Chris Young - The Man I Want to Be
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CD Details
Artist: Chris YoungEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown)
CD Release Date: 2009-08-31
Music Label: RCA
Soundtracks:
- That Makes Me
- Voices
- The Dashboard
- Gettin' You Home
- It Takes a Man
- The Shoebox
- Rose in Paradise (Duet with Willie Nelson)
- Twenty-One Candles
- The Man I Want to Be
- Rainy Night in Georgia
Music reviews of The Man I Want to Be
Music Review: A MAN Worthy Of BEing
Rating: 4 Stars
Every once in a while you hear someone early on in their career who you just know is going to be a star, be it on the radio, or, say, on a reality T.V. show. When it comes to the latter, "American Idol" has certainly proven this to be true, as has (to a lesser degree) "Nashville Star." As far as "Star" is concerned, I can think of two cases in particular, Miranda Lambert being the first, and Chris Young being the second.
CHRIS YOUNG was a solid debut effort, with strong vocals and smart arrangements. The songs, however, were a bit lacking, way below Young's level of talent and somewhat one-note (pretty much every track was about, mentioned or alluded to drinking). This left a "good-but-not-great" taste by the end of the disc, not a good thing for an initial release.
This problem is not only rectified on THE MAN I WANT TO BE, it's flat-out blown out of the water. With the exception of one track, this is a group of honest, heartfelt, REAL songs that reach down to the core of the listener's being, allowing them to say "Oh, yeah...I get it!" or "I've been there."
Adding to this honesty and realness is a new suppleness to Young's voice. It's still rich, deep and expressive, but it's now enhanced by added maturity and nuances that dance in and out, up and down, coloring a phrase here, burnishing an emotion there.
"That Makes Me" starts things off on a strong note. Young is proud of who he is and where he's from, and he's making no apologies for it ("Call me hick, hillbilly/Hell I'm proud to be what that makes me"). His lead vocal is strong and from the gut, while the instrumentation is crisp and clean. Very nice indeed!
Having just lost both my mom and grandmother in the last eighteen months, "Voices" hit me particularly hard. If we're lucky, our greatest life lessons will come from those we've loved the most, and they will stay with us forever. Young conveys this fact in an assured, easy-going manner, sung 100% from the heart. A true beauty, plain and simple.
I also really love "The Dashboard." This song tells a wonderful story, commenting on that special bond that siblings (hopefully) have. Young's vocal swoops and soars, while the arrangement rolls along at a perfect pace, relaxed and cool. Toss in brilliant instrumentation ~ piano, fiddle, guitar all shine ~ and you have a real gem.
"Gettin' You Home" has a casual, subdued sensuality to it. Young's voice is smoldering, perfectly cushioned by an arrangement that is understated, yet straight forward. Toss in sexy, sly lyrics - "Now honey I know by the look in your eye/And your hand drawin' hearts onto mine/That our night out of the house ain't gonna last too long" - and....WOW!!!
"It Takes A Man" could have been cliched, corny and/or preachy, but Young delivers this song about an unexpected pregnancy with such honesty and conviction that it can't be anything but real and true. Tania Hanchenoff's backing vocals add just the right amount of support, but it's Young who really shines here. "It Takes A Man" is a prime example of just how much Young has grown since his debut offering.
"The Shoebox" also hit me way hard. Cut from the same cloth as "Voices", the entire song is summed up in the lyrics "Don't forget the little moments/They're the ones that mean the most." A sterling lead vocal and gentle instrumentation are greatly enhanced by Aubrey Haynie's atmospheric fiddle. Without a doubt, THE MAN I WANT TO BE's loveliest cut.
There's a nice story/song feel to "Rose In Paradise", but it almost seems out of place here....with the rest of the album's personal groove, "Rose..." just seems to sort of stand out like an afterthought, or, worse yet, a hoped-for single. Still, there's a nice vibe between Young and duet partner Willie Nelson, and their voices blend together beautifully. I just wish it was on something that fit a bit better into the whole mix.
The album's only REAL klunker is "Twenty-One Candles", a definite case of single slumming or album padding. This generic tale of a country girl gone wild just doesn't fit on a disc this honest and sincere.....it's like putting a Britney Spears song on a Carly Simon or Bonnie Raitt album. TMIWTB's only real misstep.
There's a dreamy, from-the-heart quality to the disc's lovely title track. Young's voice just soars...once again, it's amazing what a difference a couple of years and the right song can make. Backed by a subdued arrangement and muted instrumentation, this cut sways, swirls and totally sticks it to ya! Another winner....big time!
At first glance, "Rainy Night In Georgia" might seem an odd choice to close things out with, but I'm glad Young opted for this veer off into left field. Much like Keith Anderson with "Lazy With Your Love" off his debut THREE CHORD COUNTRY AND AMERICAN ROCK & ROLL, it shows Young can touch upon his Soul side without it seeming forced or calculated. Yet another very nice moment.
So, all in all, I have to say that THE MAN I WANT TO BE is definitely one of 2009's nicest surprises. It was clear with his debut release that a major talent had arrived. It was just a matter of the material being sung catching up to that talent. With this disc, that's exactly what has happened, and it's clear as day....not only is Chris Young a star ~ be it "Nashville" or otherwise! ~ but he's grown into the man that both he and the listener want him to be!
(As with all my reviews, I'm giving the disc an extra half a star for including the lyrics).
Description of The Man I Want to Be
With an ear toward the past and an eye on the future, Chris Young is quickly distinguishing himself as a newcomer who honors Country music's best traditions while adding a fresh new chapter to the genre's legacy. With his rich, warm baritone and penchant for writing relatable, slice-of-life songs, Young's sophomore project showcases a new traditionalist poised to take his place among his musical heroes. Features the single 'Gettin' You Home (The Black Dress Song)'.Country CDs
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