Customer Reviews

Lone Starry Night

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I was so impressed with john Arthur Martinez on Nashville Star, I ordered his CD the moment it came out and was MORE impressed with him after listening to it! There is not a weak cut to be found. Unlike most "country" music these days, his voice has not been over-processed to the point of being unrecognizable and the honesty and sincerity just shine forth. John Arthur Martinez, your music flows from your heart straight to the hearts of your listeners. Lone Starry Night is a true joy, a true classic. I just flat love it!

john Arthur Martinez's Dualtone debut proves that his second-place showing on NASHVILLE STAR in 2003 was no fluke. "Lone Starry Night" takes the listener on a tour through the world of Texas music interpreted through john Arthur's country-Tejano lens. It's a powerful, heartfelt, and outstanding album. Most of these tracks have appeared on his self-made independent releases, but here they shine even more with the full treatment from some of Nashville and Texas's best backing him up. Many of the tunes are given a bilingual flavor with borderland-spiced arrangements and a verse or two in Spanish, including a striking and definitive take on the classic "Amarillo by Morning" and Martinez's lush paean to San Antonio, "River of Love / El Rio de Amor." jAM proves adept at everything from the serious and heartfelt tear-jerker "If I Didn't Care" (featuring beautiful harmony vocals by fellow Nashville Star finalist Miranda Lambert) to the silly "Armadillo Song," joyously tackles Western Swing with "A Girl Named Texas," has a classic country story song with fiddle-as-metaphor-for-life "The Man Who Holds The Bow," and even ventures close to Neville Brothers territory with the unexpectedly soulful "Pour A Little Love On It." This should clearly be a contender for Texas Music Album of the Year, and the voters and viewers of the first Nashville Star should be proud to have uncovered this gem of a singer-songwriter.

What a treasure! And I mean both the singer & the songs. A song for every mood. "If I Didn't Care" brings a tear every time I hear it. "Trouble Rides A Fast Horse" sticks with you. Thank you John Arthur! Somewhere in you I see something of Hank Williams SR, but it's rolled into an awesome package with your God given talent.

I'm an avid country music fan and this is one of the best country CDs I've heard in a long while. This guy is the real deal. Since I got this CD I have played it daily and will continue to play it for a long while.

Just about every cut on this album is a winner. john Arthur is a wonderful songwriter. His voice is smooth and winsome. The songs on this CD have a simple, genuine feel -- it isn't like listening to top-40 fodder or something prefabricated. These songs and the delivery are authentic and feel as if they come from a real person, not an image. My particular favorites are the upbeat "A Girl Named Texas," the amusing "The Armadillo Song," the catchy "Tonight at Fiesta," the sultry "Trouble Rides a Fast Horse," the romantic "River of Love," and the heartfelt "Lone Starry Night."

It really is a shame that John Arthur Martinez didn't win the "Nashville Star" competition. Not to steal any of Buddy Jewell's thunder, but Martinez seems to be a more talented writer, singer, and artist. But obviously the folks in Nashville wanted a star that they could mold into their perfect creation. Jewell has that whole Travis Tritt meets Waylon Jennings thing going for him. He also has a sound with larger demographic appeal, so it doesn't surprise me that he was picked instead of Martinez. Believe me, I'm glad for Jewell, but I think that Martinez is the better all-around artist.

Martinez doesn't fit the mold that Nashville is looking for. Had he given in to the wishes of Music City, he'd be singing about dancin' in the bed of an ol' Ford with his redneck girl. Then he'd watch a little NASCAR and drink a little Jim Beam with his buddies at the bar. Instead, he embraces his heritage, faith, and home state whole-heartedly.

He'll never draw the big crowds of bubbly girls like a Tim McGraw or a Kenny Chesney. He won't write a song like "Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy" that'll end up as a vinyl sticker on the back of some idiot's truck. Instead, he'll probably be the guy content with writing great songs like "The Man Who Holds The Bow" and "Lone Starry Night." In other words, Martinez writes songs from the heart about the things that are important to him. Judging by this album, those things include his aforementioned faith, heritage, and the great state of Texas.

If any of these songs have commercial potential, I'd have to say that "The River Of Love/El Rio Amor" and "The Man Who Holds The Bow" are definite winners. "El Rio Amor" would have given Marty Robbins a run for his money back in Robbins' heyday. The rest of this album is loaded with great, true-to-the-heart songs that give you an insight into the thoughts and feelings of Martinez.

My favorite song on the album is "A Girl Named Texas." If you know anything about Texas artists, you can picture this song being sung by a guy like Gary P. Nunn. It reminded me of Nunn's "What I Like About Texas." "Home Made Of Stone" and "Trouble Rides A Fast Horse" are two of my other favorites.

