Customer Reviews

Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Kenny's new CD released today is his best work yet. He gets better and better with each new release. I love 10 out of 11 tracks. For whatever reason the song "Wild Ride" just doesn't appeal to me. Besides that one downfall, this CD is a gem. My favorite remainng 10 tracks are: "Don't Blink", "Wife and Kids", and "Dancing for Groceries". I like the 6 other tracks very much, but the 3 I listed are the one's I like the most. I am projecting this album will debut in at #1 on both Billboard's 200 ALBUM list and the Country album chart. This CD I feel is loaded with #1 hits and radio friendly singles all over the place. This is a must have for any country music fan.

Finally Kenny has left the Beaches of Jimmy Buffet and is giving us the "Old School" Kenny that we know and love! This CD is filled with up-tempo, feel good songs, along with beautiful ballads that convey a picture we can all relate too! Its truly the "Good Stuff."

I've been a Kenny Chesney fan for 8+ years now, seen him in concert a few times, and was really looking forward to this album. Maybe my expectations were too high, but it was a real let down when I got it. There are maybe 3 good songs on it and rest just seem like filler. "Never Wanted Nothin More", "Don't Blink", and "Better as a Memory" are probably the strongest songs on the album. Overall it has more of a depressed feel (Dancin' for the Groceries), and doesn't have that feel good vibe of his other albums. It's a far cry from his old stuff, but if you're a fan it's worth getting.

I see that Kenny isn't rusty from not producing new music in two years. I love "The Road and The Radio" CD and would be difficult to top. "Just Who I Am" doesn't top "The Road and The Radio" but it is still an awesome CD. I enjoy all the songs, but my favorites are: "Don't Blink", "Shiftwork", "Just Not Today", and "Wild Ride." I will discuss these songs in detail below.

Don't Blink - This song has a great message behind it. I'm not a huge fan of slower songs because they tend to be a bit boring. However this song is anything but boring. The chorus has a nice beat to it. When I listen to this song I can't help but thinking about my own life and reminding myself to always take time to stop and smell the roses.

Shiftwork - This song has a calypso/jamacian feel to it. I know some people get tired of Kenny's attempt to be Jimmy Buffett but I think this song works well. George Strait lends his vocals to this song which makes for a nice duet with Kenny. Everyone has a job which, at times, is full of shiftwork.

Just Not Today - This is another well written song by David Lee Murphy. He also wrote the song "Living in Fast Forward" off "The Road and The Radio" CD. This is probably my favorite song on the entire album. It describes my life perfectly at the time. I'm in my last year of college and don't want to worry about growing up just yet. I hope this one lands on the radio someday. I'm sure it will be a hit if it does.

Wild Ride - Finally I want to discuss the song "Wild Ride." This song has a lot of rock and roll in it. Joe Walsh plays guitar and lends his weird sounding air voice to this track. This is a song you can roll the windows down, crank it up, and just sing along. Another excellent song by Kenny and one that could land on radio on day.

If you are a country fan, rock fan, or just a music fan this album is a must have. Of course if you are a Kenny fan then definately purchase this album.

I purchased Kenny Chesney's Just Who I Am :Poets And Pirates, and to say the least, this is another gem to add to his brilliant collection.
I have followed Kenny from his early career and watched him explode into the reigning Entertainer Of The Year in Country Music.
Kenny has worked hard from the beginning and has earned every award that he is been honored with.
He has an incredible band and with his crystal clear voice, they are indeed a perfect match...
Each song on this CD will be played over and over again as with the rest of my Kenny Chesney collection.
He did it again with lucky number 13!
I look foward to his brand new tour, A Show Of Endless Entertaiment....
Thank You Kenny for being who you are, a genuine poet....

I just purchased the new CD and I must say that it is one of my favorite to date. Kenny has historically been known for his fun loving beach party shows and his island vibes music. People have been critical of this cd so far saying that it does not ring true to his current life. However, I think this CD gives the fans and listeners a small glimpse into who Kenny Chesney is evolving into. A truly talented musician that, like all of us, cherishes the simple things in life, holds family life dear, likes a little fun on the side, and wants the American dream. As one of his earlier songs puts it "some people change..." and that is no different for him than it is for us regular people. We are all constantly evolving. Kenny has evolved as a singer and the fact that none of the songs on the CD were penned by him just proves that he is more comfortable with himself and with his singing. He doesn't have to prove that he's a great singer/songwriter. That much we all know. By finding and recording songs that we all relate to, Kenny shows us that he knows and listens to what fans want. So what all of the songs aren't autobiographical of his life?? Since when is that a requirement to get on country radio?
Overall, the CD is well worth the money. I especially like Never Wanted Nothing More, Wife and Kids, and Got a Little Crazy.

