Nowhere Near Done (Jethropolitan, 2020)

This six-track EP from Ray Scott is essentially three sets of companion songs documenting the life of a touring musician. The set kicks of with "Better As I Go" in which the singer laments past failings ("I've never been that good at being good/I've got a handful of ex-wives to show") while acknowledging drinking has caused much of his troubles ("Whiskey is a demon I've been wrestling/More than once it's had me on the ropes"). The follow up "Bottle Of Whiskey" is delivered from the whiskey's point of view and puts the blame back on the singer ("I didn't hold a gun to your head/And pour myself in you/You just loved me more than her/You know that's the truth").

Next Scott examines the negative effects of life on the road. "Wander" notes the damage done to relationships and contemplates the future ("Livin' this life like a vagabond/Kinda makes me wonder maybe/If I'm gonna die alone"). Similarly, in "Big Ol World," Scott reflects on how his choices have adversely impacted his life ("Out there roamin' round this crazy globe/I missed out on the things that mattered most").

In the final pair of songs, Scott declares his reverence for traditional country music and his disdain for the music industry. With "I Will," a collaberation with Ward Davis who also sings a verse, Scott pledges his continued devotion to country music regardless of its acceptance by the mainstream ("If the radio won't play the stuff that kills/You can bet your stone cold country lovin' ass I will"). The closing title track takes a jab at Nashville ("This town wrote me off a long time ago/Said it's a game for the young and 40 is old").

Driven by Scott's strong baritone vocals and solid compositions, the singer offers a short, but satisfying set of traditional and outlaw country music.