(I had been a huge Brad Paisley fan since seeing him open for Loretta Lynn at the Town Hall in 1999, that was a couple of months before his debut album was released. I clearly remember going to the Tower Records on West 4th Street to buy it the day it was released. But here I am, ten years later, and things have changed.
Not only did I not get a press pass to the Farmsborough Country Music Festival this weekend on Randall’s Island, I didn’t get a courtesy “sorry, none left”. business as usual here at rock nyc. So to make up, here is my review of two of the three headliners some six years ago!
Perfect Storm – Brad Paisley – A big song off a big ham, this takes classic rock umph, 60s guitar and country twang and does not much with it… except get him to the top of the country charts – B-
Paisley is growing on me though I don’t expert that will last. Kem deserves the position though a ton more sales, and Wiz gives pot a bad name. He is Cheech and Chong without the sense of humor. So, yeah, this isn’t a thrilla and sales are bottoming out.
River Bank” is much better than I thought it was, it isn’t “The Word” but it is pretty clever and catchy, most of the rest of this isn’t real songs: YOB and Lily Taylor specifically but also, how about Half Japanese? With Fair’s sing speak voice?It is not quite songs, is it?
I’ve been consistently rough on Paisley. The first time I saw him, Brad’s first album had yet to be released and he was opening for Loretta Lynn at the Town Hall. I haunted Tower records waiting for that album to be released. This song puns prettily on the bank portion of the title – A-
Crushin’ It – Brad Paisley – Say what you want abut Brad, and I haven’t been a big fan in over a decade, he sure is his own person, this is another piece of extended funny plus guitar solo – B
Invitation to The Blues – Emmylou Harris And Rodney Crowell – It is hard to go wrong with this Roger Miller song, it is part of the pantheon and every one from Ray Price to Reba McIntyre have covered it, indeed this isn’t even Emmylou’s first trip to the rodeo. S stellar band really sells it – B+
What Paisley can do that Luke Bryant for one can’t is write catchy, original country songs and if Brad will never have the freshness of “Who Needs Pictures” or “Long Sermon” any more, he never phone sit in.
