Customer Reviews

Long Trip Alone

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

From start to finish, Dierks Bentley has released his most "complete" CD thus far. Covering the well-worn country landscape of redemption, wanderlust, heartbreak, honky tonks and bars. Overall, the tone is more reflective than that of the first 2 CDs - yet, there are enough rowdy "independent wanderer without-a-care-go-my-own-way" goodtime songs to keep the frat party crowd happy. This is a balanced collection of up-tempo party songs with wonderfully heartfelt ballads and the moving bluegrass tune "Prodigal Son's Prayer".

He co-wrote each of the 11 tracks and his voice has deepened since the last cd "Modern Day Drifter" - Bentley's warm tenor has gained a richness and his phrasing hints at the knowing weariness of the well-traveled road warrior. In listening to this CD in succession to the first two CDs - the "Bentley sound" becomes very distinctive with this new entry. Bentley has surrounded himself with a top notch studio band of seasoned Nashville session players (S. Brewster, J. Carter, JT Corenflos, B. Sutton, G. Morse, A. Haynie, R. Terrell). He gives them room to breathe - producing a wonderfully muscular sound in the arrangements that blend the best of traditional country with terrific fiddle (A Haynie), banjo and mandolin (B. Sutton) and lap and steel guitar (G Morse) with terrific propulsive percussion (S Brewster), melodic bass (J Carter) and superb guitar (JT Corenflos).

Several of the tracks - most notably "Every Mile A Memory", "Long Trip Alone", and "Trying To Stop Your Leaving" - evoke the sound of newer influences on the traditional country sound such as the rhythmic, keening guitar work of Coldplay and even U2. "Trying to Stop Your Leaving" is a particular standout track with Carter's absolutely gorgeous, melodic bass line throughout with the steel guitar and electric guitar framing Bentley's vocals. Another standout performance is Morse's steel guitar in the witty "That Don't Make It Easy Loving Me" that provides almost a second "voice" as Bentley recounts the various salacious adventures on the road. Of note, Bentley's road band does a terrific job on "Free and Easy" - celebrating the freedom of a traveling musician's life on the road. A personal favorite is "Soon as You Can" - this sounds like the bookend to "A Lot of Leaving Left to Do" from Modern Day Drifter.

The studio production on the tracks is universally excellent with great definition of the various instruments - there is a clarity to the tones that is not common in the usual junk that populates the airwaves right now. In my humble opinion, at least 6 songs deserve to be singles off this CD.

Longtime Bentley fans will be pleased with this CD. In addition, with its' wide appeal, Bentley will likely garner more fans and awards - deservedly so. Guys will love the songs celebrating the freedom of a single guy's rowdy life. Girls and women with swoon for the ballads. Country fans will appreciate Bentley's respect for traditional country - best evinced by "Prodigal Son's Prayer" and the themes. Listeners that do not listen to country will be surprised by the progressive sound of this album.

On this album, Bentley achieves 2 seemingly opposite goals: he has produced a cycle of songs that celebrates the freedom of being a lone traveler in this world grounded by the gravitational pull towards an irresistible lover. The songs, in turn, seem both deeply personal, authentic and reflective yet universal in their emotion at the same time. Overall, a terrific entry from a an exceptionally talented singer-songwriter with a long and successful career in his future.

Another fine piece of work by one of country's rising stars of today. I had the distinct pleasure of seeing him in concert for the second time this past summer. He puts so much energy and passion into his music and his shows that it's almost mind-boggling. It doesn't look like he plans on slowing down anytime soon, either. I was instantly drawn to each song on this latest effort, even after the first listen. Dierks Bentley has kept up with his traditional style from previous albums. Once again, he mixes in a little honky-tonk with a little bluegrass and traditional country, as well. In addition to the first single, "Every Mile A Memory", other standout tracks include "The Heaven I'm Headed To", "Free and Easy", and "Prodical Son's Prayer". But dont' take my word for it. Listen for yourself.

Wow.... wow... wow. Having been a long-time fan of Dierks Bentley ever since he came out with his first cd, I must say that this newest cd far exceeded my expectations. This is his best cd ever! He has truly come so far in his musical career, and you can really hear and feel the emotions behind the songs. What I love about this is he stays true to himself, and is honest in everything he sings. All of these songs are my favorites! Every one of them is unique and just fantastic.
if you're looking for great, enjoyable quality country music, this is the cd for you

WAY TO GO DIERKS!! Keep it up!!!

