Country hero and original female Outlaw Tanya Tucker makes a comeback after 17 years with new album, While I’m Livin’,released today [23rd August] via Fantasy Records. Co-produced by Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings, Tucker recent release marks her first album on the label since self-titled album ‘Tanya’ in 2002.
‘While I’m Livin’ hosts a majority of songs written by Carlile, musical twins Tim and Phil Hanseroth, Carlile’s longtime band members and Tucker herself.
The album opens up with ‘Mustang Ridge’ a recollection of Tucker’s tough childhood in Texas, while ‘The Wheels of Laredo’ a continuous confusion of the songwriters life as ‘The Day My Heart Goes Still’ is a special tribute to her late father. “It’s a musical biography of sorts,” said Carlile, “about Tanya’s real life and the places she’s seen, and it’s narrated by the greatest country and western singer this side of Johnny Cash.” The album then travels to a sassy, unapologetic tune ‘I Don’t Own you Anything’ to an ex husband singing “Darlin, I ain’t growing old with you/I don’t need your front porch swing,” in a semi acoustic arrangement. In addition, the album also brings a well select of cover songs including ‘High Ridin’ Heroes’ selected by co-producer Shooter Jennings from 1987 Dave Lynn Jones tune featuring Waylon Jennings, followed by a luminous version of 'The House That Built Me' made famous by Miranda Lambert and 'Hard Luck' by Texas heavy metal band ‘Joefus’ in 1979.
The album closes with 'Bring My Flowers Now' the one song composed by all 4, Tucker, Carlile and the twins with a beautiful piano solo. Carlile's first piano solo accompanying Tucker’s haunting voice. “We have so few opportunities to thank the legends that have influenced the generations of Country music singers and writers.” Carlile explains “With Tanya we have quite an opportunity because she’s young. I’m drawn to Tanya Tucker because she’s been to hell and to heaven, not to mention every square inch of Texas. She’s lived, she’s living, she’s got something to say and I’m listening.” Born in Seminole, Texas, Tucker had her first country hit, the classic “Delta Dawn,” at the age of 13 in 1972. Since that auspicious beginning Tucker has become one of the most admired and influential artists in country music history, amassing 23 Top 40 albums and a stellar string of 56 Top 40 singles, 10 of which reached the #1 spot on the Billboard country charts. In addition to the aforementioned “Delta Dawn,” Tucker’s indelible contributions include some of country music’s biggest hits such as “Soon,” “Two Sparrows in a Hurricane,” “It’s a Little Too Late,” “Trouble,” “Texas (When I Die),” “If It Don’t Come Easy” and “Strong Enough To Bend,” among others. Tucker is also the recipient of numerous awards, including two CMAs, two ACMs, three CMT awards and 10 GRAMMY nominations.
WHILE I’M LIVIN TRACKLIST: 1. “Mustang Ridge” 2. “The Wheels Of Laredo” 3. “I Don't Owe You Anything” 4. “The Day My Heart Goes Still” 5. “High Ridin' Heroes” 6. “The House That Built Me” 7. “Hard Luck” 8. “Rich” 9. “Seminole Wind Calling” 10. “Bring My Flowers Now”