Search - Jason Allen :: Wouldn't It Be Nice

New talent with a great voice and a big heart . . .

Ronald Scheer | Los Angeles | 06/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jason Allen is a Texas singer-songwriter with a great voice and a big heart - if this collection of songs is any indication, and I suspect it is. Like any Nashville hopeful, he includes some pop-country songs, mostly of the lovin' variety (love won, love lost) and a nostalgic remembrance of small-town boyhood ("Wouldn't It Be Nice") - they're smoothly, confidently done and belong on the charts.



But the really good stuff on the album are his tributes to a several musical traditions, from Cajun ("Make Up Your Mind") and Delta blues ("John Boat Blues") to honky-tonk ("Hold 'em Up") and a two-step dance tune that makes you want to jump up and grab a partner ("Costin' to Stay in Austin").



There's also a great Buck Owens style song ("Your Heart Turned Left") and a rip-roarin' guitar picking number ("Chicken Pluckin'") featuring virtuosos Randy Cornor and Redd Volkeart. Allen even finds room for some south-of-the-border drama with his "Devil's Destiny," about a murderous bull. At the last, he goes all the way back to his roots, singing and playing old-time gospel song duets with Wesley Sligar (who I gather from the notes is his dad-in-law).



A definite go. If you like country and enjoy new talent, you can't go wrong with this up-and-comer."

Nice genre blend

D. Skiba | Virginia USA | 05/20/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jason combines great vocals and guitar riffs across a rich diversity of sounds from Gospel, Blues, Country Ballard's, to classic Texas two-step. Jason retains his authentic Country/Western style on-display from this first album and doesn't sellout to the pop influence found on today's "Country" radio stations. A must-have for your Texas album collection."

Outstanding Texas music....

aggiedude | Austin, Texas | 10/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Whether your in the mood for a nice slow love song (Must Have been Meant to Be) or a fantastic pick me up (Chicken Pluckin'), this cd has it all from a fantastically gifted Texas artist....Have been to only 2 of Jason's concerts but both were outstanding; great music from a great artist. I personally recommend this cd to any country music fan.....God bless, Marty"