It Would Be You

Gary Allan

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 19, 1998)
• Original Release Date: May 19, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mca Nashville
• ASIN: B000006ORP
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #30,425 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Country Music Magazine
Throughout the 12 cuts on It Would Be You, Allan and his producers, Mark Wright and Byron Hill, have done an impeccable job of evoking the vintage honky- tonk roadhouse sound and spirit. Yet, without throwing in a single soppy radio ballad, they've managed to make an album that, at the same time sounds thoroughly contemporary.

Entertainment Weekly
[This CD] catapults him above most of the neo-honky-tonkers by stripping the flash off of modern country and getting to the core of its neon heart.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A hardcore honky-tonker!, July 10, 2004

By	DanD - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Few men like Gary Allan have had as much radio success as he's had. He's a true country singer: with a gravelly voice (one of the music industry's best ever) and tendency towards honky tonk tunes, there's no denying that he could belt out a Backstreet Boy's song (though why he would want to elludes me), and make it as stone-cold country as anything Merle Haggard ever did. (And no, the comparrison to Merle Haggard is NOT accidental or unfounded.)

On this CD, his second, Allan showcases his honky tonkin abilities. True, the opening title track is a moving, rock 'em ballad (one of Allan's best vocal deliveries ever), but it's follow-up, "No Man in His Wrong Heart," is a gently flowing country number about a man who turn's down temptation.

On a cover of Marty Stuart's "Don't Leave Her Lonely too Long," Allan offers some friendly (albeit a bit mischievious) advice; on Conway Twitty's "She Loves Me, She Don't Love You," a man stands up for his woman (and his dignity), and threatens: "One more dance with her, and friend, you're gonna see/What it's like to hit the floor and do a little dance with me." Allan weighs the lesser of two evils on the honky-tonk shuffling "I've Got a Quarter in My Pocket," and promises undying love on the ballads "I'll Take Today" and "Baby I Will." But it's at the end of the album that Allan hits the highest point of his career: "No Judgement Day," a hidden track penned by Allen Shamblin, about a group of abused small-town kids who murder an old man, and the coverage thereof. Considered too controversial to "include" on the album at the time, a stripped down "vocal and guitar" version is found about a minute after "Forgotten, But not Gone" ends. This is one of my all-time favorite songs, and perfectly showcases Allan's vocals.

Gary Allan's "It Would Be You" is an incredible CD, as are all the album's he's recorded. He has a voice that defies logic; let's thank God that he's a country singer, and loves country music more than any other type. Then let's thank God that he singings his songs with heart and soul. There are a lot of up-and-comers out there who could learn a lot by listening to this album; maybe you could, too. Wanna know what country music really is? Buy a Gary Allan CD, and give it a listen. If you're not intoxicated by his voice and song choices, then you aren't a fan of country music.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why isn't this man a star?, October 18, 1999

By	Mardell "Latin music lover" (Texas) - See all my reviews

Real country with heart and soul, both lacking in many of today's fabricated hat acts. "Baby I Will" alone is worth the price of admission. But there are more gems such as "It Would Be You" and "I've Got a Quarter in My Pocket." The voice, the grit, the grace and the spirit all spell c-o-u-n-t-r-y. Great stuff.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top Notch, June 14, 2002

By	J. M. Zuurbier (Canada) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Gary Allan's sophomore effort is top notch material. IT WOULD BE YOU brings together all sorts of emotions together, into 12 cuts on the CD. I think Gary brings an element to country music which lacks in other male country singers, he's not afraid to be country, and he does it very well. There's some really top notch ballads here, such as "It Would Be You", "I'll Take Today", "Baby I Will", and more, as well as some honky tonks like "Don't Leave Her Lonely Too Long", "Red Lips, Blue Eyes, Little White Lies", "I've Got A Quarter In My Pocket" and more. Perhaps the most touching song is "Forgotten but Not Gone", which is just heartbreaking and delivered with every emotion it seems he has inside of him. There's also a hidden track called "Judgement Day". Overall IT WOULD BE YOU is a great album, a great follow up to USED HEART FOR SALE, just another great album in his growing collection!