Miranda Lambert’s Shakeup at Producer Feels Significant
In many instances, the producer chosen to work with an artist on a new record should never be more than a footnote. When someone who is an artist themselves steps into the producer’s chair like Sturgill Simpson or Dan Auerbach, it makes that footnote a little more interesting. But ultimately there is a reason the performer’s name is on the front cover of an album in bold, and the producer is listed in fine print in the back. And that’s the way it should be.
Nonetheless, it felt quite significant this week when Miranda Lambert revealed in a Rolling Stone interview that she’s doing something that she hasn’t done over the 14 years and six major studio albums of her career, which is switch producers. A long time collaborator with Frank Liddell, with Glen Worff also working with her on the last few albums, Miranda has let it be known she’s now going with well-known mainstream country producer Jay Joyce on her next record due out in the fall. This feels a lot more noteworthy than just a footnote.
The husband of Lee Ann Womack and the founder of publishing house Carnival Music, Frank Liddell has been one of the main individuals in Miranda Lambert’s corner from the beginning of her career. Though Lambert’s radio success has always been spotty, Liddell has been the Miranda Lambert producer over a period where she won seven total CMA Female Vocalist of the Year awards, and two CMA Album of the Year Awards (Revolution and Platinum). Miranda’s won more CMA awards than anyone in the last decade. Frank Liddell and Miranda Lambert have been a winning combination to say the least.
Frank Liddell specializes in producing the women of country music, as well as Texas artists, and others that are a little right or left of center of the country mainstream. Liddell helped produce the Pistol Annies records as well, early material from Brandi Carlile and stepdaughter Aubrie Sellers, his wife Lee Ann Womack of course, and the last two records from Kellie Pickler, including Saving Country Music’s 2012 Album of the Year, 100 Proof. David Nail, Stoney LaRue, Chris Knight, and Wade Bowen also have worked with Liddell. His style is thought to be less sales pitch and pastiche, and more substance, making him unique in Nashville.
Meanwhile Jay Joyce brings and entirely different resume to the table. Miranda Lambert has been saying ahead of the new album that it will have a rock ‘n’ roll edge, and a new song she debuted at CMA Fest called “Locomotive” appears to confirm that. Bringing in Jay Joyce underscores and puts an exclamation point behind this more edgy approach. As the long-time producer of Eric Church, Jay Joyce’s claim to fame is bringing rock stylings to mainstream country. Along with Church, Joyce has also worked with Ashley McBryde and Brothers Osborne who both veer more in the rock direction. But Joyce also has a track record of working with women without a rock edge like Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, and Brandy Clark. Similar to Frank Liddell, Jay Joyce is a bit of a maverick on Music Row.
With the sound that Miranda Lambert is going for on the new record, Jay Joyce might be just about the perfect fit. The only question is if Jay Joyce is if it’s a perfect fit for Miranda Lambert in general. Her last record The Weight Of The Wings had a more laid back Americana feel, and this new project will definitely be a change of pace. One thing is for sure, when the Miranda Lambert biography is written, moving on from Frank Liddell will be marked as the end of an era. We’ll just have to see if working with Jay Joyce will be the start of another, and what the reception will be.
June 26, 2019 @ 10:32 am
Folks, please no comments of a gossipy nature. Let’s please keep the topic about the music.
Thanks!
June 26, 2019 @ 11:14 am
Seems a bit disingenuous to ask your readers not to post “gossipy” comments when you publish articles about how LeBron James doesn’t pay for Spotify. I’m not trying to be provocative and this is one of the very few outlets genuinely devoted to country music but sometimes it’s difficult to take you seriously.
June 26, 2019 @ 12:27 pm
I cannot fathom two more incredibly opposite scenarios than using the example of a millionaire not paying for his music as a teachable moment of why we should ALL value music and support it beyond ad-supported platforms, and Blake Shelton Stans coming to Saving Country Music exclusively to call Miranda Lambert a whore. I’m stupefied how a story about LeBron James not paying for music could even be considered “gossip” in the first place. How completely random.
