Sharon Kay Moore – Music That Soothes the Soul

An Article by Johnny Cole

The age old saying “music soothes the soul” truly seems fitting when it comes to the latest album, “Chapters, An Acoustic Take on New and Old Stories” by southern Alabama’s Sharon Kay Moore.

I first learned of Sharon Kay Moore when she was recording her second album, “Alive and Well” at Admiral Bean Studios, the Silverhill, Alabama studio owned by Anthony and Savana Crawford (Anthony Crawford has worked with such artists as Sonny James, Neil Young, Steve Winwood, Dwight Yoakam and others).

Moore’s third album was recorded in Nashville, produced by Buddy Mondlock and engineered by Tom Manche, owner of Nashville’s Studio X. The 11 track collection features 10 originally-penned songs by Moore (three of which were co-written with Chris Clifton) and a beautiful rendition of the popular Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”, not always an easy task, but Moore’s take on it would most likely meet Hank Sr.’s approval.

Moore’s “Chapters” enlists some amazing musicians to help define that “soothing” sound mentioned earlier. Joining her is Dana Cooper on harmonica, Charlie Chadwick on upright bass and Tim Lorsch on violin and cello. The new release features Sharon Kay Moore on vocals, guitar and percussion.

The album’s featured performers are loaded with numerous credentials that give added reason to take note of this fine body of work by Sharon Kay Moore. The award-winning Dana Cooper has had a career dedicated to music for over 40 years. His 1973 self-titled album features such music greats as Leland Sklar, Russ Kunkel and Jim Horn. Cooper continues to be an essential songwriter in the music community. It has been said “Cooper is a person who can sing like an angel and play like the devil”. Originally from the west coast, Charlie Chadwick, the producer of Moore’s debut album, “A Moment More”, is an acclaimed bassist and recording engineer/producer now living in Nashville. He has worked with such artists as Steve Forbert, Steve Earle, Suzy Bogguss, and many others. Tim Lorsch (a Nashville based producer, session musician and songwriter), has a vast resume of credentials. He has worked on thousands of recordings and award winning projects. In addition, it’s quite impressive to have worked with such performers as Kris Kristofferson, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Lucinda Williams and Rodney Crowell to name a few. Finally, when you add Moore’s latest album’s producer into the mix, you can’t help but to be excited about this new album. Producer, Buddy Mondlock has written songs recorded by fellow great songwriters – Guy Clark, Nanci Griffith and Janis Ian. Mondlock has even written with a young Garth Brooks. On “Chapters”, he not only produces, but contributes vocals and guitar on a couple of the tracks.

The album cover to Sharon Kay Moore’s latest release “Chapters,  An Acoustic Take on New and Old Stories” (the above two photos by Shelly Patterson)

Sharon Kay Moore’s “Chapters, An Acoustic Take on New and Old Songs” provides us with a glimpse into her talent as a songwriter and recording artist. By bringing such accomplished talent together, it clearly gives testament to what others appreciate about Moore by their joining her to complete such a beautiful collection of new songs mixed with some versions of older tunes from previous works.

As I began this article, I mentioned how “music soothes the soul”. Some might find different definitions to that quote, but Moore’s latest album taps into my interpretation of it quite well. She may have started her music journey as a teen in San Antonio, which led her to performing across Texas and to Nashville, but “Chapters” clearly demonstrates her journey is far from over.

Sharon Kay Moore (photo by Shelly Patterson)

Track Listing:
1. The Last Thing I’d Ever Do (written by Moore)
2. Be Good (written by Moore & Chris Clifton)
3. Birthday Kiss (additional vocals by Buddy Mondlock; written by Moore)
4. Petticoat Lace (written by Moore & Chris Clifton)
5. The Things I Wished I Could Forget (written by Moore & Chris Clifton)
6. If You Came Home Now (written by Moore)
7. Jessamin (written by Moore)
8. A Good Day’s Sleep (written by Moore)
9. At Least For You (classical guitar solo by Buddy Mondlock; written by Moore)
10. Between Hello and Goodbye (written by Moore)
11. I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry (written by Hank Williams, Sr.)

Musicians:
▪︎ Sharon Kay Moore (vocals, guitar, percussion)
▪︎ Dana Cooper (Harmonica)
▪︎ Charlie Chadwick (Upright Bass)
▪︎ Tim Lorsch (Violin/Cello)
▪︎ Buddy Mondlock (additional vocals on track 3, hand claps on track 8 and guitar on track 9)

Recording Dream Team:
▪︎ Produced by Buddy Mondlock
▪︎ Sound engineer/mastering – Tom Manche.
▪︎ Recorded in November and December of 2018 at Studio X in Nashville, TN.

▪︎ Click Here for Sharon Kay Moore’s official website (to purchase her new release).

.

© The Southland Music Line. 2019. All rights reserved