Steel Magnolia

Steel Magnolia | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 11, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Big Machine Records
• ASIN: B003YGC7YE
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #61,985 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2011 debut from this Country duo. Seasoned voices, dogged perseverance and a healthy dose of Southern charm proved to be a winning combination for Steel Magnolia in winning CMT's Can You Duet? (produced by the creators of American Idol). Meghan and Josh, partners both on and off stage, captivated the judges with their unique vocal blend and charismatic stage presence. In reaping their prize, the duo signed a record deal with Big Machine Records (label home to Taylor Swift), and entered the studio with acclaimed producer Dann Huff (Keith Urban, Faith Hill, Rascal Flatts) to begin working on this release. Steel Magnolia wrote seven of the 12 songs on the album.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars So glad these two came together... January 11, 2011

By terpfan1980 VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

The story of how these two came together is there for the reading in the editorial review and biography portion of the product page, so I won't waste time repeating that information. What I will say about it is that I'm very, very glad that they did come together as the music they make together is just so totally enjoyable. For those that haven't seen these two in person, do yourself a favor and try to catch them if you can. Personally, my daughter and I were able to catch them when they were part of the Brad Paisley H2O tour during the summer of 2010. They were featured on a side stage as one of the early acts to catch while the main stage was readied. Having them on the side stage meant being able to get up close to the stage and get a nice view of them as they poured their energy into the music they were making and their fine music was enough to help erase the discomfort of the falling rain that was doing everything it could to fulfill Paisley's desires for H2O :-p

The first release from this album, or at least the first one that most people might have heard, was Keep on Lovin' You. Its up tempo, yet soulful and bluesy lyrics and sound draw in the listener even as the power shines through in Meghan Linsey's singing, made all the better by having Joshua Scott Jones trading lyrics with her -- and he himself is no slouch in being able to belt out the lyrics. Much like Hillary Scott and Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum singing back and forth in their song Need You Now (Need You Now) listeners can feel the sensuality that oozes in the song and makes it all the more fun to listen to....

Somewhat surprisingly, this self titled album doesn't open with that first single, instead listeners are treated to another fun song Ooh La La. Like Keep on Lovin' You, it's a song where Linsey and Jones keep swapping back and forth on who is singing lead, again keeping just the right mix of country, blues, and soulfulness to pull listeners in and set them up for the rest of the great music that fills the album.

Keep on Lovin' You follows Ooh La La before which later gives way to an absolutely beautiful song: Just by Being You (Halo and Wings). ... You don't have to be invincible, cause I sure ain't no saint ... cause you take me to Heaven, just by being you. If you've not seen the video for that track, visit a site where you can find such things (CMT as an example) and take it all in as it fits the song so well.

Edge of Goodbye is a tune that I'd been thoroughly enjoying compliments of an EP that had been released while the rest of the album came together and/or was finally released. My read is that it's a song that is looking at a pending break-up, with both sides looking at the reasons that things seem to be falling apart. From where they stand, they could perhaps back away and try to get back to where they were, or they can go with the decision they've already made. ... you've made up your mind ... no wrong and no right ... When you're standing on the edge of goodbye.

At this point, 4 songs, or one-quarter of the songs on the album, we get to songs that I've not had much time to listen to. What I have heard of them makes me very happy to have put in the preorder for this CD via that i sell Tunes type place. For those that wonder, the only difference of note between the product sold there and the downloadable one that is sold here at Amazon is that Amazon wins hands down on the moola side while the tunes place offers buyers the .pdf jacket liner/digital booklet for that additional cabbage.

Somewhat per my usual recommendations here, sample the tracks and make up your own mind. For me this was an absolute must buy. Others may not be as enthusiastic but that's a matter of personal choice. Read more ›

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Steller Debut!!! January 28, 2011

By loveneverfails12

Format:MP3 Music

I have been a fan of these guys since they were on CMT's Can You Duet. I thought they were amazing then, but with this album they take it to another level!! Between Josh's smooth, dynamic vocal stylings and Meghan's weathered, soulful voice they create the perfect blend of music; soul-county-rock-pop! The duo also stretch their songwriting wings, several times on their debut album...and it pays off...some of the best lyrics to come off a country album in the last year! A few of my favorite tracks are "Not Tonight" and "Bulletproof"! Definitely one of the BEST debut albums to come out of Nashville in a while! It is a MUST-BUY!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Steel Magnolia's Dynamism Stolen Away By Poor Songs January 13, 2011