I appreciate your concern Brandon, but I felt the need to set this ground rule because these inappropriate comments have become so prevalent in Miranda Lambert stories, and I don’t want to stop writing about this important artist, or stifle discussion just because of a few bad apples.
June 26, 2019 @ 2:20 pm
Not all people that call her names are BS stans
June 26, 2019 @ 4:15 pm
The Miranda articles draw more than one kind of Stan. The first response to your Miranda article on the 20th was someone trolling for Evan Felker fans. I haven’t tallied them up, but it appears Miranda’s posistans outnumber her negastans in the responses.
June 26, 2019 @ 4:30 pm
Okay, I was just making an EXAMPLE of ONE type of Stan in passing that happens to be attracted to Miranda Lambert articles in response to a completely ridiculous claim that an article I wrote three years ago was “gossip.” I wasn’t venn diagramming the entire array of Miranda Lambert haters.
Once upon a time I would post an article like this and we would have a discussion about the MUSIC. I think it’s a very interesting discussion point about the changing of these producers. Instead it’s turned into tee off time on Saving Country Music for all sorts of weird ass reasons, including responses to the responses of comments that don’t thoroughly compare and contrast the different factions of Miranda Lambert haters.
June 26, 2019 @ 2:14 pm
Well, apparently you don’t allow comments you don’t agree with. I’ve left two and neither showed up.
June 26, 2019 @ 2:18 pm
Hey Phil,
First time commenters are sent to moderation initially. After that, you are allowed to post at will. Dissenting viewpoints are always welcome. Your comments have been posted. Thanks for commenting.
June 26, 2019 @ 4:44 pm
Trig,
What if I just think Miranda’s music sucks, and that it’s tiresome that she’s continuously trotted out as a traditionalist, simply because she’s more C(c) ountry than Sam Hunt?
Is that okay?
June 26, 2019 @ 4:57 pm
In 11 years and over 5,400 articles posted, I have never seen Miranda Lambert labeled by anyone as a “traditionalist.”
But that’s still not as outlandish as saying my LeBron James article was gossip.
June 27, 2019 @ 7:01 am
Outlandish? You’re missing the point. The LeBron James piece was something TMZ would publish. LeBron James isn’t a musician, much less a country musician. He’s about as far away from the universe of country music as possible. Posting an article about what he does in his private life is literally the definition of gossip. His music streaming habits are irrelevant. You frequently invite controversy with your articles, try to pass it off as insightful journalism, then attempt to circumvent culpability by attaching disclaimers asking for civility. It’s bullshit and it’s one of the few flaws this site has in my opinion. Otherwise, keep fighting the good fight. I love Saving Country Music and I want it to be regarded as a legitimate source of high quality reviews and relevant country music news not seen as a tabloid peddling the same tripe as every other outlet.
June 27, 2019 @ 9:09 am
Brandon,
A think piece on why consumers should pay for music is something TMZ would never touch. People saw “LeBron James” and had a visceral reaction because he’s a polarizing figure, similar to how many react to Miranda Lambert. I agree that some of the articles I publish invite controversy, but this was not one of them, and I didn’t (and I’m sure many others) did not want to see this comments section devolve into yet another forum for people to delve into the details of Miranda’s personal life. This article wasn’t baiting anyone. I appreciate you reading and I take every piece of feedback I receive seriously. But I feel like I did the right thing by attempting to head off the gossipy comments here, and generally, it’s been effective.
June 27, 2019 @ 1:28 am
Well i think mixing engineers , producers ect should get way more credit they make or break a music industry period . without the knowledge of EQs, compressers, limiters, reverbs, microphones on and on and on.. You have NOTHING ! No product to sell period. Most show up with a guitar and a song and thats it. I can walk around where i live and find more than one female singers that can blow Miranda out of the water she wouldn’t wanna be in the same room with them… So what makes her and other’s like her a ” star”? I dought most of these Nashville artist could compete with me in my home studio. Just saying.
