Editor’s Note: Chris Stapleton’s debut album, “Traveller”, had such a profound effect on then-blooming writer Aliah Sheffield’s life; we decided to allow her to share her thoughts with the AltWire readers with her debut post!
I’ll always be a southern girl at heart , and I’ll always have a deep-rooted love for country music. At times it can be difficult to find a voice that stands out in such a heavily populated genre of music .
Chris Stapleton manages to change the course of current country music while staying on the path that was forged by past country artist. Traveller , his debut solo album , is such a great album to listen to. I often have it playing in during my long NYC commune , as each track passes , I forget about the crazy guy doing cartwheels in the subway or the yelling couple . It centers me in a way that country hasn’t been able to in a long time.
This album talks about family, love, failed relationships, and vices! My favorite track on the record is “Parachute”. Its guitar-driven promise to the love of your life has a chorus built with the true meaning of poetry:
“You only need a roof when it’s raining
You only need a fire when it’s cold
You only need a drink when the whiskey
Is the only thing that you have left to hold
Sun comes up and goes back down
And falling feels like flying till you hit the ground
Say the word and I’ll be there for you
Baby, I will be your parachute”
My second favorite would have to be his cover of “Tennessee Whiskey “. Stapleton takes a classic and gives it a beautifully profound update , Just listen to his version and then go back to listen to George Jones’ version and be amazed. The song becomes completely transformed in a way that you wouldn’t have imagined to be possible .
This whole album is amazing, but I’m only going to mention the three songs that I think will grab even the most skeptical non country listener . This last song is “Sometimes I Cry “. This song is pure blues! Just listen to the pain in his voice and allow yourself to be captivated .
There are so many things I can say about the album and this artist. Chris Stapleton is a pioneer in the songwriting world . He written songs for plenty of well known country artist . These songs have gone on to be billboard chart toppers , songs like “Drink a Beer” by Luke Bryan , “Crash and Burn” by Thomas Rhett , “Nobody’s Fool” by Miranda Lambert or “100 miles” by Blake Shelton . He has clearly mastered the art of songwriting with “Traveller”. I am looking forward to hearing more from Chris Stapleton in the future.
Traveller can be purchased here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/traveller/id980334914
