Prayer of a Common Man [LIMITED EDITION]

Phil Vassar

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 22, 2008)
• Original Release Date: March 11, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Limited Edition
• Label: Universal South
• ASIN: B000TGGJSW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #19,493 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

Born, in Lynchburg, Virginia, Phil Vassar grew up in a home where his mother stayed at home caring for him and his two younger sisters, and his father was a singer who enjoyed local and regional success, performing in a restaurant he owned and at outside venues. Although intrigued by music as a child, Vassar's interests began leaning more towards playing ball than playing scales. In high school, he began running track, which helped him land an athletic scholarship at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va.

Vassar arrived in Nashville in 1987. He found a furnished apartment outside of town, got a job bartending at night to pay the rent and began knocking on the doors of Music Row during the day. He saved his money and, in 1995, bought the restaurant and club where he had been performing. A patron of the club asked Vassar to send him a tape of a couple of his songs. He sent a demo that included "Once in a While," which he had written with another bartender. The song became his first cut when the patron's father, Engelbert Humperdinck, recorded it.

Suddenly, things began to surge for Vassar. He began writing with well-known Nashville songwriters that would frequent his club to perform. That attracted music industry professionals, including publishing executive Greg Hill. Hill eventually signed Vassar to a publishing deal with EMI. Penning hits for Alan Jackson ("Right on the Money"), Collin Raye ("Little Red Rodeo"), Tim McGraw ("For a Little While" and "My Next Thirty Years") and Jo Dee Messina ("I'm Alright" and "Bye, Bye"), Vassar was named ASCAP's songwriter of the year in 1999.

Vassar landed a solo deal with Arista Records and released his self-titled debut album in 2000. The album's first single, the up-tempo "Carlene," broke into the Top 5 on the Billboard country singles chart. The follow-up, "Just Another Day in Paradise," became Vassar's first No. 1 hit as a performer. Just three weeks later, McGraw's "My Next Thirty Years" claimed to the top spot. Vassar's second album, American Child, arrived in 2002. His third, Shaken Not Stirred, led to the No. 1 hit, "In a Real Love," in 2004.

Vassar now take a creative step by signing with newly restructured Universal Records South. "I have admired Mark Wright and his production for years," says Vassar. "I am excited to be able to work with Mark both as my label president and producer."

Wright adds, "Phil has written, for himself and others, songs that have shaped the sound of country music as we know it today. His live performance and incredible vocal abilities round out the triple threat it takes to be a superstar."

Vassar's single, "Love Is A Beautiful Thing" is currently climbing the radio charts with his forthcoming album, Prayer of a Common Man, set for release April 22.

Product Description

Phil Vassar has gained much attention through his knack for hit songwriting and his compelling and highly entertaining skills on the piano. The Chicago Tribune writes, "Phil Vassar has the talent of a legend." He has sold millions of records both on his own and for other artists such as Tim McGraw, Jo Dee Messina, and Colin Raye with his chart topping penmanship.

His first Universal Records South release is co-produced by Vassar with Universal Records South President and noted producer, Mark Wright (Gretchen Wilson, Brooks & Dunn, Lee Ann Womack). Vassar's heart-swelling embrace of life's richest blessings is also apparent, especially on lead single "Love Is A Beautiful Thing." At the same time, his writing has grown more introspective and personal, as "This Is My Life" and the title track can attest. The new album may show Vassar's serious side, but he hasn't forgotten how to have fun. "My Chevrolet," "Why Don't Ya" and "Baby Rocks" rank among his best toe-tappers and are already getting warm receptions at his heralded live shows. Even on the love songs, Vassar shows his uncommon charm, wit and playfulness, be it "Around Here Somewhere" or "It's Only Love." And he's not shy about taking strong emotions head on with "I Would" or on the stunningly raw "Let Me Love You Tonight."

His songwriting is fueled by his hard-charging touring schedule. "People ask me why I still do so many shows, but you work your whole life just to get to the point where people want you to come play," he says.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding album from the man that can do it all!, April 23, 2008

By	Doc Stew (Schaumburg, IL) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This is definitely one of Phil's best, if not THE best, album he's ever made. From start to finish, there really isn't a weak song at all. He raised the bar really high with "Shaken not Stirred", and I'll probably always love that album the best ("Amazing Grace" is maybe my favorite song of all time). This album is just as strong though, but in different ways.

Prayer is a more guitar driven, melodic album than Shaken. Sure, Phil still plays the piano on just about every song, but it's a little more toned down while the guitar is in the foreground. His vocals are as strong as ever - it always surprises me he started off as a songwriter first and not a singer. Don't get me wrong - his songwriting skills are just about second to none. But he's always had an amazing voice, and it's surprising he didn't break out sooner.

The tracks I can't stop listening to are:
"Around Here Somewhere" - a totally toe-tapping, catchy, really well written song.
"My Chevrolet" - such a fun, catchy song. Makes you want to drive down country roads with the windows open, blaring it.
"Love is a Beautiful Thing" - this song is currently in the top 10 on country radio for a reason. The epitome of an upbeat PV song.
"Prayer of a Common Man" - a song written about his father presumably. Introspective and melodic.
"Let Me Love You Tonight" - a supremely written ballad. I could listen to this over and over and not ever get sick of it. His vocals really shine on this song.
"Crazy Life" - mostly just Phil and his piano. This song blew me away the first time I heard it. This is what makes his songwriting so great - introspective, melodic, yet upbeat.

