Circus Leaving Town - Travis Tritt, Claypool, Philip
Monkey Around - Travis Tritt, McClinton, Delbert
I See Me - Travis Tritt, Beathard, Casey
When Good Ol' Boys Go Bad - Travis Tritt, Marvel, Kendrell
We've Had It All - Travis Tritt, Stuart, Marty
It's All About the Money - Travis Tritt, Harris, Jody
Small Doses - Travis Tritt, Sally, Jerry
When in Rome - Travis Tritt, Marvel, Kendell
By enduring in a Nashville that offers, at best, fame that no longer lasts decades but years (and in some cases, months), Travis Tritt has beaten the odds, refusing to play Music Row's change-with-the fads game. Musically,... more » he remains committed to the Southern rock-based vision that's characterized him from the start and proves it on the title song, every barroom musician's shout of pride. "Monkey Around" has a classic R&B/boogie feel that shows Tritt at his rocking finest. "The Girl's Gone Wild," a play on the popular video series, reflects the here and now, and "Too Far to Turn Around," co-written by Gretchen Wilson, establishes a stylistic link between veteran and newcomer. "What Say You," a duet with John Mellencamp, celebrates brotherhood--minus the wimpiness that can undermine such numbers. Nowhere, however, is Tritt more real than on the epic "Circus Leaving Town," the kind of broad, powerful ballad George Jones turned into an art form. Tritt had his first hit in 1989, and to retain the power he had then, as he does here, is a singular achievement. --Rich Kienzle« less
By enduring in a Nashville that offers, at best, fame that no longer lasts decades but years (and in some cases, months), Travis Tritt has beaten the odds, refusing to play Music Row's change-with-the fads game. Musically, he remains committed to the Southern rock-based vision that's characterized him from the start and proves it on the title song, every barroom musician's shout of pride. "Monkey Around" has a classic R&B/boogie feel that shows Tritt at his rocking finest. "The Girl's Gone Wild," a play on the popular video series, reflects the here and now, and "Too Far to Turn Around," co-written by Gretchen Wilson, establishes a stylistic link between veteran and newcomer. "What Say You," a duet with John Mellencamp, celebrates brotherhood--minus the wimpiness that can undermine such numbers. Nowhere, however, is Tritt more real than on the epic "Circus Leaving Town," the kind of broad, powerful ballad George Jones turned into an art form. Tritt had his first hit in 1989, and to retain the power he had then, as he does here, is a singular achievement. --Rich Kienzle
Virginia J. Pierce | Leesburg, FL United States | 09/10/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Travis has one of the best voices in Country Music. Unfortunately, country has gone pop. This record returns to Travis' southern rock roots. There is a little too much let's drink and party on the record but it is such a pleasure to hear him I have to overlook that. The only thing missing from this record is a duet with his old pal Marty Stuart. I would love to hear them together again. Travis is best when doing bluesy ballads and hard southern rock. I'm so sick of pop country that anything from Travis is greatly welcome."
Amazing! Tritt does it Again!
Skynyrd Fan | 08/26/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have been a huge fan of Tritt's since he came out, and he is my favorite country singer, so when I heard that he had a new cd coming out, you knew I'd be there in line to buy it. Well, I did, and it didn't disappoint. He starts off with a hard rocking "Honky-Tonk History", and just takes off from there. My favorite track is "It's all about the money" which tells of true experiences from people cheating insurance companies to get money, and lying politcians just trying to get our vote.
But "I See Me" is a whole lot like "If I Lost You", except he isn't writing it about a vet's daughter who lost her mom, he's writing it about his son. It brings great memories to your eyes. Thinking about the past when you went to church and didn't listen to the priest.
"The Girls Gone Wild" is placed perfectly in Track 3. It's before he starts his ballad's, before "It's All About..." comes back in. (And that video...meowrrrrr...).
I'm not one of those reviewers who rate each song, because honestly and personally I think thats freaking annoying. I don't care what you rate the song, let me here it for myself without any preconcieved notions on it. I let you decide on getting this cd here, I'll highly reccomended it, but I don't rate things.....
