thewoodysmusic.com News

For their second album, the Woodys (Dyann and Michael Woody) have kept to the simple, fresh-sounding formula that made their first release such a delight. Mixing gorgeous two-part harmonies with pop-tinged folk country melodies and jangling Byrds-like instrumentation, Teardrops & Diamonds is every bit as winning as its predecessor. Among the highlights are a rendition of Steve Earle's "Hearts Don't Break," which here sounds like a great lost Buddy Holly song, and a version of Michael Woody's own "He's Back and I'm Blue," which was a hit a few years back for Chris Hillman & the Desert Rose Band. But the centerpiece of the album is "Message From Michael," a stunning and heartbreaking song drawn from an open letter to teens that former Byrds' drummer Michael Clarke wrote after he discovered that a life of alcohol abuse was about to claim his life. Sung in the first person by the Woodys, the song is haunting and unforgettable, and deserves a wider audience, both because of its message and for its simple and direct deathbed eloquence. Seldom have the costs of the rock & roll dream and the ravaging effects of a lifetime of excess been so clearly presented, and the end result is an eerie cautionary tale from the grave by Clarke, all given the voice of the angels by this stellar husband and wife singing team.
~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide

JazzReview.com CD Reviews MONTHLY JAZZ NEWSLETTER:

Featured Artist: Dyann Woody

CD Title: My Softer Side

Year: 2005

Record Label: Dynamike Records

Style: Jazz/Blues

Musicians:
Rick Vito (acoustic and electric guitars), Barry Walsh (piano, keyboards), Dave Pomeroy (bass), Steve Turner (drums), Pat Bergeson (guitar, chromatic harmonica, Jonell Mosser (background vocals), Michael Woody (trumpet)

Review:
Artists can take a real chance when they switch categories. It is not always the best of ideas and they can sometimes get lost in a world they may like, but not really do very well. That however is not a problem for Dyanne Woody, as evidenced on her CD My Softer Side from Dynamike Records. Originally a country singer, Woody made the switch from "yee haw" to "ooh la la" after hearing Norah Jones and she makes the transition with a singular grace and style. The composer of ten out of the 13 selections on the recording, she displays a wide range of emotion and shows that she is a musical force to be reckoned with.

"Someone Who's Real," the opening track, starts out with a real honky-tonk-type piano riff and Woody does the song with a semi-lighthearted style. Her vocals compliment the piano playing of Barry Walsh perfectly. She has one of those voices that have a very distinct sound to it. It floats on the music created by her band mates, but do not be deceived. It has a depth and a bite to it that makes the selections resonant with the listener.

"To Get Over Me" has a bossa nova feel to it and it gently flows back and forth and when layered with Woody's heartfelt vocals it is a warm and passionate number. "Crazy 'Round Here" is an emotional ballad that again features Walsh on piano and you can hear every moment of the heartbreak. It is also one of those numbers where her country training pays off. Her voice soars with just the right amount of feeling. "Will You Ever Come Home" and "Broken Hearts Make Beautiful Songs" are two selections that go together well and tell of the price of a broken heart. You can hear the rough edges of a lover's frayed heart in every note.

The blues get a representation here on "My Softer Side." This number is the other side of hurt, the side that we all have after going through an emotional breakup. It is one that everybody can relate to. "All You Gotta Say" has a gentle swing to it. A nice 40's-era sound, the kind that the big bands of the day would have played.

There is still a bit of the country girl here especially on "All That Love Can Do," an up tempo song that is a nod to her roots in the award winning country band the Woodys. The album closes out with the inspirational "On The Horizon." Here Woody really gives her voice a chance to take flight, bringing to close an album you will find yourself listening to time and time again.

Tracks: Someone Who's Real, To Get Over Me, Crazy 'Round Here, Will You Ever Come Home, Broken Hearts Make Beautiful Songs, My Softer Side, All You Gotta Say, What I Knew, Back Then, All That Love Can Do, I Let You Break My Heart, When You Come Around, (That's When) I Saw Stars, On The Horizon

Artist's Website: http://www.thewoodysmusic.com

Reviewed by: Jim McElroy

Author: Esther Berlanga-Ryan
Freelance Writer for Traditional Country Music
esther_berlanga@lycos.com

June 4, 2006

A Word About The Woodys

If you have never heard The Woodys´ sound you may be missing something extraordinary. Far from being just another Nashville duo, Michael and Dyann Woody deliver their music straight from their hearts with such a delicate tempo and with such perfectly matched vocal harmonies, that you will think you have gone to Heaven for as long as The Woodys play their music for your ears to listen to. Just picture The Everly Brothers, Bill Monroe and Gram Parsons together, and then add some new heartbeats, and a whole lot of good songs written by songwriter Michael Woody and his wife and partner Dyann. And even so you will still need to actually listen to them, because the music that influenced them have made them that much more original and, yes, magic.
The Woodys are what Americana Music calls Country today. But commercial Country Radio will not play their songs. To me, they are one of the most amazing bands I have ever had the pleasure to listen to, and to get to know. As a matter of fact they need no label to know who they are. What they do comes from deep inside. And they give it to us. Acoustic and pure for the most part. Vibrant and always alive, even when they are singing some lonesome tune, their voices wrap your heart and their music lifts your senses to the sky. Because you haven´t heard anything like this before. And that is when you know that something is rather special.

