Janet Devlin – Not My First Emotional Rodeo Deluxe

Irish singer-songwriter Janet Devlin continues to surprise and captivate with her release of Not My First Emotional Rodeo – a deluxe edition of her critically acclaimed album Emotional Rodeo via OK!Good Records.

Building on the original’s success which topped the iTunes Country Chart and garnered widespread radio support and glowing press, the expanded collection further secures Devlin’s reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in the UK country and Americana scene.

On September 26th, Devlin will unveil a collection of bonus tracks that showcases her wide-ranging take on classic country with a modern edge. From the upbeat swagger of her next single “Candy” to the reflective mid-tempo groove of “If He Wanted To He Would,” each song adds a new texture to the record. The darker, Western-inspired tension of “Plastic Pistol” sits in striking contrast to the playful bite of “Psycho Ex” the wistful “Hooked” and, of course, her flyaway hit single “Houston” – recently added to the BBC Radio 2 playlist. The deluxe album also includes a stirring rendition of the gospel standard “I’ll Fly Away,” recorded live at the iconic Blackbird Studio in Nashville as well as a stripped back, acoustic reimagining of Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler.”

Together, these additions expand the world of Emotional Rodeo and its country spirit. Of the deluxe album, Janet explains:

“When I left Nashville after doing 24 songs in three days for Emotional Rodeo, I knew I was going to have to do a deluxe! There was no way I was going to fit all my favorites onto one album alone and I definitely wasn’t going to let them stay on my computer collecting dust! I love the album listening experience, and I create my albums for those who do too. I want there to be a journey when you put it on – ups, downs and everything in-between. The downside of this was that I had to cut tracks I always thought would be on the original record. Now I could’ve made another album, but these songs felt very much a part of the same era of my life that the album was for. Plus, tracks like ‘Plastic Pistol’ and ‘If He Wanted To He Would’ HAD to see the light of day – not only because of how much I loved them, but my fans did too! They were very much a part of my set lists and people were already singing them back to me before I had even recorded them – I loved that so much. I’m so glad that I have a label who actively encourages me to put out music. Our visions aligned; we all knew this deluxe album was on the cards. As well as breathing new life into ‘Emotional Rodeo’ it allows me to showcase music of which I’m so very proud.”

As a final highlight, Janet included her heartfelt reinterpretation of Kenny Rogers’ timeless classic, “The Gambler.” The song was recorded live at George Ezra’s Hotel Québec Recording Studio in Hertford, with Devlin’s version offering a raw, intimate take on the country classic. By stripping away the familiar upbeat arrangement and replacing it with a sparse backdrop of acoustic guitar, her signature ethereal vocals, and the addition of a male counterpart in the second half, the result is a tender, slow-burning ballad that breathes new life into the original and in turn positions it as the focus track of the deluxe release. Janet says of the track:

“‘The Gambler’ has always been one of my all-time favorite country songs. I remember hearing it when I was around five years old. To me it was better than any story book I’d ever read. It was also a favorite with everyone in my family. From my grandfather singing it whilst washing the dishes, to me singing it to my pony as we rode around the hills of home. As an adult at home on my own, I’d always pick up a guitar and sing it; but I’d never sing it publicly. I always wanted to save it for a special occasion. So, when I got asked to perform a cover of my choice on the Scott Mills Breakfast Show earlier this year, I knew exactly what to play!”

After supporting country star Corey Kent in February, Devlin kicked festival season off in March with performances at the iconic C2C (Country to Country) festival in Belfast, London, and Berlin. Rounding out her live run, she will take center stage for an unmissable headline show at Colours, Hoxton, on Thursday, October 16th, promising a special night of electrifying new music.

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