Search - Jimmy Fortune :: When One Door Closes

IT'S WORTH A FORTUNE

Andrew Collins | San Angelo, Texas United States | 03/11/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Any Statlers fan was disappointed to hear that they were no longer going to be touring. But this CD brings hope to the lost love of their music. Having met Jimmy Fortune several times I can tell those reading this that he's one of the nicest people I've ever met. His personality is also reflected very well in this album. It's feel-good music. Not that overly-happy-annoying music but just makes you want to feel good all over again after the tour-disbandment of the Statler Brothers. Jimmy does several Statler Brothers songs on here and better than with the other 3. It's always nice to hear how an artist intended for their songs to sound originally. But this album features more than that. "When We Were Young" and the title cut are both memorable songs. If you get a chance to see him on the Classic Country Tour with David Frizzell and Rex Allen, Jr. by all means go to it. Jimmy really demonstrates his knowledge of guitar licks on the tour. At any rate you won't be disappointed - as neither will you be with the album."

....another door opens

Kyle Boreing | Cincinnati, OH, USA | 05/13/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Frequently after a group disbands, members will attempt a solo career. Some are successful. Others simply attempt to copy the sound of their preceding band, leaving little room for growth. This, however, is NOT the case with Jimmy Fortune!Jimmy has created a new sound completely separate from his Statler Brothers music (who more often than not had a drastically dated sound). That's not to say that he can't sing the same songs; nearly half of this release consists of former Statlers hits that Jimmy wrote or co-wrote, only this time around, they have new, modern arrangements that fit well with today's country sound. The rest of the songs blend nicely to create a strong solo debut. Well worth a listen!!"

Talk about a hard act to follow!!!!

Paul Tognetti | Cranston, RI USA | 03/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Now let's see. He is a bit too young to retire. And he has spent the past 20 years as part of one of America's most beloved vocal groups. So just what is Jimmy Fortune supposed to do with the rest of his life anyway? While he would probably be the first to admit that four voices really are better than one he has nonetheless put together a solid effort for his first post Statler Brothers solo release.

The album is cleverly titled "When One Door Closes" and Jimmy Fortune finally gets his chance to go front and center and display his considerable talents. First and foremost I would recommend to you Jimmy's enormous ablilty as a songwriter. He had a hand in writing all but one of the tunes on his debut LP. In case you did not know it, during his years with the Statlers Jimmy received numerous awards for his wonderful songs. And now you get a chance to hear several of them again on this CD. You are sure to enjoy fresh new arrangements of "Elizabeth", "Too Much On My Heart", "More Than A Name On A Wall" as well as my personal favorite "My Only Love". Outstanding! In fact, I enjoyed all 11 tracks on this CD. I loved a tune Jimmy dedicated to a lifelong friend "When We Were Young" and the title cut "When One Door Closes". Jimmy's vocal perfomance on these songs is impeccable as usual. In addition, an outstanding group of Nashville musicans lend their considerable talents to the project. And one comes away with the feeling that Jimmy Fortune has yet to do his best work as a solo artist. Stay tuned.

All in all, this is a terrific album, a bit more contemporary than most of his work with Harold, Phil and Don but still extremely appealing to fans of more traditional country music.

Highly recommended!"