Old Enough to Know Better

Wade Hayes

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 3, 1995)
• Original Release Date: January 3, 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000002ARK
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #63,886 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Baby-cheeked Wade Hayes may only be 25 years old, but he's been a professional musician for a dozen years and he has already developed that understated baritone drawl that served his heroes George Jones and Merle Haggard so well. Perhaps that's why Oklahoma's Hayes sounds like a seasoned honky-tonker on his debut album, Old Enough to Know Better, while so many of his fellow "baby hat acts" sound like hotel-lounge singers still trying to get used to the sound of a fiddle.

Don Cook, who leaned in a country-rock direction as producer for the Mavericks and Brooks & Dunn, tilts toward old-fashioned honky-tonk as Hayes's producer. Cook also contributes four of his own songs (including "Kentucky Bluebird," which he wrote for Keith Whitley), and Nashville legend Harlan Howard adds two more. Three of the best tunes, though, come from Hayes and his cowriter Chick Rains. As a result, Old Enough to Know Better boasts far better material than the usual hackwork given to young crooners in cowboy hats. Hayes digs into the songs with his deep, resonant baritone and ponders the conflicts that complicate a man's life. On Cook's ballad, "What I Meant to Say," Hayes holds out certain notes as if to suggest all the feelings he still can't find words for. On his own ballad, "I'm Still Dancin' with You," the reluctance in his voice describes his breakup with a recent lover even better than the lyrics. The title track, another Hayes-Rains composition, has a Brooks & Dunn-like dance rhythm, but Hayes's weary, guilt-ridden vocal undermines the words' carefree, partying attitude. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DON'T STOP SINGING!!!!, January 2, 1999

By A Customer

Wade Hayes definitely stands out, his music is so touching and heartfelt. This CD is awesome and who can resist Wade's deep, sexy vocals. I'm old enough to know a great country singer when I hear one.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MASTER, January 11, 2004

By	Phaedra "about my girls" (NEW HAMPSHIRE) - See all my reviews

This CD as with all his others is amazing.. All the songs are well sung and hus voice is to die for. I still can't figure out why he isn't as big as say Kenny Chesney. I think he is more talented than most of the big names out there. I just finally ordered the McHayes CD and can't wait to hear it. I just with Radio and video channels would play him more.. he deserves it. He sings REAL music. He has REAL talent and it's music that is true to country imo

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Country Cd, December 23, 2002

By A Customer

Wade Hayes is great, and I love all his Cds. I love What I Meant To Say and Old Enough To Know Better, and Don't Make Me Come To Tulsa.