“‘The Last Live’ Cheley Tackett’s Bittersweet New Album – Dripping in Warmth, Honesty, Humour and Depth: Cheley Tackett’s new album, The Last Live, recorded in August 2019 at the now-closed Douglas Corner Café, is an absorbing, if bittersweet and unintentional, piece of history – the singer-songwriter, the audience and the bar owner embraced in a stunning musical moment....From the moment I started listening to The Last Live, I could hear Tackett’s warmth pour out to a willing audience. I also felt like I should be writing this review at ten-something in the evening, in a neon-lit room, with a square bottle of something country next to my keyboard....Cheley simply holds the room whether she’s playing or singing, and you can’t ask for more than that from an artist, or their audience.... The album ends with an expression that perfectly sums her up ‘I hope you had a good time, or I broke your heart. Either way is good’. A little bit of both, Tackett; thank you. ” - Emma Jordan
“Ohio-born, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Cheley Tackett might not be a household name in country music she damn well should be....Whether you’ve heard Tackett’s music before or not, there’s plenty here to enjoy and most likely convert you into a big fan....‘The Last Live’ is a very strong release from Tackett and showcases just how incredible an artist she is. How she’s not a bigger star remains a mystery but I suspect she’ll continue to gain fans here in the UK. This album is moving, funny, emotional and everything in between. If you’re yet to check out Cheley Tackett’s music, then I highly recommend you spend some time with this album and fall in love with her, like I have.” - Pip Ellewood-Hughes
“Cheley Tackett’s THE LAST LIVE Is Grand Farewell Gift To Nashville’s Iconic Douglas Corner. The bar is just set higher in most Nashville venues, but even in a city saturated with incredible voices, there are a few that rise above the rest. Way above. When you hear Cheley Tackett sing, you can’t help but listen and that’s that. She has a voice that will stop you in your tracks. It’s all-consuming and immensely powerful, yet she makes it appear effortless. Whether you’re hearing her live or listening to her records, the clarity in her impassioned alto vocals is always there. It’s just always right there....Right from the very first note Tackett plays on her guitar, you can hear all the years of experience Mervin Louque has in the recording industry. Sink into your couch with a glass of wine while listening and you’ll almost forget it’s a live album at times. Brilliant engineering coupled with Tackett’s sparkling vocals and it’s as if you’re right there next to her on stage. ” - Patti McClintic
“...not only is this a stunner of an album in its own right, it has also turned out to be a piece of country music history....Cheley has a deep, rich voice which she controls so well and which is showcased particularly perfectly on songs such as the incredible story-telling song “My Best Dress”, “$2 Bill” “The Healer” and closer “Penny Wishes“, during which you can hear a pin drop before the appreciative crowd explode into well-deserved applause and vocal appreciation for what they have been fortunate enough to be part of. Yes, this album will take your emotions on a rollercoaster ride, it has all the feels and made me miss real-life concerts even more than ever right now. But despite that… or maybe because of that… I absolutely love it!! ” - Nick Cantwell
"Good For Me" is a slow and reflective acoustic track. The live performance gives it a sense of intimacy as Cheley pours out her confession of struggling with the draw of the things in life which lend us temporary relief but no permanent help. It really is a beautifully written song. As soon as I heard it I knew I had to share it. - Graeme Smith, York Calling
https://yorkcalling.co.uk/2021/05/07/discovery-cheley-tackett/
“An excellent songwriter, she's also an excellent singer with a velvety yet powerful voice. She made the audience laugh, cry, and left them a little amazed. ” - Jackie Roschack
“Cheley Tackett in role of the support act did more honor than I've ever seen an artist. The way she set you up for the main act was phenomenal. After a powerhouse opening followed a beautifully sensitive issue, the singing ability of the Springfield, Ohio-born singer was conclusively demonstrated...Cheley Tackett is a winner! What then followed was still very special, Tackett played the audience with a look of the top artist who stands at a festival like closing headliner goosebumps and wet eyes....Cheley Tackett left the stage to thunderous applause. ” - Jos Van Der Lie
“Cheley's incredibly powerful voice also contains a softness that instantly grabs you, especially when this superwoman is in front of you...a long enthusiastic applause of the audience, which brings Cheley finally tears in the eyes. ” - Christopher Wegner
— CNTRY
“Cheley’s acoustic sets won audiences over from the start, not an easy task for an opener anywhere in the world, her deep powerful vocals and beautiful writing drawing everybody in….. you could have heard a pin drop during her emotional ballads. A really engaging performer, her personality is as big as her voice and her songs were interspersed with amusing and informative stories. The queues to meet her afterwards were testimony to all the new fans she made. ” - Lesley Hastings
“...the epitome of somebody born to strap on a guitar and pour her guts into simple songs a brazen confidence and steely persona give her songs a tough coating to transmit profoundly from feisty performer to receptive listener...we witnessed a thoroughly passionate heart-on-sleeve artist channeling every sinew of her talent into songs that tell the simple story of real life. Artists like Cheley Tackett are worth more than any array of pseudo acts masquerading under a pretense of ‘three chords and the truth’. ” - David
“A real-deal feisty and passionate country singer-songwriter... .A leathery, worn, and very expressive voice and a talent with words and storytelling....I can't think of a song in this vein this good i've heard for over 20 years....just like Mary, Lucinda, and Nanci before her, we will clutch her to our collective bosom and make Cheley Tackett one of our own. ” - RM