Their first album as The Woodys came out in 1998 (Rounder Records). Legendary Brian Ahern was the producer, and The Woodys became part of the American History with their revision of "High Lonesome" (with Emmylou Harris), and the beauty of the vocal harmonies that filled all 12 cuts of this record. But their mark was yet to be bigger than that.

In 2003 the album "Teardrops & Diamonds" (Southbound Records) hit the stores. Dyann and Michael Woody produced their music this time, and their voices sounded perfectly harmonized once again. The magic kept happening. My pick, "Hello Heartache". If Honky Tonk was ever to meet Gram Parsons, that would be how it would sound like.

And 2004 brought "Telluride to Tennessee" (Rocade Records). There is nothing like listening to them harmonizing to realize how pure music can really be. And how far we all are from really enjoying what this big old world has to offer. Produced again by The Woodys and with guests like Chris Hillman, Gretchen Peters and Ronnie McCoury, "Telluride to Tennessee" is one beautifully recorded album.

They are meant to feed your exhausted soul, because life is spinning around way too fast lately. Listen to their voices and let their words reach your spirit in a warm late spring evening. Because, in a way, they are the reason why music was ever created by Human sensibility.

Either discover or keep listening to them. You certainly will not be dissapointed.

Esther Berlanga-Ryan - What´s the main thing that you guys hear people say about The Woodys´ sound?

The Woodys - That we sound like the Everly Bros. I always say, yeah, but Dyann is prettier than Phil. Also, people who don´t like country, say they like The Woodys sound!

E.B-R - And how would you actually describe your Music?

T.W. - As country, folk and pop with Everly harmonies.

E.B-R - Michael, tell me a little bit about those days in Nashville, before you married Dyann. Your music, your songs…

Michael Woody - Well, it was real lonely, just me and my songs……. I used to go to lots of writers nights and hear the other writers and artists in town. Along with learning a lot, I had some success, scoring a #1 for the Desert Rose Band and getting some other cuts.

E.B-R - And Dyann…how was life before Nashville and Michael?

Dyann Woody - Very Good. Living in LA, writing & singing…..but, it is much better with a partner you love. E.B-R - It is a very romantic story how you guys met and ended up getting married, so please…do you mind telling the story here? D.W. - Actually, each took a round-about route to find the other. We were both popular singers during our collegiate days in Colorado. He favored the sounds of The Burrito Brothers, Waylon Jennings, Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris. I was a rocker in an all- female r&b show band, complete with choreography. We knew each other. We even dated once. (which I didn´t remember until he reminded me once we were engaged). But 10 years elapsed before we found each other again and got married within 2 months. E.B-R - How would you describe Nashville?

T.W. - Guitartown!

E. B-R - Why and when did you decide to become a duo and record together?

M.W. - I sent a demo to Brian Ahern and he thought we were wonderful and wanted to produce us. He called us the Everly Spouses.

E. B-R - Emmylou Harris sang the vocal harmonies for you on "High Lonesome", included on your very first album as The Woodys.That was a wonderful project with Rounder Records. Tell me a little bit about that 1998 album, "The Woodys".

T.W. - That was our debut album that went #1 on the Gavin Americana Charts. It was a dream come true for both of us.

E. B-R - 2003 brought Southbound Records´ "Teardrops and diamonds", your second album as a duo. This time you two produced the album. What can you tell me about the album two years later? (my favorite cut would be "Hello heartache", if you don´t mind me saying it!)

M.W. - That song was Dyann´s idea. "Teardrops" is still our favorite CD.

E. B-R - Most of the songs were written or co-written by Michael Woody, just like on your first album. What´s being a songwriter to Michael Woody?

M. W. - I have always associated writing my material as equally important as performing it in being an artist. I think it is important to "own" most of your music to be an artist.

E. B-R - And what about to Dyann? I know she has written or co-written quite a few cuts too.

D.W. - I love writing with Michael. I wrote ´Sweet Destiny´ myself which felt good to pen something myself that was strong enough for an album. I also have a new solo record which has 11 songs I wrote or co-wrote on it.

