Gretchen Peters earned her name initially in the 90s, penning huge tracks including ‘Independence Day’ recorded by Martina McBride and more. Now, she has released her new record, ‘The Night You Wrote That Song: The Songs of Mickey Newbury.’ We review the record and reveal our standout tracks.
Gretchen Peters has always admired Mickey Newbury, relating to his craft and his musical persona. Speaking to us, she spoke of how the experience of creating this record – The Night You Wrote That Song: The Songs of Mickey Newbury – was the most relaxing recording process she had undergone, recording the songs on this record in stints. So, it appears as a labour of love, both in time and in the respect to which she has given to Mickey Newbury, hand picking deep cuts from his records rather than the big hits. Peters recorded the tracks with husband Barry Walsh at the legendary Cinderella Studios in Nashville and the history of that studio has been imbued into the record. Peters marks each track with a deep respect, paying homage to the lyrics, yet letting her own remarkable vocal take centre stage. More than that, she has reinvented the tracks, while still retaining the innate Newbury-ness of the material.
The core soundscape of the record is a masterpiece, creating a rich tapestry on which is overlaid the delicacy of Peter’s distinctive vocal. From the heavy accompaniment on ‘The Sailor’ that reinvents Newbury’s sound to the shimmering, Parisian-esque ‘The Night You Wrote That Song,’ Peters has wholly brought herself and her own sonic landscape to this record. It is masterstroke, taking a true artist to pay in equal part homage to her hero, but also completely bringing herself and her inner psyche to the reinvention of these songs. This is a stellar accomplishment.
Standout Tracks
The Sailor
The Night You Wrote That Song
Saint Cecilia
