Brilliant project doesn't please everybody
Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 10/23/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a re-issue of Stars and stripes Vol 1. As Vol 2 never appeared, the re-issue wisely shortens the title. One track (In my room - with Tammy Wynetter) was recorded for the intended volume 2. It was eventually released on her memorial album, Tammy Wynette Remembered, and it is at least as good as any of the tracks that are on this album.
As a lover of Beach Boys, country music and tribute albums, I love this album. It is obvious to me that some people take their music far too seriously. There are some really classy performances here, particularly Don't worry baby with Lorrie Morgan, Warmth of the sun with Willie Nelson and I can hear music with Kathy Troccoli, but some of the other tracks are just for fun. And wasn't that what much of their sixties music was about anyway? - Fun Fun Fun !!!!!
Anybody who knows anything about Sawyer Brown's music knows that their music is just for fun, not to be taken too seriously, therefore their contribution here (I get around) is just as I expected. No doubt that the Beach Boys invited them on this album knowing what to expect. As to Long tall Texan with Doug Supernaw, this is obviously just a piece of musical fun and was never intended to be anything else.
Difficult though it may be for some to accept, this album may have introduced the music of the Beach Boys to young country music fans who may not have quite appreciated just how good their sixties music was - and it may have caused some Beach Boys fans to discover that country music has changed out of all recognition since the sixties. In those days, people often complained that it was too sad and miserable. Now people complain that it's too lightweight and fluffy, and maybe (for them) this album will reinforce their belief.
Tribute albums offer the chance to look at old songs in a new perspective, and none more so than this one. I have a lot of tribute albums, and this is one of my favorites. I wish that there had been a volume 2 (perhaps including Glen Campbell, who was once a Beach Boy himself) but it will never be."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
