Darryl Worley - Have You Forgotten (16 tracks) +Album Reviews +Used CD available for Swap

Solid Semi-Collection

James E. Bagley | Sanatoga, PA USA | 05/12/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Darryl Worley's 9/11 ode "Have You Forgotten?" stormed to the top of the country singles charts in only five weeks. Caught off-guard with no album ready to capitalize on its popularity, the label decided to take the four new recordings Worley had completed and package them alongside twelve songs from his first two underappreciated albums (2000's Hard Rain Don't Last and 2002's I Miss My Friend).Worley constructed the album's first half as a tribute to the American solider. Leading off with the hit title track, he takes a feisty stand on "I Will Hold My Ground," then aches for those lost in war on "Shiloh." Just when it seems that he's hankering to be the new millennium's Barry Sadler, the album's second half kicks in, effectively displaying Worley's diversity. It includes his five prior hits, like the touching "I Miss My Friend" and the optimistic "Second Wind," as well as the amusing, tropical-flavored new recording "I Need A Breather."This package serves to effectively reintroduce Worley to the music buying (not always the same as the radio-listening) public. A bright future awaits."

Standing in the presence of the past....

Dr. Emil "Tom" Shuffhausen | Central Gulf Coast | 10/02/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"One of the most successful and controversial releases of 2003, the title track of HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN treads boldly, but sensitively, onto the hallowed ground of 9/11. But there is more-a lot more-to this collection than that superb opening song. In fact, this CD features four brand-new Worley songs, plus twelve selections from his first two albums. For anyone previously unfamiliar with Worley, hearing all of these songs together is a pretty good indicator that Worley is no mere "overnight sensation," nor will he fade away after the white-hot response to "Have You Forgotten?" The second new track, "I Will Hold My Ground," (written by Daryl Worley and Frank Jones) is a very effective and enjoyable song that is lyrically reminiscent of Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down," but musically is pure uptempo country, with a very memorable and inspiring chorus. (Amazingly, when Petty sang his excellent song, he didn't get bashed for it by critics of a certain political persuasion.) The next track is "P.O.W. 369," one of Worley's earlier tunes, which is a timely reminder to honor everyone who has ever served this nation in uniform, particularly those who have paid such a terrible price in doing so. Next up, Worley tips his hat to Jimmy Buffett, with the tropical tune, "I Need a Breather," which was co-written by Steve Leslie, and beckons with warm breezes and cool drinks. Worley hits all the right buttons on the aching "Back Where I Belong," which is about as "classic country" as any song I've heard in years. The Mark Nesler song "Those Less Fortunate Than I" receives a compassionate reading from Worley...a moving call to help the homeless, the hungry, and victims of gang violence...a song that many of Worley's "anti-war" critics seem to have missed. "Shiloh," written by Worley, Wynn Varble, and Don Poythress, is not only a high point of the CD, but is certainly one of the best songs about war ever written and recorded. Lyrically haunting and cinematic in scope, the song takes the listener to that bloody and tragic Civil War battlefield. Far from glorifying war, this song paints a vivid picture of the suffering and sacrifice that war brings-and it honors every soldier who died on that field that day. The small string ensemble paints a heart-tugging sonic landscape as Worley sings the brilliant line: "Standing in the presence of the past...." Then, after sounding a lot like Merle Haggard on a number of these songs, Worley suddenly shifts into Roger Miller/Doug Kershaw territory with the very fun and impossibly catchy "Tennessee River Run." Returning to a classic country sound with "The Least That You Can Do," Worley proves his vocal chops by investing the song with a convincing sad lilt. "I Miss My Friend" (written by Mark Nesler, Tom Shapiro, Tony Martin) is one of those songs you hear the first time and know it will endure, thanks to a timeless lyrical theme and great vocals. Darryl explores a jazzy/bluesy vibe on the lighthearted "Family Tree," and digs deep into blue-collar twang with "A Good Day to Run." What follows is "Second Wind," another Buffett-esque song; a comforting, cathartic ballad, kissed by the salt air and some sweet, smooth harmonies. Worley and Wynn Varble wrote "When You Need My Love," which reminds this listener of some of Dan Fogelberg's best moments; lyrically, musically, and vocally. A little Texas swing enlivens the memorable "Too Many Pockets," which sounds as if it could have been a fun Django Reinhardt tune, but was actually written by Worley and Steve Leslie. Finally, it's back to Worley's Haggard stylings for "The Way Things Are Going," and when I compare anyone to Haggard, brother, it's a compliment! Some very tasty acoustic guitar picking highlights this very traditional country ballad. All in all, HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN? is a portrait of a man unafraid to wear his heart on his sleeve and take whatever shots come his way. Here's one listener who is hoping that he receives all of the acclaim, respect, and gratitude that he deserves...for a long, long time."

