| Buddy Jewell - Buddy Jewell | |
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Like most people that know who Buddy Jewell is, I first heard of him when I saw him on the Nashville Star competition each week. From the very start, I thought he had a fabulous voice, and his performances were always excellent, no matter what type of song he performed. In the end, he was voted the Nashville Star, and with this album, he proves that he's no fluke. He's the real deal.
One of the things I thought was really cool was the fact that Buddy invited two of the Nashville Star finalists to record with him on this album. Miranda Lambert performs the duet, "Today I Started Loving You Again," and Jamey Garner lends his awesome harmonica playing to "Sweet Southern Comfort."
If you saw the finale on Nashville Star where Buddy won the competition, you will recognize the first song from the album, "I Wanna Thank Everyone." He sang part of this song on the show, and it's another good one. It talks about being stubborn, and when people tell you no, you try even harder to do it anyway. He sings, "You know who you are. You all played the part in pushing me on to my dreams."
The first single from the album is one of the three co-written by Buddy himself, "Help Pour Out The Rain (Lacey's Song)." The song debuted on the Billboard Hot Country Singles charts at #44, which was the highest debut for a new solo artist since Wynonna debuted at #45 with "She Is His Only Need" in 1992. Add to the great song a touching video which stars all three of Buddy's children, and this song is a winner on all accounts.
"Sweet Southern Comfort" is a great banjo-infused tune. The lyrics are such that you can see the picture in your mind as you listen to Buddy sing, "Misty sunrise in my hometown. Rows of cotton 'bout knee high. Mrs. Baker down the dirt road still got clothes out on the line." This one is one I really hope he releases as a single.
"Today I Started Loving You Again" is one of my favorite Merle Haggard songs. Buddy sings this with fellow Nashville Star finalist Miranda Lambert, and they sure do sound good together. It was a bit odd to hear Miranda start singing before Buddy, and her voice seems to be a bit more dominant in parts, but I really like it.
"Abilene On Her Mind" is my favorite Buddy Jewell song. It's one he co-wrote, and sang several times on Nashville Star, and one that many others have said is a definite hit. I totally agree. He sings about how he lost the one he loved, because he didn't realize that he was losing her until it was too late.
Another Buddy composition is "One In a Row." This is another song I had heard before as a sample on Buddy's site. The storyline tells about a man who is trying to go on after losing his love. He takes it one day at a time, saying that "But I made it through the night. That's one in a row."
The Celtic-inspired "O'Reilly Luck" starts with a grandfather telling his grandson that the O'Reilly name must have been cursed, and they saved up to move to the United States, but as they were planning on leaving, the baby got sick, and they weren't able to go. Of course, by the time you hear the last verse you find out that the trip they were planning on making was on the Titanic.
In "Why We Said Goodbye" Buddy sings about a past relationship and you can hear the pain in his voice as he sings, "I remember how I broke down the night my father died. I didn't have to tell you, you just held me when I cried." He remembers the good times and the bad, but can't remember why they parted. So, he calls her up and asks if they can try again.
"One Step At a Time" has a gospel feel to it. He sings, "I'm a man, I'm not an angel. I got no wings to fly. But I'll make it up to heaven, one step at a time."
Clint Black wrote "I Can Get By" and had previously recorded it on one of his own albums. It's another winner. Just listening to it, I'm reminded of "We Tell Ourselves." It's another one that I really think would do well on radio.
"You Know How Women Are" starts out with a guy telling his friends that he's gotta go because his woman is going to worry if he isn't home on time, and "you know how women are." He sings, "She stands right beside me, win or lose. She'll reach down deep inside and find a way to pull me through. She can see the silver lining in the darkest of news."
Buddy's waited 10 years for this, and I gotta say, with this collection of songs, he's got nothing to worry about that he won't still be around 10 years to come. There's not a song on this album that I would say wouldn't do well on radio. This album is going to be playing in my CD player for a long time to come. It's a definite breath of fresh air for those that like traditional country, yet contemporary enough to still do well on radio. Go Buddy! You still have my vote.
Song List:
Album cover courtesy of Sony Nashville.
Listen to sound clips of all the songs at CMT's Track-a-Day.
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