Fresh Take on New Music: Ken Tucker's Findings
Artists Willie Nelson and Ken Pomeroy collaborate on music that speaks to the current unrest
Yo, check out this sick review from our resident music dude, Ken Tucker. He's been digging through new jams, looking for tunes that do more than just entertain. He believes he's struck gold with two musicians whose sounds are rooted in country and folk music, but could not be more different from each other. One's a fresh face in the game - the 22-year-old Ken Pomeroy. The other? An OG at 92 - Willie Nelson. Let's dive into Ken's thoughts on their latest works.
Ken Pomeroy's "Cruel Joke"
Ya know, it's easy to think of pop music as just a side dish to life. Something to distract you from the daily grind. But every once in a while, you come across tracks and artists who deliver more than just a good time. Ken Pomeroy dishes out that vibe on her album "Cruel Joke." This Oklahoma girl with Native American roots brings the High Plains vibe with farms, cowboys, and country twang, but her songs are way more complex than your usual honky-tonk numbers.
Her narrators don't shy away from complex emotions and deep desires. They ain't about pushing others away – they yearn for connections that strengthen during tough times. In her song "Flannel Cowboy," she even asks for forgiveness from someone she hurt, holding on to the hope that they were meant to be together. The album's full of dialogue starters that hook you right in.
Willie Nelson's "Oh What A Beautiful World"
Time has softened Willie Nelson's voice, thinned out his timbre, and shortened his breath, but it's still a quiet miracle that draws you in close. On his album "Oh What A Beautiful World," he covers songs by Rodney Crowell, focusing on reflective, introspective compositions. Like Ken Pomeroy, Nelson's work is about resisting despair and encouraging us to look up from our screens and connect with others.
His version of "What Kind Of Love" showcases his intimate style that's been a hallmark of his career since the Frank Sinatra days. In this album, Nelson pays tribute to Crowell's more recent songs that delve into life's joys and complexities.
Bottom Line
Seventy years apart in age, Ken Pomeroy and Willie Nelson might as well be from different worlds. But they share a common goal - to help us overcome despair and find comfort in relationships. Their music offers a sanctuary for those trying to make sense of our tumultuous times.
The entertainment value in Ken Pomeroy's "Cruel Joke" surpasses conventional expectations, as her complex narratives and deep emotional responses go beyond mere distraction, delving into the exploration of connections during difficult times. On the other hand, Willie Nelson's "Oh What A Beautiful World" offers a timeless musical intimacy that fosters a connection, blending reflective compositions with poignant lyrical themes, rooted in the universal quest for emotional balance in a tumultuous world.
