Justin Moore "If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away" Single Review

How often is it that a song comes along that everyone can relate to?  That may be said a lot but there are very few.  The loss of a grandparent is something that almost everyone has dealt with or eventually will.  It is the first time many of us have to deal with pain and grief that we never knew.  Almost everyone’s grandparents spoil them to some extent and we remember all the great times that we had with them.  In Justin Moore’s newest single, “If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away”, Moore taps into those feelings.  I know when I first heard the song, it really brought back a lot of memories. 

The song starts off by describing what his grandpa was like and what his lifestyle was.  Moore describes his grandpa’s fruit stand and how pieces of it are still standing today.  Fishing trips are described and how he would like to be riding around in his old truck with him.  The chorus then describes how if heaven was so far away he would visit his grandpa and introduce his kids to him and how he would visit other loved ones lost, such as his cousin, and update them on their family.  The second verse focuses on other people that he knows that was lost during school, his dog, and even mentions Hank Williams and Janis Joplin.  It’s a little different from the first verse and the entire song could have been written about his grandpa and cousin alone, but I think the song flows well into the second verse.  Overall, the message of the song is summed up well in the last line of the chorus, stating: “losing them wouldn’t be so hard to take, if heaven wasn’t so far away.”

Moore does a great job of singing the song with his southern, country voice.  The music gives the song a traditional country music feel about it with an electric guitar that is featured just enough, but not over the top, and the traditional steel guitar and fiddle.  Even though Moore has written a song called “Grandpa” and is very capable of writing songs of this caliber, this isn’t part of his penmanship.  The song was written by Brett Jones, Dallas Davidson, and Rob Hatch and was originally cut by Rhett Akins.  Akins released this song as a single in 2006 but it wasn’t really heard on country music radio.  Akins also did a great job with the song, but like Rick Trevino, it seems his music quit being promoted after the 1990s.  If you haven’t heard this song yet on radio, I can assure you that it is just a matter of time.  Moore has a hit on his hands here and this may end up being a bigger hit than “Small Town USA” was for him.  In case you haven’t figured it out yet, I really like the song and think you will too.  I’m not sure when the new album will be released yet, but he will have a number 1 hit on it before it comes out.  That I can guarantee.

Bradley Gaskin "Mr Bartender" Single Review

Is this a single review or a “Now That’s Country” review?  Well it could be both.  This is probably the song I have been most excited about coming out so far this year.  "Mr. Bartender" is the debut single from a new singer Bradley Gaskin.  Gaskin won a contest held by John Rich, which got him a recording contract.  From what I have heard so far, Gaskin seems to be a more traditional sounding country artist and will be a welcome to challenge today’s modern crossover acts in country music.

The single was actually suppose to debut with the album, which is set to come out in May.  However, during promoting the album, the song was such a hit, the decision was made to release the single now. The first thing you will probably notice when you hear “Mr. Bartender” is the similar sound that Gaskin has to Travis Tritt during parts of the song.  The song sounds like it belongs on 1980s country radio, which may actually hinder it getting played, but it is up to the fans to request the songs and let your voice be heard.  The song is a traditional country song about a man trying to drink away his pain from a lost love.  Ultimately, the man wants the bartender to give him the strongest drink that he has and even request for “Mr. Bartender take me out with one shot.”  For those of you with concerns about the likeness to Travis Tritt, you need not be worried.  I have heard Gaskin sing some of his other songs and the correlation isn’t there.  If you are a traditional country music fan, this is a song that you must give a listen to. 

Now That's Country: Faith Hill Says No to "Pop Country." Her Most Traditional Country Song

It's time for another edition of "Now That's Country."  The first featured Tim McGraw, so I figured why not feature Mrs. Tim McGraw (Faith Hill) for the second edition.  As many of you know Faith has definitely been leaning toward the more "pop" sound for a while now.  However there was one song that I had always enjoyed.  It was on her first album, "Take Me As I Am", which by the way can be had super cheap now if you are a Faith Hill fan.  The song is "But I Will ".  Faith actually had a video for this song and it was released as a single but never really did good for her.  I always thought Faith had a lot of talent, even more that Shania.  However, the lack of country radio play didn't help convince her to record many songs like this. 

The song is a good traditional country, heartbreak song.  The woman is confronting her man who is coming in from being out all night.  The woman has warned that "the last time would be the last time" and this time it is over.  Nothing he says is going to change her mind.  She doesn't "want to stop loving (him) but she will."

