As a member of Emmylou Harris's band, Randall had the same lead-guitar role which had earlier been taken by Rodney Crowell and Ricky Skaggs. And Randall's debut solo album features the same sort of topnotch songwriting, ex... more »pressive singing, and classy picking as the hit singles released by Crowell and Skaggs after their apprenticeship with Harris. Randall only wrote one of the 10 cuts on What You Don't Know, but he has picked some terrific tunes by the likes of Carl Jackson, Jim Lauderdale, Kevin Welch, and Bobby Charles. Unlike most of the other 20-something newcomers in Nashville, Randall knows how to understate a vocal and thus evoke the mixed emotions of great country singing. This is a landmark first effort from a major talent. --Geoffrey Himes« less
As a member of Emmylou Harris's band, Randall had the same lead-guitar role which had earlier been taken by Rodney Crowell and Ricky Skaggs. And Randall's debut solo album features the same sort of topnotch songwriting, expressive singing, and classy picking as the hit singles released by Crowell and Skaggs after their apprenticeship with Harris. Randall only wrote one of the 10 cuts on What You Don't Know, but he has picked some terrific tunes by the likes of Carl Jackson, Jim Lauderdale, Kevin Welch, and Bobby Charles. Unlike most of the other 20-something newcomers in Nashville, Randall knows how to understate a vocal and thus evoke the mixed emotions of great country singing. This is a landmark first effort from a major talent. --Geoffrey Himes
"Where has Jon Randall been all of our lives. This is a great CD - accidently found it and wonder why on earth it hasn't been played on radio. I'm impressed with the beauty of the selections and the great country sound on "To Pieces". I especially love "If Blue Tears Were Silver" and "If I hadn't Reached for the Stars". Jon has the voice of an angel and then can turn around and rock with "They're gonna Miss Me" with his superb guitar pickin'. I wouldn't trade this CD for a speckled pup."
Superb! A "must-listen" from a great talent.
V. C. Devaney | Norco, CA | 12/29/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jon Randall (Stewart) has a beautiful tenor voice, and his talents don't stop there. His pen and his guitar can sing as well. It's unfortunate that Randall did not get a lot of radio airplay, because he surely would have rocketted to the tops of the charts with any of the cuts from this, his debut album. I love the spin he put on "This Heart," and (although that song is co-written by my favorite songwriter, Tim Mensy), my favorite cut on the album is the self-penned "Just Like You." Listen to the soundclips and you'll be hooked! A great buy for any country music fan!"
TO LISTEN IS TO LOVE!
V. C. Devaney | 02/07/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Give this extremely talented tenor a listen. All he needs is more exposure, there's no doubt. He would be sittin' on top if more people were familiar with him and his music. Listen and fall in love with his tender, pure voice ala Vince Gill. Not bad to look at either is Lorrie Morgan's better half! CHECK HIM OUT!"
This album is a cool drink of water for this thirsty fan
Jessie Paschal | Memphis, TN | 10/20/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I can't adequately describe the elation of hearing this wonderful voice sing the gorgeous songs on this album. "If Blue Tears Were Silver " is a masterpiece. Randall's guitar work is truly awesome. I love "They're Gonna Miss me" and his beautiful self-penned "Just Like You" left me in tears. It's a sin that "Reach for the Stars" was not released as a single - it would have easily been song of the year. The versatility of this entire album kept my attention from beginning to end. I can't stop playing it and can't wait until the next one is released."