Martinez covers "Amarillo By Morning," which we all know George Strait turned into a hit. I like Martinez' version, but he really shines brighter on his original work. I must say that the accordian was a nice touch to "Amarillo," though. "The Armadillo Song" has bar-song written all over it. It would sound great if you gathered up a few drunks at the bar and challenged them to sing it. I slip and studder through it, and that's when I'm sober. It also would probably appeal to children(I know my three year-old shook her rump to it).

Martinez throws a little Spanish into some of the songs, which I love. Unfortunately, Nashville looks down on expressing ethnicity. Guys like the Texas Tornados, Los Lobos, BeauSoleil, and, to a lesser extent, acts like the Mavericks and JoEl Sonnier, are ten times better than most of the acts that are bringing in the big bucks these days, but because they embrace their heritage, they'll always be considered "regional acts." That's ashame, but it's also a good thing because we get to keep the best artists to ourselves.

So if you love your country music with a little Tex-Mex flavor or if you enjoy artists like the late Marty Robbins, this album is for you. If you enjoy artists with a "regional" flavor like Gary P. Nunn, buy this album. Or if you simply enjoy great songs performed by the guy who actually WROTE them, get this disc.

I highly recommend it.

You may have seen him on Nashville Star but you won't really appreciate the music until you hear this new album. John Arthur Martinez has put together an eclectic collection of songs that has something for almost everyone. Whether you want a ballad, traditional country, or a rocking good time, Lone Starry Night is for you. I highly recommend it.

David Thompson

I have fallen in love with every song on this cd. Pour A Little Love On It is a wonderful, well written song that evokes music from the 60's. It is a joy to close your eyes and listen to it over and over. Then, If I Didn't Care is next on my list. Written by john Arthur for his stepchildren, it speaks to every stepchild - of which I was one. It is a heart mender and hurt feelings fixer. It still gives me chills. Amarillo By Morning was done with respect to the original but jAm still manages to make it his own. Home Made Of Stone is a true love song. Written by john Arthur to his wife it tells of his love for her and what he wants to give her in return for her unselfish love for him. I could go on and on but this cd will speak for itself. Oh - but you have to give a listen to the Armadillo Song. See if you can keep up.

I love Texas music. But it sure can be a "hard sell" to those outside the Lone Star State, who think Texas Music means pared down, sometimes harsh musical interpretations, non-standard (scratchy or raspy) voices, and songs that are more about the story than the melody. For those folks I have a new weapon: "Lone Starry Night".

Yes, all the requisite Texas elements are there, from the fun Western Swing song "A Girl Named Texas", to the "Man Who Holds The Bow", a tribute to the teachings of a grandfather. But there is so much more.

"Lone Starry Night" (the song) is a stunning musical journey, expressing not only the wonder of the sky, and the beauty of canyons in the Big Bend, but through spiritual affirmation and joy as well. "Home Made of Stone" and "If I Didn't Care" explore love, but from a different perspective. No honky-tonk romances here. Just real situations, and real emotions. john Arthur's expressive voice is at it's best here, warm, smooth, and achingly compelling. "The Armadillo Song" is pure fun, sure to be loved by children of all ages. Can you sing those tongue twister words that fast? Just try.

"Tonight at Fiesta", "River of Love", and "Amarillo by Morning" showcase southwestern flair. Two are bilingual, the third, a song about young love at fiesta time. "Just Like The Moon", also bilingual, compares an illusive woman to the relationship between the moon and tide. Very original and unusual. The music, as well as the lyric, portray the ebb and flow of the sea, as well as the closeness and distance between the man and woman.

"Trouble Rides a Fast Horse" is a bit darker in tone. "Pour a Little Love On It", a soulful, R&B number, explores yet another facet of john Arthur's versatility as a songwriter.

The album has a complete, whole, sparkling sound. There's nothing pared down here. A fresh interpretation of "Amarillo By Morning" includes an accordion. "Tonight at Fiesta" employs a Brazilian viola. But, not to worry, Texas music fans, there's plenty of great fiddle and guitar to make you smile and tap your toes. "Lone Starry Night" is a treat for those country music lovers longing for something different and unique, yet truly country. It's also a boon to those of us who love Texas music, and want to share it with the world.

I find it hard to pick just one song. They are all wonderful. If I had to choose it would be "If I didn't care". It rings true for most of the households these days. I cried the first 5 times i heard it. "Fiesta" is good too. So is "Lone Starry Night". So is "Home Made of Stone" and "River of Love" . John Arthur is honest, hardworking, very talented and someone who will always appreciate where he comes from and how being a nice guy does get you somewhere. I wish he would make a video.

What a delight to here a fresh new star. As I'm so tired of all the "so called stars" what a pleasure to here music written by the singer and the band is awsome. I love the fiddle,keyboards,
guitar,background vocals, in other words I love the complete band.
My favorites:
#1 Pour a Little Love On It "listen to that music and
background singing"
#2 Trouble Rides A Fast Horse "awsome music"
#3The River of Love "can't help but to dance the Texas two step"