| The Next Right Thing - T. Graham Brown | |
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Reviewed by Mike A.
With The Next Right Thing T. Graham Brown delivers his usual brand of country, rock and soul, with up-tempo rocking tracks such as "Tennessee Hideaway" and "Still Not Our of the Woods." But we also see a more sensitive and personal side of T. on this album, showing that Brown's ten year struggle without the stability of major-label support has not left him jaded, and his personal struggles have only made him stronger, bringing a refreshed and ready T into the studio for this remarkable album.
"The Next Right Thing"
"Which Way to Pray"
"Middle Age Crazy"
"Use the Blues"
"My Old Friend the Blues"
"Wine Into Water"
It's not often that any artist can truly express emotion in a single song, much less a whole album. For that reason, among others, The Next Right Thing is a stand-out album worthy of addition to every country fan's collection. Here you see one of country's masters showing us what music can be, and should be.
Song List:
Album cover, used with permission of Compendia Records
The album's title track is a song for the everyman, about forgetting the problems of the past and the worries of the future - and choosing instead to just focus on getting through today - doing the next right thing, and believing that everything else will come out okay.
A sad, moving, inspiring song about a woman with a troubled life, doing her best to make it through; wanting to ask God for help, but not knowing just what to ask for. Not knowing What way to pray. Beautifully written by T. Graham, Bill Anderson and Gary Nicholson this is one of the best 'message' songs I have heard in a long time, grabbing your attention and forcing you to ask "Why?" But doing it without becoming preachy.
A seriously sung, yet humorous look at one man's midlife crisis, as he tries to hold on to his youth, not realizing that it's long gone already.
"You've got to use the blues, to make you feel better." A simple message, yet so true. A fun song sure to lift your spirits. The Blues have always been an influence in Tony's music, but here he uses it well singing about not being blue because of the blues, instead of just singing them!
A great Steve Earle song, and a perfect choice for T. Graham's voice and life. You can feel the emotion as Tony performs this blue, blues song.
Another moving song, this one written by T. (with Bruce Burch and Ted Hewitt) tells the story of his own struggle with alcoholism. Since it's original release in 1998 "Wine into Water" has touched the lives of many, and has become a signature song for T. Graham. He performs it proudly and passionately, unashamed of his past and his emotions. I have seen Tony brought to the edge of tears while singing this song live, and in the audience I saw many more moist eyes. A great song, a classic, and it was a wonderful gift to find it added to this terrific, personal album.
Audio clips courtesy of Barnes & Noble.
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