E. B-R - Would you say that Michael and Dyann Woody are simply musically meant to be?

M. W. -It would seem so to us, and we are very glad!

E. B-R - You are having great reviews on your third album, "Telluride to Tennessee". Would you say this is your most mature album?

M. W.- Not necessarily the most mature, but more just another angle on The Woodys´ sound.

E. B-R - Why?

M.W. - We are already very mature! (Laughs)

E. B-R - You guys had some good guests and musicians on this album: Chris Hillman, Ronnie McCoury, Gretchen Peters, Tammy Rogers…

M.W. - We have been very fortunate to have a lot of friends to help us out. Chris has always been an influence and a mentor, and Gretchen and I once sang as a duo back in our Boulder Colorado days.

E. B-R - Why Lefty´s "That´s the way love goes"?

M.W. - That song has always been a favorite. I love the melody, and also the lyric is great for a singing couple.

E. B-R - What are your thoughts on Gram Parsons and his Cosmic American Music?

M. W. - Like Chris, Gram was a huge inspiration and influence.

E. B-R - Your vocal harmonies have been compared to those by the Everly Brothers. Why do you think that is?

M. W. - Well, we must have just gotten lucky, because when they say "blood harmony", I don´t think they mean married people.

E. B-R - Dyann, tell me a little bit about your first solo album, "My softer side".

D.W.- I loved jazz/blues and 70´s pop music but had not done that style in many years due to The Woodys and our Country music success. I wanted to express that part of me.

E. B- - What´s Country Music to The Woodys? M.W. - Americana music, nowadays.

E. B-R - A verse that would perfectly define who you are.

D.W. - Michael´s song ´Hillbilly At Heart´ tells his story. Mine: "My Softer Side" tells my story….

Michael Woody and the TOO HIGH BAND (Randy Barker, Cactus Moser and Bryan Grassmeyer) perform a 25 year Reunion concert at the Taos Solar Festival on June 24th, 2006. A limited number of CD's are available now with all their hits: Where's The Party, Chased by the Moon, Love a New Way, Bop Shebang, Rosalita, Down, It Gets You Nowhere, Reckless Shoes, Jailbait, Dead Or Alive, Only Heaven Knows (featured track in the film 'Johnny Be Good'), Truck Drivin' Love, Santa Cruz and Take The Load. The tracks were recorded in 1980 with the original bass player, Dave Seago and produced by Jim Mason (Firefall and Poco). To order, go to The Woodys homepage.

St. Louis Post
Patrick Derfler

THE WORD ON THE WOODYS
If you can judge a band by the company it keeps, the Woodys are the real deal. Chris Hillman, Emmylou Harris and Albert Lee have all apeared on Woodys recordings, and Michael Woody has co-written songs with Hillman and Steve Earle. On top of it all are the incredible harmony vocals of Michael and wife Dyann.

Riverfront Times
St. Louis MusicCritic Pick
Roy Kasten Review

Save the Beavis &Butt-Head jokes, ok? Michael and Dyann Woody have heard them all. They've been making left-of-center Music-Row country records as THE WOODYS since 1998 but have steered clear of the humorlessness that plagues too many Americana acts - though there's nary a punch line on their 2005 album, Telluride To Tennessee. When they harmonize, they give memory-burdened motifs a paradoxical, lonesome gaiety. They may rock-&-roll name-drop all over "Bop Shebang," but they earn their references without an electric guitar in sight (and their resume' includes working with Steve Earle, Chris Hillman and Emmylou Harris). When they take on standards like Gram Parson's "Sin City" or Lefty Frizzell's "That's The Way Love Goes," they make the more frequent George & Tammy or Conway & Loretta comparisons sound like more than hype.

THE WOODYS holding steady at #17 this week on the R&R Americana Music Charts!!

BLUEGRASS WORKS
'Telluride To Tennessee'
Review 11/15/05

Dyann and Michael Woody (The Woodys) prove that they have myriad influences from country to folk, bluegrass to rock. The singing duo use an acoustic format with drums to present ten originals out of the total baker´s dozen. "Telluride to Tennessee" enlists the support of some notable musicians from both the bluegrass and country-rock genres (Chris Hillman, Herb Pederson, Gretchen Peters, Pat Flynn, Al Perkins, Ronnie McCoury, Larry Atamaniuk, Mike Compton, Scott Vestal, Tammy Rogers and others.) Fats Kaplan plays accordion and tin whistle on the Cajun-flavored "Kick Up the Dust." One of the best originals for bluegrass bands to cover is "Hillbilly at Heart."

