Customer Reviews

Be As You Are

5 star:		(85)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(19)

 

 

I have never written a review on music, but I felt the need to write about this CD. A clear mind can see through the negativity written on this site about this CD: "Kenny..grow up" (why not live young!) "It's all about the Islands" (jealous he lives there? I'd be there too if I could!) "It's all about drinking" (not on all songs if you listen to them, and besides, froffy drinks go with island hopping) "Sounds like Jimmy Buffett". (what, Buffett is the only person allowed to sing or has ever sung about the islands? Besides, I love Jimmy Buffett and no one could ever encroach upon his talent.) I think we could lighten up and enjoy misic for what it is, entertainment.
Kenny Chesney has created for us something different and I applaud diversity. I have all Kenny Chesney's work, and have loved it all (with some exceptions of his earliest albums).
It was easy to pick my favorites from each album of Kenny's, but Be As You Are is so filled with great music I cannot choose a favorite song. It is such a pleasure to listen to, so relaxing and fun. The "islands" music reminds me of Henry Kapono which is another of my favorite artists.
Treat yourself to some island music. It is great listening here in late January where all we wait for is to be outside without heavy coats on our backs. I know too that I'll continue listening to this CD during the summer just to enhance the atmosphere.
Finally, my life is enduring a lot of stress right now, and each time I put this CD on the home stereo, the boom box at work, and in the car, the stress is carried away with the warm island breezes. My kids sing along with "Key Lime Pie". The next best thing is being there. For that I Thank You Kenny!

Let me first start out by saying that this is totally different than Kenny's previous albums, because every song has a beachy feel of the islands, and is not radio-ready typical "pop-country". Not for everyone, however i absolutely love this CD - it is one of the best albums I have ever bought! Low key and laid back, this is island country at its best. Also, Kenny wrote every song on here, which really shows the talent he has for song-writing and why he originally came to Nashville as a song-writer. So many good songs, and so many true stories about people that Kenny has encountered in the islands.

While "Old Blue Chair" and the title track "Be As You Are" seem to be the highlights on here, there are plenty of other relaxing & soothing songs such as "Somewhere In The Sun" and "Sherry's Living In Paradise". I have listened to this album probably over a thousand times, and it never gets old. Each song takes you to another place and another time - where there are no worries or problems. So peaceful and beachy - you can close your eyes and almost hear the ocean waves, see the sun, and feel your feet in the sand!

The last song on the CD sums up this album perfectly - it's an acoustic performance of "Old Blue Chair" - with Kenny singing live on the beach with just his guitar. You can hear the ocean waves crashing peacefully in the background, which is such a nice ending to the album. I can't say in words how amazing this CD is...all I can say is that you need to hear it yourself to understand...I highly recommended buying at least one copy!!! Overall ~10/10~

This CD will be in rotation on my CD player forever. Didn't really know what to expect, since I missed both playings of the CMT Special, but Kenny delivers.

If you (1) love the ocean (2) love the beach lifestyle (3) have spent time on a boat (4) spent time in Key West or (5) just like to hear really good stories told in song, then, RUN to the store or do the 1-Touch Order thing here at amazon and GET THIS CD.

After a day of listening, my favorites are #7 SOMETHING SEXY ABOUT THE RAIN and #11 MAGIC. Put either one of them on, grab your significant other and pretend you're dancing on the warm sand at sunset, even if you're really moving around on cold Spanish tile in your own land-locked den!

KEY LIME PIE is a cute ditty. Loved it. Will be singing the chorus for a long time. SOUL OF A SAILOR harkens to Jimmy Buffett's early days. GUITARS AND TIKI BARS will get radio play, to be sure. "Guitars and tiki bars and a whole lot of love."

The liner notes explain Kenny's love of the ocean. He really opens up about the pull of the sea and it feels so real.

Well done, Kenny. Well done.

Having read many reviews on this site, I was hesitant to buy this CD. After finally having bought it and listened to it, I found that most reviews on this site were off-base.

Any person that has the depth to understand where Chesney was at this time in his life and/or has been in a similar situation will like this album. I will grant that The Road and the Radio and When the Sun Goes Down have more of a country feel to them and have more hits, I do, however, feel that he has not recorded a better song than Somewhere in the Sun.