Good CD, if not just for one song

TrezKu13 | Norfolk, VA | 11/13/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I like most of the tracks on this album, but of course the one that stands out the most to me is "Have You Forgotten?" If you don't like it (or this album) that's fine with me, its not that important, but personally the song makes this album worth buying and has touched me in ways I don't think any other song has or ever will.My father worked at the Pentagon when it was attacked. The words Worley speaks in the song ring so true in my ear that its almost painful, and no I haven't forgotten "how it felt that day." I'll confess...I have almost cried listening to this song. I'm sure some of the one-star reviewers are going to give my review a "no" vote because I've said that, but its the truth.I wouldn't call this album a classic, but it definately seems a milestone in contemporary folk music."

I Haven't - Thank You, Darryl Worley!

Alan Rockman | Upland, California | 09/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Darryl Worley was the first artist - country, rock or otherwise who in "Have You Forgotten" gave Americans an anthem to respond to the outrages of 9/11 and to "sing back" to even those within Country Music - Willie Nelson and the Dipsy Clucks - who questioned why we needed to go to war.

Oh - some would say that he was going along with the tide, but for a new artist in a Nashville that has drastically changed from a flag waving community to a more "hip" one, Mr. Worley indeed took a major career risk.

More than that, though, Worley, like his contemporary Brad Paisley is a young guy who sings from the heart, much like my early California Country Rock heroes were when they first started out, and represents the good guy future of Country music.

While "Have You Forgotten" might be my only reason for buying this cd, there's a slew of great Country tunes on this recording."

Well-timed release creates hit single

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 06/04/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Worley's new single, "Have You Forgotten?," fits between the deep, every-man relevance of Alan Jackson's "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)" and Toby Keith's bellicose "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)." Worley wrote his song shortly after a USO-led visit to Afghanistan, well before the U.S. engagement in Iraq. But the timing of this release reconnected his lyrical link of "this war" from Afghanistan to Iraq, and created both a hit single, and a lightning rod for debate. The follow-up track, "I Will Hold My Ground," fleshes out Worley's black-and-white world view, his protagonist resigned to either avoidance or confrontation, rather than reason, negotiation or conciliation. It's a toe-tapper, and in its anger it no doubt expresses the free-floating anxiety of many post-9/11 Americans.With a hit single to promote, but without a finished album to support it, Dreamworks rush-released this collection, pairing four new tracks with a dozen reprised from Worley's first two albums. The new tracks also include the string-laden Civil War themed "Shiloh," and the Mexicali-flavored "I Need a Breather." The latter, with its workingman's call-to-relaxation and the gentle breezes of Jimmy Buffett's Gulf Coast blowing through it, provides welcome balance to the pro-war sentiments.The reissued cuts show Worley to be an accomplished artist, moving easily from sentimental ballads ("POW" "Back Where I Belong") to honky-tonk dance tunes ("Tennessee River Run"). The twang in his voice shows a healthy dose of his Tennessee upbringing, with the honeyed-edge of Randy Travis, and a way with words reminiscent of Merle Haggard, Mel Tillis and Tom T. Hall. Worley combines twang and modern production in much the same way as Brad Paisley, skirting the edge of slickness while still remaining radio-ready."

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