Customer Reviews

Stranger to Me Now

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I thought Monte's "Wagoneers" recordings and debut CD were flooring. Uptempo, killer material. The second CD started dragging a bit, but still very good. This one was a big disappointment. I like his uptempo tunes, this is filled with somber, dragging, whispered songs...I found it very wimpy sounding & depressing. Maybe someone in that frame of mind will appreciate it though...I liked his uptempo root rock tunes.

I recommend his debut CD direction, it made many new fans & I heard it on the radio constantly, this CD got minimal airplay if any. Maybe that's why it's available used or on eBay for $3.

I discovered this album via Amazon's recommendation feature and bought it out of curiosity. What a discovery. The album is certainly my favourite of recent years. Beautiful songs and arrangements; incredible melody lines and instrumental playing and wonderful singing. I am now a devoted fan, and have been pressing all my friends to buy this album too.

The depth of feeling is remarkable in these songs. I now want to visit Austin to check out the music scene.

My favourite songs are I Take Your Love and Another Try, although the new version of Just To Hear Your Voice is incredibly haunting. Monte deserves to break through into the big time.

Monte Warden has got to be country music's best kept secret. I have known Monte personally since the mid 80's and while none of his projects have ever disappointed me, I have to say this is his best work ever! He's come a long way and with this project he deserves to make his mark in the music world. Every song is fantastic but I must say the re-worked "Just To Hear Your Voice" is phenomenal. There is so much feeling in this song. If you ever get the chance to see Monte live DON'T MISS IT! Not only is he a vocalist in the truest sense of the word, he is a class "A" performer and has a knack for surrounding himself with top notch musicians. This project is an absolute must for all Monte Warden fans. If you haven't listened to him yet now is a great time to start!

I have to admit, this disc took a few spins to grow on me, and boy did it grow. I'm a total music snob, and admittedly have to skip forward on only one tune here. That's a record for me. "THE LOVE YOU PROMISED ME" is a beauty. I'd like to hear his vocals more - producers listen up. "MADELINE" has been played back to back a zillion times over in my car - it's a good mood song for sure! Keep spinning this disc - it get's in your blood and you'll wonder where he's been so long. This one made me drag out my old Wagoneers tapes. We've missed you Monte!

The best country record I've heard in a while!! Orbison,Holly,Jennings, ALL the right influences are here on the songs. Congratulations, Monte. One great album. LOVE the strings!

Monte Warden is a huge cut above the Nashville Hats that dominate all those bland Today's Country radio stations, but to my taste falls a bit short of top rank alt country like Joe Ely, Robert Earl Keen and Waco Brothers. You hear his influences everywhere on the record -- Buddy Holly on lots of cuts, particularly For You and Madeline's first three lines are as runaway evocative as the opening of Springsteen's Thunder Road. Arrangements here are uncluttered, electric and acoustical guitars, bass and drums. They allow full play for Warden's pleasant, if undistinctive, near tenor voice and it serves him best on the uptempo and swing cuts here -- Your Heart Will Come Around, I Take Your Love, I Can't Tell My Heart What to Do, and Madeline. Best ballad by far is the CD's closer Another Try, which also features Warden's best lyrics in a song that is about exactly what the title suggests. He's not loud, he's not flashy (despite the Elvis-like powder blue jacket on the cover photo), but Warden grows steadily more appealing with each listen.

I first heard one cut on this CD "I call you on the Phone" and it knocked my socks off. I must have played it thousands of times since and I also have passed information about around the world. It is truly a great song and sound in the Hoagy Carmichael style of Lyric. This album has many gems on it and should put Monte Warden over the top.

Hey Ya'll, I am a U.S. Army Military Police officer stationed at Ft.Campbell, KY with the 101st ABN DIV (AASLT). I am originally from Austin, TX. I'd never seen Monte perform While I lived in Austin, but I finally met him on a flight from Nashville, TN when I went Home on leave earlier this year. We sat and talked at the gate before the flight and all the way back home to Texas too. He's such a great guy, I don't even know where to start. So while Home I picked up a few of his records, and since being back here at Campbell I've picked up "A Stranger to me now". I'll tell ya'll someting. Monte and I discussed many things on the way back home. It's no joke folks, Monte did write these songs off of his on real heartache. These songs aren't the creations from the normal Nashville cookie cutter songwriters, these songs are about everyday real life people. "A stranger to me now" may not be one of the typical country music albums of the late 90's, but sure is one the genuine best out there!

Doug Murray Austin, TX

Simply put, this is the best disc released during the first six months of 1999. I happened upon it, without any prior knowledge of Monte, after catching the video to "Someday." The songs are excellent throughout and the artist certainly carves out his own niche. Thi should appeal to both country and rock fans in a major way. I'd list my favorites but it would include them all. Not to be missed-- you'll be playing this one for a long time to come. AWESOME!!!!

I Only know Monte Warden from CMT videos. I got the record after seeing him on Prime Time Country. This is such a great album. My favorites are It's Only Love and The Love You Promised Me, but every song is incredible. Country fans everywhere should add it to their collection TODAY!

Thanks