And we’ll come back again and again and again

“We are The Highwomen, But anyone can be a Highwomen. It’s about rising about this time and age.”

The thesis statement created above is by Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, Amanda Shires and Natalie Hemby. Together, they are The Highwomen – a nod to The Highwaymen supergroup (1985-1995) consisting of Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings. I envision the four pioneers of Nelson, Krisofferson and the late, great Cash and Jennings, sitting on the deck of Nelson’s Texas ranch in the thick of sundown, smiling, clinking their glasses in cheers and gladly passing the torch to today’s Highwomen – who undoubtably both tip their caps and throw on own ones of their own in their passion-filled purpose.

“The Highwomen exist so the women in country music can continue to band together.” This means more radio play, more headlining slots within festivals, more of platform and a louder voice. So, what exactly are The Highwomen saying in this beautiful and fearless music? Here, we crack open the twelve tracks and jump right in to the carefully created words that surf upon the graceful foundation laid by musicians such as Phil and Tim Hanseroth and Jason Isbell.

While the themes can change throughout the mission, one fact radiates from the opening note of the self-titled title track to the last “Wish I was rolling back to you” harmonies of the record closer, “Wheels of Laredo” – regardless of the imminent ripple effect this music has, there is nothing more powerful and invigorating than a group of people unifying and signing together.

With that – “Let ‘em preach.”

“Redesigning Women”

Pulling up the floors and changing out the curtains
Some of us are saints and some of us are surgeons
Made in God’s image just a better version
And breaking every jello mold

“Loose Change”

I’m gonna be somebody’s lucky penny someday
Instead of rollin’ ’round in your pocket like loose change

Well, love is not supposed to be
Played like Monopoly
Be careful where you’re tossing me
‘Cause I’ll be rolling away
I’m fallin’ out of your pocket like loose change

“Crowded Table” ~ the whole damn song but for example:

Let us take on the world while we’re young and able
And bring us back together when the day is done

“My Name Can’t Be Mama”

It’s not that I don’t want to, I just don’t want to today
I’m not a fan of mornings and I love my chardonnay
No, I’m not saying never, I won’t wish it all away
But my name can’t be Mama today

“Old Soul”

I listen to vinyl for the scratches

“Don’t Call Me”

If your truck breaks down, if it all falls apart
Leave it on the shoulder, just get out, take a walk
If your shoes hurt your feet, take ’em off, probably do you some good

“Heaven is a Honky Tonk”

Happiness, they say is a jukebox that always plays

“Cocktail and a Song”

So take a deep breath
Quit with the countdown
You’ve always been your daddy’s girl
Nothing’s gonna change that now

“Wheels of Laredo”

If I was white-crowned sparrow
I would float upon the southern skies of blue

“The Highwomen”

And I am still alive
But I am living still
But I am still around
But I am still around
But we will still remain
~ (the last line of each verse)

And we’ll come back again and again and again
And again and again

All photos by: Alysse Gafkjen

Get The Highwomen’s debut album now.

@JeffGorra
JeffGorra@ArtistWaves.com