Search - Pat Boone :: Ready to Rock (Dig)

Boone Not "Ready to Rock" But Ready to Croon

T. Yap | Sydney, NSW, Australia | 04/24/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Prime Cuts: Give Her Thorns (And She'll Find the Roses), Perfect World, New Moon, Old Flame



His trademark white buck shoes, impeccably combed hair and irresistible smile have made Pat Boone an American icon. In fact, in his heyday, Boone was almost a rival to Elvis, selling as many as 45 million records and charting at least 38 top 40 hits. Now in his 70s, Boone has yet to call it quits. He has returned this time with a bona fide country record. Though released under an independent imprint, Gold Label Records, this is far from being a surd. Rather, "Ready to Rock" has been made with a crack band featuring Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles, Chet McCracken of the Doobie Brothers and Richie Polodor of Three Dog Night. Though most of the songs are penned by Bob Morrison, there are also co-writes with some of Nashville's songwriters' VIP list including the late Dennis Linde, Donny Kees, Karen Staley, and Jan Buckingham. However, vocally, don't expect the same Boone who brought us "Remember You're Mine" or "Friendly Peruasion." Age has indeed caught up with Boone: in several songs, he's taking more breaths than usual. Further, his acumen for hitting the notes precisely has been a hit and miss, this result in Boone singing a little out of tune.



Nevertheless, Boone still is that old romantic at heart and his way with roses and moonlight still doesn't disappoint. One needs to look no further than the love-infested piano led "Perfect World"--Boone croons this ballad with formidable drama sans bombast. The Kenny Rogers-styled "Give Her Thorns (And She'll Find the Roses)" is intriguing co-written by Bob Morrison and the Dennis Linde. Linde who has been known for his bluesy rock country (e.g., "Callin' Baton Rouge" by Garth Brooks and "Goodbye Earl" by Dixie Chicks) flexes his versatility with this amorous tribute to a special lady who could always see life from the perspective of the bottle half full. Two covers are also worthwhile mentions: "Just Like Me" (a track first appeared on Lee Greenwood's CD) is a one of those melancholic story songs about life for the singer and his son in the aftermath of the wife's death. Kleenex moments certainly abound with his plaintive ballad. "New Moon, Old Flame," an Anne Murray original, is another well crafted paean that incurs nostalgic feelings of bittersweet heartbreak for the hopeless romantic to indulge.



However, not everything pans out well: "Yes!" which is rocker in the Roy Orbison's "Oh Pretty Woman" vein just does not take off with Boone's aging vocals. Likewise, despite being co-written by Karen Staley, Daniel Allen and Ward Boone, Boone's tribute to stock car racing, "NSCAR Time," does not have the drive to make the race sounds exciting enough to be infectious. Ditto to the title track "Ready to Rock," a track that just does not work for a man Boone's age. His vocals are not sturdy enough behind the propulsive drums and screeching guitars. "(Love is Like a) Wild Wild Rose," on the other hand, fis Boone better. But it is contrived by its very cliché lyrics and pedestrian melody.



Ray Ruff, who single handedly helmed the CD, is perhaps the culprit for not having the ear to choose he songs appropriate for Boone's age and somehow limited vocal range. Further, at times the production has a cheesy late 80s to early 90s feel with over-reliance of the keyboard and overpowering backing vocals. Nevertheless, the ballads here are the plus: they still show Boone in his most romantic best. Boone may not be ready to rock, but he still croons with delight.

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