By Timothy Yap TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:MP3 Music

Prime Cuts: Ooh La La, Just By Being You (Halo and Wings), Keep on Loving You

There are some artists that just sing. There are others that put their lives on the stake and leap out of the speakers and grab you at the heart. Steel Magnolia belongs to the latter. Shedding any thread of rookie jitters, this duo comprising of Joshua Scott Jones and Meghan Linsey has that intrepid abandonment in their delivery that they are unabashedly one of the most engaging duos to grace country music since Brooks and Dunn. Jones and Linsey were first paired up in the reality show "Can You Duet?" and ever since they have had an EP released coupled with two top 40 country singles. Just like their label mate Reba McEntire, they have jumped on the same band wagon in enlisting top-tiered producer Dann Huff to helm this disc. And just like many of Huff's products, this is a slick pop-country effort with the 80s-pop being a closer sonic cousin than traditional country. Without an iota of doubt this eponymous album will be embraced by country radio as a long-time sweetheart. However,it is severely let down by the songs. Partly to blame is that Jones and Linsey were responsible in scribing 7 out of the 12 cuts with the remaining cuts culled from some of Nashville's indemand writers such as Chris Stapleton, Chris Tompkins, Hillary Lindsey and Lori McKenna. Not that theere's anything wrong with these writers, but one gets the impression that writing songs for them has become a regular 9 to 5 to them than creative expressions of their hearts and souls.

Nevertheless, not all is doom. Album opener "Ooh La La," not the Rod Stewart cover of the same title, but a Steel Magnolia original is bouncy, engaging and immediately captivating.... A gorgeous ode to love at first sight; listening to how Linsey trades her piercing contralto with Jones' bluesy tenor is just a delight. The chemistry between the two really shines with the top 5 single "Keep on Loving You." Kicking with screeching guitars with an anthemic rock chorus "Keep on Loving You" is tailored made for chart success. The tempo slows down with "Just By Being You (Halo and Wings)"---it's a simple and beautiful ballad that expresses the vulnerability of being in love. Linsey's Stevie Nicks-girlish vocal curls brings out an accessibility that is just enthralling. Lori McKenna, who is one of Faith Hill's favourite songwriters, gets a cut here "Bulletproof." "Bulletproof" lives up to McKenna's lofty standards where the Steel Magnolia sing about the self-sufficiency of love.

Other than the above tracks, the rest of the tracks are either average or below. Not that they are structurally ropey, rather there's nothing inspiring about them. Just as forgettable as the titles such as "Rainbow," "Without You," "Edge of Goodbye," "Not Tonight" and "Last Night Again," these tunes deal with relationships without saying anything new. And don't expect much country in them either: sure there are the occasional uses of the banjo and steel, but ultimately they are more obligatory than creative expressions of the songs. Better moments come at the penultimate end when the duo tackled the rustic Keith Urban and the Ranch's album cut "Homespun Love." Album closer "Glass Houses" gives the pop-country template a break as the duo take on a Guy-Clark-like detour as they deliver quite a stunning acoustic guitar-driven murder story song.

Steel Magnolia is a dynamic duo. Few new artists can sing as convincing as these two. But they are let down by their poorly chosen and written songs. If they could sidestep a little from the pressure of securing hits and look more in their hearts, this disc may take a more favourable turn. As much as producer Dann Huff may be the gateway to stardom but that man can't really produce a country record. Read more ›

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Pow! Bam! Chemistry! September 6, 2011

By Holly G

Format:Audio CD

Steel Magnolia is the most under-rated duo in country music, IMHO. The duo of Meghan Linsey and Joshua Scott Jones were "discovered" on the CMT reality series "Can You Duet?" and wound up getting signed to Big Machine Records. They released their self-titled debut CD in January of 20011. If you haven't heard it yet, here's a summary of what you are missing...

One of the most appealing things about Josh and Meghan is their red-hot chemistry, which shows up in the album's first track, the flirtatious, "Ooh La La." "Eggs Over Easy" is another song with a similar, playful vibe. The hit single "Last Night Again" amps it up from First Base to down-and-dirty Home Run. "Keep On Loving You," Steel Mag's first single, is soulful and heartfelt, a perfect vehicle for Meghan's big voice to show off its powerful range. The couple also reveal their tender side on sweet ballads, like the top 25 single "Just By Being You (Halo and Wings)" and "Without You," the first song they ever wrote together. "The Edge of Goodbye" is a memorable, moody, bluesy break-up ballad. The reggae-tinged "Rainbow" offers up a refreshing change of pace. "Bullet-Proof," the duo's fourth single, can best be described as a contemporary Female Empowerment Anthem that packs a hook-laden punch. My personal favorite track on the CD is "Homespun Love," a cover of an old Keith Urban and the Ranch tune. Word has it that Keith himself pretty much stalked Josh and Meghan until they agreed to record it! You won't be able to resist cranking up this little hillbilly bow-chicka-wow-wow nugget of homespun passion!

Heck, crank it up up for the whole darn album! Love, love, love it!