If expectations for her new album were not set with the first single, the title track "Hypnotized", then Kimmie Rhodes has raised the stakes further with her second single "No Tom Petty" which manages to pack in a lot both lyrically in the narrative and musically including a contribution from the UK's very own Robert Vincent.
Before we dive into the song itself let's take a second to admire the cover with Kimmie peeking out and smiling from behind a guitar emblazoned with the name Buddy Holly who will later appear in the lyrics. Buddy was born in Lubbock, Texas where Kimmie grew up and it was at "The Buddy Holly Songwriters Retreat" that this tune came together so everything neatly ties itself together.
The opening salvo on its own is worthy of mention, guitars and drums set the scene but it is the rasping harmonica that steals the show provided by Bill Carter. It musically duly nods at the sound of Mr Petty without ever wandering off into being a pastiche, in an another excellent production from her son Gabe. When Kimmie joins it is with an authoritative heartfelt vocal
"I read the news today - Oh boy! - It really made me start to think
What with these global warming stories - is it fake news or should we worry?"
That opening verse acts a wonderful device for pulling in another natural disaster that is occurring around us all too quickly, which is the demise of the musical cornerstones of our lives, those names that one way or another provided us with exhilarating memories at key formative moments. This sadness is wrapped up in a wonderful celebratory singalong chorus.
"We're living in a world with no Tom Petty, the world was bad enough already
With no George Harrison or John Lennon
No David Bowie, or Buddy Holly in sight
Where do we go - where do we go from here"
There is great guitar work throughout and much more of that sizzling harmonica. It all goes to highlight an artist not content to sit on former glories - but one pushing on to climb new heights.
She is currently playing only a solitary date on the Mainland at The Water Rats - on May 5th in a show not to be missed.