SINGLE REVIEW: STEPHANIE RYANN - YOUR WHISKEY

#TEAMW21's fascination with Stephanie Ryann can be directly traced back to one, probably run of the mill Songwriter's Rounds for Stephanie, at Live Oak in November 2024. The performers switch every hour and the key person we were there to see was in the next round, however Stephanie, all in black including her hat, sat between two gents, one of whom, Brookes Herring will be at Country Calling next weekend, was giving as good as she got. It was not the most attentive of crowds however during the second round she played "Naked", and the fact that we were still humming it the next day, we knew we were onto something. Since then it seems that every other month or so she has added another cracking tune to her portfolio and this month is no different with the arrival of "Your Whiskey", where our ex volunteer firefighter has gone and lit another firecracker!

Musically it is maybe a little more raw than some of her previous offerings, close your eyes and there are really only initially three main instruments, a fiddle and two guitars, acoustic and electric. However if you stick to the #TEAMw21 mantra of keep it simple, you rarely go wrong and Stephanie uses this backing to its absolute limit. Produced by Brent Rader and co written it Stone Aielli, they have come up with a heady top shelf concoction that deserves it's premium label.

It's a fast paced opening, the acoustic guitar being the main driver, the electric and fiddle lay down more scene setting flourishes than anything else. Stephanie lyrically sets the scene, and much like the glasses it's charged.

"Never seen your eyes this shade of blue, ain't what I'm used to

You hide behind that 100 proof, that's just what you do

When you've had all that you can sip, when alcohol don't do the trick

That last one leaves you looking for a little fix"

The chorus is a little steamy, seemingly innocent phrases seem to take on other connotations as Stephanie offers to replace one vice with another! There is definitely something teasing in Stephanie's sultry delivery that elevates this song as she all but pops the thermometer, comparing herself to a glass of whiskey in all sorts of ways

"I can be your whiskey on the rocks, a double shot or straight

Wrap you fingers round me, I'll help you numb the pain

I can be the buzz on your lips, after one kiss, I know what you need

Baby you can just get drunk on me, cos, I can be your whiskey"

Percussion kicks in, and once more, the little details that the guitar and fiddle bring, just heighten the overall sensation.

The second verse is equally provocative

"Chasing your high, pour after pour, always want a little more

One day you'll knock on my door, cos I got what you're looking for"

The second chorus sees the fiddle action and guitar become much more prominent, musically echoing the lyrics. The fiddle in particular weaves a variety of interesting musical lines

Stephanie makes one final teasing play

"I'll be that top shelf burn, deep in your bones"

It all makes for a heady cocktail and surely puts Stephanie on the road to greater things.