CD: "Sex, Church and Chicken"Artist: Bridgette Tatum
Release Date: Feb 2010
Label: Root Forty-Nine Records
Wow! Now THIS is what hardcore, country rock, and good songwriting is all about, how it was meant to be done. Bridgette Tatum is the quintessential Nashville artist, humble when it comes to discussing her top shelf talent yet not hesitant at all to show you that she can put a boot in music's ass. The latest release from Bridgette, "Sex, Church and Chicken", should give a clue as to how versatile she is just by the title of the cd itself. She's not content writing one typical style of music, she writes for every personality, every taste and every heart. That is what a great songwriter does and how they become a solidified name in country music. It doesn't get anymore solid than Bridgette Tatum.
The first track on the cd, "Funky in the Country", should be Bridgette's anthem because she does put the funk in country. With strong guitar, thumping drums and one of the grittiest, resolute and confident voices on the country scene right now, it's no wonder she's quickly becoming one of Nashville's most sought after songwriters. One of my top two favorites songs on the cd is the second tune, "Some Things Just Need to Be Said". I don't know if it's because this song is 100% who I am as a person or because it's just lyrics that needed to be said. Whatever it is, it works and it works flawlessly. Bridgette's lyrics always seem to say what need to be said and I LOVE that about her music. The next song, "What We Oughta Do" is yet another example of thoughtful writing, words to live by that make you actually stop and think. "We should be thanking the Lord instead of asking for more" doesn't say it any clearer. What a freakin' fantastic song crafted with careful thought and appeal to the subconscious.
"That's Love Y'all" - Bridgette Tatum
Song #4, "That's Love Y'all" is my favorite song that Bridgette's done to date because again, it speaks to who I am as a person. I can relate to being in the mindset of "I'm never gonna find anyone, I'm set in my ways with walls built a mile high" and then all of a sudden without warning, someone comes along and completely changes that way of thinking and makes you realize that you are more than capable of loving and giving 100% of yourself to someone else. Shhhh, don't tell anyone, but I always get misty when I listen to this one (and listen to it again, and again, and again.) It owns the repeat button on the iPod. Brilliant is the only word that comes to mind that would give this song the justice it deserves. "Hold onto Me" is another pouring out of the heart tune, describing how tired and weary we get walking through life on our own and how much of a difference having someone to hold onto can change that walk. It's more traditional country than the rest of the cd but just as good. The last song, "I Like My Cowboys Dirty" is a shake your Wranglers, stomp your Durangos, and shout cat calls to the dirty, bare chested construction workers sweating in the hot summer sun kinda song. I think all cowgirls like their cowboys a little on the dirty side, I know I do.
All I can say is thank you to Bridgette is thank you for doing what you do and for choosing to be a bad ass and not deciding to be a librarian or something. Country music is all the better for it, girl! Go to Bridgette's website and get your autographed copy for $10.00! Tell her I sent ya! This is the real deal, not some auto-tuned, screeching, screaming pop artist. If you don't know, she also wrote Jason Aldean's "She's Country" with Danny Myrick and also "Loud" which was first featured on CMT's "Gone Country" reality show and now is the theme song of the ACC Football League. She ain't playing games here, this is serious talent. Get with the program and get your copy of "Sex, Chicken and Church" NOW! Stop reading this and go to www.bridgettetatum.com with your credit card right now! Git!