Appealing primarily to fans of the Americana format, these songs will find their way to the airwaves of non-mainstream stations that simply like well-executed music with a bite. The Woodys were voted the top country vocal duo at the International Country Music News Awards in Belgium. They´ve also won an ASCAP songwriter award. "Telluride to Tennessee," the Woodys´ third release, varies the cadence between songs like the wistful country ballad "Long Time Gone" and "He´s Back and I´m Blue." The latter was a hit for the Desert Rose Band in 1988. They clearly have their pulse on a new type of country music that is both funky ("Fork in the Road"), nostalgic ("Sin City"), sweet ("I Couldn´t Love You Anymore"), and witty ("Bop Shebang").

The Woodys are now well-connected to the Nashville music scene, and their approach combines the pastoral with the raucous for a entertaining set with even a few classic country and bluegrass overtones. Their expressive vocals are never overshadowed by their sidemen. Born to sing, Dyann and Michael first met at college in Colorado. She was in all-woman R&B show band before moving to Los Angeles to work as an actress. She moved to Nashville in 1993. Michael had already located there in 1985 and was chasing success as a songwriter. The two were married in August 1993. With the help of producer Brian Ahern, their career as a duo was launched. With a number of albums and other recording projects under their belts, The Woodys are now well-established as the dazzling singing duo that they are.

AMERICANA UNDERGROUND – NOVEMBER ´05
By Lee Zimmerman

On hearing their first album, The London Times described the Woodys as "The Everly Brothers in heaven." Flattering for sure, but a more appropriate description of this husband-wife duo might be Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris reborn. Three albums on, they continue to delight with their impeccable harmonies and songs that sound like instant standards. Each is unequivocally recommended – the self-titled debut, its follow-up Teardrops & Diamonds, and their most recent, Telluride To Tennessee with its irresistibly evocative title track – and provide proof positive that Dyann and Michael Woody have all the makings of superstardom. Dyann recently released her self-penned debut solo effort, My Softer Side, and while it veers away from the Woodys´ traditional Americana sound and more towards easy pop and light jazz, it further reveals just how capable and accomplished a singer she actually is, even on her own.

THE WOODYS move up to #17 on the Americana Charts this week!

THE WOODYS are at #21 on this weeks R & R Americana Music Chart

1 DELBERT MCCLINTON
Cost Of Living New West

2 RODNEY CROWELL
The Outsider Columbia

3 JAMES MCMURTRY
Childish Things Compadre

4 BILLY JOE SHAVER
The Real Deal Compadre

5 JIMMIE DALE GILMORE
Come On Back Rounder

6 JOY LYNN WHITE
One More Time Thortch Recordings

7 SUSAN TEDESCHI
Hope & Desire Verve Forecast

8 TIM O BRIEN
Cornbread Nation Sugar Hill

9 BONNIE RAITT
Souls Alike Capitol

10 MARTY STUART AND HIS FABULOUS SUPERLATIVES
Souls' Chapel Superlatone/Universal South

11 SOUTH AUSTIN JUG BAND
Dark And Weary World Blue Corn

12 SON VOLT
Okemah And The Melody Of Riot Transmit Sound/Legacy

13 NICKEL CREEK
Why Should The Fire Die? Sugar Hill

14 RYAN ADAMS AND THE CARDINALS
Jacksonville City Nights Lost Highway

15 DWIGHT YOAKAM
Blame The Vain New West

16 NEIL YOUNG
Prairie Wind Reprise

17 PIETA BROWN
In The Cool Valley Entertainment

18 JOHN HIATT
Master Of Disaster New West

19 ADRIENNE YOUNG
The Art Of Virtue AddieBelle

20 ELIZA GILKYSON
Paradise Hotel Red House

21 THE WOODYS
Telluride To Tennessee Everett Family

COUNTRY STANDARD TIME
October 2005 Record Review

The Woodys
Telluride To Tennessee, 2005
Everett Family
For their third album, Colorado-based husband and wife Michael and Dyann Woody depart from the hook-laden country pop of their earlier outings.
Assisted by former Desert Rose members Chris Hillman and Herb Pederson, the Woodys take a distinctly bluegrass and honky tonk-inspired journey. While fans of the first two releases will find this one as much Stanley Brothers as Everly Brothers, the duo's trademark tight harmony and Michael's strong songwriting skills remain intact.
The Woodys firmly establish their intentions in the opener, "Greener Pastures," a hard-charging bluegrass lament. "Hillbilly Heart" and "He's Back and I'm Blue (Grass)" are in a similar vein. "Kick Up The Dust" is a Cajun stomper, and the light-hearted country rocker "Bop Shebang" and ballad "That's The Way Love Goes" are the cuts that old fans will find the most familiar. "I Couldn't Love You Anymore" and "Sin City" are classic honky tonk and also nicely done.
Michael wrote or co-wrote 10 of the 13 offerings, and he and Dyann ably handled production chores. The sound is appropriately bright and warm throughout, and the CD is nicely packaged with sepia photos, insightful liner notes and lyrics.
- Greg Milliken

THE WOODYS move up to #23 on the R&R Americana Charts this week!

