Customer Reviews

Way I Feel

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Anderson's first new set of songs since 2001's "A Lot of Things Different" (also waxed for Varese) provides another fine collection of country originals from "Whispering Bill." As with his previous release, the production is mostly acoustic, and though Anderson's voice doesn't hold the notes as firmly as earlier years, the slight warble provides more of a burnish than a distraction. At times he sounds surprisingly like a cross between Steve Forbert and Rodney Crowell.

Anderson's co-writers are a varied lot, ranging from legends like Buddy Cannon, Melba Montgomery and Tom Shapiro, to contemporary artists like Jon Randall and The Derailers' Tony Villaneuva, and writers Irene Kelly and Rob Shapiro. A few of the tunes retain Anderson's more typical low-key approach, but several of his new songs are mid-tempo. The band kicks up a honky-tonk twang for "Let It Go," with its terrific opening line, "Bitter is a color I don't wear too well," and Rustie Blue adds a duet vocal on the foot- his-and-hers love-going-wrong duet "Chip Chip." Country listeners will be most familiar with "Whiskey Lullaby" from its appearance on Brad Paisley's 2003 chart-topping album "Mud on the Tires"; here Anderson sings it more weary and ragged, balanced by a duet from Kenzie Wetz.

There's a lot of life left in Anderson, both as a songwriter and a singer, and without the pressure of a major Nashville label, his releases for Varese feel natural and true to the interests of a 60-something songwriting legend. Those who enjoyed Anderson's last outing will certainly enjoy this fine batch of new songs and the upbeat spark Anderson's given them. [©2005 hyperbolium dot com]

Only thing I can say is that Bill kicks ass on this one. True the voice is going on 70 years, but you can tell (as he states inside the cd cover) he is relaxed because he doesn't have to be concerned about hitting the charts. He says he still enjoys writing songs, maybe even more now..... and it shows. You can listen to the songs and tell he didn't put a batch of crap together just to put out an album. The whole album is well done, and it's true country music..... No dumb lyrics, as I find when I turn the radio dial trying to find something worth listening to. Whiskey Lullaby is a gem, and Kenzie Wetz is one talented lady.....