Zach Bryan Enlists The Incredibly Talented John Moreland On “Memphis; The Blues”

This kind of artist spotlight gets me fired up for The Great American Bar Scene. Zach Bryan 's highly anticipated album is finally out in full, and one can only imagine that the music scene will be buzzing about the record as fans and media platforms like ourselves sort through the tracklist, picking out early favorites and diving deeper into lyrics that resonate with us. Bryan noted prior to the album's release, as he reflected on moments that led to the album's creation, that he does not care if the songs do not strike a chord with every listener. But the creation of this record was healing for himself, and he hopes someone can appreciate it. "I wrote and produced all of these with the help of some truly great friends. I finally felt like I’s making music again. If you don’t like it, I assume it’s not intended for you. Grab your beers through tears & fears, The Great American Bar Scene.” https://www.instagram.com/p/C8-qO7hPPRX/ While it is still early on for my personal dissection of the record, one song immediately grabbed my attention off the tracklist, "Memphis; The Blues," because of the featured artist... the legendary John Moreland. Zach Bryan began teasing this song at the end of 2023, posting a video of him sitting at a public picnic table, strumming the song with one of his friends. The track highlights a love story with the tagline showing that the narrator needs his person in his life just like Memphis needs the blues. The song was a solid acoustic jam session, and then Zach Bryan enlisted help from the Bixby, Oklahoma (right outside of Tulsa, OK) songwriter extraordinaire, John Moreland. Moreland is a hidden gem in the country music scene (while also being a highly respected songwriter), and those who champion him know this feature will bring Moreland's hypnotizing vocals to the limelight. Put it this way... think of your favorite songwriter and there's a good chance that John is one of their favorite songwriters. Moreland's verse is expertly delivered, with flawless vocal inflections on words that need to cut deeper. You hear the tenderness in his voice as he sings about how badly he needs this great love in his life. "Cracked up skies tried on a couple lives to find the one that fit Cold wind comin’ and the heat quit runnin', but you keep my candle lit Pictures on the wall say it all with the kind-a-conviction make a river burn You got a skeleton key on a chain around your neck, I got a chain around my heart Church bells ringing in the air down the hill from the house where you were born I said baby don't you think we aught to live a little bit before Gabriel blows his horn..." When the two come together for the repetitive yet straightforward chorus, it leaves a lasting impression on the listener's mind. "I need you like Memphis the blues I need you like Memphis the blues." ZB, good on you for this feature. "Memphis; The Blues" is easily an early standout on The Great American Bar Scene. This one deserves to be played at max volume. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaFqlOYeirc