Honkytonk University

my shopping cart
Country Music CD » Honkytonk University
Honkytonk University
Amazon.com
Marketplace (143 New & Used)
  1. Audio CD: Release Date 2005-05-17
  2. Publisher: Dreamworks Nashville
  3. Artist: Toby Keith
  4. Sales Rank in Music: #72584

Product Review

Track list includes: 1. Honkytonk U 3:35 2. As Good As I Once Was 3:48 3. She Ain't Hooked On Me No More 3:36 4. Big Blue Note 2:57 5. Just The Guy To Do It 2:58 6. She Left Me 3:20 7. Knock Yourself Out 3:04 8. You Ain't Leavin' (Thank God Are Ya) 3:12 9. I Got It Bad 3:50 10. Your Smile 3:22 11. Where You Gonna Go 4:03 12. You Caught Me At A Bad Time 3:27

Amazon.com

Though it might not be fair to say that Toby Keith has mellowed, he has definitely matured. Rather than taking political potshots, he exchanges bully-boy bluster for a tone of wry bemusement on "Big Blue Note" and "She Left Me," tempering middle-aged pride with a confession that the years have taken their toll on "As Good as I Once Was." After flexing his muscles with the album-opening title track, which sets Keith's musical autobiography to the trademark lope of Waylon Jennings, he showcases the subtler side of his vocal artistry on "She Ain't Hooked on Me No More"--a duet with Merle Haggard--and "Knock Yourself Out," while turning almost tender on "Your Smile" and "Where You Gonna Go." For those who miss the old Toby, there's "Just the Guy to Do It," which proceeds from one of the cheesiest pickup lines ever ("Do blondes really have more fun/Or are they just easier to spot in the dark?") into promises to punch out an errant boyfriend. Yet even this song has more of a Caribbean lilt than the macho swagger of Keith's younger days. --Don McLeese

Recommended Toby Keith Discography












How Do You Like Me Now?!
Pull My Chain
Unleashed

Christmas to Christmas
Greatest Hits, Vol. 1
Greatest Hits 2


Title Tracks for Honkytonk University

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review
4.0 out of 5 stars (64 customer reviews)

25 of 33 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Strong, Strong Return To Form, May 20, 2005
James E. Bagley "Jim Bagley" (Sanatoga, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Honkytonk University (Audio CD)
While Toby Keith's recent cds have been his most successful sales-wise, in truth, many of the singles from his last couple of albums were starting to sound the same. Thankfully, Honkytonk University offers a return to the well constructed, melodic material that Keith was known for during his Mercury days and his first two DreamWorks albums (How Do You Like Me Now, Pull My Chain).

The leadoff single "Honkytonk U" is an autobiographical look at Keith's life in music placed in a southern rock setting, then Keith's attitude shines through on "As Good As I Once Was." Later, Keith's sarcastic wit makes a welcome appearance on the swing flavored "You Ain't Leavin' (Thank God Are Ya)." There's also more ballads found here than we have seen in awhile on a Keith release, with the sparse "You Caught Me At A Bad Time" and "Your Smile" both making a strong, poignant impression. Best of all is the harmonic heaven that Keith and Haggard create on "She Ain't Hooked On Me No More," an...Read more


9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Honkytonk University is AWESOME!, May 20, 2005
Julie H. Dent "jhdent" (Bowling Green, KY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Honkytonk University (Audio CD)
I am a die-hard Toby Keith fan! I love this album because it is reminiscent of some of his earlier music. Although I love all of Toby's music, I really enjoy his ballads. Most people don't realize how great his vocal range is. This album is AWESOME--every song is great!


27 of 37 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Take a lesson in country music..., May 17, 2005
DanD - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   
This review is from: Honkytonk University (Audio CD)
This is the album I've been waiting for: Toby Keith returning to his traditional country roots. The traditional sound this album takes may be a surprise to fans who've just recently jumped aboard the Toby Keith bandwagon (and those who've been criticizing Keith these past few albums), but long-time fans will rejoice.

The songwriting on this album is, as always, up to par. In fact, these are some of Keith's best songs to date (most co-written with collaborater--and stellar singer/guitarist--Scotty Emerick). It's hard not to get lost in the Waylon-esque rhythms of "Honkytonk U." And you can't help but grin as Keith sings of giving in to his pride on "As Good As I Once Was" (Keith, too, has a big grin on his face as he sings these lines). "I Got It Bad" hails back to the days of Keith's best ballads. And "You Caught Me At A Bad Time" is one of the deepest, most moving songs he's ever written.

Okay, if I haven't gotten the point across yet, here it is: this is,...Read more

© 2012 www.countrymusiccd.org