VOA标准英语2008年-James Otto Displays Range of Emotions on 'Sunse

By Mary Morningstar
Washington
12 May 2008

Country singer James Otto says many changes in his personal and professional life led to the range of emotions on his new album, "Sunset Man." VOA's Mary Morningstar explains.

It's taken James Otto six years to finally earn his big break in Country music. He started the journey in 2002, when Mercury Records signed him for his debut¹ album, Days Of Our Lives.  Despite opening for Shania Twain's 2003 "Up" tour and a few minor² chart hits, James lost his recording³ deal due to many personnel changes at the label.

But, he had the support of his closest friends in Nashville. While contemplating⁴ his next move, James performed with Nashville's Muzik Mafia, a coalition⁵ of singer-songwriters that also includes Big and Rich, and Gretchen Wilson.

James says he likes today's guitar-driven Country rock, but he's equally comfortable writing and singing ballads⁶.

As a songwriter, James says he's most proud of the track "Where Angels Hang Around." It's a song he wrote with Monty Criswell to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

When comparing his new album, Sunset Man, to his first release, James says, "As we started making the record, I started changing as a guy. There were a lot of life changes that go along with that - the mental ups and downs of getting a record deal, losing a record deal, getting married, and going through the whole thing. I've changed completely as a person, and the music changed as I went. I'm much more relaxed than I ever was, and the music followed me in that direction."

Two of the biggest names in Country music worked with James on the project. John Rich of Big and Rich and Otto's brother-in-law, Jay DeMarcus, a member of Rascal⁷ Flatts, co-wrote some of the tracks with James. They also helped him produce the album.

James will spend the remainder of the year performing concerts with Gary Allan, Brooks⁸ and Dunn, LeAnn Rimes and Trisha Yearwood. He'll also make several appearances on Lynyrd Skynyrd and Hank Williams, Jr.'s "Rowdy Frynds (Friends) Tour" and play a stadium show in Nashville during the CMA Festival.

Sunset Man entered the Country chart at Number 2.  For the week ending May 17, its debut single became his first Number One hit.

1 debut   

n.首次演出，初次露面

参考例句：

• That same year he made his Broadway debut, playing a suave radio journalist.在那同一年里，他初次在百老汇登台，扮演一个温文而雅的电台记者。
• The actress made her debut in the new comedy.这位演员在那出新喜剧中首次登台演出。

2 minor   

adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修

参考例句：

• The young actor was given a minor part in the new play.年轻的男演员在这出新戏里被分派担任一个小角色。
• I gave him a minor share of my wealth.我把小部分财产给了他。

3 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

4 contemplating   

深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想

参考例句：

• You're too young to be contemplating retirement. 你考虑退休还太年轻。
• She stood contemplating the painting. 她站在那儿凝视那幅图画。

5 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

6 ballads   

民歌，民谣，特别指叙述故事的歌( ballad的名词复数 )； 讴

参考例句：

• She belted out ballads and hillbilly songs one after another all evening. 她整晚一个接一个地大唱民谣和乡村小调。
• She taught him to read and even to sing two or three little ballads,accompanying him on her old piano. 她教他读书，还教他唱两三首民谣，弹着她的旧钢琴为他伴奏。

7 rascal   

n.流氓；不诚实的人

参考例句：

• If he had done otherwise,I should have thought him a rascal.如果他不这样做，我就认为他是个恶棍。
• The rascal was frightened into holding his tongue.这坏蛋吓得不敢往下说了。

8 brooks   

n.小溪( brook的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Brooks gave the business when Haas caught him with his watch. 哈斯抓到偷他的手表的布鲁克斯时，狠狠地揍了他一顿。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Ade and Brooks exchanged blows yesterday and they were severely punished today. 艾德和布鲁克斯昨天打起来了，今天他们受到严厉的惩罚。 来自《简明英汉词典》