This CD is really a disappointment to me. Some songs are good, but there are some truly bad ones. Incidentally, the two worst are the ones that I expected the most out of. "Shiftwork" with George Strait, and "Wild Ride" with Joe Walsh are two terrible songs.

Kenny has created his own sound, and we have come to expect that from him, but it just sounds so recycled now. "Don't Blink" sounds too much like "I Go Back" and "Just Not Today" sounds like "Summertime". I don't know. I just wish that the man would sit down and listen to his records from beginning to end, starting with his first release. He's gotten way overproduced, and it's just sad.

What happened to songs like "Just Don't Happen Twice" and even "The Good Stuff". He needs to rediscover his roots, and he needs to either get involved in the song writing or choose different songs to record. I don't want filler, and would it kill the man to have one fiddle or steel guitar on his records?

There's a reason why "Never Wanted Nothin' More" was such a huge hit. It sounded original, and it has more country twang than any other song on this album.

PLEASE KENNY, STOP THIS MADNESS! YOU'RE BETTER THAN THIS!

Good songs of note: "Wife & Kids", "Demons", "Better as a Memory"

I am fairly new to Country Music. I picked this CD up on the day of release. The only song I am not fond of is the one done by Kenny and George Strait.

This CD should produce quite a few hits. Well worth the money


Edited on October 16, 2008.

After more time to listen this CD, I really like the song by Kenny and George Strait. All in all, this CD is definitely worth the money.

I was trying to come down from the Friday night concert high in ATL...and Tuesday morning had to have this CD to add to my "collection". I knew that it would be excellent because Kenny is so talented as a musician. But this CD totally blew my mind. It is so deep and so raw and in the same spin it makes you want smile and love life! Kenny's music always hits me so hard whether it's a simple ballad, island dreaming, or just partying on. I am a huge fan but I appreciate him for the artist he is and the music he puts out there. It's always so much more than anyone else can give.
Here's my take:
1. NEVER WANTED NOTHING MORE- What a feel good song. Who can't relate to those big moments in life?

2. DON'T BLINK- This song could be an anthem to the rat-race most of us run today. Don't miss out on your life happening before your eyes because you're too busy making future plans.

3. SHIFTWORK - This song was so fun it made me laugh! A lovable duet with George Strait, their voices so perfect together - gotta love it!

4. JUST NOT TODAY - I heard this and thought so much about my own kids. How I am always telling them to enjoy their life now and make memories before adulthood kicks in and things just aren't that simple again.

5. WIFE AND KIDS - This song actually made me cry. Kenny didn't write this song but it just made me think about what he is giving up to be the artist he is and to give us fans all that he does. You can feel it in his voice. Maybe someday...

6. GOT A LITTLE CRAZY - Yep - go to one of his concerts and you will live this song. I love the line "I feel pain so I'm not dead." Everybody has at least one night they get a little crazy but that's just living! Party on!!

7. BETTER AS A MEMORY - Wow. This song is very raw and his voice is pure velvet. This is Kenny in country-form that only he can do. Listen, close your eyes, and listen. Definitely a favorite and one of the reasons he is so amazing at what he does.

8. DANCIN' FOR THE GROCERIES - Judge not. This song teaches you that. You can only respect a woman that is doing what she can to make a better life for her kids. Kenny paints a vivid picture in your head that won't leave.

9. WILD RIDE - Aside from the fact that he ROCKED this song at his concert. If you don't get up and move to this, check your pulse 'cause you're dead! I danced all over my house to this one! Kenny brings it and Joe Walsh burns it up! Southern rock at it's absolute best.

10. SCARE ME - Another touching ballad. He manages to convey all those things that are so wonderful and terrifying about loving someone.

11. DEMONS - This one reminds you - you have them to. We all carry them every day, whatever they may be. "When I'm not chasing demons, there's demons chasing me."

This CD is a perfect balance. If you appreciate purity and truth in your music you're in the right place. THANK YOU, KENNY! YOU ALWAYS MAKE THE MUSIC I WANT TO FEEL!

Once again music that not only surpasses expectations, but music that I can play in front of my children.Thought it was up there with his other CD's.