keithpruitt's Full Review: Greatest Hits by Kenny Chesney
It is a long way from the humble rural country life of Kenny Chesney’s East Tennessee to the top of the Billboard charts. But it is a position in which the country singer has grown comfortable. Directly on the heels of his phenomenal hit Everywhere We Go, comes one of the most anticipated Greatest Hits collections in years. Perhaps only eclipsed by McGraw’s Greatest Hits album, Kenny Chesney took this collection right to the top its first week, an unheard of event in country music.
But one listen to this collection of 17 songs, and one will come away realizing that this youngin’ can sing. With great emotion, solid lyrical writing, and a vocal style that separates him from the class of 90s stars, this Greatest Hits collection is soulful, distinctive, and memorable. Included in this project are four previously non-released titles that have already found promise in the listening public’s interest. I Lost It, his first single released from the album, climbed to #3, has been on the charts for 22 weeks and is currently (1-7-01) at #4 in the Billboard charts.
Overall, the album has done extremely well for Chesney. Debuting at #1 in the charts, it has now been on the charts for 14 weeks and is climbing back up from its current #4 position. I have little doubt that this time in 2002, we will be talking about this album still being in the charts. It’s just that darn good!
His added plug of including new tracks is a plus for this album. Many of his earlier hits received critical acclaim, but those who are just tuning into his music may not be familiar with the earlier work. But pulling some new strings here was a move insuring his staying power with the album as well as guaranteeing airplay for those earlier hits.
THE HITS, THE SONGS, THE WRITERS
~~~I LOST IT~~~~ With a soft edge to it, this song starts off the collection in a bold move that guarantees listeners will continue to listen. Written by Neil Thrasher and Jimmy Olander, this song has power vocal delivery that is perfect for airplay and lyrics that stand out for their emotional display. Love is always a winner, and this song is a real jewel.
~~~DON’T HAPPEN TWICE~~~~ Written by Curtis Lance and Thom McHugh, this is the second of the four new releases. The song has a sweet rocking opener, and with a bit of gruff in his intonations, Chesney just owns this song. With a chorus that's sure to be remembered with its reference to Bobbie McGee, this song is a definite single release.
~~~THE TIN MAN~~~~ For some reason I keep wanting to call this The Thin Man, but there is nothing about this Chesney/David Lowe/Stacey Slate collaboration that is thin. Originally from the All I Need To Know Collection this was one of Chesney’s earliest recording successes. With its haunting lyrics and soothing sounds, this song really grows on you until you begin to fill sorrow for The Tin Man. Borrowing from OZ can be a real plus, but did you get permission from the Wizard?
~~~FALL IN LOVE~~~ Taken from his first album, this Chesney/Buddy Brock/Kim Williams composition picks up the tempo from the previous songs and offers plenty of challenge to Chesney’s vocal talents. Ranging from low to stretching notes, Chesney is superb on this song. Great love song.
~~~ALL I NEED TO KNOW~~~~ The title cut from his first collection, this Steve Seskin/Mark Alan Springer is a remix produced by Buddy Cannon and Norro Wilson. With its soft lyrical music, this song touches those wonderful heartstrings of love. Oh love. How sweet it seems when Kenny is singing about it. And if you like wonderful percussion guitar licks, this song has some beauts.
~~~FOR THE FIRST TIME~~~ This song was co-written with the multi-talented singer/song writer Phil Vassar and is one of the four new releases. The song starts with a bit of a southern rock sound, but as the lyrics begin, mellows out to a softer sound with sawing fiddle and cymbal shots on percussion. The song speaks to a blooming high school love. Perhaps not as strong as the other new songs. The lyrics seem superficial and somewhat forced. Time will tell if it is released.
~~~ME AND YOU~~~~ Written by the talented pair of Skip Ewing and Ray Herndon, this song is taken (according to the liner notes) from Chesney’s debut album. (But I am sure it is the title cut from his second release Me and You. Oh, they even make mistakes in publishing liner notes. LOL.) With his signature Ewing piano opening, this sweet song is simple but with powerful lyrics and a charming delivery.
