Be As You Are

Kenny Chesney

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 25, 2005)
• Original Release Date: January 25, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Bna Entertainment
• ASIN: B00075U3VE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (138 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #8,830 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Kenny Chesney may work the Jimmy Buffett mojo a little too hard on his CMA Award-winning album, When the Sun Goes Down. But he comes by it naturally, having vacationed at Myrtle Beach as a child and today owning a home in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Now comes his all-out island salute, Be As You Are (Songs from an Old Blue Chair), which surprises only in its concentration on the restorative vibe of beachfront life rather than the bikinis and rum-soaked nights. Intimate and subdued, the album gets mandatorily frolicsome on "Guitars and Tiki Bars." But mostly it's a reflective look at the people, places, and passion that make up his south-of-the-equator equation. There are lovely moments here--the cocktail swirl of "Magic," the quiet eroticism of "Something Sexy in the Rain," and the faraway ache of "Somewhere in the Sun." Trouble is, Chesney, who wrote or cowrote all 13 tracks, ended up with enough material for only half a record, and then repeated many of his ideas (particularly the singling out of the émigrés who came to the islands to become whole again) to fill out the album. Add that shortcoming to the mellow sameness that prevails, and Be As You Are becomes less an album for that old blue chair than one for the hammock. --Alanna Nash

Recommended New Traditionalist Country Albums

No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problems	When the Sun Goes Down	Toby Keith, Greatest Hits, Vol. 1
Alan Jackson, A Lot About Living (And a Little 'Bout Love)	Alan Jackson, The Greatest Hits Collection	Toby Keith, How Do You Like Me Now?!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Words cannot describe the pleasure of this album., January 27, 2005

By	J. Clemens "paleoreader" (Illinois USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I have never written a review on music, but I felt the need to write about this CD. A clear mind can see through the negativity written on this site about this CD: "Kenny..grow up" (why not live young!) "It's all about the Islands" (jealous he lives there? I'd be there too if I could!) "It's all about drinking" (not on all songs if you listen to them, and besides, froffy drinks go with island hopping) "Sounds like Jimmy Buffett". (what, Buffett is the only person allowed to sing or has ever sung about the islands? Besides, I love Jimmy Buffett and no one could ever encroach upon his talent.) I think we could lighten up and enjoy misic for what it is, entertainment.
Kenny Chesney has created for us something different and I applaud diversity. I have all Kenny Chesney's work, and have loved it all (with some exceptions of his earliest albums).
It was easy to pick my favorites from each album of Kenny's, but Be As You Are is so filled with great music I cannot choose a favorite song. It is such a pleasure to listen to, so relaxing and fun. The "islands" music reminds me of Henry Kapono which is another of my favorite artists.
Treat yourself to some island music. It is great listening here in late January where all we wait for is to be outside without heavy coats on our backs. I know too that I'll continue listening to this CD during the summer just to enhance the atmosphere.
Finally, my life is enduring a lot of stress right now, and each time I put this CD on the home stereo, the boom box at work, and in the car, the stress is carried away with the warm island breezes. My kids sing along with "Key Lime Pie". The next best thing is being there. For that I Thank You Kenny!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ~island gettaway~, November 30, 2008

By	Joey Sciarra (Connecticut) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Let me first start out by saying that this is totally different than Kenny's previous albums, because every song has a beachy feel of the islands, and is not radio-ready typical "pop-country". Not for everyone, however i absolutely love this CD - it is one of the best albums I have ever bought! Low key and laid back, this is island country at its best. Also, Kenny wrote every song on here, which really shows the talent he has for song-writing and why he originally came to Nashville as a song-writer. So many good songs, and so many true stories about people that Kenny has encountered in the islands.

While "Old Blue Chair" and the title track "Be As You Are" seem to be the highlights on here, there are plenty of other relaxing & soothing songs such as "Somewhere In The Sun" and "Sherry's Living In Paradise". I have listened to this album probably over a thousand times, and it never gets old. Each song takes you to another place and another time - where there are no worries or problems. So peaceful and beachy - you can close your eyes and almost hear the ocean waves, see the sun, and feel your feet in the sand!

The last song on the CD sums up this album perfectly - it's an acoustic performance of "Old Blue Chair" - with Kenny singing live on the beach with just his guitar. You can hear the ocean waves crashing peacefully in the background, which is such a nice ending to the album. I can't say in words how amazing this CD is...all I can say is that you need to hear it yourself to understand...I highly recommended buying at least one copy!!! Overall ~10/10~

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much Better Than Reviews, February 20, 2006

By	Todd M (Llano, Texas) - See all my reviews

Having read many reviews on this site, I was hesitant to buy this CD. After finally having bought it and listened to it, I found that most reviews on this site were off-base.

Any person that has the depth to understand where Chesney was at this time in his life and/or has been in a similar situation will like this album. I will grant that The Road and the Radio and When the Sun Goes Down have more of a country feel to them and have more hits, I do, however, feel that he has not recorded a better song than Somewhere in the Sun.

This will be a good purchase to those who like Chesney's music. He, like many, continue to grow in there lives and this album is an example of that.