The Guitar SongThe Guitar Song
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- 1. Lonely At The Top
- 2. Cover Your Eyes
- 3. Poor Man Blues
- 4. Set `Em Up Joe
- 5. Playing The Part
- 6. Baby Don't Cry
- 7. Heaven Bound
- 8. Can't Cash My Checks
- 9. That's How I Don't Love You
- 10. Heartache
- 11. Mental Revenge
- 12. Even The Skies Are Blue
- 13. By The Seat Of Your Pants
- 14. California Riots
- 15. Dog In The Yard
- 16. The Guitar Song (Featuring Bill Anderson)
- 17. That's Why I Write Songs
- 18. Macon
- 19. Thankful For The Rain
- 20. Good Morning Sunrise
- 21. Front Porch Swing Afternoon
- 22. I Remember You
- 23. Good Time Ain't What They Used To Be
- 24. For The Good Times
- 25. My Way To You
"The original idea was always to do a double album," says Jamey. "The album is a tale. The first part of it is a very dark and sordid story. Everything after that is progressively more positive, reassuring and redemptive."
The "Black" songs include the menacing, "Poor Man Blues," the defiant "Can't Cash My Checks," the sighing and bluesy "Even the Skies Are Blue" and the chilling "Heartache." The lighter, "White" songs are highlighted by the strongly autobiographical "That's Why I Write Songs," the languid "Front Porch Swing Afternoon," the rocking "Good Times Ain't What They Used to Be" and the easy-going groove tune "Macon."
The ambitious project's textures are many and varied. "Baby Don't Cry" is a lullaby. "I Remember You" is a gospel song. "That's How I Don't Love You" is a deeply sad power ballad. "By the Seat of Your Pants" tells of life's lessons. The title tune, "The Guitar Song," is told from the point of view of two forgotten guitars hanging on a pawn shop wall. "Playing the Part" and "California Riots" come from feeling out of place as a country boy in Hollywood.
As a lover of classic country sounds, he regularly performs oldies in his stage shows. The Guitar Song contains "For the Good Times,", "Set `Em Up Joe" and "Mental Revenge". "Lonely at the Top" is an undiscovered Keith Whitley song.
- Audio CD: 0 pages (2010-09-14)
- Publisher: Mercury/Nashville
- Label: Mercury/Nashville
- Studio: Mercury/Nashville
- Sales Rank in Music: #2525
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26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:  WAYLON + PAYCHECK + HANK - SWIFT - SUGARLAND - FLATTS = JAMEY JOHNSON!, By This review is from: The Guitar Song (Audio CD) We needed Jamey about 15 years ago when country music really started turning to crap. There are many gifted artists out there but they seem to have lost that country "feeling" in their music. The music seems to be going "pop" and being a classic country fan that makes my stomach turn. Jamey has brought that "feeling" back in his songs and the songs that he writes for others. I knew since his first album "The Dollar" that this guy was stone cold country and I have been a loyal follower since. How many new songs on the radio now have the pedal steel guitar in them? None. "The Guitar Song" is some of the best true country music that I have heard in years and I love it. You just can't listen to the first song "Lonely At The Top" (co-written by Keith Whitley, remember him?)without wanting to open up a cold beer and sit back and relax. Thank you Jamey for giving us some awesome country music and I'll be waiting for more to come. I can't wait to see you live soon!!!!!! 19 of 21 people found the following review helpful: AN AMERICAN TREASURE, This review is from: The Guitar Song (Audio CD) In my humble opinion, this singer-song writer is what country music is about. Straight forward lyrics, writeS what he knows and not some creative fantasy with shitkickers on, great renditions of some classic country. Jamey is a breath of fresh air for a music genre that is getting too pop. The torch or country music has been passed on to a new generation. 14 of 16 people found the following review helpful: A double-dose of genuine, soulful country music., By Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: The Guitar Song [+Digital Booklet] (MP3 Download) The problem with releasing a double album is that not all of the songs are bound to be of the same quality. As amazing as Jamey Johnson's THE GUITAR SONG is, it suffers the same fate. Most of the weaker tunes appear on the second disc (the "White Album"), simply because it isn't as cohesive as the first. "The Black Album" is mostly about economical hard times, living day-to-day (California appears as a theme throughout both discs). The second album eases up a bit; it's by no means a slouch, but just can't keep up with "The Black Album's" haunting depth.
Still, overall, THE GUITAR SONG is easily one of the best country albums released this year (I won't say THE best because, off the top of my head, I can't really remember any others). For such a talented songwriter, Johnson relies on quite a few covers: Keith Whitley's "Lonely at the Top," Kris Kristofferson's "For the Good Times," Mel Tillis's "Mental Revenge," Vern Gosdin's "Set 'Em Up Joe," etc. He re-interprets...Read more |