June 27, 2019 @ 9:17 am
Certainly don’t mean to diminish the efforts of producers, engineers, or anyone else behind-the-scenes in music, and as someone who has worked in all of those capacities in the music business, I understand their value first hand. The only point I was trying to make is that the success and failure of many artists today seems to be unnecessarily tied to who the producer is, and I think that can sometimes be a reduction of the role the artists play in being the ultimate arbiter of their sound.
June 27, 2019 @ 8:31 pm
Trigger,
Quick opinion regarding “gossip”. While I can understand the desire to not want any he said, she said, who is dating who, etc, it’s difficult to talk about Miranda Lambert shaking up her production staff without at least dipping your toes in it. Here’s my observation on the broader subject. It’s difficult to separate her personal and professional life at this moment in time for a couple of reasons. Country music fans have absolutely backlashed a little bit due to her personal issues, and the gossip. Right or wrong, I think most people would agree that has happened to her and many others in the past.
With her coming our recently making the OUTLANDISH statement that she had to team up with a penis (Jason Aldean) to get another number one, and now her shaking up her staff, it shows me that she’s kind of out of touch with why she has had a slight dip in popularity. Now, I’m not saying it’s justified AT ALL, but in a world where you want your fans to invest in you and you want to resonate with them on a personal level, there is a blending of the personal and professional that is unavoidable.
On that note, I find it completely ungrateful for her to say she had to work with a “penis” to get another number one. She had a tremendous run, then had a tabloid run that affected her for one album. Give me a freakin break!!
June 26, 2019 @ 10:54 am
Good for her. Where did you find out this information?
June 26, 2019 @ 12:49 pm
Annalise Domenighini,
I’ve known about Jay Joyce working with Miranda Lambert and her moving on from Frank Liddell for months now, and I’m frankly surprised it took so long for the information to come out. It’s been kind of the worst kept secret in country music, at least in my corner of it. I know your insinuation here is that I somehow wronged one of the members of your Twitter echo chamber by not citing them here, but this article was not about breaking the news about Frank Liddell working with Miranda Lambert since that’s already days old. This article was to elongate the discussion about what the ramifications of the new partnership might be, which many Miranda Lambert fans asked me to broach. Nonetheless, I have added that Miranda revealed the information publicly in “Rolling Stone,” just to tamp down any concerns. Please understand that this incessant combing through articles written on the women of country for any little implication of a slight and then engaging in swarm attacks is specifically discouraging the coverage of women at all to avoid unnecessary and illogical conflict that it causes for many country music outlets.
June 26, 2019 @ 1:37 pm
Come on Trig, don’t be silly. We all know they want coverage. They just want it from same-minded activists, not journalists like you who actually know what you’re talking about.
NYLON…LOL.
Important stories there are how to take care of your swimwear and Kim Kardashian’s new shape wear line. You might be outmatched.
June 27, 2019 @ 7:15 pm
Trigger’s a journalist? ???????? I thought he just wrote a blog in his mom’s basement. ????♀️
June 27, 2019 @ 8:14 pm
Not sure if you’re being sarcastic, but either way…when I consider this question I consider the quality of his work. Especially in perspective with the rest of the industry and shit articles I read everywhere else. He produces some good, thoughtful material, IMO. I give no fucks where he does it from. But if that’s your criteria, great…
June 26, 2019 @ 11:02 am
I don’t blame her for switching it up and Miranda does “rock” better than anyone else in mainstream country music so I’m actually looking forward to this.
Crazy Ex Girlfriend is her best album for a reason!
June 26, 2019 @ 11:17 am
Important to note, while I agree with what you say about producers being a footnote, and I mostly agree, it varies DRASTICALLY case by case in terms of their involvement / impact. In some cases, the producer has little impact and in others, they can have a huge impact. Of course, the strength and willingness of the artist also effects the outcome as well.
