A Good Cowboy and his sidekick Slim take the Red Dirt Road
Written: Jul 18 '03 (Updated May 22 '04)
Product Rating:
Pros: Kix Brooks, great music, Kix Brooks, and "Good Cowboy"...and Kix Brooks!
Cons: Should have been an enhanced multi-media CD.
The Bottom Line: Brooks & Dunn have a hit on their hands again, but buy it to listen to "Memory Town" and "Good Cowboy." Kix Brooks,you do it like a cowboy should!
Pampushky's Full Review: Red Dirt Road by Brooks & Dunn
If you've ever read any of my other reviews, you'd know I am an enormous Brooks & Dunn fan. I got into them almost 3 years ago, and hit the road, hot on the trail of the Kix and Ronnie phenomena. I've had the pleasure of seeing them live more times than I will honestly mention, and only their live show outshines their cds.
After huge success with 2001's "Steers & Stripes," it was a matter of time until the eagerly awaited 2003 release of "Red Dirt Road" would hit the stores. On July 15, it did just that, especially after the popularity of the single by the same name, peaking at #1 on the Billboard charts. The follow-up single "You Can't Take the Honky Tonk Out of The Girl" reached #3, and became a huge video classic thanks to a brief appearance by the Coors Twins and Marilu Henner.The current release, "That's What She Gets for Loving Me," written by Dunn as an outpouring of his love for wife Janine,presently sits at #11 on the Billboard country charts. Featuring 14 listed tracks and one "hidden" track, this CD shows a more mature, yet funkier side to B&D, featuring everything from ballads to Texas twang.
The first cut on the CD, "You Can't Take The Honky Tonk Out Of The Girl" is a Ronnie Dunn-sung, dobro-laced tune. It's a typical B&D fun song, all about a wild child named Connie who ruins the wedding plans of a second cousin. This was a great opening track choice, the music blasts you into the mood from the first note, and no matter how had you try, it will grow on you.
The second cut, "Caroline", was co-written by long-time Brooks & Dunn guitarist Charlie Crowe. This song was originally not a favorite of mine, though after listening to it multiple times, I find myself listening to it more and more. It has an odd echo-effect, and reminds me of a never ending dream I can't wake from.
Kix Brooks should be extremely pleased with "When We Were Kings." Not only is the song very well-written, but his vocals are outstanding, and the chorus is so catchy I can't stop singing it. One of his best songs to date, and very well-written by Brooks to honor an old friend who was killed in Florida, not in Viet Nam.
Ronnie Dunn wrote "That's What She Gets for Loving Me" for wife, Janine, and he has performed this song since last year live to a great crowd response. It's basically a "I may be a dog sometimes, but I love you" ballad, also full of dobro and harmonica.
Track 5 is the first hit from this CD, "Red Dirt Road." Released in April, 2003, it has skyrocketed up the charts and is the first number one hit from this CD. It features a catchy chorus, great organ and horns, and is a self-reflective look at growing up. This track is nominated for "Song of The Year" for the Academy of Country Music Awards, to be televised May 26, 2004.
"Feels Good Don't It" will most-likely be the fourth single from the CD, and it is the catchiest, radio-friendly cut on RDR. The opening licks are great, and Dunn is amazing on this song. I love blasting this song in the car, it picks up my mood every time.
My favorite song on this CD, hands down, is "Memory Town," sung and written by Kix Brooks. Often overlooked for his singing ability, and more known for his wild and active stage presence (and in my heart, his looks and personality), Kix deserves a lot of attention on this song alone. The music is captivating, the lyrics, heart-wrenching, and Brooks' voice is just perfect for this song. This CD should be bought just for this one cut, if nothing else.
There are a few weak links on this CD, "I Used To Know This Song By Heart," and "Believer" but overall it is remarkable piece of music from country's biggest duo. I know, all you B&D fan club folks will write and complain that the Ronnie songs are always great, but an opinion is just that, and I happen not to love these songs. But relax girls, I do believe Ronnie Dunn has the best voice of all time in country music.
One song I cannot overlook in my review is "Good Cowboy." Fortunately I am female, so I can be honest...Kix Brooks is HOT! This song is the sexiest song I have ever heard, and Kix Brooks puts wannabe country heart-throbs Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney in the baby strollers where they belong. This song is so hot I hate to even share it with anyone else, but ladies...trust me, you'll be wanting a "Good Cowboy" of your very own after listening to this track. Written originally as "Good Texan" by Jimmie Vaughn and Niles Rogers, the re-wording to "Good Cowboy" is THE perfect song for Kix Brooks. The only bad part of the song is when it's over. Glad I have a repeat button on my CD player! Hopefully this will find its way to the stage for a live performance (The girls will faint at your feet, Kix) and a video. WOW, that's all I can say.
Finally, Ronnie Dunn's hidden track, "Holy War" is a personal statement about the absurdity of televangelism today. It comes complete with a Pentacostal choir singing back-up, and while not a radio-friendly song, it's worth giving a listen to.
"Red Dirt Road" is not "Borderline" or "Hard Working Man," but it is sure to open up the eyes of new listeners, as well as please the ears of the long-time Brooks & Dunn fans.It shows a completely different side to Kix & Ronnie, and really allows them to self-express just who they were, are and want to be. The CD has been nomiated for "Album of the Year" by both the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music. It's a classic CD with a modern twist, and I highly recommend it.
When it was time for reigning Academy of Country Music Entertainers of the Year Brooks & Dunn to return to country radio, following their much-acclaim...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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