Search - Jamey Johnson :: Dollar

Some great country music by a great singer/songwriter!

DanD | 03/15/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I first heard "The Dollar" on the radio, I was floored. Not only by the touching lyrics, but also by the traditional sound. I could tell that the guy singing it had a deep love for traditional country music, and was someone who stayed true to his roots. After listening to this album, I still say all that.



THE DOLLAR is a great traditional country record. Sure, there are the contemporary "redneck anthems"--"Rebelicious," "Redneck Side of Me," even to an extent "Keepin' Up With the Jonesin"--but they are still better than a lot of their cousin songs. Johnson's true country gift, however, comes across in other ways. The enjoyable "Flying Silver Eagle" is one of the countriest songs I've heard in a long time ("I couldn't put my past behind me, so I put it in a song"). "She's All Lady" is a touching tribute to the woman at home, and "Back to Carolina" is a powerful number. "My Saving Grace" is an ode to the power of blood over alcohol ("Daddy passed out with his demons, Mama passed the offering plate...Daddy kept the Devil off my back by taking up His time"). The CD ends with the stirring and inspirational gosel number "Lead Me Home."



Jamey Johnsom, from all appearances, seems the direct musical descendent of George Jones, Hank Jr., Merle Haggard, Waylon, and others--he's a traditional-leaning artist with what may come off as attitude, but what is really, in fact, simple honesty. THE DOLLAR is one of the best country albums I've heard in a long time. Yes, yes, he's the guy who co-wrote "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk," but for true die-hard country fans, Johnson is more likely to be remembered for the tunes he recorded here...and any more he gets the chance to record in his career. His voice is undeniably country, his writing skills are formidable, and his taste in traditional country music is unwavering. God--and the music industry--willing, Jamey Johnson will have a long career ahead of him. Lord knows, he's the right man to give country music a much-needed injection of traditionalism."

The Dollar

Amy Woodfin | Prattville, AL | 03/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is great!! Jamey is not only a great singer but a very talented songwriter also. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves country music!"

Johnston's "The Dollar" Well Spent

T. Yap | Sydney, NSW, Australia | 02/06/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Prime Cuts: The Dollar, My Saving Grace, She's All Lady



Country music, thanks to artists like Johnson, is not about empty gestures or fleeting thrills. Rather, it goes to heart under girded with a strong moral cincture. Just like Randy Travis' "Three Wooden Crosses" and Blake Shelton's "Austin," "The Dollar" is a momentous song for Johnson. A heart revivifying tale about a son trying to buy his work saturated father with his dollar note. This is heart wrenching and it serves as wake up call to all fathers who have lost the balance between work and home. The song's percolating back beat and Johnson's gruff baritone redeems it from being overtly mawkish or being a preachy soap box moralistic oratory. Though there's nothing quite as arresting as the title cut, Johnson's trump card is definitely country with an outlaw Hank Jr rowdy edge. Those who have bought Ray Scott's "My Kind of Music," will find great affinity here as this CD is also produced by Buddy Cannon.



Among the better cuts are the ballads. The piano-driven "She's All Lady" chronicles a less-than-fairy-tale-like romance between a church going damsel and a wild guitar man. With a winsome melody line and a big balladry type production, "She's All Lady" is fetching. Johnson, being a devout Christian, is not reticent in sharing his faith as evident in "My Saving Grace," a quieter, more acoustic reflection of perseverance and divine intervention over the woes of having an alcoholic father. "Lead Me Home," the album closer, is a full-fledged southern gospel number complete with a heavenly sounding choir.



However, this ex-marine does dabble with honky tonk Saturday night fun when he's not in church. Tracks such as "Rebelicious," "Redneck Side of Me," "Ray Ray's Juke Joint" and "Keepin' Up the Jonesing" display his more devilish side. Like the Johnson-penned Trace Adkins' "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk," they are high octane numbers with Johnston, for instance, drooling over half naked girls with that southern twang who ride Harleys in "Rebelicious." With fire-speed fiddling, screaming guitars and propulsive drumming, other than getting your feet stomping, there's nothing really mind boggling about these paeans. And why George Jones would offer a cameo appearance by singing a few tortured lines on "Keepin' Up the Jonesing" is just behooving.



Overall, the title cut and the ballads are well worth the money, but the uptempoes (which lionize the CD) are so-so. They are by no means ropey, it's just that they are not stand-outs. Nevertheless, the title track is one of a gem. It continues to revive one's faith in country music as a genre that moves not only the feet, but more importantly, it's one that transforms the heart."