Customer Reviews

Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill

5 star:		(59)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Prime Cuts: When Somebody Knows You That Well, What's on My Mind, Goodbye Time

Though the menu of "Blake Shelton's Barn and Grill" does not offer anything as gourmet as his debut (and biggest) hit "Austin," it is still Shelton's most appetizing CD. Every ingredient incumbent to brewing a hit recipe in country music is utilized in gregarious doses here: cheating, drinking, loving, leaving and taking life easily. Production wise, this is also Shelton's most balanced effort with its share of modern rockers and traditional stone cold country. Vocally, Shelton's baritone is much more seasoned with more depth and nuanced: a vast improvement from his forceful approach adopted in his previous pallid CD "The Dreamer."

The apogee of "Bar and Grill" is definitely in its slower moments. On the Harley Allen and Jimmy Melton's composition "When Somebody Knows You That Well," Shelton has never sounded more sincere on this true to life ballad about the omnipotence of love in its various contexts. Though this magnum opus was released as the vanguard single to radio, sad to say, it criminally only received a lukewarm response. Though no one could actually rival the great high priest of country music Conway Twitty, Shelton's take of the aculeate "Goodbye Time" is emotionally effectual. More deja entendu moments come with Mary Gauthier's devastatingly beautiful "I Drink." Though Shelton's take does not possess the starkness of the original, it's definitely an avant-garde effort on Shelton's part.

On the uptempo side, hit songwriters Paul Overstreet and Rory Feek's sunny "Some Beach" is indeed a scorcher. A recent number one hit with Shelton wanting to escape the annoyances of life, "Some Beach" has that inviting island party feel that Jimmy Buffett and Kenny Chesney has grown so accustomed to. Overstreet's other composition, a co-write with Even Stevens, "Cotton Picking Time" is somehow a raunchy number about two skinny dipping lovers sewing their oats in the Mississippi sunshine. Formerly cut by the underrated siblings the Marcy Brothers, "Cotton Picking Time" has a perky feel without being too unexceptional. The extremely catchy "What's On My Mind" has all of its co-writer's Jim Lauderdale's quirkiness. Shelton, like many who have covered Lauderdale composition, could not escape from the writer's unique phrasing.

However, not everything works here. Producer and legendary songwriter Bobby Braddock's "Good Ol' Boy, Bad Ol' Boyfriend" is repetitive and banal plea from Shelton to his lady friend to dump her good-for-nothing dude. Shelton has a hand in writing the punchy "Nobody But Me" which sounds more like a 80s pop throwaway.

On the whole "Barn and Grill" offers an interesting buffet of tunes that cater to a plethora of emotions. There's something that speaks to all of us in our varied emotionally state. There's something for the broken hearted, the weary, the despaired and those who are in love. "Barn and Grill" certainly is a place where its songs know your name.

For his third album, Blake Shelton reunites with producer Bobby Braddock (who also happens to be one of Nashville's best songwriters). BLAKE SHELTON'S BARN AND GRILL is not nearly as ballad-heavy as his first two releases, giving it a fresh, invigorating sound more similiar to Shelton's live shows.

There's a sense of wit and fun dispersed throughout this album, from the catchy sing-along "Some Beach" to the tongue-in-cheek "On a Good Day." Drinkin songs, too--might as well have called this album BAR AND GRILL. The last three songs are stellar drinkin songs, and the rest are songs you COULD drink to. Oh, and his version of Conway Twitty's "Goodbye Time" is incredible; rarely have I heard so much emotion packed into one song. And yet, Shelton goes from that heavy, emotional number to other songs, like Braddock's rollickin "Good Old Boy, Bad Ol Boyfriend" with expert ease. He even goes into the Bakersfield sound on the Jim Lauderdale-penned "What's On My Mind." The only song on here that doesn't really go down smooth is the cliched "Cotton Pickin Time."