Smooth Jazz Therapy
The lowdown on the very best from the world of smooth jazz and classic soul.« Culbertson In Top 5 | Main | Najee - My Point Of View »

October 04, 2005
Dyann Woody - My Softer Side

Readers of these pages may not instantly recognize the name of Dyann Woody but lovers of country music most certainly will. Dyann, with her husband Michael, is part of the Country Music group The Woodys, a band that enjoyed early success when their debut album on Rounder Records climbed to first place on the Americana Charts. They followed this up with a number of other critically acclaimed releases but now Dyann has a solo CD, ´My Softer Side´. It represents a considerable shift for her both in genre and in style.

Inspired by the emergence of Norah Jones, Dyann began to compose a set of tracks that formed the basis for ´My Softer Side´. In fact she writes or co-writes eleven of the tunes that make up this collection and complements her own work by the selection of two choice covers.

All this said ´My Softer Side´ is not a smooth jazz recording as such. It reaches across many genres and includes snippets of jazz, pop and blues. With the consistent thread of carefully crafted lyrics she never fail to tell a story and in so doing confirms her true country origins.

With ´My Softer Side´, Dyann covers the whole musical spectrum. Spanning romantic tunes like ´That´s When I Saw Stars´, ´Broken Hearts Make Beautiful Songs´ and ´Crazy Round Here´ (where Barry Walsh contributes delightful piano) through to out ands out cabaret numbers such as ´My Softer Side´ she makes every track a surprise. As one would expect, on the memorable ´All That Love Can Do´ Dyann proves she is a great country rocker and she reprises these country vibes with ´All You Gotta Say´.

One of the albums notables is ´Will You Ever Come Home´ with a bluesy backing and a Van Morrison ´Moondance´ kind of thing going on. It shows a more soulful side of Dyann but just as good is ´On The Horizon´, held together with a good chorus and strong backing it is reminiscent of 70´s Joni Mitchell but with Woodys hallmark crystal clear sound. Best track on the CD is ´To Get Over Me´, a romantic mid temp tune that benefits from a cool Hammond organ solo.

Dyann Woody has a voice with a tone and a resonance that is as clear as a bell and perfect for the live stage. With ´My Softer Side´ she has created a vehicle capable of taking in her in whatever direction she chooses to go.

For more on The Woodys and where to see them perform check out www.thewoodysmusic.com

October 04, 2005 in CD Reviews | Permalink
Recommended

THE WOODYS moved up to #27 on the R&R Amerciana Charts this week!

THE WOODYS TOP DEBUT at #29 THIS WEEK ON R&R AMERICANA MUSIC CHARTS!!
Playlist for week of Monday, September 26, 2005

1 DELBERT MCCLINTON
2 RODNEY CROWELL
3 JAMES MCMURTRY
4 DWIGHT YOAKAM
5 JIMMIE DALE GILMORE
6 ADRIENNE YOUNG
7 SON VOLT
8 NICKEL CREEK
9 BILLY JOE SHAVER
10 JOHN HIATT
11 TWO TONS OF STEEL
12 TIM O BRIEN
13 ELIZA GILKYSON
14 JEFF BLACK
15 KNITTERS
16 BONNIE RAITT
17 STEPHEN BRUTON
18 MARTY STUART AND HIS FABULOUS SUPERLATIVES
19 JOHN PRINE
20 ROBERT EARL KEEN
21 PIETA BROWN
22 ROBBIE FULKS
23 GREENCARDS
24 UNCLE EARL
25 JAMIE OLDAKER
26 SOUTH AUSTIN JUG BAND
27 KATE CAMPBELL
28 WILLIE NELSON
DEBUT 29 THE WOODYS
30 HACKENSAW BOYS

THE WOODYS place at the Top of the 5 Most Added Records on the R &R Americana Radio Charts THIS WEEK!

Adds Artist Title Label
14 The Woodys Telluride To Tennessee Everett Family
10 Bonnie Raitt Souls Alike Capitol
9 Patty Loveless Dreamin' My Dreams Sony/Epic
9 Bob Dylan No Direction Home Columbia/Legacy
8 Blasters 4-11-44 Rainman

Artist: Dyann Woody
Title: My Softer Side
Genre: Blues-Jazz-Pop
Website: http://www.thewoodysmusic.com
CD Baby Link: http://cdbaby.com/cd/dyannwoody

Dyann Woody offers her listeners My Softer Side. I have to admit, I loved this album, every single song. Now, how often do you hear someone say that? Not nearly enough, I would be willing to bet.

