Anthology - John Anderson

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Reviewed by Jolene Downs

John Anderson has been a distinctive voice in country music since the mid 1970's. In releasing the Anthology album on Audium Records, John is giving his fans many happy memories that are all found in one spot. As you listen to this two CD set, you will hear songs that you may have forgotten about. If you are a long-time fan, you will appreciate finding songs that may be from an earlier album that is now hard-to-find. If you are a newer fan, you will love all the essential John Anderson songs in one place to enjoy.

Whether choosing an up-beat tune, a slow love ballad, a good drinking song or a humorous ditty, John Anderson does them all equally well. And they can all be found in this collection.

One of the first songs I can remember hearing by John Anderson is "I'm Just an Old Chunk of Coal (But I'm Going To Be A Diamond Someday)." The melody makes you tap your foot along to the beat. He is on a mission to improve himself and nothing is going to stand in his way.

"I Love You A Thousand Ways" is a beautiful love song. He is telling her that there is nothing he won't do for her. He loves her and he is willing to prove it a thousand ways.

"Long Black Veil" is a song I've heard covered by several artists. No matter who does it, it is a great love song. It is the classic story about sleeping with your best friend's wife. The twist is that a murder was committed and the man looked like you. Your alibi is the wife...what do you do?? This is a great song.

"She Just Started Liking Cheatin' Songs" is a great bar song. He spends the song being concerned with her new love of cheating songs. Why are they suddenly appealing to her?

John picked a great ballad when he recorded the song, "1959." They were high school sweethearts but the war happened and he went away. She married another while he was gone and he spends his time going through the old love letters where she said she would be with him forever. The song makes you want to run for the box of tissues before it is over.

"Chicken Truck" is a complete nonsense song, and it is fun. He is following a chicken truck and there are feathers and chicken smell, not to mention stuff on his windshield making it hard to see. He can't pass the thing because there is no room. I have no clue what possessed someone to write this song, but it is cute.

The smash hit "Swingin'" is the last song on the first disc. This song still has the power to make people sing along the minute the first notes hit your speakers. It is a story about young lovers in the country. It is fun to be on the front porch just 'swingin' as long as you are together.

"Black Sheep of the Family" is a fun song to listen to. It has a very upbeat melody and tongue-in-cheek lyrics. It is about someone that doesn't have a lot of material things, but he is completely happy. The rest of his family is well off, and his way of thinking makes him "the black sheep of the family."

John's voice is wistful as he sings "Wish I Could Have Been There." This is a song about a man who is so busy providing for his family that he isn't there for the important events in their daily routine. At the end of the song, it finds them celebrating their 25th anniversary - only the kids are grown and couldn't be there. Life has gone full circle.

"Straight Tequila Night" is a classic drinking song, with a twist. She sits at the bar drinking, and men are warned not to talk to her on a "straight tequila night." Those are the nights she is trying to forget and takes it out on anyone in sight. If she is drinking white wine, then you can talk. It has a melancholy feel.

For a song that is just plain fun, listen to "Somebody Slap Me." It has a very upbeat melody and every time he finds something that he has in common with his girlfriend he says, "Somebody slap me! I can't be THIS happy."

"Money in the Bank" is the song that reminded me a lot of his earlier hit song "Swingin'" because of the way he sings it and the tempo is also similar. He is saving for a house and a wedding ring instead of a cool car and a fishing pole. No matter what the temptations that come, he tells her that her love is better than money in the bank.

One of my all-time favorite John Anderson songs is, "Seminole Wind." I love the way they showcase the fiddle in it. The lyrics are haunting and Florida Native that he is, John really brings home the things that are done to people and land in the name of progress. I like the lyrics, I like the melody and I love the way John sings it.

Song List: - Disc 1

1. Your Lyin' Blue Eyes
2. I'm Just An Old Chunk of Coal (But I'm Going To Be A Diamond Someday)
3. I Love You A Thousand Ways
4. Long Black Veil
5. She Just Started Liking Cheatin' Songs
6. 1959
7. Would You Catch A Fallen Star
8. Wild and Blue
9. I Just Came Home To Count The Memories
10. Chicken Truck
11. Honky Tonk Crowd
12. Down In Tennessee
13. Let Somebody Else Drive
14. Occasional Eagle
15. Swingin'

Album cover used with permission of Audium.