BLAKE SHELTON'S BARN AND GRILL is a great CD. Shelton is often underrated as a singer and a songwriter (he should write more than he does; he's pretty darn good at it). This album might not do as good a job setting him up as a serious artist as his first two--let's face it, there's no "Austin" or "The Baby" on here--but it's certainly a fun ride for the listener. Shelton is enjoying himself on this album--and you'll enjoy listening to it. Enough traditionalism to satisfy you die-hard country fans, mixed with enough modern sound to appeal to a mass audience. However you look at it, it's a great CD.

Blake Shelton's Barn and Grill is just awesome. It's a must have for any country music lover! He seems to out do him self every time and I believe he's going to be around for a long time to come. He has a great feel to his music and it just reaches out and touches you and that is something people can relate too. Blake is amazing!

I have always loved Blake Shelton's hits especially "Austin". But...this CD is HOT! Every track could be a hit and there are 11 of them. Since I bought my own copy, I can't keep from playing it over and over. There is such a mixture of song-types that you just don't get tired of listening to it. Blake's voice and tone really brings the songs across. This is a CD for everyone in my opinion! If you like country, if you like/love Blake, or if you like great tunes, you won't go wrong owning "Barn & Grill" by Blake Shelton.
Enjoy! Sharon

Every song on this album is heartfelt and genuine. I love Blake Shelton's ability to draw in new fans to country music. He has an amazing talent and I can't wait for him to start winning some awards for it.

Third album, and even better than the last 2. Heard Some Beach stacks of times while on hols in the US and loved it. Rest of the album does not disappoint - hard to pick my favourite between Some Beach and Goold Old Boy, but everything else is great. Blake's voice just gets better and better.

Blake puts it all out on this his third album. The CD is much more than his playful and bouncy "Some Beach" hit running up the charts, the bluesy "Good Old Boy, Bad Old Boyfriend" is a sassy and gritty tune , a cover of Conway Twitty's " Goodbye Time" shows Shelton's range and would even leave Conway proud, "Nobody But Me" is a soulful country ballad worthy of air play along with a guitar pickin' boot kickin' copy of Paul Overstreet's " Cotton Pickin Time". "The Bartender with its spin where he remembers patrons by drinks and not names is a smooth tradtional country cut that wraps this album up as a must have. The rest of the disc will leave you wanting more of this country boy. Put five shinning stars over this Barn and grill.

This album is the best that Blake has cut so far. I originally only purchsed this because I love "When Somebody Knows You That Well" but as I was listening to it I relized that Blake did it again. There are too many great songs to list here. I think my favorite right now is "On A Good Day" because I can relate to having a bad breakup and going to a bar and dropping a hundred dollars on the bar and said "Keep them coming" I would definitely reccomend this cd to anyone that likes great country music.

I am so excited about Blake's new album, I can harldy stand it!!!! It was, with out a doubt, well worth the wait!!!! I love every song on the CD!! "Some Beach" makes me laugh and I am sure everyone can relate to it one way or another!! "Goodbye Time", that song, to me, just slaps you in the face with emotion!! The first time I heard it I was sobbing and had chill bumps!!!(I think Conway would have been proud!!!) The emotion Blake has in his voice...there are no words!!!! He has done this a few times live; to sum it up in one word...WOW!!!!!!! Have the tissues ready!!! "Good Old Boy, Bad Old Boyfriend" is a song I just love!! Just something about Blake sayin' "Baby, Baby, Baby"....There is just SO much good music on this CD it's hard to put into words just what I feel about it!! I think the title fits perfectly, no doubt about it!!! Blake cowrote two of the eleven tracks, "Love Gets In The Way" and "On A Good Day" both are GREAT songs!! I hope he continues to add his "two cents" on his future albums, he does an amazing job!!!! "The Bartender" and "I Drink" are what closes Blake's barn & grill and what a perfect ending to a great CD!!! I think out of the three CD's Blake has given us, this one just may very well be the best!! He has grown so much musically and his voice has gotten so much stronger. If you haven't gotten Blake Shelton's barn & grill yet, be sure to pick up a copy or two, YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!!!!!! Great job Blake!!!!!!!!!!!

I recently purchased the DVD. To be a Blake Shelton Fan and to have this DVD is a plus. I highly recommend this DVD collection of some of his videos. It's great!!! Buy It!!!