Rollin' with the Flow

Mark Chesnutt

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 24, 2008)
• Original Release Date: April 29, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Lofton Creek
• ASIN: B0013XZ4EA
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #18,542 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Mark Chesnutt has been a fixture in Nashville since 1988. Two decades in which this charming guy from Beaumont, Texas has been able to shape the genre decisively. Not with fashions, hypes or the hippest styles, but rather with his warm voice and his honest, moving songs, which have their origins in the bars and honky-tonks. "Mark Chesnutt", raved George Jones when Chesnutt won the CMA Horizon Award in 1993 at the beginning of his matchless career, "is real and authentic". And the renowned American music critic Robert K. Oermann rejoiced: "When he suddenly popped up on the barren music landscape in 1990, I called him the 'Hillbilly messiah'. That hasn't changed at all". A messiah, whose words and melodies are heard by millions: 14 number one hits, 23 top ten singles, four platinum albums and five golden records make clear that this neo honky-tonker has advanced to become a classic of the genre; that he is not just emulating his personal heroes Hank Williams Sr., George Jones and Waylon Jennings, he is approaching them artistically album by album, tour by tour. With his newest work "Rollin' with the flow" this father of three sons adds to his legend -- with a CD which is of a piece. Nostalgic love songs such as "When you love her like crazy" and "When I get this close to you" alternate with snappy honky-tonks such as "Going on later on" and shirtsleeve country rock like "If the devil brought you roses". But regardless of whether dreamy harmony or rocking rhythm -- with his unmistakable voice, Mark Chesnutt makes each track his own, each cover version into his very personal story. Even with the title track, a classic from the repertoire of Charlie Rich. Naturally Mark Chesnutt also does not lock himself into the sound and song inspirations of the here and now on "Rollin' with the flow". Nevertheless, each of the twelve excellent tracks could date from the late 1980s or early 1990s. The magic word is "timeless quality" -- and at the same time this is the motto for "Rollin' with the flow". For fashions and hypes come and go -- but Mark Chesnutt and his music will remain, just like the songs of Hank, George and Waylon. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chesnutt's "Rolling" in Hillbilly Heaven, June 25, 2008

By	T. Yap "thy4568" (Sydney, NSW, Australia) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Prime Cuts: Things to Do in Wichita, When You Love Her Like Crazy, Rolling with the Flow

Hardcore country fans are rolling with delight in hillbilly heaven with Chesnutt's new CD. With huge spades of rinky-tink honky tonk piano, shafts of twangy guitar riffs, and loads of mournful pedal steel commentary, producer Jimmy Ritchey has again made the traditional genre emblematic of this release. Country waltzes, slow romantic ballads, and sawdust kicking two-steps - genres almost becoming extinct these days are thankfully revived here. After spending more than two years finding these 12 tracks, Chesnutt has indeed a gem of an album with tracks coming from some of his favorite writers such as Roger Springer ("It's A Little Too Late") and other note-worthies such as Dean Dillon, Tony Martin, and Mark Nesler, all of whom have made their mark in the country music business. Most significant in terms of its historic value is "She Never Got Me Over You," a traditional cheating ballad earmarked by acute observations. Apparently this was the last song the late Keith Whitley wrote before his death and Chesnutt's sensitive read has lived up to Whitley's honky-tonk drenched legendary excellence.

Right from the get-go, Chesnutt not only established his country cred but he demonstrates his mastery of strong melodic paeans. Album opener "Things to Do in Wichita," coming from the pens of Ritchey and Bob Regan, an infectious mid-tempo detailing the frivolous things the protagonist tries to do to pass time waiting for his lady to call. Chesnutt's sympathetic vocals are a tour de force. Echoing shades of Waylon Jennings with its pulsating bass line, "Live to Be a 100" is a delightful hedonistic smirk at those health-watching addicts. In line with Chesnutt's tradition to include at least one cover in each album, the lucky contestant here is from the oeuvre of Charley Rich, "Rolling with the Flow." , With measured doses of aguish in Chesnutt's phrasing, "Rolling with the Flow" is a reflective song of regret of a man facing the ugly assaults of aging and emptiness.

Yet not all is doleful, Chesnutt indulges in some tomfoolery with the rambunctious "(Come on In) The Whiskey is Fine," with some belly-laughing lines all over. However, for those who love the romantic side of Chesnutt, "When I Get This Close to You," resurrects those butterflies in the stomach on this slow romantic confession of love. The flurries of fiddles and the smooching undergirding of steel guitars give this romantic excursion a old timey feeling that is just enthralling. Also beautiful is the current single "When You Love Her Like Crazy" strings together a singalong melody and Chesnutt's passionate delivery seamlessly. After such romantic extravagance, Chesnutt's ode to the feminine form "Woman" is made believable with its finger snapping melody.

Despite being on an independent able, Lofton Creek, Chesnutt as not let go the reigns of what makes a great album. In the sea of non descript rockers disguised as country, this CD is truly country. More importantly, the songs chosen here are stellar. Engineered with care and performed with seasoned emotions, it's hard to make a wrong move here. "Rolling with the Flow" is definitely a contender for one of 2008's best country CDs.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars COUNTRY MUSIC IN ITS PURITY!, June 24, 2008

By	D. McAllister "MRD" (Somewhere in the Field) - See all my reviews

COUNTRY MUSIC IN ITS PURITY!

Mark Chesnutt started life in Country Music with considerable promise. Early on, with albums like LONG NECKS AND SHORT STORIES and TOO COLD AT HOME, Chesnutt wowed the Country world, was a Horizon Award winner and was heralded by such legends as George Jones as someone with the ability to place his star high in the Country heavens.

Then something happened. He got even better while seeming to ignore Nashville and all of the trappings that seemed necessary to make the moguls of Music Row happy. First to go was the mainstream recording company in favor of a smaller, less known studio. He then discarded the visibility that many assumed necessary to succeed.

To make a long story short, with his latest offering, ROLLIN' WITH THE FLOW, Chesnutt proves again that, despite taking charge of his life and career, he is absolutely a bona fide Country Star with the continuing smoothness and sound that made him famous in the first place. From the title track, an excellent cover of Charlie Rich's original, to "Live To Be 100" and, my favorite, "When I Get This Close To You" this album is a natural addition to Chesnutt's already impressive discography, seamlessly interweaving what modern Country Music should be with his roots in the classic Country genre.

It goes without saying that if you are into Carrie Underwood or Rascal Flatts, Mark Chesnutt's ROLLIN' WITH THE FLOW will be far too deep a river for you to swim in. Stick with the puddles that you are used to and leave Chesnutt to those of us who appreciate Country Music in its purity!

THE HORSEMAN

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When I Get This Close To You, October 25, 2008

By	Ilya Zaitsev (Moscow, Russian Federation) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've listened to many country albums on the market that were released recently, but this one is amazing and more inspirational than other popular albums. This CD is the best because it makes you fell in love and matches your state of mind. I ordered a fiddle along with this CD and now I practice some songs. When I go for a walk and i see falling leaves and gray sky here in october i just turn my player to my favorite one: "When I Get This Close To You" and i feel happy. The only dissapointing thing about this CD is that liner notes don't contain lyrics! I just can't understand why one should make secret of it, and the CD itself is not properly fixed in the case and falling out when you open it. Other than that, music is amazing, real country in every bit of it. i give 5 stars! My favs: "When I Get This Close To You", "Things To Do In Wichita", "Man In The Mirror", "Woman", "When You Love Her Like Crazy" and of course "Rollin' With The Flow".