photo by Katie Langley; photo courtesy of RPR Media

by Eric Harabadian, Contributing Blogger

Single Review of Dustin Brown: “Ballerina”

Dustin Brown is a Texas-born singer-songwriter from the Fort Worth area. He’s a mix of country and Americana that is part of a neo-traditional movement in music. He’s been pegged with a poetic “blue collar” style and way of storytelling that’s one part Kris Kristofferson and one part Jason Isbell. He does so by blending bits of Southern rock, “red dirt,” folk, and blues to regale his tales of working-class life, personal growth, and small-town America.

image courtesy of RPR Media

Brown knows of where and what he speaks, having spent a number of years working various jobs such as commercial diver and oil field land man. Undoubtedly those experiences have provided a wealth of inspiration and spark for some of his best songs. He’s in touch with the people and, along with some of the best like-minded original songsmiths, wants his songs to naturally tap into shared emotions and connect with others.

The Texas troubadour has released three full-length albums, with a fourth in the works. The song “Ballerina” is unique in that, not only is it a stand-alone single, not available on any other album, but it is a collaboration between Brown and two other fellow singer-songwriters, Billy Hartman and Rachel Cole. Hartman and Cole are accomplished artists in their own right, with Hartman recording a number of singles and albums under his belt and Cole having toured with the late, great Todd Snider and signed with Snider’s Aimless Records.

photo by Katie Langley; photo courtesy of RPR Media

It’s a lot of collective creative firepower for a single that tells a delicately detailed, yet simple story. The Brown and Hartman-penned song focuses on a relationship and character study of a girl from three different perspectives. All three artists take a verse on the country-folk song supported by complementary mandolin, slide and acoustic  guitar. Brown’s seemingly naked and vulnerable voice leads the charge and paints a vividly intimate aural picture.