Customer Reviews

Fall

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Prime Cuts: I'd Love to Your Last, It Ain't Pretty (But It's Beautiful), Working Man

One man's loss is another man's gain. While Alan Jackson has ditched his longtime helmsman Keith Stegall for Alison Krauss to produce his latest dirge-like disappointment of a record " Like Red Like a Rose," Stegall's deft handiwork of crafting the fortuitous Jackson's chart-topping sounds is all here on Clay Walker's "Fall." After 6 albums with the now dysfunctional Giant Records and 1 with RCA Nashville and with each record accelerating towards mediocrity, "Fall" is a career-detour record that galvanizes with the same neo-traditional ear-grabbing enthusiasm that has earmarked Walker's earlier hits such as "What's It to You" and "Live Until I Die." Further, unlike Walker's precious repertoire where he's contend to just interpret other people's songs, this time round this lanky Texan has a hand in co-writing 5 tracks and wrote one by himself, adding a more personal depth to this album.

Call him hopelessly romantic, "Working Man," an unadorned Alan-Jackson-esquire honky tonk romp about a man working hard not for the mighty dollar but his lady's love is definitely ear-candy for Walker's legion of female fans. Continuing to show off his gentleman-like seriousness to love, which has always worked positively for Walker, "I'd Love to Your Last" is a big love ballad that simmers with a soulful warmth without becoming sappy. Also, Walker's masculine self-assuring tenor brings an ethos to the new single "Fall" that is affirming especially when he croons: "Go on and fall apart/Fall into these arms of mine/I'll catch you everytime you fall/Go on and lose it all/every doubt every fear/Every worry every tear/I'm right here/Baby fall your head on my shoulder/Let it fade away." Moving away from romance, the moving inspirational ballad "It Ain't Pretty (But It's Beautiful)" offers perspicuity towards things that are of value and worth, some of which are often overlooked by humans in their busyness and selfishness.

However, levity does have some room in this emotionally hefty album: `Fore She Was Mama," besides having a clumsy title, is a trite (and meaningless) story about Walker discovering his mother's hippie days from a box of old photos. Other than some sporadic interesting lines like "In a string bikini, in Tijuana/Won't admit she smoked marijuana/But I saw Mama, `fore she was Mama," the song is an attempt in silliness. Thus, it comes as no surprise to find this lead single stalling at number 21 on the Billboard country singles chart. Much better is the Kenny Chesney-influenced "Mexico" and the re-cut of "Before the Next Teardrop Falls." As for the latter, it is a duet with Freddy Fender. "Teardrops" also finds Walker trading lines with Fender in Spanish which itself is a delight to hear.

"Fall" stands as one of Walker better efforts especially in the light of his last few CDs. The presence of Stegall and Walker's well chosen material are prime ingredients to the recipe of this disc's success. For those who like their country lean on its backings, but hefty in terms of its lyrical density on romance, altruism and commitment, you can't go wrong falling for this disc.

Every song on this CD is excellent. Clay Walker has put together a wonderful collection of music. He is truly at his best on this CD. Also he gives us a last chance to hear the legendary Freddie Fender do his signature song "I'll be there before the last teardrop falls." Even if you don't like Clay Walker you will love this CD.

Since Clay has been my favorite Country Artist over the past 15 years I was very excited to hear this new release. Although his previous album was a personal disappointment "The Fall" stands as one of his best. In addition to the singles that were released the following tracks were favorites: "Love To Be Your Last", "I Hate Nights Like This" and the remake of "Before The Next Teardrop Falls" which is a duet with the late Freddy Fender. It's a bilingual version and it is always a treat to hear Clay sing in Spanish. "Working Man" another great track has hit song written all over it. Clay has a special vocal quality which adds great emotion to heartfelt songs and boyish charm to humorous lighter fair such as "Mexico". I strongly recommend this CD as well as his previous work. Also don't forget his beautiful Christmas album of a few years ago.

This was an amazing experience. Product was exactly as described. could not have asked for a better experience.

I don't leave many reviews but this one deserves one. There isn't a song on here that I don't like. "It ain't pretty," is a beautiful song and I wish it had made it to radio. "You're my witness" and "I'd love to be your last," would make great wedding music. This is a great cd and I hope he will come out with more in the future.

This is a great cd...it has a little bit of everything for everyone... "Fall" and "Fore She Was Mama" were his biggest hits from this cd but all the songs are great...just some good ol country music right here...

A Brilliant Album that I proudly promote on my shows. I can play any track and loveeeeeee it. "Average Joe" is one that has my listeners asking for again. Going to start promoting "She Loves it in the Morning" as that is the single Clay has out. If you are looking for great country "Fall" is an album you should have in your collection.