Dyann does more than get by with a little help from her friends, she makes this album a complete triumph by mixing it up with blues, jazz, and pop, actually some of the tracks have all three aspects in play. It sounds so wonderful! She has a great voice and utilizes it like the main instrument of the entire project while the music evolves around her heartfelt vocals.

Oh yes, the friends by the way are folks like the amazing guitar player Rick Vito (Bonnie Raitt, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Seeger) and her husband Michael on trumpet. Before I started this process of listening and writing, Dyann sent me an MP3 to sample what was in store. I e-mailed her back and said "Do you listen to Patsy Cline?" and her response was "I love Patsy Cline!" Bingo! I already have the feel for this. Speaking of feeling, that is what this woman is all about, you can hear it in her voice, she gets down with the blues, rocks, swings, you name it, Dyann Woody has got it covered in her songs.

Dyann is all women and she sings about the loves of her life, her partner, and she does it with joy, sadness, sexiness, the entire array of human emotions gets put through the ringer with her songs. "Broken Hearts Make Beautiful Songs" is right on target and so darn true, the beauty of sadness and despair was never so obvious in a song. Each track delves into another chapter of a relationship. Like the first track, "Someone Who´s Real," this CD is the most down to earth and real expression of artistry you will ever find in recorded music. Count on this, once you hear this CD-you will be hooked and want more, even as I write this, I am on my fourth listen. Do yourself a favor, go to her website or CD Baby, listen to some samples, and tell me if I am wrong.

© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

September 16, 2005

01. Someone Who's Real (3:38)02. To Get Over Me (3:07)03. Crazy 'Round Here (3:07)04. Will You Ever Come Home (3:27)05. Broken Hearts Make Beautiful Songs (3:47)06. My Softer Side (3:55)07. All You Gotta Say (3:31)08. What I Knew Back Then (3:55)09. All That Love Can Do (4:44)10. I Let You Break My Heart (4:31)11. When You Come Around (2:57)12. (That's When) I Saw Stars (4:41)13. On The Horizon (3:58)

Rating-9/10

Credits:

Rick Vito-acoustic and electric guitars
Barry Walsh-piano, keyboards
Dave Pomeroy-bass
Steve Turner-drums
Pat Bergeson-Jazz guitar on tracks 5 & 12; chromatic harmonica on track 5
Jonell Mosser-background vocals on tracks 9 & 10
Michael Woody-trumpet on track 12

NEW SOLO ALBUM
My Softer Side
Dyann Woody

Who knew that this country singer was really a closet chanteuse? Dyann Woody makes a seamless transition from 'yee haw' to "ooh la la!"

Not only does she have the voice of an angelic siren, but what will grab your attention even more is how easy her music is to listen to. She reaches across many genres and meshes elements of '70's singer/songwriter style, jazz, pop, and blues with the art of a well-crafted country lyric.

Although this is Dyann's first solo album, she has shared musical success with her husband as part of the Country Music Group, THE WOODYS. Their debut album on Rounder Records went #1 on the Americana Charts and they went on release several other critically acclaimed records and have toured the world.

Inspired by Norah Jones debut record,'Come Fly Away', she began writing for her own solo record. This was a labor of love that reconnected Dyann with her earlier musical roots and the influences of Bonnie Raitt, Billie Holliday, Ricki Lee Jones and Joni Mitchell.

Dyann penned the title track, "My Softer Side", and she co-wrote 10 other songs along with selecting 2 beautiful outside songs written by some talented friends. She produced the record with her husband, Michael, and hired the stellar talents of Nashville's A-list players: Rick Vito, Barry Walsh, Dave Pomeroy, Steve Turner, Pat Bergeson and Jonell Mosser. Pat Hutchinson recorded and the mixed the record at Warner Chappell Studios in Nashville.

