Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill

 (67 customer reviews)

Prime Cuts: When Somebody Knows You That Well, What's on My Mind, Goodbye Time

Though the menu of "Blake Shelton's Barn and Grill" does not offer anything as gourmet as his debut (and biggest) hit "Austin," it is still Shelton's most appetizing CD. Every ingredient incumbent to brewing a hit recipe in country music is utilized in gregarious doses here: cheating, drinking, loving, leaving and taking life easily. Production wise, this is also Shelton's most balanced effort with its share of modern rockers and traditional stone cold country. Vocally, Shelton's baritone is much more seasoned with more depth and nuanced: a vast improvement from his forceful approach adopted in his previous pallid CD "The Dreamer."

The apogee of "Bar and Grill" is definitely in its slower moments. On the Harley Allen and Jimmy Melton's composition "When Somebody Knows You That Well," Shelton has never sounded more sincere on this true to life ballad about the omnipotence of love...Read more

For his third album, Blake Shelton reunites with producer Bobby Braddock (who also happens to be one of Nashville's best songwriters). BLAKE SHELTON'S BARN AND GRILL is not nearly as ballad-heavy as his first two releases, giving it a fresh, invigorating sound more similiar to Shelton's live shows.

There's a sense of wit and fun dispersed throughout this album, from the catchy sing-along "Some Beach" to the tongue-in-cheek "On a Good Day." Drinkin songs, too--might as well have called this album BAR AND GRILL. The last three songs are stellar drinkin songs, and the rest are songs you COULD drink to. Oh, and his version of Conway Twitty's "Goodbye Time" is incredible; rarely have I heard so much emotion packed into one song. And yet, Shelton goes from that heavy, emotional number to other songs, like Braddock's rollickin "Good Old Boy, Bad Ol Boyfriend" with expert ease. He even goes into the Bakersfield sound on the Jim Lauderdale-penned "What's On My Mind." The only...Read more

Blake Shelton's Barn and Grill is just awesome. It's a must have for any country music lover! He seems to out do him self every time and I believe he's going to be around for a long time to come. He has a great feel to his music and it just reaches out and touches you and that is something people can relate too. Blake is amazing!