Customer Reviews

Whitey Ford Sings the Blues

5 star:		(225)
4 star:		(54)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(15)
1 star:		(25)

 

 

This is a pretty good cd to listen to, just let it play, but before you but it, you should know what kind of cd this is. Even though you've herd "what it's like" on the radio and maybe "ends" too, those are the only two songs on the cd that are mainly a smooth accustic sound. The rest of the cd is all rap, with turn tables.However if, and only if you listen very carefully there is the guitar in the backround. So before you go out and buy the cd, take this re-view into conccideration. If you have a friend that has the cd, i would addvise you to ask him if he could play it for you or let you borrow it, so you can hear it and be sure if you want it or not.

You know, sometimes I get tired of people.

I'm tired of the people on here, whining and moaning because they bought the CD for "What It's Like" and got some rap songs. Okay, then, quick question. If you didn't want any rap, why did you buy a CD featuring someone who used to be in House of Pain -- A RAP GROUP?

Now, to the CD. Not that I'm an extremely huge rap fan (a moderate fan, yes), but this CD really appealed to me. It's a blend of thoughtful acoustic-laced ballads and hard-hitting rap. "Ends" and "What It's Like" are probably the best songs on the album, but it's not your standard "They-released-the-only-good-songs-on-single" CD.

"Today (Watch Me Shine)" is a somewhat mournful song, while "Painkillers" is a thoughtful rap stint in which Everlast raps from the point of view of a paraplegic who was shot trying to be tough under the influence of drugs. "Funky Beat" is your standard party song with, indeed, a funky beat. One of the closing tracks, "Seven Days" is a mixture of singing and rapping backed by a brass section which is actually upbeat.

Overall? I like it. I like it alot.

The edited version can be a welcome relief to those tired of the obscene lyrics trashing music these days, although I don't recommend telling the whole world that you bought the edited version. That is especially true on this album, where the missing language does not prevent it from becoming one of the better albums in my large collection. What It's Like is a good song, but Hot To Death is the absolute best. The only bad thing is that he freely advertises drug use, but if you can tolerate that, the album is simply great. Everlast's new single, Today, is definitely worth listening to numerous times. Next Man is pretty good for a bonus track, and actually sends a good message. Ends is also a good song, as is Tired. However, Funky Beat is just that, nothing but a beat, and Death Comes Callin' is annoying and depressing. The three phone conversations, which comprise three of the eighteen tracks, are also very annoying (the edited version fails to edit a word in one of them because it's so hard to understand, they're worthless). Otherwise, this is a good album.

As soon as I started up "Whitey" I feared for the worst with the awful opener: "The white boy is back", but as soon as "Money" started I knew this was just an early blip which I'm glad Everlast got out of his system. "Ends", though, is the song which really starts this album in the right direction. The amazing "What it's like" just softens the tone down a little before jumping into the funky "Get down". A mixture of experimental tracks follow, each and everyone different, but equally brilliant. "Hot to death" ,for example, would be welcomed on a "Crowbar" album. Then one of the best songs on the album; "Painkillers" appears before a hilarious intro from Prince Paul to anther gem: "Praise the Lord". The slow and 'simple' "Today" follows before the funky and easily dance-able tune:"Death comes callin'"-even if you are a white boy. Another funky Grand Master type tune follows only to be followed by a ballad. Yes I did write ballad, but this is brilliant espacially if you've just broken up with your girl. The second last song, "7 years" starts with that intro to "Hard to handle" by Otis Redding and the piano and trumpets only go to make the song another classic on one of finest and most varied albums I've ever heard. Don't expect House of Pain. Just expect a near perfect album.

This CD is ok. Marky Mark and Vanilla Ice were practically crucified for being white boy rappers. But now Everlast and Eminem are totally accepted as white boy rappers. I guess as long as you look like a gangsta or a thug, then it is ok. Well, I did like House of Pain's "Jump Around". And I did like "What It's Like" when it came out (although I would hardly call it a "rap" song). If you are into this kind of rap/rock music, I am sure you will enjoy this CD. If you just liked "What It's Like", you might not like this entire CD. "What It's Like" is more like a male vocalist singer/songwriter tune in the tradition of Shawn Mullins, Duncan Sheik, etc. The rest of this CD is more rap oriented. So if you are looking for a CD full of male vocalist introspective tunes, you won't find it here.

When I first bought this album, I was expecting something like "What It's Like" throughout the whole album. I was disappointed at first and never bothered to listen to it again. Big mistake. It's one of the best albums I've ever had. Just took some time to get into.

Everlast is truly the perfect rapper, because he can sing as well. Whereas those Bad Boy blokes like Puffy try but can't sing at all. But then, Puffy is not much of a rapper anyway.

Everlast is very versatile. From Folk Rock (Ends, What It's Like, Watch Me Shine; all excellent songs) through rock and a mix of everything (the upbeat "7 Years") to rap. The best rap songs on this one have to be "Get Down", "Death Comes Callin'" and "Funky Beat" But there's a bit too much rap on it. I'd like to see him do more of those folk rock cuts

Get this album. You won't regret it! It has a little bit of something for everyone.

I'm not sure if anybody saw this coming, except for us loyal "Everlast" fans of course. This got alot of attention for the song "What it's Like", partly because of the mix of rap and acoustic guitar, but also because it was pretty deep lyrically. Even though a few tracks are like that one, especially "Ends", the majority of the disc is still "House Of Pain" type rap, which for me is a win-win situation. Other phat tracks are "Get Down", "Today (watch me shine)", "Funky Beat", and the rockin' "Hot To Death". I also think the intro is cool, and a nice nod to the "Fat Boys". Overall it's an impressive mix of songs. Some will have you tappin' your toe, others might make you "Jump Around".