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I have all of Dierks' albums but I think this one is the best of them all, he's really raised the bar with this one. The songs on this album are very, very catchy once you listen to the whole cd you'll have all the songs in your head for days.

I have all four of Dierks' albums. From the minute I heard "What was I Thinking" for the first time, I have been a fan and have seen him live seven times.
Long Trip Alone is mature and polished. The production is seamless and the band is hot. It's hard to pick my favorite cut but "Soon as you can" is a winner as is "That don't make it easy loving me".
There is something genuine about a guy who sings about honky tonks and heaven. Buy this disc - you won't be sorry!

This is Dierks Bentley's fourth album ( he had released one in 2001 entitled "Don't Leave me in Love") and once again, it is a pleasure listening to him. Indeed, Dierks has a very special voice, neither too deep nor too high-pitched; a very personal musical style which mixes bluegrass ( in the image of the song "Prodigal Son's Prayer" performed with the Grascals ), country rock with "Trying to Stop your Leaving", beautiful ballads such as "Long Trip Alone", etc... He has a very wide register and he gives a lot of depth of sound to his albums. Impossible to be bored. He's backed up by the best of musicians. Brett Beavers wrote a few songs for this album, but Dierks himself also did. The latter has this rhythm-breaking characteristic we can notice in "That don't Make it Easy Loving Me". There also are some instrumental solos ( steel guitar, banjo or electric guitar). In short, his album is very original and varied. His music falls within a joyful register with bouncy rhythms which will put each of us in good spirits. Dierks continues imposing his trademark, style and no doubt he will become a household name ( if he isn't already). Just let me tell you that a Live DVD should be released in 2007.

FACM ( French Association of Country Music )

It was Dierks who described his album as a mix between U2/Waylon Jennings, and he was on point. When you hear his music its like nothing else being played on the radio. Dierks is honky-tonk on a modern level. You can tell these songs are written by the man who sings them. When you listen to the CD its like a story, a theme, its rare to find this. Most artists don't write their own music, so it's hard to believe their sincerity when they sing. With Dierks you know he lived every moment in every song. Its been years since albums like this were on the shelf. Reminds me of the classics like Willie, Waylon and Cash, this is the new outlaw in country music.

What makes up country music? Songs of lovin, livin', leavin', drinkin', and carryin' on. What makes up Dierks Bentley's third album? Pretty much all that, plus a lot of heart. These are songs that you and Bentley can both relate to; he compares losing his love to tossing a penny in the Rio Grande; references country/rock buddies Cross Canadian Ragweed; features bluegrass tourmates The Grascals; declares that Heaven is a place where even "thieves and prostitutes" can enter; and bemoans the life he's found on the road, while honoring his heroes, friends, and family who help support him. There's nothing surprising here, which isn't much of a surprise itself--after all, Bentely has always worn his life out on his sleeve.

Dierks Bentley isn't the most original artist out there; hell, half of his licks and melodies "borrow" their power from old Waylon Jennings tunes. What we like about Bentley is this: his honesty. He makes records that he is living or has lived in the past. LONG TRIP ALONE more-or-less chronicles his life on the road, showing you how hard-touring he really his. This record is just as strong as its predecessors (as Bentley sings: "We ain't no rookies, it's our third tour of duty"), featuring those driving rhythms that, though they don't make him unique, do make him stand out from his contemporaries. LONG TRIP ALONE will please those who have already been captured by Bentley's music, and perhaps wrangle a few more into the herd.

I love every song on this CD...I love everything that Dierks does...I highly recommend his new CD Up ON The Ridge. I also highly recommend buying from amazon.com,they ship so fast...I love their service

This is Dierks 3rd album and he has decided to go more Country/Rock and he pulls it off nicely!
Included are his big hits Every Mile A Memory,Free And Easy(Down The Road I Go),Trying To Stop Your Leaving and the title track Long Trip Alone-this really is a lovely ballad.
Other standouts are Can't Live It Down(another great uptempo),Soon As You Can(a sweet ballad) and the excellent ballad Prodigal Son's Prayer which features The Grascals and has inmates from Charles Bass Correctional Complex doing background vocals(that's right I said inmates)and it works fantastically well.This song has a real soft Bluegrass feel to it.
Dierks sounds better than ever on this great album.
This is an essential to any country collection.There's a reason why this was nominated for Album Of The Year at the CMA's.