This will be a good purchase to those who like Chesney's music. He, like many, continue to grow in there lives and this album is an example of that.

don't listen to all these boo-hoo parrotheads who can't stand someome else singing about the islands. this album is great, i listen to it all summer while drinking my coronas. and yes i love jimmy buffet also, but hey single minded people, get over it. there is enough beach for two, and this is a great from the heart country album that relaxes you with an island vibe

I'm a collector of ALL of Kenny's music, and because of his talent and wonderful voice, I LOVE just about everything he sings. This one's definitely different, but who says just because Kenny's a "country guy at heart" that he can't add an island twist?

I appreciate the creativity of music in general, but other popular genres (especially, pop, rap, hip-hop), tend to place too much emphasis on sex, violence and negativity. It is so refreshing to hear someone consistently focus on the positive aspects of life and reflect on the past with fond recollections instead of with anger and ugliness. Kenny's music always makes me smile! Even his bittersweet songs are heartwarming.

I've done a lot of traveling to tropical islands and can honestly say that this particular CD gives you the feeling that you are actually there! Who doesn't like Guitars, Tiki Bars and a Whole Lot of Love? Or how about Soul of a Sailor?

Thumbs up to anyone who can leave you humming to yourself about Key Lime Pie!!! Just keep listening, it grows on you!

And for all you critics who say that this is "not the Kenny that they fell in love with".....the way I see it there's even more of him to love! He's great at expressing his apparent multi-faceted interests! Keep it coming, Kenny!

I did not know Kenny Chesney fell in the same category as Jimmy Buffett. Im not sure what you call the category but Im a Boat Captain and my buds at the dock call Buffett's music Boat Music and it has a very loyal following. This CD by Kenny Chesney is Fantastic, and has become or even surpassed Jimmy Buffet as my Favorite cruising, boat, Island music CD. Kenny captured the feeling, being up in the flybridge listening to this CD is just indescribable. There are very few CD's you can listen to over and over again and not get tired listening to but this is one of them!! I've got a couple thousand sea miles on this CD and it still sounds fresh and new every time I hear it. If you ever spent any time around boats or ventured to the islands and meet the variety of people you meet on these journeys this CD hits home and is right on time and on target. If a song brings back memories, this Album makes you think Kenny has been with your through all your travels....Just Great! Just a great CD, THANKS KENNY!!Keep em coming because you are developing a great following, just like Jimmy Buffett! Understand, this is not a country CD in the traditional way. If your looking for a "your dog got run over and your granddad got busted for making moonshine" CD this is not it. But if you want to smile, want an escape, are taking a vacation or better yet, taking the Helm of a boat and want to relax and love life!, this is your CD!! It's so relevant, anyone can relate to the music. It's so good, Im thinking about naming my boat "Be As You Are"! Get this CD and if you don't like, look around Highlands, NJ for a boat named "Be As You Are" and I will give you a free NYC tour! You will listen to this CD on the trip and by the end you will have changed you mind! Thanks again Kenny! Keep up the good work and keep this type of music coming!!!!!! Sincerely, Capt. Martin

I am not a Country Music fan. I listen to Classical and Blues and classic R&B.

BUT - I went on a Windjammer cruise in January 2007 to the BVI with my sister and her friends and one of our stops was Jost Van Dyck. We had lunch at Ivan's and they were playing this CD. I ordered it when I got home. It spoke to me and 6 months later, the call is even stronger.

I am in a high pressure job as Director of Sales Operations (not too far from Boston - "She's from Boston".......) for an international technology company and work from 6 am to 7 pm most days.

But Fridays, I make an exception - at 5 pm EST, I start this CD (it is always in my office CD player), pour myself a glass of wine and decompress as I say goodbye to my 200 daily emails and 4-5 daily conference calls.

It has made me truly start to seriously re-evaluate my priorities. Our kids are grown, we have no debt, I am well-compensated but so is my husband and my job is just to make a few people richer.....My only problem is that my husband cannot do his work remotely. Hmmmmmmmm

Take my advice and buy this CD to decompress.

This was my first KC cd I purchased and I've been thrilled ever since! Every song is great!

I am not a Country person, but really liked this album. As they say, he is the Jimmy Buffet of Country, and this does not disappoint. Particuarly liked "Sherry's Living In Paradise."