

People that think Rascal Flatt's is country's answer to a boy band obviously haven't heard Lonestar.

[sbp17]

Over 100K? Wow, that is awesome for Trisha. Have any of her previous cds come even close to that?

[KMCB]

I am pleasantly surprised by the sales. Do we think some of it is because of the Garth engagement publicity?

I listened to the CD on CMT (will buy this weekend)... and after the reviews here, I had been worried. However, I do like it. It is a nice blend of upbeat and slow, with more 'happy' songs than usual but still plenty of the sophistication I expect from Trisha. Also, it showcases one of the best female voices ever. I also vote for 'Pistol' as the next single, but I also like 'Who Invented the Wheel.'

[sbp17]

Final first week sales are at 110K. This is absolutely amazing but baffling. What can this be attributed to? Her last cd sold 45K the first week. And wasn't the first single from that cd I Would've Loved You Anyway which was just as big if not a bigger hit than Georgia Rain?

I am so glad for Trisha! Well-deserved.

[musicfan_84]

The difference between I Would've Loved... and Georgia Rain is that IWLYA peaked well after the release date of the album. The song was not in heavy rotation or in the top 15 or 20 until after the album was released.