And remember to please leave a review for the album on iTunes or Amazon!
A huge round of thanks and gratitude goes to everyone who helped make this happen, with a special "shout out" to our Indie Go Go supporters who helped us fund the PR and radio campaigns for the album.
Here's The Word:
Hilary Scott once again transcends categorization as Grammy-winning musicians join her on her latest recording, Freight Train Love. For her 11th recording, Scott traveled to Los Angeles to record at Johnny Lee Schell's Ultratone Studios. Schell, who has worked with such greats as Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal, not only lent guitar to the album, but also did the engineering and mixing. Freight Train Love was produced by recognized Americana artist, Michael O'Neill, who drew in music heavies Bob Glaub on bass (Paul McCartney, Linda Rondstadt, Rod Stewart); Tony Braunagel on drums (Bonnie Raitt, Rickie Lee Jones); and Mike Finnigan on Keys and organs (Crosby Still Nash, Leonard Cohen). Additional percussion was provided by Scott, Schell, O'Neill and longtime Scott collaborator AJ Gennaro. Scott wrote or co-wrote 7 of the 10 songs on Freight Train Love. Known for her powerful voice, Scott also writes intelligent lyrics and strong melodies and brings a raw depth to both. Onstage she is an autobiographer, telling stories about her life and relating to people on any level possible.
The title track of Freight Train Love kicks off the record with a very soulful R&B feel, while still retaining the honest sound of Americana. The song "Help" came to Scott in a rush during a moment of self-doubt. "When you look at me like I am a stranger," she sings, "You should know I feel the same about myself." Kevin Fisher who has written songs for Rascall Flats, Sara Evans and others wrote "Losing You". He also wrote the big country sounding, "If You Don't Love Me" and duets with Hilary Scott. "Flowers on Mars" was released as an EP in 2013 and was written in the middle of the night upon waking from a dream. Scott just released the song as a video in July 2014. "Lotta Love" is a Neil Young cover and Bob Glaub, who plays bass on Freight Train Love also played bass on the track recorded by Nicolette Larson decades ago. When Hilary was recording vocals for Lotta Love, Johnny Lee Schell told her that she sounded like Nicolette Larson singing at Stax. Scott's version has a smooth groove and warm, rich, blues-laced vocals that lend a new interpretation to the lyrics. The record ends with the bombastic, "Didn't Make It Alive" a straight- up rock 'n' roll country break up song. The tongue-in-cheek lyrics about a person heading down the wrong path in life are both comic and tragic. "You think you're gonna make it/You might make it to Exit 5/Where your cross is covered in roses/Telling everybody that you didn't make it alive." The actual sound of Freight Train Love is of the highest quality, recorded and mixed at Ultratone Studios and mastered at Lurssen Mastering by Reuben Cohen, whose touch has graced hit songs. The photography and design on the album was done by St. Louis photographer and videographer Brian Cummings in conjunction with award-winning designer Jake Houvenagel. Brian Cummings also filmed the official Flowers on Mars video released this spring.
Thanks to our Indie Go Go supporters, we
were able to hire KG Music Press out of California for a publicity campaign that has garnered fantastic album reviews from national and international writers and publications. Some of the highlights have been interviews with Riveting Riffs magazine out of Canada, an interview with Billboard, an upcoming chat with Jay Minkin for No Depression, and the highest rating (4-stars) Maverick Magazine (UK) gives a record. Reviews have come in from The Netherlands, France, Belgium, and more. We've also been thrilled at how people closer to home, in the Midwest and Nashville are receiving the record. Here are a few of our favorite snippets:
"If Hilary Scott had her voice and nothing else, she would be able to get by. The one-time Columbia resident owns a full, expressive instrument equally capable of supplying the sweetness of honeyed soul, lowering the boom in a power ballad and skirting the edges of rock. On her latest, "Freight Train Love," Scott has an embarrassment of riches at her disposal. She uses her voice in service of a stout set of songs that sweep a span of emotions, from lovelorn and vulnerable to confident, even defiant...Scott's take on "Lotta Love," a Neil Young tune made famous by Nicolette Larson, is a testimony to the strong vision she and producer Michael O'Neill share. Slinky and soulful with a magnetic feel, the cut pairs well with Scott's originals - and the tenor of her greater catalog - showcasing her ability to make any song feel like a Hilary Scott song." - Aarik Danielsen, Columbia Daily Tribune
"Freight Train Love," is one of the best songs that Riveting Riffs Magazine has listened to this year. Hilary Scott has been a secret that has been kept from too many for far too long." Joe Montague, Riveting Riffs Magazine
"What a trip...Hilary Scott covers "Lotta Love" (Neil Young) with the original bass player from the Nicolette Larson recording. Other trips on there? Yep, they run rampant. An Americana/folk-rock chick that's basically been at it her whole life and has massed up about all the awards and recognition you can while still flying under the radar, Scott has an indie session that can easily compete with anything the majors are handling (or mishandling these days). A fully formed, full band sound, Scott has a sharp pen, a smoking voice and more soul than a white girl sounding like a white girl should have. Tasty stuff that works well." - Chris Spector, Midwest Record
"Hilary Scott is such a talented singer songwriter, I have been so impressed with her stunning ability to bring the listener into her world, with her words and with her very emotional voice..." - Mike Penard, ISA Radio France
"Hilary Scott tells us stories, brings us messages that are as personal and real as the musicians who [interpret] them." - Eric Schuurmans, Rootstime Belgium
To read more complete reviews for yourself, go to
www.HilaryScott.comRadio, Radio!As an additional layer of publicity for the record, we have done a full national radio campaign, hiring Powderfinger for AAA and Americana radio exposure. The radio campaign is just now starting, but due to the press releases sent out previously and some radio stations that received advanced copies, Freight Train Love has already had international airplay and several radio stations in the U.S. have already been airing tracks. The songs chosen for focus are: Freight Train Love, Get Your Love, Whiskey Bottle Dry and Didn't Make it Alive, but the feedback we are getting is that all the tracks are being played. It's wonderful DJs still have the power to choose and play what they enjoy-it means we don't have to have "singles," but that the entire album has a shot at being broadcast. A special thank you to community radio DJs who have supported my music for years and continue to do so! You make such a difference in the lives and careers of independent musicians!
Recently...On October 18th, Hilary and her St. Louis based-band (AJ Gennaro, Jim Wells and Josh Schilling) performed at the pre-release party for Freight Train Love. The band threw the party at a unique and intimate location on The Hill in St. Louis, with a VIP gathering, prize drawings, and live performances of some of the tracks from Freight Train Love. It was a great event, and many Indie Go Go supporters were able to attend. Thanks again, everyone, for helping make this record possible, and for making it such an exciting process!
In other news, Hilary and AJ plan to do a short tour in the NW this fall, performing at the Americana Series Morso again (with producer Michael O'Neill) in Gig Harbor, as well as shows in several locations around WA state.
Thursday, November 6, Hilary will perform at a large convention and auction for Lutheran Family and Children's Services, which will also have speakers from the Cardinals organization and much more. All the money raised goes to help children and families in need.
