Here for the Party

Gretchen Wilson

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 11, 2004)
• Original Release Date: May 11, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00022FWPE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (169 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,350 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Her mother was 16 when she had her, and her father moved on when she was two. By the age of 15, with a double-barrel shotgun always at the ready, she was managing a kicker bar in rural Illinois where the corn fields meet the pig farms. That gave Gretchen Wilson something to sing about, with attitude in spades. "You might think I'm trashy, a little too hardcore," she admits on the smash single "Redneck Woman," "but in my neck of the woods I'm just the girl next door." Wilson, already the toast of Nashville before this full-length debut hit the shelves, isn't just putting the trailer park back into country music--she's the antidote to Shania and Faith. Nothing here sounds manufactured or studied, and the best songs are those she wrote. If most of those spotlight the fightin' side that has made "Redneck Woman" an anthem with blue-collar babes, she lets her vulnerability show on her choice of covers, particularly Leslie Satcher's gospel-rap of "Chariot" and the marital weeper "The Bed." Whatever you think of Wilson, who packs a hint of Sammi Smith and Allison Moorer--and even Janis Joplin--into her double-fisted delivery, you won't forget her. Move over, Loretta. Make way, Tanya. Here's another good ol' honky-tonk girl. --Alanna Nash

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Non-Country Fan Speaks., May 26, 2004

By	tvtv3 "tvtv3" (Sorento, IL United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

I am not a fan of country music. It's just something I really haven't enjoyed listening to in the past. Every once in awhile I hear a country tune that I enjoy, but for the most part I don't like listening to that style of music. However, I grew up not too far from Pocahontas, Illinois and "Here For the Party" is one of the biggest things to happen in my old stomping grounds in a long time. So, I decided I would both support the local girl done good and find out what all the fuss is about. I was quite surprised. Wilson's songs and music are country, but with a twist. She has successfully combined the sensibility and earthiness of old style country lyrics with a modern sound that is fresh instead of stale like most "new" sounds are. There are traces of gospel, folk, and even a hint of blues in her music. The two songs I enjoy on the album most are "Chariot" and "Pocahontas Proud". I really enjoyed listening to this album and if I can find more music like Gretchen Wilson's, perhaps I'll be more open to listening to country music in the future.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dissin' Gretchen Wilson, December 20, 2004

By	Redneck Man (Lake Norman, NC) - See all my reviews

OK, anti-Gretchen Wilson-ers ... y'all say she ain't "polished" and "all Nashville-shiny enough". Well, DUH!?!?!? She's jus' a lil' ol' redneck girl! I'm from southern Illinois - about 60 miles from her hometown - so I automatically love her. But seriously, what's great about her and her lyrics are that they come from the way she was raised and grew up. She pulled herself up by her own britches and she sings about it. If that ain't country music at it's finest roots, then y'all jus' ain't been listening long enough. She's good. Damned good. She ain't She-nay-ya and she ain't Faith. She's her own woman, singing her own lyrics. It's nice not to have Nashville rammed down our gullets - for a change - by being able to buy something new and innovative instead of ANOTHER of "canned country du jour". YOU GO, GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A breath of Fresh Air in Nashville, November 27, 2004

By	Texas Gal (Houston Texas) - See all my reviews

Gretchen Wilson is a breath of fresh air in country music. It's the difference between listening to a real natural talent who can sing her heart out vs. listening to a fake barbie doll with a manufactured sound. Nashville has been churning out pure mush for the last decade and they lost me to the Texas music scene. But Gretchen proves that raw talent can still kick the door open in Nashville and I am glad she did - it's fun and energizing - Gretchen your great - go Girl!