Jay’s resume is pretty diverse (as you mention). I love Big Day in a Small Town by Brandy Clark, and think it’s its a great example of a sometimes fun, sometimes serious record that strikes a good balance between a more modern, rockish, produced, “bigger”sound and a more honest, acoustic, sound that highlights Brandy’s great songs. Will be interesting to see where this goes. Not a bad choice, from the arm chair.
June 26, 2019 @ 11:19 am
Can someone please explain why she is considered a country singer? I have never heard a country song from her, it’s all poprock.
June 26, 2019 @ 11:57 am
OK, one example would be Easy From Now On, written by Susanna Clark and Carlene Carter and originally a hit for Emmylou Harris in 1978. That’s surely a country song and it’s the last track on her second album.
She’s done her share of rocky material (and she’s good at it), but there’s plenty of more traditional stuff in her catalogue – check out the second half of her most recent album.
June 26, 2019 @ 1:26 pm
She’s been all country!!! A Country singer songs what’s going on in there life & what they’ve been through… The Truth!!! Some thinks Miranda was wrong for changing ” I live in Oklahoma ” To: ” I got the Hell out of Oklahoma” WELL SHE SUNG THE TRUTH
June 26, 2019 @ 3:57 pm
This performer wouldn’t know the truth or honesty if it hit her in the face. Sorry if that is gossip. Trigger criticizes all performers who purport to be country who perform rock or pop except for Miranda. Like I note lots of hypocrisy on this site.
June 26, 2019 @ 1:59 pm
Her first #1 and still her biggest hit — “The House That Built Me” — is most certainly a country song. Songs like that and “More Like Her” are actually my favorite songs from Miranda. Her uptempo “sassy” rocking songs, which lots of people love, don’t do much for me.
June 26, 2019 @ 2:07 pm
”Can someone please explain why she is considered a country singer? I have never heard a country song from her, it’s all poprock.”
the house that built me
tin man
dry town
greyhound bound for nowhere
more like her
oklahoma sky
dear diamond
hard stayin sober
another sunday in the south
pushin time
use my heart
keeper of the flame
if you knew these songs you wouldn’t be asking the question, Billy
check ’em out …..
June 26, 2019 @ 2:54 pm
Maybe you should point him more to her album tracks since her best songs (country songs) are usually never released as singles
June 26, 2019 @ 2:58 pm
Go look up “To Learn Her” on YouTube and tell me that’s not country.
June 26, 2019 @ 7:22 pm
Billy, That’s truly one of the dumbest comments ever posted on this site. I’m sure you’re just trolling but if not you have no idea what country music has been for the last 25+ years. You must be trolling because I see people have given you plenty of titles and info and you’ve been silent.
June 26, 2019 @ 8:28 pm
I dislike or am ambivalent about most of the stuff I’ve heard from her, but she’s definitely put out some solid country music. Here’s a truly good country/western swing song she put out with The Time Jumpers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rzvss4U1AI
June 26, 2019 @ 11:50 am
Billy go over to YouTube give a listen to some Miranda Music. I did just that last evening. Yes, she is a dang good country singer and writer of country songs. I don’t know one of the other Females thaat can beat her. She also can rock.
June 26, 2019 @ 12:01 pm
Billy not true evidently you’ve never listened to her cd’s Kerosene (I love this whole cd) and Platinum is amazing also. you know everybody wants country go by Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline and a bunch of their CDs if you really want country but times change and thank God they do because Miranda Lambert is awesome evidently you don’t have any taste any music or you just don’t like when an artist
June 26, 2019 @ 2:11 pm
There is a lot of types of Country Music. And I like it all. But anyone who likes Miranda Lambert doesn’t know what awesome is. Awesome is Hank Williams. Awesome Lorette Lynn. Awesome is Wayon Jennings. Awesome is Travis Tritt. Awsome is Alan Jackson. Awesome is George and Tammy, Doug Kershaw and a whole lot of others. But Miranda and Florida Georgia Line and a lot of the current bunch? Not even good, much less “awesome”.
