Customer Reviews

Lot of Things Different

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4 star:		(2)
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Anderson teams with musician and producer Rex Schnelle to show that his musical craft is alive and well, forty years after first breaking onto the Nashville scene with "City Lights" (a hit for Ray Price). His low-key "Whispering Bill" singing style has maintained an unusually even quality to his releases, and sustains him on the title track, as well as a remake of "A Death in the Family." The musical backing is similarly reserved, balancing acoustic instruments (guitars, dobros, fiddle, accordion) with the occasional organ line and harmony vocals from Schnelle and Chip Davis. It's beautifully intimate and down-home, without having to advertise itself as such.

The songs include recent titles penned with Steve Wariner, Sharon Vaughn and Dean Dillon, as well as remakes of the Anderson classics, "When Two Worlds Collide" (written with Roger Miller and recorded by Miller, Jim Reeves and a host of others), and "A Death in the Family," previously recorded by Little Jimmy Dickens. Also included is Anderson's solo take of "Too Country," which turned up as a quartet (featuring Anderson, George Jones, Buck Owens and Brad Paisley) on Paisley's recent sophomore LP. It's a fitting closer to an album full of songs that are clearly 'too country' (or just plain too far from the country/pop-crossover currently in favor) to find much radio play.

The easy-going vocal style Anderson plies, as well as the on-going sharpness of his writing, has resulted in an unusually consistent quality across his recording career. His latest is no exception, and a fine example of his work.

I was very pleased with the CD. It was just as I ordered and I received prompt service. No problems. Will order again.

I can't say I was ever a huge fan of "Whispering" Bill's late-'60s glory years at Decca... As a songwriter he rightfully deserved high praise, but as a performer I found him hopelessly mired in the wimpiest pop excesses of the Nashville Sound... That's why this album from the year 2000 is such a pleasant surprise. Taking a page from Chip Taylor's book, Anderson has adopted a gruff, grizzled old-timer persona, with a slight Don Williams softness... These are songs about growing old, having grown old, looking back, and not losing that loving feeling... Yeah, maybe today's Country Top 40 ain't likely to touch acoustic-based country like this with a ten foot playlist, but it's an interesting footnote to one of Music City's most illustrious careers, and far more vigorous a release from Anderson than I would have ever anticipated. If you're an old-schooler, this one might be something you'd want to give a listen or two.

Just got through listening to this new release and rediscovered why I like country music. The song writing is so good. Once again Bill Anderson has shown his talent as one of country music's premier song writers. Each song grabs you and makes you feel like you are seeing it played out in front of your eyes. This collection of songs is a must have for anyone who truely enjoys country music at its finest.