At first thought, this is one of the most interesting fusions of musical styles in the past decade. Who would have thought that a "tough" rapper could pick up an acoustic guitar and perform what could almost be described as folk music? Not me, I can tell you.

In fact, as soon as I heard about this I thought it would be one of the worst CDs around and become almost entirely unlistenable after a while - I was wrong.

The first single "What It's Like" proves that it is possible to perform a blues/folk track in rap idiom and that was all I needed to persuade me that this album was one to get.

Throughout the album, even on the rap cuts, Everlast shows that he has evolved from the brash thug that he was in House of Pain and now thinks about his lyrics before performing them. He also shows a deep spirituality on many tracks - a feature which seems to be lacking from most music of the late 90s.

"What It's Like" and "Ends" have roughly the same idea behind them - showing how "the other half" lives - but the emotion of the lyrics prevents me from saying that they're just bad re-hashes of each other. Other standout tracks are "Praise The Lord", "Painkillers" and "Today", all three of these tracks are quasi-rap cuts which have some of the most thoughtful lyrics I've heard for a long time.

The tracks where the rap is de-emphasised are probably the most interesting of the album. "7 Years" almost sounds like a track from the backwaters of the prairie with its chorus "It's been 7 years since I did my baby wrong/Lord won't you please bring my baby home?" and it is at moments like these that it is quite easy to forget Everlast's past and think that he is an entirely new artist.

I recommend tracking down the lyrics to this album as well as just listening to it because even on the most hip-hop tracks, you'll realise that what you were getting down to actually had a lot more meaning than you thought.

All in all, an album to listen to without prejudice against hip-hop, blues, folk or acoustic guitars. Listen without prejudice and have your mind expanded and your soul moved.

What a great album. Everlast, after dissapearing for a little bit after he left House of Pain, comes solo. I was skeptical about getting this album when I saw an interview Everlast did, since he stated he was trying to get away from being a hip hop artist and show that he could do the guitar and go into rock and blues. But I saw the guest list on the back, Sadat X of Brand Nubians not on one but two tracks and Casual of the Hieroglyphics crew, aww man I was struck since I was living in the area at the time and loved the group. Prince Paul had a sketch. So I got the album. Wow, this was just tight. My favorite tracks are Money (Dollar Bill) with Sadat X on the Hook. What It's Like, Get Down, which has a tight beat and an accoustic guitar to compliment it, Tired, which Everlast just tears the tracks apart with his lyrics and the beat was just bangin, Painkillers, Funky Beat with Casual and Sadat, and Next Man, the bonus cut, which was just plain sick. Those are my favorites, but pretty much everytrack is good for repeats. This is a must have. One of the classic cd's, in my opinion.

Ryan here, with another review. This time, it's Everlast's second solo shot in ten years, "Whitey Ford Sings the Blues". As an "at-home" music critic, I'm going to have to go with what I say whenever I'm reviewing a new album - it depends what degree of hip-hop/rock you like. If you like the aggressive, hardcore party stuff, this album's not for you. Still, Everlast, AKA Long Island's Erick Schrody dishes out some pretty bad-boy rap/rock. He takes a unique mix of hip-hop and rock music and twists and turns it into an 18-track, with 4-interludes, solid album that will bump out of an all-around hip hop fan's stereo. Here's a quick review of my personal favorite tracks.
#2 Money, Dollar Bill Y'All - This track, featuring Sadat X is a real winner among hip hop fans. Even though Whitey is white (hence the name), this track is gangsta. With thumping bass and aggressive lyrics, this is sure to satisfy any hip hop fan. Not for rockers, though.
#4 What It's Like - A major hit on alternative stations nationwide, this song focuses more on the guitar-influenced parts of Everlast's style. A slow, solemn song telling a couple stories about people that may be encountered in any community along with a great acoustic guitar performance by Everlast make this track a sure winner - among hip hop and rock fans.
#5 Get Down - This one is truly a very interesting blend of hip hop and rock. Vigorous acoustic guitar chords bang in the backround while Whitey spits his bad-boy style lyrics. This is one to love.
#7 Tired - If you need something to listen to when about to go wild, Tired is the song just for that. With bumping and consistent bass, Tired is probably one of the most hip-hop orientated songs on the album. Lyrics are quite aggressive - which sums up Everlast's style.
#9 Painkillers - This one tells about the story of a man getting shot while on a return to his hometown, New York. This is not true for Everlast - I believe he's telling another man's story. With a slow beat meant for a rap song, along with lyrics that tell quite a story, this track will appeal to all rap fans.
#11 Praise the Lord - Another hip hop orientated song, Praise the Lord helps everyone remember that the Creator himself must be remembered. E spits a few nice lyrics in the short song, with a consistent chorus. Could be longer, though.
#15 Funky Beat - A sure party anthem. Featuring Sadat X and Casual, this song has some of the most clever rhymes I've heard since Gin and Juice - dropped by these three underated hip-hoppers.

Overall, my opinion of "Whitey Ford Sings the Blues" is overall good, but a few things could have been a bit better. He turns his bad-boy style into kind of a tender style with slow beats and mellow acoustic solos on tracks 12 and 17. Otherwise, I think this album is a sure winner. But as I said earlier - it depends on what kind of hip-hop or rock you like - but for an all around hip hop fan like me, it's sure to be in my CD tray often.
Thanks for reading.