DISQUS

Kevin Wolf · 2 years ago

My sister gave me Mud On the Tires and I have a friend who has recommended Paisley often -- but I still haven't listened to him much. I guess it's time to go back and do so.

(BTW, those who write off country music, even slick country music, need to get over it.)

Tony Alva · 2 years ago

I've been trying to ease my NYC buds into embracing SOME of the latest country/pop guys for the last couple of years with mixed results. I think they're convinced that they're all Toby Keith. A year or so ago I took a good friend who happened to be in town to a fest here in town and Keith Urban was rocking the house on one of the stages. I will agree with him and you that the schmaltz is hard to take at times, but over all the country guys are KICKING the rockers asses when it comes to guitar wailage. It's funny, Bob Lefsetz has just recently "discovered" this genre and has fallen in love with the honesty of it all. I gotta say he's on the mark. While they records do seem to borrow production elements from the hair band era, it's still far more rock and roll than what's on the charts in my mind. It's more like guitar driven rock with a little fiddle flavor.

P.S. Tom, I tried clicking Fifth Gear link to buy this from Amazon and it farted out. I'll wait a bit and try again if you want to fix it.

Jason Chervokas · 2 years ago

TA- I dunno about honesty....it's all made to market craftsmanship, but that's the stuff that made Nashville justifably famous. No one holds professionalism against Cole Porter or Willie Nelson.

I've been in awe of Brad Paisley since his second record. He was a child prodigy, started professionally at 12. He's a triple threat--like Faron Young, Harlan Howard and James Burton rolled into one. And he just keeps getting better. You'll love the gear section of his Website.

Kevin, if one more person gives Paisley a serious listen then I'm very happy!

BalladMusician · 2 years ago

I agree Brad Paisley is the most talented pop musicians curretly. He is my favorite pop musicians. But I have search that he is now a pipular country musicians making the best and hottest hits wordlwide. it's that true? You are focusing to pip music. I thought your review will contain ballad musicians also as you mention Elton John.

Christian · 2 years ago

Interesting post, and a good point about snobbery and blind spots.

But.....as good or better than Danny Gatton? I don't believe it.

I am a refugee from a long stint in DC, a telecaster town, and I don't buy it.

That being said, I've outgrown guitarslinger worship since high school, when I learned to ppreciate serving the song, space, melody, and all elements that made, say, George Harrison's non-heroic guitar contribution to the Beatles a mighty more than the some of parts.

But Danny Gatton was something else. I don't think anyone could touch him, a one-off combination of pyrotechnics and soul. Most guitarists trade more in one than the other. He had towering heaps of both, and must have been seen to be believed.

Jason Chervokas · 2 years ago

Christian-

Oh yeah, better than Danny Gatton. I saw Gatton a coupla times w/ Robert Gordon's band. Great guitarist. But I think Paisley is spectacular.

You're right, of course, about guitar pyrotechnics for their own sake, although sometimes that's good too--like Gatton's classic duel w/ pedal steel plyaer Buddy Emmons, "Redneck Jazz." What I get from listening to Paisley tearing into the axe is the sheer joy of playing and playing great. Never sounds like too much to me. In fact, I want more! more! more! Same kinda reaction I have listening to Sonny Rollins.

And anyway, I love the songs too. What can I say, I adore and am continually amazed by Paisley. And I think this new record is far and away his best yet.

Christian · 2 years ago

ok, your ethusiasm is convincing me to check him out, I know your ears are reliable from your old podcast, lol.

Have you seem Brad live? Its his guitar all over the record, and not studio guys? Not that there's anything wrong with that, I'm a huge fan of underacknowledged sidemen like James Burton, etc.

As for Danny Gatton, he was a soulful tele player, and for some reason DC has produced a string of them, from Roy Buchanan through to Bill Kirchen, who tears it up on his own and for Nick Lowe.

Jason Chervokas · 2 years ago

I haven't seen Paisley...never plays in the greater NYC area like most country stars

The new album is the one to start w/, it feature more uptempo novelties and lot of gtr. It's him on gtr, and his pedal steel player, Randall Currie, is equally awesome and they play a duel on the new album, "Mr. Policeman," that's fabulous.

There's a good number Paisley cut w/ Burton on his third album, I think, if you're a Burton fan.

Sarah · 2 years ago

I saw him live in NYC for Good Morning America in Bryant Park!!!!! He is even more amazing in concert! And there was hardly anyone there so I got close to the front! The guitar is all him. Video of "Ticks" performed live at a concert will prove it though:
http://music.aol.com/video/ticks/brad-paisley/1...

Loukas · 2 years ago

Interesting...

Used cars · 7 months ago

Oh, I like this guy so much..