Various My Black Country: The Songs Of Alice Randall
- Americana |
- Country |
- Folk |
- Various Artists
Release Date: April 12, 2024
Label: Oh Boy
My Black Country: The Songs of Alice Randall is an evocative album amplifying the profound narratives of Black culture within country music, brought to life by a collective of Black female artists including Rhiannon Giddens, Valerie June, and Allison Russell.
Introducing My Black Country: The Songs of Alice Randall, the companion album to Alice Randall's latest literary endeavor, My Black Country. In this profound work, Randall offers a lyrical voyage through her personal history, a quest to uncover the roots of Black country music, and a celebration of the profound impact of Black culture on the American landscape.
The album serves as a potent compilation of reinterpreted classics from Randall's repertoire, masterfully brought to life by a collective of Black female country artists. Through their renditions, they breathe new vitality into Randall's narratives, capturing the essence of the Black experience in the American West depicted within her songs. The album collects recordings from Rhiannon Giddens, Valerie June, Allison Russell, Leyla McCalla, Sistastrings, Adia Victoria, Sunny War, Miko Marks, Saaneah Jamison, Rissi Palmer, and Caroline Randall Williams.
Offered Randall, "I had songs recorded in the 80s, in the 90s, in the 2000s, and 2010s, but I never once had the joy of hearing one of the songs that I wrote from the perspective of a Black woman recorded by a Black woman. With this project... I hope to change that."
Under the expert production of Ebonie Smith, whose credentials include engineering for Hamilton and leadership roles at Gender Amplified and Atlantic Records, each track resonates with authenticity and passion.
As a New York Times bestselling novelist, acclaimed songwriter, and esteemed educator, Alice Randall's influence spans across genres and communities. Her residence in Nashville, the heartland of country music, underscores her deep connection to the genre. With credits including hits for icons like Glen Campbell, Trisha Yearwood, and more, Randall's impact on country music is undeniable. As the first Black woman to top the country charts, her legacy reverberates through the industry and beyond.