Customer Reviews

On a Mission

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3 star:		(2)
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What do you get when you cross a rugged guitar player, a wildman bassist, and a feisty blond with one of the best ... voices ever?

Trick Pony!

Heidi, Keith, and Ira are back with their follow up to their superb debut. And let me tell you, "On a Mission" is a proud addition to your record collection. Especially if you like good old country...rockin'!

The title track--a cool little number--kicks the album off. "Love is a Ball" talks about love from every angle--no matter what, "love is a ball!" "Love Be Still" and "Rain" are soft, sensuous ballads, while "A Boy Like You" is hip and sexy, featuring Heidi's best vocals yet. "Leavin' Seems to Be the Goin'g Thing" is also a nice number, about a man falling victim to the breakups around him. "Fast Horse" tells the story of a woman who just wants to GO.

Now for what are the two best tracks on the album. The first: "Whiskey River," featuring the great Willie Nelson himself. And the other: Ira's autobiographical "The Devil and Me", not the type of song you'd expect from him. When I first heard this song--live, with just Ira and an acoustic guitar--it brought a tear to my eye. It is certainly an emotional piece, dealing with a man's struggles with his alcoholism.

From the ballads to the rockers, Trick Pony's "On a Mission" is pure country. ... But back to "On a Mission": if you don't buy this album, you are missing out on something spectacular. Trick Pony has talent...and they're "on a mission" to share it with you.

...Heidi, Ira, and Keith are back with 12 awesome, toe-tappin' hardcore country songs. By now you should be familiar with the rockin' "On a Mission" and the HOT video that goes with it! There are songs about heartbreak, drinking, falling in love, and drinking some more! The most notable drinking song is their cover of "Whiskey River", where they are joined by Willie Nelson himself! Stellar stuff! "Hillbilly Blues" has a really great beat and "Not Thinking Straight Anymore" is about the things you do to try and forget a fizzled relationship.

"Love be Still" is a soaring balad, Heidi's voice will give you chills. Keith takes his turn singin on "Love is a Ball" - which is a very upbeat positive song - and the more subdued "Leavin' Seems to be the Goin' Thing". Ira's song "The Devil and Me" is the most heart-wrenching, touching song I have ever heard - it alone is worth the price of the CD.

Heidi sings most of the songs, but they are all well-written and played and sang. Trick Pony does not suffer from a sophomore jinx ...

Heidi Newfield said that Trick Pony was "on a mission" to take the success and the music of the first CD to the "next level".
The band does not stray far from its honky tonk roots well established on hits such as "Pour Me" and "Just What I Do". But there's a little more, ATTITTUDE. I love Heidi's whiskey-throated vocals on "A Boy Like You" and "Rain". Lots of good music and good times heard on "Fast Horse" and the title track "On a Mission". Master showman and bassist Ira turns in a dynamic song.

In an era of country music sounding and looking like MTV, Trick Pony stands out on their own. This one you'll play over and over and over.

This is a reminder of the kind of music with which Highway 101 shook up Nashville in the late eighties, Trick Pony are not quite as good as Paulette and the boys were, but they still have a lot going for them and should not be ignored.

This is their second album and follows the style of the first. Generally, I like them best on the rocking up-tempo songs although there are some fine slow and mid-tempo songs here. As on their debut album, they begin this set with a rocking, drinking song - this time it's On a mission. Among the other highlights is a cover of Whiskey river, on which its originator, Willie Nelson, guests as a duet singer.

On a few songs (Love is a ball, Leaving seems to be the going thing, The devil and me), one of the men sings lead, but the style remains the same. Trick Pony are one of the more exciting contemporary country acts around. Let's hope they are able to deliver a few more albums like their first two.

Another reason why Trick Pony is such a fantastic group! I didn't think they could succeed in having as great a CD as their first one, but they did it! Keith, Ira, and Heidi are fantastic together, they complement each other, each bringing their unique talents and creativity to their music. They blend serious ballads (Love Be Still)with wild good times (On A Mission), and then as a bonus, include a song with music icon Willie Nelson (Whiskey River)on one CD. How could you ask for any more? Such a great group...if you haven't listened yet, you are missing out on one of country music's true gems.

On A Mission is a great cd! It isn't quite as good as Trick Pony's first album, but it is still really good, and a whole lot better than most other cds. My favorite songs are On A Mission, I'm Not Thinking Straight Anymore, Love Is a Ball, and Fast Horse, but there isn't a single song that I dislike. There are both slow and fast songs, sung by Heidi, Keith and Ira, so there is a lot of very different sounding songs. If you don't have On A Mission, buy it. You won't be dissapointed.

Trick Pony's second CD, 'On A Mission' came out on November 5, 2002, and I've not played anything else since.

The title cut, which Im sure most of you have heard, is an awesome, upbeat, let's-go-drinking party song.

Also on the cd, is a remake of Willie Nelson's 'Whiskey River' and features Willie on guitar and vocals. Through the first couple lines of the song, it seems like they don't have it together, but as the song gets going, they sound better and better. It's an old favorite of mine by Willie and sounds great.

Heidi sings a couple of ballads powerfully and beautifully. My favorite is 'Love Be Still'. 'Rain' is the other ballad, and shows off her vocal talents quite well.

'A Boy Like You' and 'Fast Horse' are two of my favorites, sung with Heidi on lead.

The boys also sing a few. 'Love Is A Ball' is a riot. The lyrics are fun stuff. I can see that becoming a concert favorite. 'Leaving Seems To Be The Going Thing' is a good one too. The one that is surprising is sung by Ira and called 'The Devil In Me'. It's a ballad about battling the bottle and other inner demons for years and having to hide from family and loved ones. It's not like anything Trick Pony's done before, and shows a whole new dimension. This cd definitely shows that the band's matured in their writing and performing, highly recommened.

The pics in and on the cd cover are excellent also, they all look terrific.

Much more mainstream than I expected. It isnt half as good as the first CD from Trick Pony. Im not likely to play it too often.

No doubt Trick Pony's numerous mentions at the recent Country Music Awards will continue to translate into more sales, more work, and more fans. Like their debut album, Heidi Newfield, whose raspy growly voice sounds most at home in your basic corner bar, is featured in about two-thirds of the cuts. While many like the title song, it's a bit too much straight rock to suit us. But there is considerably more country influence on "I'm Not Thinkin' Straight Anymore" and the lush ballad, "Love Be Still", which showcases the trio in some lovely three-part harmony. "Whiskey River" has also generated a lot of interest with guest Willie Nelson, who contributes some great acoustic guitar work in a nice solo. "Hillbilly Blues" is almost classic boogie-woogie, with some wild rides on the Harmonica for added fun.

Trick Pony's acceptance seems to be growing directly with their increasing exposure. No flash in the pan, the members have been working the bar and circuit scene for quite a few years, so they know the biz inside out. Many hope great success is just another hit or two away.

This cd is an excellent, rockin' follow up to their first. If you haven't seen them live, do yourself a favor and see them. They are a blast onstage. They just get up there and have a great time.