Rodney Crowell - Aint Living Long Like This (9 tracks) +Album Reviews

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D. Levin | Pacifica, California United States | 11/02/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Don't miss out on this excellent CD. This is Rodney Crowell's first album (one of three that have never been released) and I don't believe it will be around for long.Rodney's version of his own "Song For The Life" (which has been covered by Alan Jackson and The Waterboys) cannot be missed. This is one of the greatest albums of all time.The CD features Albert Lee, Ry Cooder, Ricky Scaggs, Hal Blaine, Emmylou Harris, Dr. John, Nicolette Larson and Willie Nelson.Again, don't miss out."

Get It While You Can!

10/25/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Out of print since the early 1980s, AIN'T LIVING LONG LIKE THIS is Rodney Crowell's first album -- not his best, but pretty darn good for an artist who, at the time, had very little experience in the studio and front and center at the mic. Produced by Brian Ahern (then better known as Mr. Emmylou Harris), the CD is notable for featuring many country/rock stalwarts of the late 1970s, including almost all of the members in Emmylou Harris's Hot Band (including Harris herself), Willie Nelson, Nicolette Larson and others. This album gained legendary status for the number of songs that subsequently became hits for other artists, including the title track (a radio favorite by Waylon Jennings), Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight (previously covered by Emmylou Harris, but subsequently made into a big hit by the Oak Ridge Boys), Elvira (also pilfered by the Oaks) and Voila an American Dream (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band).Why 4 stars instead of 5? OK, truthfully, it's not Crowell's best work -- his subsequent records have more energy and better production. The reissue liner notes are uninsightful, and, like the original recording, the song selection is stingy -- just 9 tracks (although "California Earthquake," later to become a Seldom Scene standard, does clock in at over 6 minutes), taking less than 35 minutes of your time. Too bad an outtake or two couldn't have been added to create a more complete document of the earliest work by one of country music's most accomplished songsmiths."

GOTTA HAVE IT!

Tim Hewitt | Columbia, SC USA | 01/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There's just no getting around it. If you're a Rodney Crowell fan, this is the cornerstone recording. If you're not already a Crowell fan, then why not? There are several standout tracks on this disc, including "Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight" and the cover of "Fool Such as I". By today's standards, this is a fairly skimpy CD, but the material is good enough that it makes up in quality what it lakes in quantity. One can only hope that the other two Warner Brothers albums, "But What Will the Neighbors Think" and "Rodney Crowell" will soon follow "Ain't Living Long Like This" and be re-issued."

Crowell's Debut Album

T. C Lane | Marina, CA USA | 10/24/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rodney Crowell's 1978 debut album is finally on CD. This is a straight up reissue of the original album's 9 tracks. The liner notes are new and a brief note from Crowell on the back cover. This is one of the best debut albums in Country Music history. Some of his best songs are here (that became hits for others): Leaving Louisiana, An American Dream, I Ain't Living Long Like This. 6 of the 9 songs were written by Crowell. There's also versions of Elvira and A Fool Such As I. The musicians playing and singing on this album were like an all star cast- James Burton, Ricky Skaggs, Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, Dr. John, Hal Blaine, Mickey Raphael, Ry Cooder, among many more. For Crowell fans this is a must purchase. And if you're new to Crowell than this is a perfect starting point."

Great beginnings...

aztecamama | 07/10/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ain't Living Long Like This is one of Rodney Crowell's first albums (if not the first). It was released in '78 or '79. Rodney Crowell had been working in Emmylou Harris' Hot Band (she has also recorded some of his music). This album is a real testament to this man's talent. I bought this album when it first came out and was hooked immediately. The first song on this album is Elvira. Now, before you snicker (remember the Oak Ridge Boys version of this song?), please understand that Rodney's version came out a few years before the ORB's did it. Rodney's version is a very sexy song, with Emmylou doing back-up for him. When I first heard the ORB's version on the radio, I was very upset. They ruined the song. They sounded like a bunch of pre-teens with overactive libidos using a picture of Elvira to get off. Rodney sounds like, well, my husband says that you could practically hear the bedsprings - which is why the song never made it to the airwaves.

The rest of the songs are just as magical. Voila, An American Dream is another song that should have made it to the radio, instead of the version by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

If anyone had been listening back then, Rodney Crowell would have been huge. The arrangements of the songs, the feeling with which he sings, Emmylou's background vocals, the musicians he chose to back him up, it all made for a very satisfying album. I am so glad they re-issued this album. It's timeless. It's just as good now as it was then."

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	Rodney Crowell Ain't Living Long Like This Genres: Country, Pop Track Listings (9) - Disc #1 Elvira (Now And Then, There's) A Fool Such As I Leaving Louisiana In The Broad Daylight Voila, An American Dream I Ain't Living Long Like This Baby, Better Start Turnin' 'Em Down Song For The Life I Thought I Heard You Callin' My Name California Earthquake (A Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On)
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