Customer Reviews

Private Radio

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I wasn't really sure what to expect from this release, but after previewing the songs on this site I wanted to give it a shot. I honestly didn't expect much... I, like many, wrote off Billy Bob Thornton as another "actor wannabe musician" type and wasn't expecting a solidly enjoyable CD. That is exactly how I would describe this album. From the Rockabilly stylings of "Smoking In Bed" to the radio-friendly "Angelina" to BBT's "Beauty At The Backdoor" ramblings, this is a fabulous collection of personal (and professional) works. Each track is distinctive and evokes a separate emotion from the last... The solemn "He Was A Friend Of Mine" leads into the title track, which features some beautiful fretwork (as do most songs) by Marty Stuart. It is as appealing as it is offbeat - just like the movies Mr. Thornton tends to appear in. Personally, I feel like the vocals/songs lie between Bruce Robison and Johnny Cash. If you enjoy either of those artists and/or this one, definitely check out "Cheating At Solitaire" and "Under The Influences" by Mike Ness. Mike Ness is the frontman of Social Distortion (punk/rockabilly-influenced) and the sound on his solo albums are reminiscent of this genre. *This* CD just falls short of 5 stars because I just am not enchanted by a near 10 minute monologue (even if it is an exceptionally well-told story that draws you in)being added amidst the other tracks. It would be a travesty to exclude it altogether, but I would've have been more please if it were the last track or "hidden." I feel it disrupts the flow of the album. In any case, definitely check this CD out.

Country music legend has it that songwriter Steve Goodman once claimed to have written the perfect country song, "You Never Even Called Me By My Name". He took it to his friend David Allan Coe, but Coe objected because the song had nothing about trains, trucks, being in jail, or Mama. The songwriter added a verse with all four, and the rest is country music history.

Billy Bob Thornton's "Private Radio" covers all these requisite topics and more-- but from an alternative perspective. For example: ...*** In Thornton's renditions, jail isn't the county drunk tank; instead, it's the every-day jail created by poverty, tribal knowledge, and childhood traumas that are hard to shake. ("Private Radio", "Beauty at the Back Door", "Your Blue Shadow")

*** Mama and trains make it onto the album too, but this time Mama hears the train in the distance but never makes it out of the holler to see it. ("Over That Mountain")

Perhaps the weakest link on this album is Thornton's acknowledgment/homage to his wife, Angelina Jolie. ("Angelina") It's not that the song is particularly weak; the lyrics are unique and sweet without being sugary. However, this tune has a subtle "pop" flavor that doesn't quite fit the rest of the album, even though Randy Scruggs plays guitar and bass for the track. It's a likeable tune though, and after a few listens, you'll find yourself humming the chorus at odd moments.

The final cut is a cover of Hank Williams' "Lost Highway", an homage perfect in every detail, right down to the steel guitar used for Williams' original version, played once again in this recording by the legendary Don Helms

With this album, Billy Bob Thornton shares a bit of his experiences, both those growing up in Arkansas and those he has out in the rest of the world when he's no longer strictly a country boy. In particular, these later experiences are common to all, whether we're former country folk or not. From the one night stand to the blue shadows we carry of those in our past, there is something here that will resonate for everyone.

Marty Stuart both produced this album and played guitar, mandolin, and/or bass for a number of tracks. His liner notes are particularly interesting and help to place the album in the context of its intent.

If you buy CDs to function as musical wallpaper-- background music about which you don't have to think too hard-- this is not the album for you. If all your country CDs are hat acts or pop crossovers, this is definitely not the album for you.

But if you like to mine for the subtext beneath your twang, you won't be disappointed in this CD. Steve Earle, Steve Goodman, and Jerry Jeff Walker fans would probably also like the alternative/progressive kind of country-blues music that Thornton (with the help of Marty Stuart) has put on this album.

I didn't so much hear the mail man deliver this CD as I smelled it on my doorstep. This is easily the biggest stinker in my collection. Billy Bob makes Fabio sound like Pavarotti.

Of course, if you like drug induced, self indulgent, incoherent monologues set to improvised guitar licks, look no further. This is the yardstick by which all other deluded non-singing celebrities should measure their maiden efforts.

There is actually a track on here that is NINE MINUTES long. It is completely ad libbed, and includes such lyrical gems as "there's an old rock well where we clean the squirrels" and "She was built like a brick s**t house". Move over Maya Angelou, I smell a new Poet Laureate!

But the most fascinating aspect of this CD are the liner notes, in which Billy Bob proudly relates which songs were done in "one take" and how the album was "conceived in the cotton fields of our minds".

I couldnt have said it better myself.

i host an "alternative country" radio show. THIS is definitely alternative country. while some of the tracks leave a bit to be desired, and some are just plain wierd, that somehow adds to the odd charm of this record. i absolutely love it. billy bob doesn't have the greatest voice in the world, but he uses what he has perfectly. and when he just simply sings, he does just fine. "that mountain" is an excellent song and ol sling blade harmonizes perfectly with marty stuart (another testament to the record...marty wouldn't record with just anyone). his nod to hank "lost highway" is excellent as well. i highly recommend this album, but it won't be what you think. give it a chance.

It's been a year already, and this album has only gotten better. Of course, by now, I've had time to memorize the whole thing, but what's really great is this album's staying power. I'm really not surprised at all, seeing how Sling Blade has been my favorite movie for nearly five years. What surprises me the most is how well it has been recieved, both with the critics and the fans. I admit that I was a little nervous about Billy Bob being lumped into what I call the "Hasselhoff/Shatner files" but this album has a genuine charm and brutal honesty that made it my favorite album of last year.

