Customer Reviews

In the Ranch

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Okay, so it wasn't all that long ago that Keith Urban had a little trio called The Ranch. However, after they broke up 'cause nobody heard their CD, Urban went on a solo career that brought him to superstardom.

Ya'll know that bit. Here's the story you probably don't know: the wonderful music The Ranch made.

Yeah, Urban's the frontman, but he isn't the only one. Drummer Peter Clarke and bassist Jerry Flowers add their own bits of talent, combinbing with Urban's guitar/ganjo licks into one musical, terrific sound.

Now, even people who don't like KU will like this CD. Why? 'Cause it's more "country" than Urban's two CD's. It still has that rockin' edge that KU fans (like myself) enjoy, but it also has a traditional appeal...like, for example, "Just Some Love," a song that was taken right out of the cliched mid-90's. How about "Homespun Love" (I heard someone else singing this one on the radio recently, I think) about rednecks in love?

For blues fans, there's "Ghost in This Guitar," a haunting ballad of a (white) student and his (black) guitar instructor in a racist town. For the rockibilly enthusiasts, there's "Some Days You Gotta Dance" (later massacred by the Dixie Chicks on their "Fly" album), about cutting lose, and the instrumental "Clutterbilly."

"Walkin' the Country" and "Freedom's Finally Mine" have predominate rock sound. "Desiree", my personal favorite, is an emotional look at a man leaving a relationship because he's come to terms with the fact that his love is not reciprocated. "Man of the House" follows a similar vein. "Billy" is a rockin' look at a man who's doin time for murder, because the narrator of the song knows some things, "but no one ever asked." The remake of "Stuck in the Middle" is, dare I say, better than the original.

There're some highs here, and there're some lows. Some of the lyrics will make you cringe; other songs, such as "Billy", "Desiree," and "Ghost in This Guitar" are poetry set to music. Urban's guitar licks are impressive; Flowers and Clarke are also superb performers.

Why The Ranch didn't make it, I'll never know. But with this reissue, we get the chance to relive the past. Take the opportunity and buy this CD; and then maybe you'll know where Keith Urban is coming from.

This album is highly overlooked in my opinion. It's a fabulous album. Why it never took off is beyond me! It is a wonderful album. I have everyone of Keiths Cd's and am so glad that I ended up adding this one to my collection. My favorite songs on this album are "Some days you gotta dance", "Walkin' the country", "just some love","homespun Love." They all are really good, but those are the ones I like the best. Don't pass this album up, it's truly a terrifc album that you will reach for again and again. Experience the early Keith Urban. This is where his real roots are. He will only continue to expand on this in the coming years. Lets make this one a platinum one for Keith!!!!!!!!!

I have been an avid Keith Urban listener since his first album. When I saw that he had an older album out, I thought I'd give it a try. I was leery, because I know that sometimes the early albums arn't as honed as an artists more well known albums.

But I must say, that Keith was as great as he is now. More country than his newer albums, but still great by any means.

This album also covers a well loved song sung by the Dixie Chicks also, Some Days You Gotta Dance. This is actually a better version in my opinion. Keith just brings pure joy to any song that he sings.

There really isn't a bad song on this album. It's very up beat and makes you want to tap your toes.

It's deffinately worth getting to add to your collection. It's guaranteed to put you in a better mood than you were before you listened to it!

I absolutely love this cd. Every song is unique and has a great beat. The musicianship is outstanding and I love the extra songs & videos. I give this cd a 5.

just a quick note to share with all of you that when Miles Copeland got involved with Keith and the guys, the intention was, in fact, to try and create a sort of country flavored Police, because of Copeland's Police connection...It didnt turn out that way and Keith has made a pretty big solo name for himself, but I think the guys definitely could have filled an interesting niche....and just so you know, I admit outright that I have a vested interest as my friend Cyril Rawson and I wrote "Just Some Love" which the guys did so nicely on the record...I hope they get rediscovered to the point that Cyril and I can write our next hit for them in our beach houses in Malibu!!...in the meantime, best of luck to them all...and I hope all of you enjoy the CD.........

I truly don't have a clue as to who Keith Urban is, and know nothing about his superstardom - that other reviewers write about. I'm just not a follower of country music in general.

BUT, I was watching TV one day and saw the video for one of their tunes ("Walkin the Country"? Can't remember) and my first thoughts were "Woah! This is good!" and "Hey, they look just like a country version of the Police")

I was right about both! Had no idea that the same Ian Copeland that was involved with the Police in their IRS years was involved with this project. And a good idea it was.

Anyway, I picked up the original release of this disc for a song in a used bin and I love it death. My automatic alubm cover program led me to this, which I was certain was an error - but instead I found that there's a rerelease with the videos attached. Woohoo!

Country or not (and it IS country) this is great music. If you appreciate good songwriting and great musicianship, then this is something I can highly recommend.

Of course, now I have to go looking at the Keith Urban releases...

Although I already owned 2 copies of the original Ranch CD, I jumped at the chance to buy the re-release with 2 additional tracks and 2 videos. For those of you not familiar with Keith Urban prior to his solo career, he was in a band with 2 other muscians, Jerry Flowers and Peter Clarke. The band was called the Ranch, and this was the only CD they released. For some reason country radio did not take notice of the great rockin' country music these 3 guys made together. The group disbanded, Keith went solo, and the rest is history. Now the Ranch is finally getting the recognition it deserved. The combination of Keith and Jerry make for some beautiful harmonies, particulary on the song Desiree. I love this CD. If you don't add this to your music collection, you are missing out on one great CD. Try it today, and I bet you'll agree.

If you like Keith Urban,you'll LOVE "The Ranch" CD. It is, in many ways, BETTER than some of his later offerings. I saw him mention the CD on a "Bluebird Cafe" appearance, but was unable to find it until now. There are at least 6 or 7 songs on this CD which would have been GREAT singles if they had been promoted. "Desiree" & "Man of the House" are worth the price of the CD by themselves. Pickers like myself will hear the unmistakeable KU "licks" in the music. How many CDs have you bought with only 1 or 2 good songs? You WON'T be sorry with this one. It is a treasure. I'd LOVE to see these guys hook up for a reunion.

This CD will truely enhance any music lovers library. Besides the incredible music, you are also treated too two very rare music video's of Keith for your computer. These alone are worth buying the cd, but you are also treated too 12 tracks of fantastic music along with two bonus (encore) tracks. Number 13, Stuck in The Middle With You, is a remake from a 70's (I believe it was released then) hit which I just love. Number 4, Some Days You Gotta Dance, is another favorite of mine. Okay, I don't have enough room to review each song, so trust me when I say they are all equally wonderfull! ;o) Buy it. Crank it. Enjoy it. I'm sure any Keith Urban fan will love it!

I originally picked up the first release of this album in a used music store after Urban's first solo album was released. I love this CD. All the songs are great, very witty, and the sound is very country. There are some real standouts, including a great instrumental ("Clutterbilly"), the dark and painful "Desiree" and the fun and witty "Just Some Love." This album also showcases the talent of Urban as well as his fellow band members, and the harmonies are excellent. If you look at the liner notes of his first solo album, Keith Urban got bassist Jerry Flowers to sing the background vocals on that as well. I'm still contemplating buying the re-release for the two extra songs and videos, which I'm sure are great, and based on my past record, I probably will end up getting it. It will definitely be worth it.