ROCKABILLY HALL OF FAME
8/16/05 release
THE WOODYS -
Telluride to Tennessee
Everette Family Records MLG2-51357
www.thewoodysmusic.com
Email thewoodys@mindspring.com OR mikehyland@comcast.net
Playing Time - 43:10
Songs - 1. Greener Pastures, 2. My Train Of Thought, 3. Hillbilly at Heart, 4. Sin City (With Chris Hillman), 5. Kick Up The Dust, 6. Telluride To Tennessee, 7. Long Time Gone, 8. Fork In The Road, 9. He's Back And I'm Blue(grass), 10. I Couldn't Love You Anymore, 11. Lonesome City, Pop. 1, 12. Bop Shebang, 13. That's The Way Love Goes
Dyann and Michael Woody (The Woodys) prove that they have myriad influences from country to folk, bluegrass to rock. The singing duo use an acoustic format with drums to present ten originals out of the total baker's dozen. "Telluride to Tennessee" enlists the support of some notable musicians from both the bluegrass and country-rock genres. the features Chris Hillman, Herb Pederson, Gretchen Peters, Pat Flynn, Al Perkins, Ronnie McCoury, Larry Atamaniuk, Mike Compton, Scott Vestal, Tammy Rogers and others. Fats Kaplan plays accordion and tin whistle on the Cajun-flavored "Kick Up the Dust." One of the best originals for bluegrass bands to cover is "Hillbilly at Heart."
Appealing primarily to fans of the Americana format, these songs will find their way to the airwaves of non-mainstream stations that simply like well-executed music with a bite. The Woodys were voted the top country vocal duo at the International Country Music News Awards in Belgium. They've also won an ASCAP songwriter award.
"Telluride to Tennessee," the Woodys' third release, varies the cadence between songs like the wistful country ballad "Long Time Gone" and "He's Back and I'm Blue." The latter was a hit for the Desert Rose Band in 1988. They clearly have their pulse on a new type of country music that is both funky ("Fork in the Road"), nostalgic ("Sin City"), sweet ("I Couldn't Love You Anymore"), and witty ("Bop Shebang").
The Woodys are now well-connected to the Nashville music scene, and their approach combines the pastoral with the raucous for a entertaining set with even a few classic country and bluegrass overtones. Their expressive vocals are never overshadowed by their sidemen. Born to sing, Dyann and Michael first met at college in Colorado. She was in all-woman R&B show band before moving to Los Angeles to work as an actress. She moved to Nashville in 1993. Michael had already located there in 1985 and was chasing success as a songwriter. The two were married in August 1993. With the help of producer Brian Ahern, their career as a duo was launched. With a number of albums and other recording projects under their belts, The Woodys are now well-established as the dazzling singing duo that they are. (Joe Ross)

THE CITY PAPER REVIEW
The Woodys
By Ron Wynn, rwynn@nashvillecitypaper.com
August 19, 2005

The striking harmonies, poignant exchanges and consistently engaging performances of the duo known as the Woodys make their latest CD Telluride To Tennessee (EFR) a musical delight. Whether doing honky-tonk, Cajun-influenced works, folk-tinged pieces, straight country or shifting to rockabilly and rock ´n´ roll, the team of Dyann and Michael Woody turns all 13 numbers into earnest, steadfast workouts. Chris Hillman proves a wonderful guest contributor on "Sin City," a classic number he originally co-penned along with Gram Parsons, while Pat Flynn, Herb Pederson, Ronnie McCoury and Gretchen Peters are other guest contributors, but it´s the purity of their joint sound and distinctiveness of both voices that distinguish this session. Other highlights include the rollicking "Bop Shebang" spiced by Flynn´s cutting guitar licks, McCoury´s mandolin counterpart to Flynn on "Greener Pastures, and outstanding dobro work from yet another instrumental star Al Perkins. They hightechnology rum rampant over the singing. Dub remains more interesting and intriguing to those who adore studio mechanics as much as they do live singing and playing, but you´ll hear enough of both on Pure Thrillseekers to maintain light their roots on the sublime "Hillbilly at Heart" and rework for contemporary types Whitey Shaler´s "That´s The Way Love Goes." At times exquisitely thoughtful then shifting into an upbeat or celebratory mode, The Woodys deliver music that´s resolutely traditional yet still has plenty of relevance for today´s scene.

MUSIC ROW
Robert K. Oermann

Frankly, I don´t understand why every reviewer in town doesn´t run an Americana column—this genre is where you´ll find the coolest Nashville sounds of all.

In this particular case, I am referring to The Woodys, Kate Campbell, Jamie Hartford and Nickel Creek, all four of whom have records so essenstial to your audio health that you should stop what you´re doing right now and go out and buy them.

THE WOODYS/Telluride To Tennessee
Writer: Dyan & Michael Woody; Producer: Dyan & Michael Woody; Publisher: Dynamite/Peckertunes/Bug, BMI/ASCAP; EFR/Madacy (track) (www.thewoodysmusic.com)
—The title tune to this duo´s latest scampers along at a bluegrassy pace. Their harmonies are as wonderful as ever. And this time, the stellar picking matches their singing and songwriting talent lick for lick. Get a load of this instrumental cast—Pat Flynn, Ronnie McCoury, Dave Pomeroy, Scott Vestal, Tammy Rogers, Larry Atamaniuk, Al Perkins, Mike Compton, Alison Prestwood, Jimmie Fadden. Plus, Chris Hillman, Herb Pedersen and Gretchen Peters drop by for guest vocals. A new version of Michael´s "He´s Back and I´m Blue" is included. This is one spectacularly gorgeous album.

