Search - Clay Walker :: She Won't Be Lonely Long

A "Lonely" Walker On a Country Road

T. Yap | Sydney, NSW, Australia | 06/08/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Prime Cuts: Like We Never Said Goodbye, People in Planes, Feels So Right



Clay Walker sure is lonely. After the carnage of assault of a rock-based country sweeping across the genre, most of the neo-traditional artists from the 90s no longer have access to the charts. Save for George Strait, Alan Jackson and Brad Paisley, Clay Walker is one of the few that still carries the flag of real country music. And to add cause for rejoicing, lead single and title cut "She Won't Be Lonely for Long" is Walker's first top 10 single since 2007's "Fall." "She Won't Be Lonely For Long" is this Texan's 9th studio non-seasonal album and though it pales in comparison to his first four sublime albums, it's choke full of songs that matter that make this CD an essential purchase. Thanks are in part due to Keith Stegall (who is the mastermind behind all those great Alan Jackson records) who produced the first 9 cuts while Doug Johnson handles the other 3. Vocally Walker is a delight: his southern drawl tenor is so affectuous that he cannot be vapid even if he tries to be. Even when the material verges on the nonessential, Walker has a way of cutting through the clutter with his earnest nuances that can only come from his years of experiences.



Having carved a niche for tackling songs that strike at the core of our spiritual being (such as "Then What?" and "The Chain of Love"), Walker continues to uphold such a lofty tradition with the penetrating "People in Planes." An acerbic and solemn spiritual reminder that regardless of our material pursuits what matters is who is driving the plane of our lives. Drawing on our cultural icons to ground his homilies, "Double Shot of John Wayne" is a delightful waltz (which is quite ironic) that extols the need to be people of integrity. Back to back with "John Wayne" is another name dropping paean--"Jesse James"--a non-essential nonsense of a song about being free made only acceptable by its driving anthemic tune. Yet, Walker has not alienated his hopeless romantic fans. Fans who has had been smitten by Walker's top 2 hit "Hypnotize the Moon" will be equally lost in the gorgeous euphoria of love on the old Alabama re-make "Feels So Right." Featuring former Alabama front man Randy Owen on backing vocals, "Feels So Right" is the perfect marriage of a beautiful melody and heart tugging words.



Some honky tonk moments abound with Cory Batten and Tiffany Goss' "Like We Never Said Goodbye." Set in a tavern where two former lovers meet again after years of separation, "Like We Never Said Goodbye" has a bittersweet aftertaste that is so addicting. Another slice of country with some excellent fiddle lines and steel is the laidback lead single and title cut "She Won't Be Lonely For Long." Lyrically similar to Travis Tritt's "Sometimes She Forgets," "Lonely" tells the tale of a male protagonist reading the bodily cues of a lady ready to ask her out. Nevertheless, there are a couple of clinkers: "An American" that is co-written by Walker and buddy Jason Greene is so cliché about what an American is that is just plainly insulting. While "7 Sundays" is a parody of Keith Anderson's "Sunday Morning in America" except Walker's tune is an exercise of using stereo-types of what Sunday looks like in the South that it appears cartoon-ish and insincere.



Other than the above two duds, "She Won't Be Lonely For Long" is a fine CD. Safely oscillating within the parameters of Walker's portfolio, it's a solidly country CD with songs that move the feet and others that tug at the heart. Even if Walker is one of the few neo-traditional country artists left, with an album so good (and hopefully successful) he may resurrect an interest back to the rustic roots of the genre. And by then, he won't be lonely for long.

"

Welcome back Clay

Ab Uffalo | Australia | 06/24/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's great to have Clay back with an album that is just soooo good! And man, does he do it in style! You really can't ask for much more in a country album, & that's what's on offer here - great vocals, superb musicians, & Keith Stegall's production expertise at its very best. And the songs? Well, there's not a bad number amongst the lot, although "People in Planes" is probably not of the same calibre as the rest. Still, it's quirky & interesting, & it ain't bad. The best tracks are the title song "She Won't Be Lonely Long" (great lyrics, very neatly tied together), "Jesse James (my personal favourite), "Double Shot of John Wayne" (all nostalgia fans will relate to the message here), "All American" (one for the patriots, & one that surprisingly, has a real feelgood message in it, not one that just pays lip service), and the beautiful ballad (and bonus track), "Feels so Right", with Clay being accompanied by Randy Owen. This album is truly a treat folks. Sure, I could wallow in specifics & sit here and disect every track for you, but hell, that'd just be a waste of time & space. My tip to you, is just to go out & listen to it. Put the headphones on, shut out the rest of the world, put your feet up, lie back, & enjoy. This is country music at its best. More please, Clay."

Love this New CD!

Sally Ride | Texas | 06/09/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I think this was a great way to come back! My favorite is a "double shot of John Wayne"."