The first real new traditionalist, John Anderson took some odd twists and turns during his career. As new traditionalism dominated, he drifted from the Top 10, then came back strong in the early '90s. Later attempts at hot... more »-country trendiness were dismal. There's none of that nonsense here. Instead, nearly 18 years after "Swingin'" established his stardom, Anderson offers an inspired, eloquent survey of a changing world and rural, small-town values bulldozed into oblivion. "I Ain't Afraid of Dying," "Appalachian Blue," and "Five Generations of Rock County Wilsons" confront those issues. "The Call," a sentimental minidrama about a lifetime of phone calls, is a song few singers under 60 could pull off. Anderson pulls every drop of emotion from these songs. He rocks hard on "Baby's Gone Home to Mama," waxes passionate on the self-deprecating "It Ain't Easy Being Me," and sardonic on "The Big Revival," which spoofs snake-handling preachers. The album's closer, Bruce Springsteen's "Atlantic City," may seem out of place given its urban setting, but it's actually a sly benediction, with its memorable chorus: "Everything dies baby that's a fact / But, baby everything that dies someday comes back." In the end, Anderson has created a masterpiece, Nashville's answer to John Mellencamp's Scarecrow. --Rich Kienzle« less
The first real new traditionalist, John Anderson took some odd twists and turns during his career. As new traditionalism dominated, he drifted from the Top 10, then came back strong in the early '90s. Later attempts at hot-country trendiness were dismal. There's none of that nonsense here. Instead, nearly 18 years after "Swingin'" established his stardom, Anderson offers an inspired, eloquent survey of a changing world and rural, small-town values bulldozed into oblivion. "I Ain't Afraid of Dying," "Appalachian Blue," and "Five Generations of Rock County Wilsons" confront those issues. "The Call," a sentimental minidrama about a lifetime of phone calls, is a song few singers under 60 could pull off. Anderson pulls every drop of emotion from these songs. He rocks hard on "Baby's Gone Home to Mama," waxes passionate on the self-deprecating "It Ain't Easy Being Me," and sardonic on "The Big Revival," which spoofs snake-handling preachers. The album's closer, Bruce Springsteen's "Atlantic City," may seem out of place given its urban setting, but it's actually a sly benediction, with its memorable chorus: "Everything dies baby that's a fact / But, baby everything that dies someday comes back." In the end, Anderson has created a masterpiece, Nashville's answer to John Mellencamp's Scarecrow. --Rich Kienzle
"I guess I'm not just "thanking" John Anderson for another fine set of songs, but for never "selling out" in an era where country music seems to cross over into pop music much too often.
With the truly great, classic country singers like George Jones and Merle Haggard heading into their senior years, fans of real country music are fortunate that they still have the voice of John Anderson to appreciate.As someone who has been buying John Anderson LPs and CDs for over 20 years, I find that this set is up there with some of his best, although I think that 4 stars is an honest rating--he does have other discs that were even better. My first impressions ? "The Call" and "Appalachian Blue" stood out for me, as well as a fine "rocker", " Baby's Gone Home To Mama "--however, most of the material here is strong.Perhaps John doesn't sell as many discs as some artists who rely on cute videos and other gimmicks. Hopefully, there are still enough country fans out there who respect John's integrity, not to mention a very special voice. Country music radio stations who do not play his music should be ashamed of themselves.A previous disc of John's was called "Country Til I Die"--amen to that, John--you are the real deal !If some people are in despair that "there is no true country music anymore", this disc--in fact, John's entire catalogue--should correct that impression !"
I really liked this album, though ignored by radio!
Shawn Gealow | Lincoln, NE United States | 12/28/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a solid, country effort from an artist who just, for some reason or another, can't buy a hit. His voice is still in top form, and he is a welcome artist in a genre that is way too "poppish" and watered down. On this album, I like "Nobody's Got It All" and "The Call". My favorites on the album, however, are "It Ain't Easy Being Me", a song about a man who just can't help but make mistakes that cost him dearly, and "I Ain't Afraid of Dying", which is another good song about the gloom and fear in today's society. The song's chorus is capped off with "Oh I ain't afraid of dying, Lord. It's the living that scares me to death." Very clever as well as accurate. I hope his career picks up again so he has a chance to make more albums such as this."
John Anderson - Back on Top
Burrito Rob | LEXINGTON, KY United States | 05/05/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"From the " Muscle - Shoals " sound of the leadoff track " You Ain't Hurt Nothin' Yet " to the dead on hard country take of Springsteen's " Atlantic City " John Anderson is back in a big way. John's soulful southern twang wraps around those well chosen covers as well as some strong Anderson originals, particularly the awesome " Go To Town ". He does it all and very well. Mixing maximum C & W with a healthy dash of Rock N ' Roll and Swampy R & B, Mr. Anderson & a crack band roll through self depreciating rockin' Americana " It Ain't Easy Being Me " & " Baby's Gone Home to Mama " Enviro- Country " I Ain't Afraid Of Dyin' ", crunchy guitar honky tonk," The Big Revival ", trad. sentimental C & W " The Call ", " Appalachian Blue ", country - folk cultural commentary " Nobody's Got It all ".Not a bad track on here! This is the best John Anderson album since some of his Warner Bros. releases from the 80's. His influences? Think Haggard,Jones and the Stones. Now if someone will reissue all that great Warners stuff!!! Enjoy and catch John Anderson live - fantastic."
Vintage John Anderson
Shawn Gealow | 03/28/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"It makes me sad to think that the days when artists like John Anderson were the norm instead of the exception are over in Nashville. Joh has a voice and a style that is impossible to ignore. Love him or hate him, you know it is him when you hear him sing one note. This latest release is right on par for John in as much as the singing is stellar and the songs are solid. I like the looser accoustic approach on this cd. Producer Blake Chancey gets great sounding tracks on almost all of his projects.He has a way of letting you know what the artist sounds like live and for me that's what i want to know when i listen to a recording. My personal favorite on this particular cd is probably "IT AIN'T EASY BEING ME". Great song great performance. "FIVE GENERATIONS" AND "THE CALL" are also standouts. I know that "THE BIG REVIVAL" will probably offend some people in todays politically correct world in which we live but i absolutely love it. Bottom line,if you are already a John Anderson fan then you will love this record and if you are not then little that he can do by now will change your mind."