June 26, 2019 @ 3:06 pm
Miranda and FGL in the same sentence? Popularity doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of quality country songwriting or performance.
June 27, 2019 @ 7:18 am
Yes, in the same sentence. The common denominator is lack of quality, not same music. Yet the Acadamy has awarded both of them. SMH
June 26, 2019 @ 3:31 pm
If your old that music is for you. Generations change.
June 26, 2019 @ 6:28 pm
You know what’s also interesting, Jer? Studies show that IQ’s are decreasing in the western world.
June 27, 2019 @ 7:24 am
Uh, old enough to know the difference between noise and music. I like a lot of different music. Different genres and a very wide variety within what is labeled “country”. For instance: Her ex makes music. Not my first choice but it is enjoyable. What she sings makes me want to turn it off.
June 26, 2019 @ 7:32 pm
Another foolish comment…what’s going on out there today? You can like the classics and also like some artists that have come out in the last 20 years Phil. It’s not like only classic country is good music. I’m sorry, but anyone who can’t find at least 5 Miranda songs out of her catalog that are awesome have serious issues. Miranda is not just top notch female artist but top notch country artist period!! Listen to the lyrics and the voice.
June 26, 2019 @ 7:34 pm
“Another foolish comment…what’s going on out there today?”
I have been asking myself that all day too.
June 27, 2019 @ 7:15 am
I have and stand by what I (actually) said. She is capable of singing country music. But she doesn’t. What she sings is not good music. And at her best, she is not in the same company with the greats of old or many singing today.
June 27, 2019 @ 9:18 am
Guessing this guy has never heard any of her Pistol Annies music. Just a guess, but a guess. Also, don’t come to a “she’s not country enough fight” and then not cite an artist who has been relevant this century (with the exception, perhaps, of Alan Jackson).
June 27, 2019 @ 10:58 am
Bob, you’d lose that bet. I have. Don’t comment on things I don’t know about. As I said before, she is capable but in my book gets a big F on her choices in music and often her delivery.
And it is increasingly difficult to find people singing so-called country today I would consider an artist. Most of them either sound the same or are just trashy, or for some other reason fail to be considered artistic.
June 26, 2019 @ 12:11 pm
I am super excited for this. I think Miranda and Joyce will be a great fit.
June 26, 2019 @ 1:02 pm
I agree that Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton and Patsy Cline’s music is terrific,the best. However Maranda Lambert’s music is right up there with the best of the best! Maranda has such great vocals and music to match the vocals.
June 26, 2019 @ 1:06 pm
I have really enjoyed their 6 solo albums, 3 Annie albums (one just a few months ago) collabs but I’m really excited for a fresh voice on her new album! I agree Joyce seems like a perfect fit to her catalog.
When you go over the list of artists- it’s shocking that it hasn’t happened sooner. Miranda was one of the only ones who hadn’t changed from the original producer- LBT, BS, Keith, Carrie, Musgraves, Etc.
Very excited to hear the new album!
June 26, 2019 @ 1:55 pm
I really like Frank Liddell as a producer. He’s had a few missteps, but he’s also had some great successes. That said, shaking up the team a little bit is not always a bad thing. Sometimes a sports team needs to change coaches, not because the coach is terrible, but because you need a culture change and a fresh approach. We’ll see how this works out.
June 26, 2019 @ 3:11 pm
What does that list of artists have in common? They want to be popsters.
June 26, 2019 @ 1:10 pm
Is it official her record will be released in Oct? Everything I have seen has said sometime likely in the fall. Also, any leads on when a single will be released?
June 26, 2019 @ 1:24 pm
There is no official release date for her record, or a name, or a lead single. I would expect we will get that information in the next 3 to 6 weeks.
