Customer Reviews

After the Storm

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Well, after a couple CDs of re-done stuff, Chris LeDoux has come out with some great new music. (Don't get me wrong, I liked the updates on "Cowboy".) Initially I was a little dismayed that Chris didn't write most of the tunes, but hey, does it really matter? Nope. He does such a great job with his renditions that the writer part just doesn't matter. About half of the tunes clicked at first listen, and the rest didn't take much longer. Anyone who appreciates LeDoux or just good western music would do well to check out this collection. The first song, "Some Things Never Change", a collaboration with Garth Brooks, hooks you from the start. One of my favorites is "Scatter the Ashes" about a rodeo cowboy facing the end of his active career. Yes, the songs in general are a slower pace compared to most of his previous stuff. But one can feel a maturity that perhaps has grown from his experiences of the last couple of years. His voice also has a more "mature" sound to it, but it's still strong, and pure Chris. As another reviewer suggested, this CD may not get much air play unfortunately, but it's high quality all the way. Buy this CD, and you won't be sorry for sure. Chris LeDoux is still the genuine article.

LeDoux's music is filled with the mature sense of self that's missing from the work of fresh-faced Nashville strivers. It's a perspective honed from a life of experience, and left unperturbed by the necessities of modern chart stardom. On this latest release, LeDoux's introspective sensibility has been magnified by a health crisis and subsequent successful liver transplant. The resulting mood reflects a deepened sense of contentment with family, friends, work and play.

From the opening Garth Brooks duet, "Some Things Never Change," to the closing remake of the rodeo-themed "Bareback Jack," LeDoux contemplates the simple things that make up one's life; romance ("Millionaire" "What I'm Up Against"), hard work ("Cowboy Up" "Simple as Dirt"), and music making ("Don't it Make You Want to Dance") provide a few of his daily joys. Even David Lee Murphy's funereal "Scatter the Ashes" finds peace in the final departure from a well-lived life.

LeDoux's happiness and comfort is infectious, enough so to credit the backing singers on one track as "everybody in the studio." His tone may be less rowdy than on earlier albums (though the western swing of "I Don't Want to Mention Any Names" has a sly bounce), but his words are no less powerful. Like a favorite pair of Wrangler's, LeDoux's music gains character each time he rides out of the chute.

Chirs Ledoux does not get the regention he deserves and his music is never played on the radio so the only way your going to hear this cd excepct maybe Some things never change with Garth Brooks is buy the cd. It is one great cd and if you have followed any recent music by chirs you will love this. Simple as Dirt, Some Things never change,dont it make you want to dance,and Bareback Jack are all great, But Scatter the ashes is the best song on here. Please support chirs and buy this cd I think it will be one you will liste to many times.

"Some things never change"? Well a little bit with this new CD as far as you will find only two songs referring to rodeos: The joyous "Cowboy Up", written by the talented cowgirl Joni Harms, one of my favorites on this CD, and "Bareback Jack".
What changes is that Chris, though still haunted by freedom and wide spaces, emphasises his SO GOOD sentimental, romantic side that I personnaly prefer with ""Don't make it you want to dance" and "What I'm up against". The whole album is sure relaxing but not boring! A bit of western swing with " I don't want to mention no names" will convince you. There's still a true country music, DON'T MISS IT! Domi

This is not a regular Chris LeDoux CD. Instead of his typical "Rodeo Rock 'n Roll," LeDoux slows this albumn down. A listener can hear how relaxed LeDoux is. Track one, Some Things Never Change, is an incredible song that anybody who has ever spent years fixing fence or chasing cows would appreciate. Don't it Make You Want to Dance has a warm, friendly feeling. Cowboy Up sounds a lot like his really old stuff (like Photo Finish, Re-Ride, and National Finals Rodeo). He also has a new version of Bareback Jack. This CD is really, really good, and proves once again that LeDoux doens't make his music for the popular culture, but makes it because it is good, original country music.

I love every song on this CD. "After the Storm" combines love songs with rodeo songs. There aren't any crying in your beer songs on this CD. It is great to have a new Chris LeDoux CD to add to my collection.

Excellent collection of Chris's best. Always a warm feeling listening to it. Will always miss Chris - he left us too soon.

This was Chris' first CD after his close brush with death and his second-to-last CD. Unfortunately, after the storm came a worse event, Chris' untimely death in March 2005. As a LeDoux fan of more than 25 years, I was a bit disheartened that Chris wasn't writing more of his own material; too many of his preceding CDs got away from his rodeo/Western songs. Nevertheless, there are some fine songs here, and except for "Haywire" and "Stampede," there's no such thing as a less-than-good Chris LeDoux album. "Cowboy Up" and "Scatter My Ashes" are the best songs on the CD. Little did we know how prescient the latter was, as sadly, Chris didn't have much time left with us. Chris LeDoux was the best.

While "After the Storm" has a more reflective and "softer" feel to it than other LeDoux albums, it's definately one of the better ones. If you liked the unrehearsed sound of the "Live" and "One Road Man" CDs, you won't be disappointed. Most of the songs have the same tone as "Tougher than the Rest," a song that was on the 20 greatest hits album and is part of the live show. Tracks like "Don't it Make You Want to Dance," and "Simple as Dirt" balance things out. If there is any filler, I can't find it; all eleven tracks are equally as good. "After the Storm" also includes a new duet with Garth Brooks, and a studio recording of "Bareback Jack." This is one CD actually worth what you pay for it.

"After the Storm" makes a good country album but in the history of Chris Ledoux albums [isn't his best]. It not because he didnt write the songs he just didnt seem to be ready after the health problems. Compare this album to his earlier titles of "Whacha going to do with a cowboy", "Western Underground", and "Powder River" and you will agree its not his best work to date. I hope he's still got that Chris Ledoux Kick.