Search - Ronnie Milsap :: Stranger Things

Traditional country album came as a surprise

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 04/17/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ronnie recorded several traditional country albums in the mid seventies before switching to a pop-country sound, sometimes utilizing synthesizers, so this one-off traditional country album from the late eighties came as a very pleasant surprise. Although electric guitars and synthesizers appear in the album credits, one listen to this album leaves you in no doubt that this really is traditional country music at its best. Steel guitar fans will find much to like about this album.Three of the four singles released from this album - Stranger things have happened, Don't you ever get tired of hurting me (an old country song previously recorded by Ray Price, George Jones, Willie Nelson and others) and A woman in love - made number one on the country charts.You snap your fingers and I'm back in your arms (a cover of a song first recorded by Charley Pride), Starting today, I feel like I'm cheating on you, I never expected to see you (a song that Ronnie co-wrote) and Houston solution (the only single that didn't make number one on the country chart) are all excellent ballads. Ronnie also does well on two mid-tempo songs - Roll the dice and Southern roots.If you enjoy traditional country music, this is well worth tracking down, especially if you aren't keen on some of Ronnie's pop-country music. I like that too but it's nice to be able to listen to a whole album of traditional country from Ronnie. TracksStranger things have happened
Don't you ever get tired of hurting me
A woman in love
You snap your fingers and I'm back in your arms
Starting today
Roll the dice
I feel like I'm cheating on you
I never expected to see you
Houston solution
Southern roots"

Milsap's Strong Return to Pure Country

Ronnie Milsap | Arizona | 05/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ronnie Milsap spent most of the 80's crossing over to the pop charts with smooth pop-flavored tunes that were a departure from the basic country sound he focused on during his early country career in the 70's. By 1989, the direction of country music was heading toward a much more traditional sound propelled by hot new singers such as Randy Travis, Ricky Van Shelton, Alan Jackson, Clint Black, and Garth Brooks.



Milsap apparently felt the new trend coming on in Nashville, so he switched musical gears in 1989 and released Stranger Things have Happened, a new album that showed Ronnie Milsap still remained one of the world's best country singers...without a trace of nasal twang! The title song and "You snap your fingers" are both excellent country ballads that feature soaring vocal performances from Ronnie. The number one single "Don't you ever get tired of hurting me" is Ronnie's strong remake of an old country classic from the 1960's. "Houston Solution" is another dose of pure country music at its best that hit the top five, and "I never expected to see you" is another solid ballad that Ronnie co-wrote.



Milsap also adds a touch of his musical diversity with the inclusion of a gritty southern rock tune titled "Roll the Dice" that adds some edge to a CD that is literally pure country from start to finish. "I feel like I'm cheating on you" is a nice soulful ballad that Ronnie throws his heart and his soaring voice into.



Stranger things have happened was a successful return to traditional country that earned Ronnie Milsap a gold record as well as three number one singles. He would soon leave this new pure country direction behind with his next CD, the dazzling R&B-flavored album "Back to the Grindstone".











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