June 26, 2019 @ 1:28 pm
Thanks Trigger!
June 26, 2019 @ 1:22 pm
I’m predicting Miranda and Church will try a stadium tour next summer. Church is dying to do it and Miranda as an opener may help, especially if they do a duet together.
June 26, 2019 @ 3:13 pm
The faux outlaw tour.
June 26, 2019 @ 8:11 pm
Catch me blowing my entire paycheck if that happens
June 27, 2019 @ 5:54 am
I don’t know how much Miranda will add to his show to help sell tickets. She’s doing a lot of press now to try and sell her own shows. Don’t know why they thought adding Randy Houser would help her. She needs Maren.
July 2, 2019 @ 5:11 am
The other women on tour with her are more palatable than maren. The teens who like maren are not same as miranda fans who prefer Ellen king or Tenille townes or lindsey eli or Pistols. Miranda has always been a fan of Randy Houser and has often said so. But Maren, For whatever reason, repels many fans of miranda. Guarantee you that Miranda fans dont purchase tickets because of maren. They do so in spite of her.
June 27, 2019 @ 11:26 am
I don’t see him sharing the spotlight with anyone. He probably could have gotten away with single dates on a stadium tour this year on his own, but chose to spend two nights in each city so he could stay in arenas that, while in no means are intimate, have a more intimate feel and would let you stay closer to the fans than you would in a stadium. Two shows in each city keeps it in a somewhat smaller venue, but gives more of his fans an opportunity to get tickets. A stadium show for him just wouldn’t feel right. He could pull it off – but as a fan of his, I don’t see him WANTING to, if that makes any sense.
Not to mention, he doesn’t seem like he’d want to share the stage with a co-headliner. He’s been touring on his own for so long – and before that, pulling for some really great artists as his openers – that I just don’t picture him going on tour with someone who’s already a massive success.
June 29, 2019 @ 7:00 pm
If that is so, someone should have a conversation with Eric’s wife first.
June 26, 2019 @ 1:24 pm
IMO, it should have happened a couple of albums ago. It’s amazing to me that it took so long for Joyce to produce her. It seems like a natural fit.
June 26, 2019 @ 1:53 pm
Sorry Trigger can you please clarify when you say Miranda has won the most awards in the last decade are you meaning CMA’s? I think that’s what you were meaning but just want to confirm cause I believe Carrie Underwood has won like 95 awards in general over the last decade (which is massive).
I still think Carrie should have won EOTY at the 2016 CMA’s, I’m not trying to diss the other nominees but when you are a new mother and you are also the biggest female country artist in the genre at the time and you are on a massive tour that goes all over the world whilst also getting up in the middle of the night sometimes multiple times to feed and take care of your baby that’s a huge task. I felt like that the whole men dominating issue was really at large there. It really was a moment for CMAs to step up into the future but instead they stayed stuck in the 1800’s way of thinking, it’s 2019 and damn that girl works hard and even if her music isn’t traditional country she still does a lot for the genre and is very proud to be part of it. CMA’s really need to get it right either this year or next. Especially as this year she is touring with two children and her husband isn’t always with her. Women do not get enough credit for their strength, talent and ability to get on with it and get it done whilst taking care of their families. High time these women in country music got rewarded.
June 26, 2019 @ 1:57 pm
Seriously? This article is about Miranda’s new record.
June 27, 2019 @ 1:01 pm
So, people go off topic on these comment sections on this blog all the time, at least I didn’t crap on about her personal life like so many do. And I was asking a question about the CMA’s so my other comment was in line with the topic I was talking about, which included reinforcing that women in country music need to start getting the recognition they deserve, obviously you don’t agree. Seriously, why did you feel the need to comment?
