On June 2nd 2023, Sweet Western Sounds, the new Tanya Tucker album, produced by Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings was released.
It’s the second Tanya Tucker album produced by the pair, the first being While I’m Livin‘, which won Tanya Tucker and Brandi Carlile a Grammy for the track, Bring My Flowers Now for Best Country Song in 2019.
This new album was recorded in 2022, with the first song “Ready as I’ll Never Be” released in the closing credits of the 2022 documentary The Return of Tanya Tucker. They spoke to Variety about that here.
The lead track “Kindness”, written by Tim and Phil Hanseroth, was released in April along with the album release date announcement.
Most of the tracks have Brandi or the twins in credits in some form, and this time around Tanya Tucker co-writes some tracks.
Exciting to note that Brandi’s vocal features on the track “Breakfast in Birmingham” – that was co-written by her and Elton John’s collaborator Bernie Taupin.
Rock Celler publication noted that when Brandi Carlile sat down with producer Dave Way in conversation at the Namm Show 2023 in April, she
“recalled visiting Willie Nelson’s tour bus to play him some of the new Tucker songs. It resulted in an unusual encounter where Nelson’s wife Annie made a snide remark about Tucker’s past wayward ways, but still asked Carlile to give Tucker a bracelet. Then Carlile sang a bit of a song they wrote and detailed how it was inspired by a one-liner remark.” That song is The List
In a surprise the album has a cover of the beautiful Brandi Carlile track That Wasn’t Me.
Tanya said upon the release:
“Sweet Western Sound is another revelation and I’m excited to see what folks think of our new endeavor,” says Tucker. “It’s always a trip working with Brandi and Shooter. I didn’t know if we’d be working together again on a new album after ‘While I’m Livin’ but we did it! Lots of new things we did this time and I even co-wrote some of the songs, which means a lot to me. Brandi says we’re MAGIC together, and I’m starting to believe her!”
The album is available in all formats including signed versions upon release and colored exclusive versions from retailers like Target and Walmart.
Track list:
Tanya (a 50 second voicemail from legendary writer Billy Joe Shaver)
Kindness (the track written for Tanya by Tim and Phil Hanseroth and the first release off the album
Breakfast In Birmingham [Feat. Brandi Carlile] – Written by Brandi Carlile and Bernie Taupin
Waltz Across A Moment – giving the title to the album. Also, the lyrics actually say Waltz Across The Moment
Ready as I’ll Never Be – the closing track to the documentary last year about Tanya Tucker. Co-written by Tanya and Brandi.
The List – inspired by a snide remark made from Willie Nelson’s wife about Tanya’s wayward past. Co-written by Tanya and Brandi and features uncredit vocal by Brandi.
Letter to Linda: – A song inspired by a letter written to her idol Linda Rondstadt. Co-written by Tanya and Shooter Jennings
City of Gold – written by JT Nero (stage name of Jeremy Lindsay and Allison Russells husband – They have the band Birds of Chicago)
That Wasn’t Me – A cover of Brandi Carlile’s That Wasn’t Me
When the Rodeo is Over (Where Does The Cowboy Go?) – The second single after Kindness released. (Written by Billy Don Burns, Brandi Carlile, Craig Dillingham)
