Charlie Worsham Compadres (CD)

(Warner Music Nashville) 5 tracks -
The somewhat lanky, sensitive musician enjoys great respect in the country music scene. He went on tour with Taylor Swift and Miranda Lambert and opened several concerts of Kenny Roger's very last world tour. This standing now also enables Charlie Worsham to make a - yes, yet - brilliant comeback. Because "Compadres" has everything that distinguishes strong country: Great songs, top-notch instrumentation, excellent vocals, smooth arrangements and production and, as icing on the cake, it features five top country stars as duet partners.
For the song, "How I Learned to Pray" from his debut album, Rubberband, he was joined by Luke Combs. A compelling team. Their voices complement each other perfectly in the very quiet, very soulful ballad and create a pull that is hard to escape. The very folky "Creekwater Clear" also moves in calm waters. In the song, which is largely acoustic, he sings with Elle King - and this mixture is also convincing all along the line.
For the EP release, he enlisted his employer - mainstream country ace and bluegrass connoisseur Dierks Bentley. Together, the two shine in the moderately fast heartland rocker "Things I Can't Control." A track that is equally reminiscent of Tom Petty and the Ely Young Band and has a bluegrass mandolin in its sound garb in addition to mainstream elements. So: a great track!