June 26, 2019 @ 1:59 pm
Yes, I was citing CMAs specifically, which is the awards I tend to use as a default unless I cite other awards specifically. I can’t keep up with the Billboard Awards, CMTs, AMAs, or what have you, but I will take your word for it that Carrie Underwood has more.
June 26, 2019 @ 2:00 pm
Joyce a good job on Girl Going Nowhere. I think the change will do her good.
June 26, 2019 @ 2:05 pm
I know that Miranda Lambert is capable of singing real Country Music. But she has not for quite some time. Rather than support the stylings of Country Music (as she once did), she has sung pop and rock-oriented music for some time, and not very well either. (That Red Wagon song everyone flipped over was just plain trashy). For the life of me, I have no idea how anyone who likes real country music would give her the time of day.
June 26, 2019 @ 2:14 pm
Miranda can do it all better and when she brings it she brings it all or nothing and it’s always her all ..love her
June 26, 2019 @ 2:23 pm
You truly believe that producers should be no more than a footnote?
June 26, 2019 @ 3:07 pm
I definitely think that you can make too much over producers and not give artists enough credit for the direction of their music. That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be recognized or talked about, but I generally think they get to get too much credit when things go right, and too much when they go wrong.
June 27, 2019 @ 5:22 am
I sure wish Dave Cobb was more of a footnote sometimes. Are ya with me, Mary Chapin Carpenter?
June 26, 2019 @ 2:35 pm
This happens in rock and metal frequently, usually when an artist or band is trying to “level up” commercially. If it’s a longtime underground artist/band, already several albums deep, this usually triggers outrage among their fan base.
Will that happen with Miranda? I could be wrong, but I feel like country (and pop) fans are less hung up on who’s producing their favorite artist – as long as the artist is still putting forth enjoyable music.
I’m only familiar with Joyce’s production for Brothers Osborne. His production style strikes me as very “busy” and “saturated” (“wet” as a technical term) compared to somebody like Dave Cobb who seems to take a more naturalistic and vintage approach (which I know some people regard as boring or dry – not to mention distorted, but I’m not sure if that’s intentional).
June 26, 2019 @ 3:52 pm
Wouldn’t Aubrie be his stepdaughter?
June 26, 2019 @ 4:36 pm
Yes. Lee Ann is her mother + Jason Sellers is her father.
June 26, 2019 @ 4:39 pm
Yes, you are correct.
June 26, 2019 @ 4:30 pm
I vaguely recall a podcast interview where Frank Liddell said something along the lines of Miranda being one of the most hands-on artists he works with, and that he’s really just there to facilitate. To the extent that’s true, I wonder how much of a difference Jay Joyce will actually make. The act of switching producers certainly suggests she wants to shake things up though, so my bet is we’re getting neither Kerosene Miranda nor Wings Miranda this time. It’ll be interesting.
June 26, 2019 @ 5:29 pm
Time for a pseudo-scientific statistical breakdown of the comments so far. And yes, I’ll agree if you tell me I need to get a life (doing some serious procrastinating ATM).
At 52 comments so far:
32% are debating the country cred of ML’s music in the first place.
24% mention in some way what this story is about, or reference a producer somehow.
12% debating the very notion and alleged double standard of staying away from gossip and the various intricacies of Stans.
0% actual gossip like we’ve seen in the past. Good job people – or maybe some got deleted.
June 26, 2019 @ 5:43 pm
…& i hijack the comments (once more) presenting new music & artists.
June 26, 2019 @ 5:46 pm
I think we can agree you aren’t a Stan though 🙂
June 27, 2019 @ 8:55 am
Scott G, going forward you shall be The Stat Guy! I like it. Fun analysis.
June 27, 2019 @ 8:57 am
Thanks, I was expecting being called worse!
Triggers articles are great, but the comments are also fun.
June 26, 2019 @ 5:32 pm
Featuring Joe Dirt.
