It’s not just oversweet factory-made lemonade. Country time is a state-of-mind way-of-life. You can stretch it in a bunch of different directions, mix it up with various other genres, and somehow not dislodge its essential country-ness. All the acts here come at country with their own special baggage. Let’s start unpacking.

Minnesota musical everyman Adam Levy returns with his country outfit Turn Turn Turn and a fabulous 11 track new LP All Hat No Cattle. The sonic flavours here range from the Appalachian Civil War-themed “Antietam” to the honky tonkin’ “Last Drink” to the Mexican-flavoured “Cities.” And that’s just the first three songs! Seriously, this band shifts country gears like a Kentucky sports car. Check out the shivery vocal work on “Magnolia Tree” or the Bakersfield twang and killer organ colouring “Trouble.” Most of the songs vibe country traditions in a pretty honest rendering but there are a few contemporary-sounding efforts too. Both “Serious” and “Hungry Ghosts” have great pop hooks. Or you can go back in time with “When Love Reigns” and its lovely 1962 rock and roll demeanor. I’m a sucker for the folky “Manitowoc” – such a sublime chorus. And make sure to hang in there after the closing cut “Solid State” for the hidden title track.

Slipping back in time genre-wise and with only half our previous title, Joshua Hedley gives up a full serving of western swing on All Hat. If you’ve ever hankered after a Bob Wills or Merle Travis tune then this is the record for you. Right from the opening cut “All Hat (No Cattle)” you know Hedley has nailed this. His evocation of the period is a high fidelity 1940s time trip. Every aspect of the historical mood is here. “Boogie Woogie Tennesse” is vibing Johnny Mercer something serious. There’s polkas with “Hedliner Polka” while “Fresh Hot Biscuits” is square dance central. “Clueless” is a perfectly structured 1940s song vamp with solo piano work that is exquisite. Songs with a recognizable historical style can sound stilted but Hedley has tracks like “Crawlin’ Home to You” sounding freshly pressed and ready to wear. And, as with a lot of western swing, there’s a strong jazz element to what is going on, as in evidence on “Over The Line” and “Come Take a Ride With Me.” Hedley notes on the album write up that western swing was dance music played in dance halls, not theatres. This record offers you what amounts to an amazing evening of classy dancing 1940s style.

Winnipeg’s Boy Golden mines a rich vein of rock and roll country on his latest long-playing release Best of Our Possible Lives. There’s a confident strut and swagger here reminiscent of a 1979-era Tom Petty. This is a take on country I can really get behind. The brilliance of the package on offer here is all there on opening cut “Suffer.” The ambience is cinematic, delivered with smooth talk/singing style I last heard aced on my Aaron Lee Tasjan records. ‘I want know where my money went, I want a new effin’ President,’ sings the founder and minister of The Church of Better Daze. All I can say is – preach brother! As the tracks play on you can hear the style defiance going on. Boy Golden puts a recognizable stamp on this work but nothing really sounds the same. “Cowboy Dreams” is another outstanding track, a duet with Cat Clyde. The vocals and distinctive lead guitar work weave together creating a special sonic space. “Eyes” takes haunting to new spooky levels. Then you’ve got a tune like “Meadowsweet” that straddles pop and folk with a meditative intensity. Title track “Best of Our Possible Lives” is a killer closer, so subtly catchy.

It’s a wrap on country time with the Brennan Wedl and Waxahatchee cover of the Kathleen Edwards song “Six O’Clock News.” This one is just effortless good -time tuneage by all concerned.

Live it up, country style. Who knows when country time may be coming around again.

Photo courtesy Thomas Hawk Flikr collection.