Search - Lou Christie :: Beyond The Blue Horizon / Hey You Cajun

Lou Christie Strikes Again with Country Lightnin'!

04/13/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In 1973, classic rock 'n' roll performer Lou Christie took an odd turn into country music. Country was not an entirely illogical path for folkier artists such as Bob Dylan and the Byrds, but for a singer of such lusty teenage melodramas as "Lightnin' Strikes" and "Rhapsody in the Rain" it seemed completely crazy. As it turned out, though, Christie had a natural affinity for the form -- not that his album exactly fit in with the country market. "Lou Christie" is an odd and striking mix of sweet folksy numbers, bluegrass-tinged foot-stompers and pretty covers of classic pop songs (including "Mack the Knife" and "Wheel of Fortune"). Several tracks, including "Saddle the Wind," "Wilma Lee and Stoney," and Christie's sweet revival of "Beyond the Blue Horizon" rate among his best work. This reissue of "Lou Christie" contains four previously unreleased bonus tracks, including the sweet "Two Little Clouds Passing By." Christie remains one of the most unusual, lovable and underappreciated singers to emerge from the '60s. And it's a blessing to have "Lou Christie" available again."

Lou Does Country and Does It Well!

James E. Bagley | Sanatoga, PA USA | 02/01/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Originally issued in 1974 on the Three Brothers label as Lou Christie, this was Lou's detour into country music. Ironically, the single "Beyond The Blue Horizon" ended up becoming an adult contemporary hit (#12 Billboard) and missed the country charts completely. Over the years, it has been effectively re-used in the films RAIN MAN, DUTCH, and A HOME OF OUR OWN.



Throughout the album, Lou proves himself to be extremely adept at country music. He combines the original "Good Mornin'" with the Disney classic "Zip A Dee Doo Dah" and gives it a lazy delivery similar to "Beyond The Blue Horizon." "You Were The One" conjures up memories of smooth 60s countrypolitan, while "Wilma Lee and Stoney" (a tribute to legendary country duo Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper) offers up hard core twangy bluegrass and "Saddle The Wind" finds Lou in a gentle folk setting. Then there's "Hey You Cajun" which has an appropriately zydeco feel to it. It's a hodgepodge of western styles that surprisingly sound great alongside each other.



Prior to this album, Lou wrote most of his material with Twyla Herbert. Here he tackles 8 tunes by the producer/arranger Tony Romeo, best known previously for composing bubblegum tunes like the Partridge Family's "I Think I Love You" and Lou's hit "I'm Gonna Make You Mine." Lou's weary, under-stated version of Romeo's "Morning Rider" (originally released by the Partridge Family on their Up To Date album) is my favorite track on this album, one of Lou's most heartfelt recordings ever.



The last four tracks - all pretty ballads - are bonus tracks that don't really fit the tone of the original album. But don't let that keep you from purchasing what is otherwise a great cd that nicely showcases Lou Christie's diversity.



"

Essential listening

vintageboy | 08/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I did not expect to enjoy this CD so much, namely because I am not much of a Country-Western fan, and the only track I knew here is "Beyond the Blue Horizon". That aside, I was thrilled when I played it for the first time. This album is one of the most pleasing ones I have heard, and one of Lou Christie's best. Opening with the beautiful, "Saddle the Wind", and closing with the equally stunning "Morning Rider", this album is both clevery-produced/arranged and movingly performed. Other highlights (besides the title track) include the amusing "Good Mornin/Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah", the exhuberant "Hey You Cajun", as well as some nice bonus tracks, which round out the end of the CD. Definately one of my favorite Lou CDs, and one that you are likely to go back to, again and again."