Customer Reviews

Alive & Well

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I had always been a fan of Ty England. I had seen him as part of Garth Brooks' band 10 times in 4 states between 1989 and 1993, and then I saw his solo tour in 1995. I bought each of his first 3 solo CDs, and played them quite a bit over the years. Then I lost track of Ty as he lost his major label deals and seemed to leave his public career.

Somehow I discovered by accident that he had a new self-released CD, "Alive and Well and Livin' the Dream". I immediately went online and ordered a copy, anxious to see what a few years might have done to mature his music. If this is his dream, I want no part of it. He seems to have adopted the southern good-old-boy anthem sloganeering that has pervaded the entire career of Hank Williams Jr. Trying to appeal to a lowest-common-denominator segment of the music buying public is such a huge misstep for Ty, and he doesn't even accomplish that unworthy goal. Some of his lyrics were insulting to a liberal-minded American, name dropping anyone opposed to the NRA, for instance. His repeated taunting of Senator Ted Kennedy left me sick. I vowed never to listen to this right-wing garbage again, or I would give a list of other problems I found on the only listen I will ever give to this waste of my time and money.

Unless you do not aspire to rise above the hatred this record celebrates, then do not buy this disc. I'm very disappointed and wish I'd never discovered that Ty had new music available. Shame on you, Ty. You had such promise, but you blew it.

Prime Cuts: It Must Be Colorado, Nothing But Love, Stick to Your Guns

Country music has carved a niche out of bounds to other genre. The bucolic charm of small town living, the high jinks of paternal nurture, and the civilities of honest blue-collared labor are some cardinal traits of "traditional values" indispensable to country music. Heralding such a venerable tradition is England on his first release in years. Once touted as a poster boy of the hat-wearing craze of the nineties, regretfully England did not live up to expectations. Subsequently, after misfired singles, both RCA and Capitol Records dropped England, a double contretemps for this Oklahoma native. "Alive and Well," released under his own self-financed imprint, Triple T Records, with its shoe string budget does not look like the third time charmer. However, radio's myopia is its loss, as this CD finds England pumping his heart over paeans that affirm the chronicles of the working class folks with vivacity.

Jaw jutting moments, though they do not come in spades, come closest with Tony Arata's "Nothing But Love." A smothering ballad with an inspirational ode to love's prowess, "Nothing But Love" has such an entrenching melody that it does not pass as a surprise why England fought teeth and foot for a decade to finally record it. Though not as arresting, the other Arata composition "Love Is Stronger," is thumping guitar driven number that could well serve country radio. "Stick to Your Guns," an England and Tim Russell ballad, recounts one of those priceless father-son moments that flourishes on its emotional details. While the descriptive ballad "It Must Be Colorado" is an idyllic love song to the Centennial State.

However, moving away from the emotionally hefty material, "Texas Holdem" and "Club Paradise" are both average entries about guys trying to pick up gals situated in Texas and Vegas respectively. With the latter having some Caribbean jibes a la Kenny Chesney. However, not everything works: lead single "Redneck Athem," which starts with some borrowed riffs from "Star Spangled Banner," is cliché galore. After Jeff Foxworthy's dismissive redneck jokes and ditties, do we need another song about rednecks? Also, "Perfect Girl" like a lame pick-up line is a shallow and silly ode to a girl.

Compared to England's previous efforts, "Alive and Well" faults at England and his partners Tim Russell and Tim Condict contributing too many tracks. Although some of their ballads pull on the heartstrings, but in the uptempoes there's still room for growth especially in the development of song's ideas, word choices and more input from the heart. Nevertheless, with all said, "Alive and Well" is England's most country record; there are enough songs that give eloquence to the everyday folk who embrace the traditional values of family, love and integrity.

For any body that likes country music that sounds like country music then this CD is a must, its been a long time since Ty England had a CD out, lets hope that this one will put him back where he belongs well and truely on the country scene again. The music its self is great and I cant say that there is one bad track on the CD as for a favorite I like them all.