Artist: Whitney Rose
Album: Heartbreaker Of The Year
Label: Cameron House Records
Release Date: 08/21/2015
It’s no small mark of distinction when you can enlist the Mavericks to participate in your sophomore set. But it’s far more impressive when the sound you produce yourself sounds so assured and confident even the first time out. That’s the case with Canada’s Whitney Rose, whose new album, somewhat tellingly titled Heartbreaker of the Year, sounds like a collection of seasoned standards as ageless as something that might have once been wrought by Hank Williams, Kitty Wells or any number of other classic country crooners in their prime. The fact that practically all the songs were written by Rose herself adds further credence, and indeed on songs such as the snappy “Little Piece of You,” the punchy “Only Just A Dream,” a tearful “Ain’t It Wise,” and the sensual and seductive title track, it’s hard to distinguish whether she’s singing one of her new tracks or something of vintage pedigree. Indeed, her duet with Raul Malo on the remake of that ageless chestnut “Be My Baby” appears perfectly situated alongside the originals. Likewise, that classic heartbreak of a ballad, Hank Williams’ “There’s a Tear in my Beer,” sounds like it would be practically unimaginable covered by anyone other than Rose. That’s the extent to which she makes it her own.
A new talent with an ageless soul, Whitney Rose is ready to take her place alongside country’s most accomplished auteurs.
– Lee Zimmerman
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