Search - Bill Anderson :: Way I Feel

Fine set of new originals from country legend

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 08/18/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Anderson's first new set of songs since 2001's "A Lot of Things Different" (also waxed for Varese) provides another fine collection of country originals from "Whispering Bill." As with his previous release, the production is mostly acoustic, and though Anderson's voice doesn't hold the notes as firmly as earlier years, the slight warble provides more of a burnish than a distraction. At times he sounds surprisingly like a cross between Steve Forbert and Rodney Crowell.



Anderson's co-writers are a varied lot, ranging from legends like Buddy Cannon, Melba Montgomery and Tom Shapiro, to contemporary artists like Jon Randall and The Derailers' Tony Villaneuva, and writers Irene Kelly and Rob Shapiro. A few of the tunes retain Anderson's more typical low-key approach, but several of his new songs are mid-tempo. The band kicks up a honky-tonk twang for "Let It Go," with its terrific opening line, "Bitter is a color I don't wear too well," and Rustie Blue adds a duet vocal on the foot- his-and-hers love-going-wrong duet "Chip Chip." Country listeners will be most familiar with "Whiskey Lullaby" from its appearance on Brad Paisley's 2003 chart-topping album "Mud on the Tires"; here Anderson sings it more weary and ragged, balanced by a duet from Kenzie Wetz.



There's a lot of life left in Anderson, both as a songwriter and a singer, and without the pressure of a major Nashville label, his releases for Varese feel natural and true to the interests of a 60-something songwriting legend. Those who enjoyed Anderson's last outing will certainly enjoy this fine batch of new songs and the upbeat spark Anderson's given them. [©2005 hyperbolium dot com]"