THE WOODYS were guests on Tennessee Morning with Charlie Chase & Kelly Sutton this morning on FOX 17 to promote their new record "Telluride To Tennessee". They performed 'Bop Shebang' and did an interview.

TELLURIDE TO TENNESSEE is being released August 16th 2005 in US and Canada!

THE WOODYS have just signed a record deal with Scena Records for US/Canadian licensing. On July 27, 2004 Scena Records/Sony RED will be releasing THE WOODYS Country Classic, 'Teardrops & Diamonds'.

THE WOODYS will also be on a complilation Gospel Bluegrass Record with Ricky Skaggs to be released on August 10th. 'Circle of Angels' and 'Nothing But A Child' will be the featured songs.

THE WOODYS have just finished recording a brand new acoustic/bluegrass record called 'Telluride To Tennessee' featuring Chris Hillman, Herb Pederson, Pat Flynn, Ronnie McCoury, Al Perkins, Gretchen Peters and more! Rocade Records in Norway will be releasing the album in July of 2004 to Europe. Scena Records will be releasing this in the summer of 2005 in the US.

Please look for the albums at your local record stores, Walmart, KMART, Target and Borders Bookstores in the US and Canada.

"TEARDROPS & DIAMONDS" is being released to Americana and Texas radio in April. The music video of the title track will be shown on GAC (Great American Country) television. Tune in to your local listing for The Woodys debut music video on the 'Edge of Country'.

Rocade Records in Norway is releasing the debut CD of Michael Woody this July. The 14 song CD includes co-writes with David Lee Murphy and Waylon Jennings. Michael's wife Dyann says, " It's okay but its missing a high sweet harmony voice...ha! Just kidding...This record is great and LONG overdue!!

EMMYLOU HARRIS has a new compilation record released this month by Raven Records called, "Singing With Emmylou" Volume 2. The Woodys are featured on track 5 singing a song written by friend and fellow Boulderite, Gretchen Peters called 'High Lonesome'. Emmylou is singing the high harmony with Dyann & Michael.

THE WOODYS have signed a record deal with 'Southbound/Universal' Records out of the UK. 'Teardrops & Diamonds' will be released in November along with a music video of the title track. THE WOODYS will be touring Europe to promote the new record.

COUNTRY MUSIC (Magazine)
March 2002
REVIEW
THE WOODYS
Teardrops & Diamonds
**** 4 STARS
In the late 1980's, country music rediscovered its rock roots when Foster & Lloyd and the Desert Rose Band brought the sounds of The Beatles, the Everlys and Buck Owens' Buckaroos back to radio. That sound may have been eclipsed by the hatted hunks and pop princesses, but it isn't totally dead. The evidence is on the Woodys' second release, TEARDROPS & DIAMONDS. Combining strong romantic songwriting with warm Everlys-style vocals, Michael and Dyann Woody create an almost carnal strain of roots-rock. Translation: Whether it's lust or hearbreak, the Woodys make you feel it.
For instance, on the opening title track the pair manages to convey a glimmer of hope with their creamy harmonies, despite the song's mordant message: "Teardrops and diamonds/they're just water and stone." They follow it with a cover of Steve Earle's "Heart's Don't Break," which is taken at a dynamic Buddy Holly gallop. Then there's the gorgeous Everlys-style ballad "Don't Blame Me," on which Michael Woody's desperation practically seeps out of the speakers.
For hard country, consider the bouncy "Honey I'm Wrong," a winking lovers' spat that recalls Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn's feistier duets, and "Hello Heartache," a partly spoken weeper that's affecting but never maudlin. And just in case you thought the Woodys are content to merely coo at one another, they fire off "Every Minute Counts," which sounds like a great lost Gram Parsons -Emmylou Harris rocker.
The Woodys also manage to stress their contributions to country-rock history by including their version of Michael's "He's Back & I'm Blue," a late-80's hit for the Desert Rose Band. In addition, they offer a haunting eulogy for their friend the late Byrds drummer Michael Clarke. The closing "Sweet Destiny" acts as a soothing benediction, telling the roots-rock flock that it's okay to drop the cool stance and wear your hear on your sleeve.
In the end, while the Woodys pay homage to country music's most vital influences, they also lay claim to their own corner of country-rock heaven.
-Bob Cannon