Tresa Street - Ain't Nothin' Changed
Ain't Nothin' Changed is the title of the new CD release from Tresa Street on the A.I.M Records label of Gallatin, Tennessee.
The fourteen songs on the album are a wonderful mix of blues-pop and hardcore country that reaches back to the heart & soul of country music's early days.
Tresa's own biography lists her musical styles as 65% Country and 35% Pop with a Blues edge. Let me make it easy right from the start: Tresa Street is Country in the same way Patsy Cline was Country.
Tresa Street's singing style while firmly rooted in the country music genre has the undeniable broad appeal of a true crossover artist. Her style can be described in many ways, cliché it definately is not. Call it "electic counrty" if you need a label. Tresa reaches out for songs that obviously touch her deeply.
Ain't Nothin' Changed opens with Tresa's version of the Jonny Lang blues ballad "Lie To Me," written by Bruce McCabe & David Z and released as the title track from Jonny Lang's Lie to Me album (A&M Records, 1997). It is a good choice for an opening song, one that shows right from the start that Tresa Street is here to sing.
Tresa could step into any blues club and have even the most hardcore blues aficionado nodding with approval. She sings with genuine power and soul throughout. Jonny Lang's version of Lie To Me is good, Tresa's version is better.
Naturally, a songwriter - Tresa Street
Naturally is the second song on the album as well as one of Tresa Street's own compositions. As natural as the title, Naturally is a unhurried, bluesy country ballad that not only reinforces Tresa's ability as a singer/songwriter, but also showcases the fine talent of the musicians on the album.
Wild About You is a contemporary country-rock number with loads of adrenaline, a fast tempo, and a driving beat. It is the kind of song that will make you sit up and take notice. Get ready, the dance floor is about to rock!
50's Ballads & Contemporary Country
Nobody's An Angel is a classic romantic ballad. Written by Bernie Wayne & Jack Segal Nobody's An Angel has the straightforward simplicity characteristic of songs of the 50's era.
An interesting side note is that Bernie Wayne is also the author of the classic Blue Velvet as well as the song made famous by Bert Parks, a little number titled: "Miss America (There She Is)."
"Rockin' A Baby" is another classic country ballad and followed by a nice cover of "I Believe I Can Fly." "Let's Go Dancing" will have you doing just that while "I Can Count On You" gives us a another taste of Tresa Street's songwriting ability. This time she is joined by Mike McDaniel as co-author.
"Ain't Nothin' Changed" is another of Tresa's own songs and also one of the best on the album. It is a very up-tempo ballad with a solid hook, an identifiable number that has strong commercial possibilities (Radio Music directors take note).
"When He Leaves You" tells about lost love and broken dreams, a classic country romantic tear-jerker that fits well into the mix. Next is the fourth of Tresa Street authored songs, "That's My Final Answer." Tresa has very capable songwriting skills, each of her own songs shows nice diversity and a good handle on content. I hope she continues to write.
"Love Letters" straight from the heart… Written by Edward Heyman in 1952 Tresa reaches back to another classic. Love Letters is a pretty song that again, demonstrates the simple elegance of an earlier day. Beautiful.
"Somebody Will" kicks up the adrenaline levels again with a driving beat and emphatic vocals. The song is mainline country both in subject matter and style. Tresa's version of the Cyril Rawson/Terry Brown song is perfection in deliverance and believabillty. Tresa knows how to sell song lyrics.
Now we come to the last song on the Ain't Nothin' Changed album: "I Wish."
I Wish is a beautiful song, and quickly became one of my favorites from Ain't Nothin' Changed. It is a song that Patsy Cline should have recorded.
Tresa does a wonderful version of this song: natural, sincere and beautifully believable. This is a song not to be missed. I admit it touched my "nostalgia' nerve and left me wishing that there were more songs with this simple, romantic innocence.
Tresa's version of "I Wish" is closing-time material. Combine Tresa's beautiful voice accompanied by a classic arrangement and 50's era romantic lyrics and it simply does not, cannot, get better than this.
I Wish was written by Samuel "Buck" Ram and Tito Madi in 1957. Buck Ram was the driving force behind The Platters, not only in organizing and managing the group, but also in writing many of their chart topping hits including "Only You (and You Alone)" and "I'll Be Home For Christmas." The Platters recorded and released "I Wish" as a single in 1958.
Ain't Nothin' Changed by Tresa Street is thoroughly enjoyable. The mix of pop-country, blues and 50's ballads, combined with Tresa's own songwriting ability, powerful voice and high production values make this a winner. Very highly recommended.
Review by Jack "papa" Baer January 22, 2002
Tennesse Pride, Gallatin, TN
"There is something about early country music that touches the soul and lifts the spirit. It is real and unpretentious. It was born of hardships and perseverance, love and devotion, grace and goodness. It is priceless."
