Trouble in Mind is an extended play album by American country artist Lee Ann Womack. The album was released on April 18, 2015, via Sugar Hill Records (bluegrass label) and was produced by Frank Liddell. It was released exclusively as a limited edition vinyl record and contained three new tracks. Trouble in Mind was made to be unlike Womack's previous releases because it featured limited musical production. The record only included Womack's voice and a guitarist as the primary instruments.
| Trouble in Mind | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| EP by | ||||
| Released | April 18, 2015 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 10:04 | |||
| Label | Sugar Hill | |||
| Producer | Frank Liddell | |||
| Lee Ann Womack chronology | ||||
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Background and content
editWomack and her spouse/producer Frank Liddell discussed the intention to record an album with limited background production. The pair decided on choosing "handpicked compositions" and one musician for the album. American guitarist Richard Bennett was chosen as the record's session player. Bennett used "vintage" guitars for the recording process. The album was recorded in Liddell and Womack's personal studio.[1] Hannahlee Allers of The Boot music blog called the album a "less is more approach", which followed a similar style to that of Womack's 2014 studio album The Way I'm Livin'.[2] In an interview with Rolling Stone, Womack spoke about her reasons for the project,[3]
"I love the idea of mixing things up, but stripping them back...When you make things that basic, you can hear all the commonalities between, say, Lightnin' Hopkins and Ralph Stanley. When you make those connections, that's when it gets interesting."[3]
Three tracks were chosen for the release of Trouble in Mind. The title track is a blues standard that has been recorded by various musical artists.[1][3] The second track, "Where Have All the Average People Gone", was first made commercially successful by Roger Miller. Music journalist and critic Stephen L. Betts called the song a "gem" that was "unearthed" for the album's preparation.[3] The third and final track, "I've Just Seen the Rock of Ages", was notably recorded by Ralph Stanley in a gospel-bluegrass format.[1]
Critical reception and release
editTrouble in Mind has mainly received positive responses from music critics and journalists. Stephen L. Betts of Rolling Stone commented, "For an artist who is so deeply rooted in traditional country music that the cover of her 2005 album, There's More Where That Came From, was designed to resemble a classic country LP, doing something unique to celebrate next month's upcoming Record Store Day isn't surprising."[3] Jessica Nicholson of the trade publication series MusicRow praised Womack's musical choices, stating, "Trouble In Mind is just the latest in a string of interesting collaborations Womack has taken part in during recent months. She co-hosted the International Bluegrass Music Awards with bluegrass stalwart Jerry Douglas, participated in a CMT Crossroads taping with John Legend, recorded with Ralph Stanley, and more."[1]
The extended play was released on Record Store Day on April 18, 2015. It was issued only as a 12 inch vinyl record on Womack's label, Sugar Hill Records.[3][4] It was available for a limited time period at selected record stores.[2]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Trouble in Mind" | Richard M. Jones | 3:13 |
| 2. | "Where Have All the Average People Gone" | Dennis Linde | 3:39 |
| 3. | "I've Just Seen the Rock of Ages" | John Brenton Preston | 3:52 |
| Total length: | 10:04 | ||
Credits and personnel
edit- Engineered and mastered at the Suma Recording Studio
- Chuck Ainlay – mastering
- Richard Bennett – guitar
- Paul Hamann – engineering
- Jonathan Krop – art direction, graphics
- Frank Liddell – producer
- John Scarpati – photography
- Lee Ann Womack – lead vocals
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | April 18, 2015 | Sugar Hill |
References
edit- ^ a b c d Nicholson, Jessica. "Lee Ann Womack Has 'Trouble In Mind' For Record Store Day". MusicRow. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
- ^ a b Allers, Hannahlee. "Lee Ann Womack to Release Limited-Edition Vinyl for Record Store Day 2015 Release". The Boot. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f Betts, Stephen L. "Lee Ann Womack Preps Limited Edition Vinyl for Record Store Day". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
- ^ Axsom, Malia. "Trouble In Mind Vinyl Release on Record Store Day – April 18". Lee Ann Womack.com. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
External links
edit- Trouble in Mind at Rate Your Music
- "Lee Ann Womack - Trouble in Mind (vinyl)". Discogs. Retrieved 6 December 2015.