Search - John Rich :: Underneath the Same Moon

"Someday" Finally Arrived..

Terri Beam "Horsefeathers" | Louisville, KY USA | 03/21/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Someday Finally Arrived



Ebay--Not only is it a place to auction off potato chips that look like Elvis and dust kittens that are evolving into breathing organisms, it's a harbinger of future trends. Case in point: copies of John Rich's previously unreleased solo debut CD "Underneath The Same Moon" inspired bidding wars among fans and sold for sometimes exorbitant amounts of money. While Rich was riding a wave of popularity as half of the duo Big & Rich, a number cruncher at BNA Records in Nashville was hiding in a cubicle, gnashing his teeth and thinking "Maybe we SHOULD release this after all."



Obviously BNA is trying to capitalize on Rich's current status as The Man in Nashville. They showed an incredible lack of foresight in not releasing this album when it was first recorded, but a certain segment of the music industry in Nashville is not known for forward thinking. Nonetheless, fans of Big & Rich will be delighted with this CD which I call "John Rich 101".



Not since Vince Gill burst on the scene with his angelic voice and devilish twinkle in his eye have we encountered a versatile artist like Rich. "Underneath The Same Moon" is unapologetically romantic with songs such as "Someday" and "I Love You Like That." "Underneath The Same Moon" is so melancholy, one can almost see Evanescence performing it. The sole song on the CD that was NOT written by Rich, "When You Love Someone," is achingly emotional. Those who are only familiar with the "Cowboy Stevie Wonder" personality of Rich are in for a surprise. The love songs here are the precursors to today's hits "Like We Never Loved At All" by Faith Hill and "Why" by Jason Aldean. Rich's skill at plucking heartstrings as well as guitar strings has grown immensely.



Of the more up-tempo songs, "She Brings The Lightnin' Down" is perhaps the best cut of all. Rich's protégé Shannon Brown included this track on her debut album "Cornfed" but "Lightnin'" is a man's song, and nobody performs it better. "Old Blue Mountain" with guest vocals by future star Sara Evans is a treat for the ears as well. "New Jerusalem" totally astonished me the first time I heard it, and it continues to leave me in awe even after listening to it repeatedly. The true test of a singer's gift is whether he or she can pull off a cappella. One can hardly believe there is a singer on this planet that John Rich could NOT harmonize with.



As a debut album, "Underneath The Same Moon" has its weak moments, as can be expected. Granted, reviewing a previously unreleased album is difficult when one is familiar with the current style of an artist. When the artist is a fearless risk-taker such as Rich, it's not fair to compare "UTSM" with "Horse of A Different Color" or "Comin' To Your City." He has changed and grown as a songwriter and a musician, but "Underneath the Same Moon" definitely has a place of favor in my CD rack. It makes me wonder how much other great material lies tucked away in a dusty record company vault, how much memorable music is denied to our ears, how much we as country music fans are missing. Perhaps the release of this CD means "Someday" will come for other deserving artists as well.



"

First issue of Rich's 1999 solo debut

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 03/21/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In between his success as a member of the '90s country group Lonestar and his riotous reinvention as half of Big & Rich, vocalist/songwriter John Rich cut this solo album in Nashville, and promptly had it shelved by his record company. Though he'd already met and was writing with "Big" Kenny Alphin (whose own solo debut was shelved the same year, and also recently issued), his music was still anchored more to the contemporary sounds of late-90s Nashville than to the rowdier work he'd pioneer with the Muzik Mafia.



Highlights include the Celtic-flavored waltz-time "Old Blue Mountain," featuring bagpipe and a strong harmony vocal from Sara Evans, the funky "She Brings the Lightnin' Down," the redemptive mid-tempo rocker "Something To Believe In," and the Fairfield Four backed gospel of "New Jerusalem." The album includes several finely crafted ballads, including Rich & Alphin's "I Love You Like That" and Gretchen Peters and Bryan Adams' "When You Love Someone."



Having just broken from Lonestar, and yet fully settled in with his new crew, Rich can be heard searching out a new identity. He'd yet to fully clear the then-contemporary sound of Nashville from his pen or voice, nor had he freed himself from the strictures of Music City's production choices. Still, he showed himself to be a compelling songwriter and singer, and held his own as a solo performer. Fans of his work with Lonestar and fans of his recent work with Big & Rich will each enjoy in the opportunity to hear these "'tween" recordings. [©2006 hyperbolium dot com]"

You have gotta hear this!!!

Michele Risner | Gibson City, IL | 04/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I got this CD based on John Rich's reputation alone. I knew of many of the songs he had written over the years for various artists as well as his reputation in "Big & Rich". I was a little skeptical at first, but after I listened, I knew it was a purchase I do not regret.



Here are my quick thoughts on some of the tracks.



~ I pray for you...this song has more recently been recorded with Big & Rich and I like both versions.



~ Underneath the Same Moon...the title track and a beautiful song about love and separation and knowing that no matter where you are, if you look up at the moon, your soul mate is underneath that same moon.



~ Old Blue Mountain has guest vocals by singer Sara Evans, although at the time this was recorded, she was not the big name that she is now. A very beautiful song. Love the bagpipes!!



~ She Brings the Lightnin Down...WOW....Shannon Brown also recorded this, but she cannot even begin to sing it as well as John does. This is hands down one of my favorite songs on the CD. It's got a great funky beat that just makes you want to jump in and sing along.



~ When You Love Someone...originally recorded by Bryan Adams, and the only song on this CD that John did not have a hand in writing. A really great version of the song.



~ New Jerusalem...wow. An awesome song. Gospel. Acappella...what more can you want?



I highly recommend this CD to everyone, and have been playing it for my friends because I feel very strongly in it.



"