CD Review: Livin' The Life - Elbert West
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In "Crawlin' Time," he has penned a "true" country song. It has the traditional country sound with a little twist to the story. Instead of the "she should have known better" story typically told while getting drunk, he says that he should have crawled back to her.
In "Side Of The Road," he finds his love in someone else's arms, so he leaves everything behind and starts "riding his thumb" out of town. He makes the observation that in todays world of mistrust, "no one gives a ride to a man on the side of the road these days." (This song idea came from passing by some people thumbing a ride on the freeway) "Diddley" is the first single from the album and is enjoying some airplay on radio and the video on CMT. It has a catchy tune and says "hey - I'll stand up to anyone who calls me a loser for choosing music as a job." He says it doesn't matter what people say, cause she loves him for who he is. "Neon Light" talks about the temptation of the honky tonks. His mama raised him to know right from wrong, but he was drawn to the neon lights. He tasted "heaven in tight blue jeans" but knew when to settle down. He has to keep in perspective that it is ok to enjoy life a little, but you need to know when to draw the line. "(This One's Gonna) Leave A Mark" is how it feels to lose a love. He has had all kinds of things happen to him that he walked away from. He's crashed a car, got in barroom fights - but this one is going to leave a mark. "Livin' The Life" is a ballad about everyday life. He gets up goes to work to make a living and considers everyday that he is alive to be a success. He knows life isn't always fair, but he has it better than some. So he says "you're a success if you just survive." One of my favorite songs on the album is "Robin Loves to Hear Me Sing." It talks about how the love and support of the one he loves enables him to sing. And even if he doesn't make it big, it will be ok because "Robin loves to hear me sing." He will sing just for her to make her happy even if no one else wants to listen. He is just as happy on the back porch swing with only her for an audience as he is in front of a crowd. "Sinner" is more of a "bad boy" song. He admits to doing what it takes to cross the finish line. "Everything He's Not" is a man trying to convince a woman that he is the best man for her. The man she is with now can give her material things, but doesn't love her. He wants to make her see that he will make up for her in happiness what he lacks in material possessions. It is a ballad/love song. Overall this was a very enjoyable album for someone who likes the traditional country sound. I'm sure we will be hearing more from Elbert West in the future. All graphics © Shelly Fabian, with the exception of the album cover, used with permission of Broken Bow Records.
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