LORETTA LYNN: WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT

BIG NEWS: Country star Loretta Lynn announces new studio album, titled Wouldn't It Be Great.

The day before her 85th birthday, country legend Loretta Lynn has announced the release date and track list for her new studio album, titled Wouldn't It Be Great. This is the second exciting announcement today re the topic of new music from much-loved legends, following on from Elkie Brooks who released her new single this morning along with the title and album art for her forthcoming record. Loretta's new album is scheduled for release on August 18 of this year. It will be her third volume of recordings made at Cash Cabin Studios and produced by John Carter Cash and Loretta's daughter Patsy Lynn Russell, following two records last year.

Wouldn't It Be Great will be released in August.

The upcoming album is comprised entirely of songs written or co-written by Loretta. The record opens with the title track, "Wouldn't It Be Great", and features new songs such as "Ruby's Stool" and "Ain't No Time to Go" as well as classics such as "Don't Come Home a Drinkin'", her 1966 country hit. The album closes with one of Loretta's best and most famous songs, the autobiographical "Coal Miner's Daughter", which was originally released in 1970. Last year saw Loretta release two LPs, the Grammy-nominated Full Circle, her first studio album in over a decade, and White Christmas Blue, a collection of Christmas songs. Full Circle also featured brilliant re-recorded versions of old hits such as "Fist City" and "Secret Love" as well as brand new tracks. With the new record following this winning format, and a return to releasing studio records in quick succession, it seems Loretta is back on form and set for another round of success. I can tell you now that this record will feature very near the top of my best of 2017 list at the end of the year, and hopefully we'll see it top the country charts as well. The full track list for Wouldn't It Be Great is as follows:

1. Wouldn't It Be Great
2. Ruby’s Stool
3. I'm Dying for Someone to Live For
4. Another Bridge to Burn 
5. Ain't No Time to Go 
6. God Makes No Mistakes 
7. These Ole Blues 
8. My Angel Mother 
9. Don't Come Home a Drinkin'
10. The Big Man
11. Lulie Vars
12. Darkest Day
13. Coal Miner's Daughter 

Loretta’s new studio album ‘Wouldn’t It Be Great’ is coming August 18! This stunning new record is comprised entirely of songs written or co-written by Loretta, showcasing her timeless and influential songwriting.

A post shared by Loretta Lynn (@lorettalynnofficial) on Apr 13, 2017 at 7:09am PDT

ELKIE BROOKS: PEARLS – THE VERY BEST OF

PEARLS – THE VERY BEST OF: Elkie Brooks releases new single from her forthcoming greatest hits album.

Legendary singer Elkie Brooks has just released the first single from her upcoming album, Pearls – The Very Best Of, a new greatest hits collection scheduled for release on June 2 this year. The new single, "Love Ain’t Something You Can Get For Free", premiered on BBC Radio 2 this morning. It's a cover of Bobby Womack's 1975 song written by Ray Parker Jr. and Melvin Ragin, a track which suits Elkie's voice perfectly.

Rock and roll fans will remember Elkie from Vinegar Joe, the seventies band that also launched the solo career of Robert Palmer. With an unmistakable big voice which has been likened to that of Janis Joplin, Elkie shone during performances such as "Proud To Be A Honky Woman" on the Old Grey Whistle Test in 1973, so it's no surprise that she went on to have a successful solo career of her own.

The forthcoming record, Pearls – The Very Best Of , is a new greatest hits collection featuring 18 tracks. These include the classics "Pearl's A Singer", "Lilac Wine" and "Sunshine After The Rain" plus two brand new songs. The album will be available to pre-order from tomorrow, April 14. "Love Ain’t Something You Can Get For Free" was released this morning and was met with much excitement from fans. Check out the lyric video for the new single below.