I wasn't lucky enough to catch him on tour, but hopefully, he'll come closer to my neck of the woods next time out. If you haven't picked this one up yet, it's high time to do so. I'm highly anticipating the next album (I hear it's a concept-album) but for now, I'm content to start it over and give it another spinning.

Billy Bob Thornton has proven himself a screen writer, actor, and director. Now he's a songwriter and singer. With this CD, "Private Radio," Thornton voices an entire range of human emotions--from depression to anger to fear to love to lust to humor.
The opening track, "Dark and Mad," is a brooding tale of love gone awry. The following song, "Forever," is somewhat funny, telling of a man "wearing pink panties and under the influence of Merle Haggard." Go figure.

"Angelina" is, of course, about Thornton's wife. "Starlight Lounge" is a "sleazy" duet with Holly Lamar. "Walk of Shame" is a very powerful tune, telling of broken hearts and abusive relationships. "Smoking in Bed" is simply fun--never mind the obvious drug-influence.
"Your Blue Shadow" is haunting, and yet somehow familiar to us all. "That Mountain" is a song about knowing what you want to do and never doing it. "He Was a Friend of Mine" is an oldie about JFK. "Private Radio", the title track, is filled with depression, and the hope that lies at the end of the tunnel. "Beauty at the Back Door" is simply a long story, and yet you get wrapped up in it. Amazing. The final track is a remake of the old tune "Lost Highway."
Billy Bob Thornton proves that he can sing as well as he can act. Try "Private Radio" on YOUR radio--CD/Cassette player, whatever. I promise that you'll love it.

After being extremely disappointed by Leonard Cohen's latest offering, Billy Bob Thornton, of all people comes up with a gem. His voice in this recording is huge and warm reminiscent of Greg Brown. I just love track #2 and #4.

This recording is generally lush but there is a track or two that can get shirly and twangy and Billy Bob's voice is reduced to a whisper.

I hope the next project will include more languid selections with his huge deep voice commanding the album.

Way to go Billy Bob... with this CD, you might as well quit your day job.

It figures I would like this! Every one else hates it! I'm a big fan of a "Boy Named Sue" and Three Ciggies In An Ashtray>" Feels like someone finally put out some country the likes of Whiskeytown and Hank Williams Sr. Dark, slow, and taking the piss out of 'imself.

Thanks Billy Bob.

And I should have expected nothing less from Billy Bob Thornton.

I rarely review CDs, because as much as I love music, and as eclectic as my tastes run, I just don't feel knowledgeable enough to write on this subject.

I thought however I would be remiss not to add my few comments to the previous reviewers who really know their stuff.

I bought this album because I believe Billy Bob Thornton is the most creative talent in the entertainment industry today. Being a native Kentuckian, I of course then promptly feel in love with the music itself as well. While I am at a loss to describe the genre into which the CD fits, I just have to say it is like everything else BBT does, a unique offering of a variety of entertainment performed in his own unique personal style - offbeat and great.

I have tried to persuade as many friends to listen to this CD as I have to watch 'Sling Blade'. Being just as unsuccessful (which sort of explains why I don't write about music), I finally resorted to purchasing copies for my best friends. So far, they all love it!

My favorite cuts are 'Forever' (unlike other reviewers, I can't imagine anyone else singing it) and 'My Blue Shadow'.

Anyone who is a Billy Bob Thornton fan and anyone who is interested in a wide-variety of musical genres should do themselves a favor and listen to this CD once, or twice. After that you won't be able to stop listening.

There is no question, it grows on you with every enjoyable listening experience.

Okay, I admit it: I bought this CD primarily out of curiosity. I've been a Billy Bob fan since Slingblade, and read that he had a CD. Heard a few cuts here at Amazon, and bought both Private Radio and Billy Bob's later recording, The Edge of the World. I must say that I prefer the former. Billy Bob Thornton comes across on Private Radio as a down-to-earth working guy who no doubt grew up listening to rock & roll, with some healthy doses of Waylon, Willie, Johnny and Merle. The lyrics are honest and heart-felt, and the music is as down-home foot stompin as you can get: Marty Stuart on acoustic guitar and mandolin, Gregg Stocki on drums, and Barry Beckett on Hammond B-3 organ and Wurlitzer piano (how classic can ya get?). Add the musicianship on selected cuts from Randy Scruggs, Hank Singer and Larry Paxton, and you've got a well-rounded album, indeed.
The music runs from the smoky barroom reflections of "Your Blue Shadow" and "Walk of Shame" to the intimate 'settin 'round the frontroom' story Billy Bob tells as the intro to "That Mountain" to Bluesy "Forever" to the narrative "Beauty at the Back Door" to the Rockin' "Smoking in Bed." And in every cut, Billy Bob bares his heart and soul.
I think it's the unpolished "Hey, y'all, let's get Marty over here and cut a record" intimate atmosphere that appeals most to me about Private Radio. Billy Bob comes across as a man you'd like to sit on the front porch with one summer evening and shares a few jokes, stories, and maybe pick a few songs with.
Overall, Billy Bob's lyrics reveal a down-to-earth yet deep and complex man; the music as real and varied as the characters he creates on the screen. Unpretensious, real, and honest.
Heck, just buy the CD. You'll dig it.