Scotland, and indeed Ireland, has always had an affinity for country music going back to the days when country was actually country rather than the designer check shirt that Nashville has made it today. It is therefore no surprise that Glasgow’s Dixie Lang has time travelled her own take on the country sound back to the days of Patsy and Loretta with her album “Apple Tree”.
To her credit, nothing on this album is less than convincing with the ghosts of the past harmoniously haunting these eleven songs of true love, lost love and love to be just like they would have done when said ghosts were in the flush of youth. However, Dixie Lang doesn’t just live in the forgotten world of the steel guitar as she seasons her songs with just enough rock ‘n’ roll spice to ensure that her music will appeal to both those who worship yesterday and those who don’t know there was a yesterday.
The songs could, of course, be seen as parodies of other people’s glories but there is something honest and wholesome about her approach that suggests a true affection for those bygone days and the people who made country music real for those who had never seen a dustbowl in their life with “Lose My Mind” and “Only A Fool” being the songs that will provide the necessary proof direct to your ears.
As a by the way, there is actually a Grand Ole Opry in Glasgow – they even have a fast draw gun club there – and I can imagine Dixie Lang would have little problem making such a place her palace and her undeniably likeable album “Apple Tree” will provide all the justification she would need to take the throne.
Available from Bandcamp.