This is a very solid album, and Phil is in a class all his own. Nobody can do what he does as well as he does it. He sings, writes, plays piano all superbly. And nobody puts on a live show like he does. I've seen him maybe a dozen times, and every time he blows me away with his energy and his connection to the audience.

And if you purchase this album by May 31, he will send you an autographed album insert if you send in a self-addressed stamped envelope. Check his website for details.

This album is most highly recommended.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vassar's "Prayer" Deserves to be Heard, April 24, 2008

By	T. Yap "thy4568" (Sydney, NSW, Australia) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Prime Cuts: Prayer of a Common Man, Let Me Love You Tonight, Crazy Life

Though Phil Vassar may sing about the common man, he's far from being a mere plebian. Unlike the copious guitar-strumming studs that Nashville keeps churning out each year, Vassar's métier has been the piano. In fact, when Vassar first burst on the scene, critics have touted him as country music's Elton John. Unfortunately, with each release Vassar slowly evolved into the average country-rocker when jangly guitars and ear-popping drums take the fore. As a result his hits began to dry up to such a state that he was dropped from Arista Records. A subsequent hiatus due to his marital problems has served him well. Now with a new major label behind him and a new co-producer Mark Wright, Vassar has re-discovered his own creative mien. With a more organic approach encased with more rustic instruments like the piano, harmonica, banjo and fiddles, Vassar sounds refreshingly country.

Youthful emancipation of first love in one's Chevrolet on a summer night may have been one of the over-used narrative plots of numerous country songs, but the way Vassar re-tells it on "My Chevrolet" still sounds so vivid that it will immediately grab your attention with its picturesque lyrics he paints. Similarly, Vassar's warm and engaging delivery of the commercially country-pop wedding anthem "Love is a Beautiful Thing" (formerly performed by Kenny Rogers) makes you want to hear the song over and over again. The seamless male harmonies that sequel into a driving jolly "It's Only Love" calls to mind Vassar's hit "Carlene." Punctuated by Vassar's patented piano chops, "This is My Life" is a slice of American life, a song that ought to strike a chord with any listener.

However, the CD's best moments are in the more introspective cuts. Written at a low point in his life, "This Crazy Life," a gentle banjo-picked ballad packs all the emotional punches as Vassar reflects on the uncertainties of life. The title cut, "Prayer of a Common Man" is plaintive ballad that strings together stories of people in need (be it a daughter who need braces to a man who needs to job) crying out to God for help. With haunting lines to the Almighty such as "Hallelujah, is anyone up there?" and "I don't need charity but clarity." No, this is not your average feel-good religious chorus. Rather, "Prayer of a Common Man" is an honest heart's cry to God in the midst of need. Moving on to more happier moments, "Let Me Love You" is a gem of a love song--opening slow with Vassar taking his time to confess his love to his girl in a romantic way; this song rips right into the soul. Chalk up another big hit to come for this piano man.

All in all, there's not a bad song here. Every song spells personality, honesty and individualism. It's almost every song on his album has a story that waits to be to be told. Add to that Vassar has never sound more engaging and passionate. To top it off, the more subtle and countrier backings, certainly make the CD even more enjoyable. Vassar's "Prayer" deserves to be heard.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Phil Vassar: Not Just Any `Common Man', April 28, 2008

By	B. Bitter (West Jordan, UT) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Country music's triple-threat Phil Vassar returns to the charts this week with his first true studio album in four years, "Prayer of a Common Man". In doing so, Vassar takes his introspective songwriting and soothing vocals to previously unattained heights. The album's bookends summarize its message well: This is My Life--A Crazy Life. Along the way, Vassar recounts tales of the good old days, love found and lost, and middle class struggles.

Indeed the past few years have been a crazy period in Vassar's life, including splits with his songwriter wife of five years, Julie, and his record label of seven years, Arista. These breakups have added fuel and sincerity to the songwriting machine as well as increased autonomy and creative input on the production side. These elements, combined with label president and co-producer Mark Wright's years of expertise (Brooks & Dunn, Lee Ann Womack, Gretchen Wilson), make "Prayer of a Common Man" a must-have for country and rock fans alike.

The album's opening track and vastly under-played debut single "This is My Life" chronicles the plight of the middle class in Vassar's typical upbeat style (think Carlene). Other highlights of the album include the title track "Prayer of a Common Man," a soulful ballad about struggling to make it through life; the current #5 single on the country charts "Love is a Beautiful Thing," the soon-to-be single and last minute addition to the album "I Would," written in a Las Vegas hotel room last December, and the sure-thing fan favorite "Crazy Life," an acoustic masterpiece that showcases Vassar's piano abilities and brings goosebumps with its intimate layers.

"Prayer of a Common Man" is a sure-fire hit and a wonderful addition to any CD collection. Vassar shows he is not just a "Common Man," but a certified talent and a force to be reckoned with in the country music world. Buy this album and support a nice guy and an amazing artist. And if you haven't been to a concert yet, you won't regret it. You will be amazed.