June 26, 2019 @ 5:38 pm
Meanwhile i listen to some new albums:
Molly Alphabet – Broken Record
Sunny Leigh Shipley – Out Of The Sky (will be on my AotY list)
&
new tracks by Gina Jeffreys – “Unravel” & “Cash” + the new Georgia State Line feat. Patrick Wilson single “What I Know Now”
June 26, 2019 @ 6:10 pm
That song you called trashy (LRW) is one of the songs little girls go with their Moms to hear at their first concert. That trashy LRW is at every Miranda concert to collect pet food and supplies for the local pet shelter in the city that her concercert is held. Sure wish other artists could get their LRW of their own.
July 13, 2019 @ 11:06 am
Bravo. Well said.
June 26, 2019 @ 7:38 pm
Based on the artists you mention that the new producer has worked with I’m EXCITED as hell to hear what they come up with together! It will be awesome regardless. She has never released a bad album so I’m sure this one will be great and hopefully a change will be nice.
June 26, 2019 @ 8:05 pm
Really prefer her slower ballad type songs. House that built me, To Learn Her, Tinman. Not a fan of her sing talking or the tone her voice takes on when she’s trying to rock. I was really expecting her to go even more traditional after Wings. Locomotive is hot garbage and with how quickly it got forgotten I’m thinking a lot of people feel the same way.
June 27, 2019 @ 5:40 am
Being in your comfort zone with a longtime collaborater can sometimes hold you back. A new producer might push Lambert to try new things and expand her artistic vocabulary.
June 27, 2019 @ 6:43 am
I have listened to “Locomotive” several times. It sounds very much like her “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” or “Fastest Girl In Town” sound. I know a lot of fans love that from her, but I have always preferred her toned down, stripped down sound like “Tin Man” and “More Like Her.” Keeping an open mind, but can’t say I’m very excited.
June 27, 2019 @ 9:56 am
I think Miranda has enough twang in her voice to sing country songs in a convincing manner.
But separate from that, her music is really a mix of rock, country and some pop. There’s nothing wrong with that, a zillion people have done it. Some more straight up country, and some not. I’ll probably catch an ass beating here, but George Strait’s “Blue Clear Sky” (killer tune imho), is twangy, pop rock/country. So be it.
If she writes some great rock tunes, I’ll check ’em out. I’m about a good song.
Her bigger challenge, beyond making a good record is to outrun the overflowing bile that is at her heels from recent events.
June 29, 2019 @ 8:38 am
I’ve always thought of “Blue Clear Sky” as country-pop too, and it’s one of my all-time favorite George Strait singles. I’d include “The Big One” in the same category..
As for Miranda..as an artist, it seems natural that you would want to work with new people and try some new things. She can’t just keep making “Revolution” parts 4, 5, and 6, etc. Switching producers is something nearly every country artist with any longevity has done at some point. They may go back eventually, but they do experiment.
Fortunately, I think Miranda knows who she is, enough that she won’t slide completely off the rails and we end up with another Zac Brown situation. I’m looking forward to what she does next.
June 27, 2019 @ 10:23 am
This could easily go by the Patty Griffin example. ‘Flaming Red’ is “the Jay Joyce album”, but it sits nicely within her catalog. You reach back to it when you wanna hear those songs…
June 27, 2019 @ 11:24 pm
Good story. But that headline doesn’t make sense. Shakeup “at” Producer? Whouldn’t Shakeup in Producers make more sense?
August 26, 2019 @ 8:16 pm
Miranda lambert you are beautiful and you sure deserve to be real happy I luv all your songs all of your pics are beautiful you also have a beautiful mom and dad and brother also house built me is my favorite nobody is gonna sing that only you I am hoping to get one of your tour to shirts have to Wait to get my money I luv you and hoping to get your new music to always a fan in pa pa ullrich your are awesome . 77
October 31, 2019 @ 11:25 pm
I think Miranda Lambert needs to stick to country music the last song I heard her saying on Seth Meyers it was horrible I think that she’s trying to mop Gwen Stefani bad bad news