Sara Evans in a Real Fine Place
Sara Evans reminded me of something this weekend. She reminded me just how much I love Sara Evans.
It was Friday night (July 3), and she was appearing at this barbecue and music festival by my house. And I had not seen Evans perform live in a few years. So I went, and the crowd near the stage was kind of thin. (That could've been because of the endless set by the jam band before her, but that's another blog.) But the minute Evans ran onstage and started singing, her voice was like a magnet for the roughly 36,000 people there.
Evans and her six-man band, plus her sisters Leslie and Ashley on backup vocals, checked off all her big hits, like "Perfect," "A Real Fine Place to Start," "Born to Fly," "Suds in the Bucket" and "I Keep Looking." All great songs that made me remember how much I dig her voice. But then she pulled this a cappella brilliance out of her pocket to do a cover of Dolly Parton's "Jolene," and I was stunned at how flawless she sounded.
Then came the new stuff. Usually, when an artist tells you she's going to play some new songs, that's a pretty sure fire groove-buster. But not this time. These songs are better than any country song on the radio right now. One she wrote with her brother (and bass guitarist) Matt. It's called "Anywhere," and is all about "Baby, put the map away" and "I'm sick of living my life in park" and "Love will get us there."
Evans said she co-wrote almost all the songs on her forthcoming album with her brother and Nathan Chapman (who produces Taylor Swift's albums). And I already know which song of theirs I'm going to play the hell out of: "What That Drink Cost Me." I won't give the whole thing away, but I will say that even after only hearing it once, the chorus about how she lost a good man to a bad habit is stuck in my head. Just the way I like it.
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Melissa says:
I love Suds in the Bucket! :)
AMR says:
Yes, Sara performs lots of songs that are way better than anything on country radio. The question is, why won’t country radio play her new songs the same way they play less-worthy songs?
EDS says:
Sara is amazing and I can’t wait for her new album to be released! I’ve seen her recently in concert and her new songs sound great! Keep the hits coming, Sara!
MiaT says:
I LOOVE SARA! I’ve missed her. I bet the show was awesome!! I was there in spirit.
Alexis says:
There’s a video posted on Sara’s site of “What That Drink Cost Me”. (You can view it on her YouTube channel.) Amazing song, absolutely heartbreaking.
Twangtown7 says:
Not a huge fan of hers, but she does have a good voice and a nice set of, umm, nevermind.
She’s much better than than Swift kid, thats for sure.
CJ says:
I love Sara’s voice and I also wish they played her more on radio. I would love to see her in concert. It would be wonderful if some of these real Country Singers would came back and take Country to where is always has been and should be now. Oh just a wish!!!
eyeglasses says:
I love Sara’s voice and I also wish they played her more on radio.
Aunt Pam says:
I also love “What That Drink Cost Me.” You’re right, Alison, that chorus has a great hook that sticks with you. I hope it is released as a single.
T J says:
Sara’s so special - it is great to have her in country! music and singing Anthems! wow - what a talent!
Julianne Hough sang about getting that song stuck in your head..haha
Always Right says:
Of course Alison likes her new stuff: it’s produced by Taylor Swift’s producer and sounds like a Taylor Swift record.
Sharkie says:
she is such a wondeful talent! hope that radio treats her well…she better get the new music out before Scarrie returns to kill her career
Lawrence says:
I also saw Sara over the weekend in Denver on July 4th, and she sounded amazing! I have read a lot of reviews about her new single (Feels Just Like a Love Song) and many say there is ‘obvious auto tuning’, etc..but she sounded right on key and then some for every song including the new single. Sara is a force to be reckoned with and we must support her amazing new music! Like Alsion said the songs truly are better than any Country songs on radio right now so get out there and request Sara Evans!!
BigMikeB says:
Sara has a fantastic voice that isn’t on the radio anywhere near enough. I have never heard her sing anything that I didn’t enjoy. After seeing her biography a few months ago, I have a great deal of admiration and respect for her. She knew how to capture an audience even as a small child. What a huge talent in a small package.
Sheree says:
Sara is a dynamo!!! I was extremely impressed with her professionalism and stage performance at a show last year, and that voice is flawless! Sara and Martina still reign IMO as top female vocalists!
countryiscool says:
Seems some are feeling threatened with claws showing. Why the comparisons? We’re talking about Sara here. Why can’t fans just leave well enough alone and support whom they like without snarking about others? To each his/her own.
Nicolas says:
Can’t wait for her new album; Sara Evans is awesome and “What That Drink Cost Me” is brilliant =D
Redmaz says:
Her days in the Pop spotlight are over. By Mainstream Pop Country standards, she’s washed up. She has been replaced, by one of the blondes.(take your pick). That’s just the way it is. By definition…this is Pop Culture. Buy her CD’s, go to her shows, but radio airplay? No. She absolutely buthered RFP. Granted it’s not one of my favorite Foster tunes, but after her cover of it, I plan on never listening to it again. She’ll get very limited Mainstream Pop airplay, and no Americana/Roots play whatsoever. Her days of winning any Pop awards are over too. Roots awards? Forget about it.
casey says:
I’ll take Sara over all the “blondes” anyday. IMO Sara is more real than any of them, and can outsing tham all!
Loredana says:
it was Naperville Rib Fest!! I was there! I was one of the vendors she was awesome! I loved anywhere! i cant wait til the new cd!!
RICK THOMAS MILLER says:
I WISH THAT SARA EVANS NEED COME TO SING A SONG MUSIC FOR THE RETURN OF THE COUNTRY MUSIC FOR C.M.T.V. AND G.A.C. TV
SHE IS STILL YOUNG FEMALE AND GETTING LITTLE OLDER BUT IS STILL PRETTY LADY FOR HER.