CD Review: Lives - T. Graham Brown
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Starting off the album with my favorite kind of song, "Happy Ever After" is one that I have heard before so it was great to sing along to right off the bat. "Wake up baby I know it's raining. Still we gotta rise and shine, because happy ever after comes one day at a time" is how the rockin' tune goes. You have to realize that you will not wake up and instantaneously be happy with only a snap of the fingers. "I Wish That I Could Hurt That Way Again" begins with a lonely sounding saxophone and then T. Graham Brown's soulful voice starts singing the beginning line. He wants to "play that game again" even though he knows he will end up on the losing end. He loved the woman with all he had but that did not make everything perfect. This song is especially neat because not only does T. Graham sound slow and lonely, the saxophone playing with him also does, thus making the perfect sounding musical masterpiece. When the next song (and also the longest at six minutes and four seconds) "Memphis Women & Chicken" began, it reminded me (musically) of John Anderson's song "Swingin'." According to the man, Memphis women with their "blueberry eyes" and "light powdered sugar sprinkled in her hair" sure know how to cook a good meal. In the end there is some talk about Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lewis and the blues and how their influence can be found in Memphis Tennessee. Going from a fun and bluesy song to a slow and spiritual one with "Wine Into Water." "This song was a gift from God," T. Graham says, "and I'm giving it to ya'll tonight." The man has prayed so many trying to fight the battle against the bottle. In a moment of feeling low and "down and out," he gets down on his knees to turn to the Father once again, realizing that he needs spiritual guidance and help to mend the broken pieces that has plagued his wife and his other family members. "Could you help me turn this wine back into water?" he asks throughout. "God bless every one of ya'll right there" he says to the audience as the song concludes. In this rollicking, fast-paced song, you better not make Mr. Brown play "Hide And Seek" with your love because "You said all you needed was a little more time, and you took me for a fool. Now honey how long can you go on changing all of the rules?" "Good Days And Bad Days" is an account of life after love. Some days are good, some are bad, but that is not new to him because he is already used to feeling that way. He wakes up thinking that the past will stay in the past but at nights they just come flooding back. "What's the use of going out on the town, I know I'll never wear your memory down" is his way of thinking as is the way of many other people out there trying to patch up a crumbled heart. Though he cannot offer fancy gifts or diamond rings, he says he wants the woman to "Accept My Love" in the eleventh song on "Lives!" If he could, he would do anything to see the stars light up in her eyes and be the one to comfort and hold her if she needs someone to do so. The lyrics would easily match up with slow accompanying music but this tune is up-tempo and Bekka Bramlett does a great job singing backup on it. One of my favorite Oldies songs is by Otis Redding and is called "Dock Of The Bay." I was very surprised that there was a version on this album and even more so when I actually heard T. sing it. Not only is this rendition extremely great, it is the best one I have ever heard (and believe me, I have heard many). Song List:
Graphics © Jennifer Webb, with the exception of the album cover, used with permission of Madacy Label Group.
Buy Lives.
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