Page 20 - ION Indie Magazine JulyAugust 2020

Her voice perfectly fits the light-hearted and fun Western swing songs. Throughout this new project titled
"Bye Bye Blues,” Solitaire and her musicians are not content to merely recreate the past but are creative
within the style, adding to the music's legacy and giving it a fresh new shine for a whole new audience to
discover. While Solitaire can name a long list of influences like Kay Starr or Mary Ford, she does not sound
exactly like any of the singers who preceded her, nor does the group sacrifice their own individuality
while doing justice to the material. Her voice, music, and choice of material all blend a splendid mixture
of nostalgia, with a significant nod to the glory days when music was unpretentious and fun.

Those musical connoisseurs who find it necessary to put a categorical label on everything, which Solitaire
calls "Genre Nazis,” may find their heads spinning on this one. But country music, in its truest form, has
always incorporated different musical stylings, such as swing, jazz, and rockabilly. Folks, no matter what
you label it, this is just damn good music!

I first became acquainted with Solitaire a couple years ago. She had released a Western swing project
that caught my ear right away. I interviewed her for my radio show and found that not only was she an
awesome talent, but she knew her musical history too. She and I have had some lengthy conversations
about Country Music Hall of Fame songwriter Cindy Walker, whose influence is a strong presence on
many of Solitaire's recordings. In a world where today's music tends toward the short shelf life, these
songs are absolutely timeless. As I have often said, "Good music has no expiration date." The songs she
has selected for "Bye Bye Blues" have stood the test of time, remaining relevant and entertaining now.

Among my top picks from this collection are the Willie Nelson penned standard "Night Life.” This tune is
what I refer to as a song only for the singer's singer, an adventure really, both to play and sing. Ray Price
recorded the song on his 1963 album of the same name, which became the standard version to which all
others would be measured. I can't say I have ever heard a female vocalist tackle it until now, but with
Solitaires voice showcased around a gorgeous pedal steel guitar, I would put this version right up there
next to Price's any day.

"Drivin' Nails In My Coffin" was written and first recorded by Jerry Irby and His Texas Cowboys in 1945,
but it was Ernest Tubb who had the biggest hit with the tune a year later. It would become a staple of
Tubb's live sets his entire career. You will hear Susie Blue and the Lonesome Fellas’ version playing as you
read this article. I think you'll agree it's a stellar version.

The title song “Bye Bye Blues,” originally published in 1925, was recorded by several country and jazz
groups, most notably by Les Paul and Mary Ford in 1952.

"Back In Baby's Arms" was originally released by Patsy Cline in 1963. Solitaire and the boys take it to a
whole new level with a much edgier take from the original, while amazingly maintaining the original
integrity of the song.

"I Love You So Much It Hurts" was written by Texas country music legend Floyd Tillman in 1948 and was
also a hit for Cline in 1961. You'll want a serious drink of scotch after you hear Solitaire wrap her velvety
blues-drenched phrasing around this one.

The album’s one instrumental tune, “Spadella,” was written by Western swing bandleader Spade Cooley
and is led by Javier Chaparro, along with Chicago’s Don Stille on accordion. Their version was recently
nominated by the Academy of Western Artists for “Best Western Swing Song of the Year.”