Son Of A Preacher Man

John Rich | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 24, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warner Bros.
• ASIN: B001R5BPWE
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #106,047 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

John Rich, half of the multiplatinum duo Big & Rich, makes his major-label solo debut with Son Of A Preacher Man. An artist, award-winning song writer, and producer in his own right, the Texas-born Rich picks up a solo career he began in the late 1990s before teaming up with Big Kenny. Now that he's helped launch numerous other stars, including Gretchen Wilson, and even as he continues with Big, the spotlight finally sets on John Rich.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rich's the Prophetic "Son of a Preacher", March 24, 2009

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

This review is from: Son Of A Preacher Man (Audio CD)

Prime Cuts: Another You, Shutting Detroit Down, I Thought You'd Never Ask

Rich is more than the son of a preacher, he's also the son of a prophet. In such times of economic distress, Rich's prophetic voice is most audible in the album's lead single "Shutting Detroit Down." Over a melodious driving tune that somehow soothes the grimness of his incendiary indictment of corporate greed in Middle America, Rich sings, "Because in the real world they're/Shutting Detroit down/While the boss man takes his/Bonus pay and jets on outta town." It's no surprise such a populist calumniation was co-written by Rich and country veteran John Anderson. Anderson himself was a maverick in his wild and woolly days. Anderson, who was a recent inductee of Rich's Musik Mafia, also has a hand in penning "I Thought You'd Never Ask." While the remaining tracks come from Rich in partnership with his usual cohorts Vicky McGehee, Marv Green and James Otto. "Son of a Preacher Man," though a solo project from Rich without the input of Big and Rich partner Big Kenny, is still of the sonic zip code as their collaborative releases. These songs still bear the same concoction of gonzo amalgams of country, arena rock and big pop ballads.

Other than "Shutting Detroit Down," Rich continues to rattle from his prophetic soapbox on "The Good Lord and the Man." A somehow idiosyncratic assault on Middle America's ingratitude towards religion and veterans, Rich asserts that "we'd all be speaking German, living under the flag of Japan" if we have lost World War II. Despite its lyrical gibberish and whether one would agree or disagree with Rich's jingoism, it's still a compelling song that draws you in to every syllable. Religion gets another helping with the title track "Son of a Preacher Man," an autobiographical entry that deals with the struggles of balancing words and deeds in Christian living that has a personal quality that often is missing in their Big and Rich records. Though "Everybody Wants to be Me" falls into the same personal stream, it is essentially a braggadocio of self egotism that is beneath Rich's calibre and talent.

Nevertheless, not every song deals with politics and religion. While Rich has carved for himself a reputation of weird and funky rousers, "Another You" comes as a surprise. This is Rich at his romantic best where he croons with assertion and conviction; a ballad that would make his lady friend swoon with delight. John Anderson's other input "I Thought You'd Never Ask" is a fiddle and steel old-fashioned country ballad of unrequited love finding a happy resolution. Rich's delivery hereis beautiful and heart warming. Just when you expect things to be normal again, we get a surprise at the album's tail end. "Drive Myself to Drink," a James Otto, Rich and Vicky McGehee composition, has a stone country lyrics set to a big band production. Such a genre bending exercise can only come from a musical genius such as Rich.

In short, "Son of a Preacher Man" is not only an enjoyable sonic adventure, but the songs have a timely quality in them. Despite the various blemishes mentioned above, they are not enough to mar the messages these songs address. They speak to our times whether they make one cringe or nod with agreements; this reveals not only a part of Rich, but each of us in telling ways.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet Country with a Twist of Lime, March 24, 2009

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Not Your Average Country Girl (Near Tampa, Fl) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Son Of A Preacher Man (Audio CD)

A GOOD MONEY'S WORTH OF MUSIC! I have been listening to this all morning and have to say this is just wonderful and definitely worth the wait. I had a sneak peak of some of these tunes on Local radio here during John's interview and was absolutely and totally teased. The main hook for me was the Sinatra-ish tune "Drive Myself to Drink". I heard a little about this during the interview and have been obsessing to hear it ever since. I have loved Sinatra since I was little and my daddy used to play it for me. I love all of the greats of the Big Band Era....but Sinatra was just fabulous as in "Come Dance with Me". As an adult, I have become totally enthralled with anything that is a little different. I love it when people take the best of a style and put their spin on it( A little Twist of Lime). I love John's voice doing Sinatra's style.....That is Fabulous!
The diversity of songs on this album will make it lasting. John is an awesome part of a genius duo Big and Rich....but it seems that his talents are not limited to any one thing or idea. He must allow his brain to think on a little different level to come up with all that he does. As for the other titles, I love "I thought you'd Never Ask". He has truly captured some sweet country emotions and when he sings like this I can feel them. The same is true for another you, which has already been on radio.... also so sweet.
The first title "Shuttin Detroit Down" just plainly and pointedly speaks for itself. The American people need just this sort of song to reiterate what they are all feeling and someone like John Rich to get their sentiments out there. Currently I am re-listening to "Turn a Country Boy On". In this one, he kicks it up a notch or two. I haven't heard this one enough to get the feel of it yet, but if the other titles are any indication, it will stay with me also.
As I continue to absorb this concoction called "Son of a Preacher Man" I realize more and more that I think that I like the way John Rich thinks! Now that I know what a Sinatra fan he is and how capable he is......I will definitely be imagining more from him in that style. WOW, who would have thought it? Oh Wait.....John Rich Did! How smart is that?
I would be willing to bet that this CD is just the start, of a delicious
Smorgasbord full of ideas and melodies that will surprise and delight us and leave us thirsty for more.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars JOHN RICH SON OF A PREACHER MAN, July 12, 2010

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9191CR - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Son Of A Preacher Man (Audio CD)

I ENJOYED THE IS CD, THERE IS ONLY ONE SONG ON IT THAT I DON'T CARE FOR AND THAT IS 11 ON THE CD THE REST ARE GREAT.....WAY TO GO..LOVE HIS VOICE 9191CR