CD Review – ‘The Guitar Song’ – Jamey Johnson

14 years ago Liv Carter Comments Off on CD Review – ‘The Guitar Song’ – Jamey Johnson

The Guitar Song – Jamey Johnson (Mercury Nashville – 2010)

Following the independent and mainstream success of That Lonesome Song, many were curious about Jamey Johnson‘s next move. Was he going to deliver a carbon copy album, pander to the format with songs about tractors, or continue to push the boundaries? With The Guitar Song, we have an answer. Jamey has delivered a 25-track, 2-disc effort that is unlike anything else released this year.
 
Reflecting the different tones of his material, the songs are divided over a ‘black’ and a ‘white’ disc, dealing with the darker and lighter material respectively. The distinction seems mainly to be made in the feel of the songs and the humor in the lyrics, as both sides deal with themes of substance abuse, heartache, success, failure, faith, losing faith, fear, love, and family. The yin-yang formula also allowed him to explore similar issues from multiple angles making for a breadth in material rarely seen on modern records.  

It is impossible to start listing stand-outs as I would have to mention all 25 tracks. Where some artists need a few filler tracks to deliver a 12-song album, this is a collection of more than two dozen strong cuts. The themes covered are essentially the same as on many a country album but the difference lies in the brutal honesty in the writing. I don’t think Jamey has ever written a boring verse in his life, he knows how to pick his co-writers, and when he starts ‘Mental Revenge’ with ‘Well, I hope the friend you’ve thrown yourself with/gets drunk and loses his job,’ you are forced to pay attention.

Exploiting the creative freedom they had on this record, Jamey and his band squeeze everything out of every track, resulting in gloriously long instrumental sections. Each songs has a logical ending; the story never left unfinished or too stretched out. Sitting side by side are ‘Heaven Bound’ and ‘Can’t Cash My Checks,’ the first a mere 2 minutes 39 seconds, the second clocking in at over 7 minutes. Mixed in with the new songs are also some outstanding covers of ‘Set ’em Up Joe’ and ‘For the Good Times.’ 

Jamey Johnson is a philosopher; he is an observer of life who celebrates the good and uses the bad to gain a better understanding of the human condition. He has the rare gift to turn both into compelling, true country music. The Guitar Song is the extraordinary result.     

The Guitar Song will be in stores tomorrow, September 14, 2010. 
 
Disclosure of material connection for this review. 

Liv Carter

Liv Carter

Liv is a career coach for creatives, and the people who work with them.
She holds several certificates from Berklee College of Music, and a certificate in Positive Psychology from UC Berkeley.
Her main influences are coffee, cats, and Alexander Hamilton.
Liv Carter

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