Used with permission of CMA Closeup News Service
By j. poet
Deana Carter's new album, The Story of My Life, lives up to its title with 11 largely autobiographical tunes full of the spunk and subtle humor we've come to expect from her. It's her first album for Vanguard Records, an indie known for its strong roster of singer-songwriters. And while the self-produced set has pleasing crossover sheen, it's still a Country album.
There's an old fashion cheatin' song and aggressive love songs including "The Girl You Left Me For" and "Ordinary" that celebrate what the old timers used to call the wild side of life.
"I've always been a fan of the real stuff," Carter said, with characteristic optimism. "Unfortunately, you have to live that stuff to be able to write about it. I was having some difficulties in my life last year and luckily it was time to write a record, so that was a good thing. It's the story of a little heartache overshadowed by a fierce determination to be happy."
Carter said The Story of My Life was one of the most satisfying projects she's ever done. It's her first album since leaving Nashville for Los Angeles.
"When I was a kid I loved the variety shows - Sonny and Cher, the Mandrell sisters. I wanted to be on TV and have my own show and do little skits, sing and dance, have all the show biz stuff going hand in hand. That's why I came out here to L.A. I want to do it all."
Carter's first step toward her goal of being an all around entertainer was signing with Vanguard. The record label gave her total artistic control.
"Their faith in me was amazing," Carter said. "They didn't hear a single note until it was finished. They let me have complete control; they had no idea what was going to come out. They said I could write my songs, produce them myself and make the record I wanted to make.
"There's a songwriter and label community in Nashville and once a writer gets a hit, they want to keep capitalizing on that success, which is fine if you're dealing with an artist that doesn't write her own songs. At this point in my life, I didn't want to conform to a formula. There are a lot of musical influences in my life. I loved '70s rock and folk rock, from Bob Seger, to Steely Dan, to Bread. My dad [famed session guitarist Fred Carter Jr.] was involved with Simon and Garfunkel, The Band, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan and people like that. We weren't just steeped in Country Music. I've always leaned toward self-contained artists, peppered by Country artists like Willie, Dolly and Kris Kristofferson. I've had two major deals; this is more of a 'joint venture' that allows me to be myself and in charge of my own music."
Carter said the new album "brings me full circle."