This song came out about ten years too late.  If this song had been out in the eighties, it would have been a huge hit.  Unfortunately, it is a song hidden away on her first CD that most people have never heard, and may not ever discover.  Faith proves that she can sing traditional country and any song for that matter. Give the song a listen, this is Faith Hill at her best!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T647itX4nIg

Is This The Most "Country" Singer Ever?

Just give his music a listen and you may be declaring him just that.  The artist that I am referring to is Mel Street.  The album I am reviewing today is "Mel Street 20 Greatest Hits".  In reviewing the album, I am going to change things up a little from the last album review.  I don’t think going over each song with a description is the best way to go about an album review because it ends up being long and boring.  However, I would like feedback on which method you like best.

"Mel Street’s 20 Greatest Hits" is available on CD and by mp3 download.  I will say that I think there is a song or two missing, but I believe this is probably the best overall collection of his music available at this point.  Maybe someday, a box set or at least a two disc version will be put together that will give us all of his best songs.  However, off the top of my head the only song that I believe is a huge oversight would be “Don’t Let Me Cross Over.” 

I’m going to give a little background for those of you who don’t know this man, who I am claiming may be the most country singer ever.  Mel Street was an auto body worker from West Virginia who was discovered by playing honky tonks and a small TV show.  Street quickly rose in the charts in the 1970s but never had a number one hit.  Street’s highest single “Borrowed Angel” topped out at number 5, and was covered by Ricky Van Shelton on one of his albums.  Sadly, Street took his own life in 1978 on his 45^th birthday.  Street’s recording career only last six short years from 1972 to 1978, but his mark on country music will last a lifetime.

Along with “Borrowed Angel”, the CD also includes hits such as “Looking Out My Window Through The Pain” and “I Met A Friend Of Yours Today” both which were covered by George Strait.  The greatest hits album contains mostly cheating and love lost songs, but one of the biggest highlights is “Smokey Mountain Memories.”  The song is about a man who misses his home and his love he has left back home.  All the songs on the album are great.  I will dare say if you like the first song, you will like all of them.  Really the only song I could do without is his version of “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown.”

After listening to Mel Street you may decide he is the most country singer ever.  If not, I think you will say he ranks in the top 10 anyways.  If you agree with me, this is a must have album.  For those of you that download mp3’s I would also suggest that you pick up “Don't Let Me Cross Over” to complete the collection.  Not only may Mel Street be the most country artist ever, but he may also be one of the most forgotten.  You will not hear his music on today’s country radio, and I hope this may have helped you discover a forgotten country legend.

Now That's Country: Tim McGraw "Kristofferson"

This is the first installment of “Now That’s Country.”  As I said in a previous post, this is to display what I feel are real country songs.  These songs may have been released as singles , tracks on CDs, or just mp3 only releases.  I hope these tracks may help those who are trying to put together an ultimate mp3 set, but some of you may feel the songs are good enough to justify purchasing the entire CD.  So without further delay, here comes the first one.

My first pick is going to be Kristofferson by Tim McGraw.  I feel this is one of McGraw’s best songs and probably the most traditional song that he has ever done.  The song was released on Let It Go in 2007.  "Kristofferson" was actually released as a single but received very little air on country radio compared to McGraw’s other songs.  This makes me wonder if a song like this would have been a hit, if McGraw would record more songs like this?  While some artists sing what they want to, I believe that other artists would prefer traditional country.  However, with corporate radio refusing to play it, they stick with what is more likely to be a hit.  That’s my opinion anyways.

The song itself has a real country subject: drinking and leaving.  The man comes home to find a letter from his woman saying she is leaving.  Disappointed that the woman only needed a half a page to say goodbye, the man decides to “fill in the empty space.”  Of course he does it with a bottle of 90 proof.  If you haven’t heard this song, I suggest you give it a listen.  If you have heard it back when it was released, I hope this jogs your memory and helps you remember what a great song it was.  While McGraw may not have been your first thought when talking about "real country music", all I can say about this song is: now that's country.

Sad News To Pass Along

Ferlin Husky passed away today at the age of 85.  He had battled chronic health problems over the past few years.  I'm glad he was elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame last year.  It seems so many are never given recognition while they are alive.  Husky is best remember by the song "Wings of a Dove". 

RIP Ferlin Husky

Now That's Country

Along with some of the newer single reviews that been doing, I have decided to include some new reviews.  The name will be "Now That's Country."  It will be songs that I have selected from different artists that I feel like are real country music.  The songs may be singles that have previously been released or just tracks on albums of the artist.  My hope is that I can help some of my audience to find some good traditional sounding music that they may have missed or overlooked.  As always, if you have some suggestions, please let me know.