~~~BACK WHERE I COME FROM~~~~ Written by the prolific talent of Mac McAnally, this live performance in Dallas, Texas, is from the second collection Me and You and was the song that caused me to start really taking note of this young talent. The song tells of what life is like back where he is from in his rural Tennessee hills. This song is a reminder of his roots in a style similar to that of Dolly Parton.
~~~WHEN I CLOSE MY EYES~~~~ Written by Mark Alan Springer and Nettie Musick, this is one of my favorite Chesney songs. If love has ever taken a hold of you to the point where everything reminds you of that special someone, then this song will have a wonderful impact for you. Vocal harmonizing adds a depth to this song that is rare anymore in solo act recording. Beautiful music. Just sit back, close your eyes, and go to the music. Again, the song is from the second Chesney project.
~~~SHE’S GOT IT ALL~~~~ Written by Drew Womack and Craig Wiseman, this is the song that made Kenny a bona fide country star, and is the song you will still hear plenty of airplay on. Lyrically as tight as any song recorded in the late 90s, this song has a driving beat that is just screaming, “Remember Me.” From the I Will Stand collection.
~~~THAT’S WHY I’M HERE~~~~ Written by Shaye Smith and Mark Alan Springer, this song also appeared on the third Chesney collection. The song has a great piano lead with very mellow lyrics and tells the story of a man who is battling his alcoholism. This song won a great deal of critical acclaim for its powerful message.
It’s the simple things in life,
Like the kids at home, and a loving wife,
That you miss the most,
When you lose control…
I’ve been there,
That’s why I’m here.
~~~HOW FOREVER FEELS~~~~ Written by Wendell Mobley and Tony Mullins, this song is one of the hits from his Everywhere We Go collection. Great guitar and fiddle licks lead off this great number. (See my review of the album for further information on these hits.) The song is just one of those catchy ditties that just sticks with you.
~~~YOU HAD ME FROM HELLO~~~~ Co-written with the great Skip (he should come out with a songbook) Ewing, it, of course, starts with that great piano intro which is reinforced lightly throughout the magical lyrics. A wonderful love song, and one of the best of last years’ cuts.
~~~SHE THINKS MY TRACTOR’S SEXY~~~~ Everyone has to have one of these songs in their career, so I’m glad he got it out of the way on collection four. But this catchy song about his tractor (do you really think that could stand for something else?) just reaches out and grabs you after a few dozen listens. Written by Jim Collins and the often forgotten talent of Paul Overstreet, this song rocketed up the charts and stayed there for some time. By the way, if you think Kenny is sexy, you will love the cover photo for this collection of Greatest Hits. And if you can’t get enough, check out the shirtless pics of him with the Warren Brothers while fishing on his web site.
~~~WHAT I NEED TO DO~~~~ From sexy tractors to the haunting lonesome sounds of this release from the fourth collection. What a powerful song this is. I love the lyrics and the music only adds to the beauty of this traveling song. Written by Bill Luther and Tom Damphier, this is one of those songs you will be hearing for many years.
~~~BAPTISM~~~~ This is the wonderful Mickey Cates song from collection four sung as a duet with his bud Randy Travis. The music of this song plays beautifully to the strengths of Travis’ voice and the blending of Chesney and Travis is musical poetry. By the way, this song contributes to the concept of the picture on the cover. A throw back to when every album in country had at least one religious song, one might fail to realize its beauty unless you actually sit down and listen to this beautiful tune.
~~~BECAUSE OF YOUR LOVE~~~~ This is the fourth of the new cuts on this album. Written by Marv Green and Chris Lindsey, this song solidifies the Chesney sound of mellow, emotional love songs. If this is released as a single, I can see this being the Wedding Song of 2001. Beautiful lyrics even though it isn’t as tight lyrically as most of his songs.
THE CONCLUSION: You have to have this album. This is one of the most important Greatest Hits releases of the year, and is a shoe in for nominations from the ACM and CMA and Music City News Awards. This collection solidifies Kenny Chesney’s position as one of the rising super stars of this decade.
Kenny Chesney has built his career the old-fashioned way: one step, one hit, and one gold record at a time. Kenny grew up in the small east Tennessee ...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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