The newest CD is some great music. Clay has some great songs and is a great entertainer. Just saw him live a couple weeks ago....what a performance! He is quite a handsome man and had some entertaining moves for the ladies also!! Curb Records has made a great choice! I look for some great things to happen for him. He greatly deserves some country awards! He has had many great songs that never made it to radio. I love his music!

Prime Cuts: I'd Love to Your Last, It Ain't Pretty (But It's Beautiful), Working Man

One man's loss is another man's gain. While Alan Jackson has ditched his longtime helmsman Keith Stegall for Alison Krauss to produce his latest dirge-like disappointment of a record " Like Red Like a Rose," Stegall's deft handiwork of crafting the fortuitous Jackson's chart-topping sounds is all here on Clay Walker's "Fall." After 6 albums with the now dysfunctional Giant Records and 1 with RCA Nashville and with each record accelerating towards mediocrity, "Fall," thanks to Stegall, is a career-detour record that galvanizes with the same neo-traditional ear-grabbing enthusiasm that has earmarked Walker's earlier hits such as "What's It to You" and "Live Until I Die." Further, unlike Walker's precious repertoire where he's contend to just interpret other people's songs, this time round this lanky Texan has a hand in co-writing 5 tracks and wrote one by himself, adding a more personal depth to this album.

Call him hopelessly romantic, "Working Man," an unadorned Alan-Jackson-esquire honky tonk romp about a man working hard not for the mighty dollar but his lady's love is definitely ear-candy for Walker's legion of female fans. Continuing to show off his gentleman-like seriousness to love, which has always worked positively for Walker, "I'd Love to Your Last" is a big love ballad that simmers with a soulful warmth without becoming sappy. Also, Walker's masculine self-assuring tenor brings an ethos to the new single "Fall" that is affirming when he croons: "Go on and fall apart/Fall into these arms of mine/I'll catch you everytime you fall/Go on and lose it all/every doubt every fear/Every worry every tear/I'm right here/Baby fall your head on my shoulder/Let it fade away." Moving away from romance, the moving inspirational ballad "It Ain't Pretty (But It's Beautiful)" offers perspicuity towards things that are of value and worth, some of which are often overlooked by humans in their busyness and selfishness.

However, levity does have some room in this emotionally hefty album: `Fore She Was Mama," besides having a clumsy title, is a trite (and meaningless) story about Walker discovering his mother's hippie days from a box of old photos. Other than some sporadic interesting lines like "In a string bikini, in Tijuana/Won't admit she smoked marijuana/But I saw Mama, `fore she was Mama," the song is an attempt in silliness. Thus, it comes as no surprise to find this lead single stalling at number 21 on the Billboard charts. Much better is the Kenny Chesney-influenced "Mexico" and the re-cut of "Before the Next Teardrop Falls." As for the latter, it is a duet with Freddy Fender. "Teardrops" finds Walker trading lines with Fender in Spanish which itself is a delight to hear.

"Fall" stands as one of Walker better efforts especially in the light of his last few CDs. The presence of Stegall and Walker's well chosen material are prime ingredients to the recipe of this disc's success. For those who like their country lean on its backings, but hefty in terms of its lyrical density on romance, altruism and commitment, you can't go wrong falling for this disc.

Clay's first album of new material in several years delivers the solid country sound that one has come to expect from Clay. The first single "'Fore She Was Mama" received considerable airplay, and seems to hold up well upon repeated listenings. I am surprised that "Mama" topped out on Billboard at around 21, because its appeal in the Sunshine State was considerably stronger than that. If radio stations still maintained their own charts, I would expect that this would have been a top five song on stations throughout the Southeastern and Southwestern parts of the USA, perhaps tanking north of the Mason-Dixon line

The album features a nice mix of slow and uptempo songs. One of the slower songs "It Ain't Pretty (But It's Beautiful)" is a bit maudlin, but for me it's the best song on the album. Another highlight is Clay's recording of "Before The Last Teardrop Falls", a duet with the late Freddy Fender. Freddy's death isn't acknowledged anywhere in the CD booklet,but I'm pretty sure it was his last recording.

The current single "Fall" is receiving substantial airplay. I would not have picked it as a single, but I can see where its lyrica would have a strong appeal to female listeners with its strongly supportive message to the wife (or girlfriend).

"Average Joe" is a song that should resonate with many, and it features legendary pianist Hargis "Pig" Robbins. Paul Franklin plays steel on all tracks, but several fiddlers share the spotlight on the various tracks (Rob Hajacos, Stuart Duncan, Larry Frankin)

Welcome back Clay