Tritt is an artist who's true to himself, and true to his country and true to his family. He shows this in "What Say You" (feat. John Mellencamp). I usually don't like Mellencamp, because him, like John Mayer, I can't stand his voice. But it works with this song.
Gretchen Wilson wrote the second track on this cd, and Tritt gets help from ol' friend Marty Stuart on Track 9.
This cd is better than "Strong Enough" but doesn't sniff "Down the Road I Go," which has "Best of Intentions" (my personal fav. Tritt song on it). Tritt's version of "Can't Tell Me Nothin' " was copied by Tim McGraw, but Tritt's version destroys McGraw's version. Tritt has so much of a better voice than McGraw does, especially in certain songs.
Oh, and he doesn't dress up like a "pretty-boy" like McGraw does. I'm not saying I don't like McGraw, quite the opposite, I do, but Tritt is just one of the greatest of all time, and this cd shows that HE'S HERE TO STAY"
Honky tonk through and through!
DanD | 12/11/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The album opens with a light, popish piano riff...and then a shotgun blast and screaming electric guitars, and the unforgettable line: "Played a Telecaster/Til my fingers bled Bud Lite". If that ain't honky tonk, I don't know what is.
Travis Tritt is a modern-day outlaw. Though this album doesn't at all showcase his superb songwriting skills, it does highlight is voice and rebellious attitude. The rhythms, the lyrics, the style--it's all here, for your listening pleasure.
While there's a lot of fun and games on this album, it does get serious in spots. The song "We've Had It All" (written by Tritt and friend and frequent collaborator Marty Stuart) is genuinely romantic, while the powerful "Circus Leaving Town" harks back to the days of George Jones and Conway Twitty. "I See Me" is a tender, surprisingly un-cliched look at fatherhood, and "What Say You," the hit duet with John Mellencamp, not only preaches political noncomfority and acceptance, but puts a staunch Democrat and a staunch Republican in the same recording booth. I see a message there, somewhere.
MY HONKY TONK HISTORY is a stellar effort from Travis Tritt. Always an over-the-top performer, with a combination of rebellious attitude and genuine sensitivity, Tritt has managed to make yet another memorable album. Hopefully, this one will reinvigorate his career, and keep him going for many more years. Lord knows, he has the talent."
He's having fun again!
Bellas Country Music Editor | Alvin, TX | 08/19/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"While I have enjoyed most of Travis Tritt's CD's thru the years, this one is one of the best. He sounds like he is having fun with the music again. There is some controversy over the song "The Girls Gone Wild", some people think it is too close to the videos of a similar name. I, for one, don't think so, it's a music artist enjoying what he is doing.
No matter where you go on this CD, you get the feeling that any of the songs could be playing in a honky tonk on any given night. From the opening notes on the first track to the closing notes on the last track, it's a Travis that sounds like he is getting back to what made him a star in the first place. He shows how he has matured in the ballads and that he still knows how to have fun in the rockin' upbeat songs.
One ballad that stands out is the one that Travis and Marty Stuart wrote together "We've Had It All". You can feel the emotions in the song that seems to have been written for their wives. Another song that leaves an impression on you is "I See Me", you can just see a father remembering the things he has done and his son doing the same things.
All in all, I recommend this to all the Travis Tritt fans out there, old and new. If you haven't been a fan of his before, you should be when you finish listening to this CD."
Get in the Car, Pop in the CD, Crank it up, Drive.
lyle | Brooklyn NY | 09/29/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This time around, Travis emphasizes his hard-livin' honky-tonkin' side. It's infectious, it's a lot of fun, and - as always -he throws heart and soul into every line. A few times, you might find yourself laughing out loud.
There are bluesy ballads, too. The haunting "Too Far to Turn Around" hints at the impending consequence of a reckless life. "I See Me" is warmly evocative. Unusual for Travis, there's not a single love song. I could do without "What Say You", his duet with Mellencamp, but it's not a deal-breaker.
It may be his radio popularity or his redneck-rock persona, but Travis Tritt is underestimated as an artist. My Honky-Tonk History may seem rough-hewn and rowdy, but repeated listenings reveal layer after layer of satisfying detail. It's fun, it's good music, and it's Travis at his best."