Vern Gosdin - Back in the Swing of Things

Vern Gosdin is called "The Voice of Country Music" for a reason. He ain't purty, he ain't young no more, but man, can this man sing. Those golden vocal chords are still as pure as ever, singing country songs that are unmistakeably country. The only way Vern Gosdin could "pop" is when he's chewing gum. This is the real thing, honest-to-Lefty country honky-tonk swing, enjoyable from start to finish.

It takes only a few seconds into this disc to know you're listening to real country music. There's no compromise, no "radio-friendly" sound, no Nashville pop; this is all 100% country music, seeped in twin fiddle and steel guitar, and it twangs and cries and moans. It's heaven to hear.

Vern Gosdin's voice still sounds every bit as good as it did when he first hit the scene in the mid-70's, with "Yesterday's Gone." Heck, maybe a little better. Them guys over 40 (or 50, or 60, or more) can really sing, and it's a shame everything skews so weirdly to youth. Country music could really use a little more Vern and a lot less of the Justin-and-Britney sound, frankly. This disc is like a cool drink of water on a parched throat.

Gosdin hasn't been around a lot lately, largely due to his Lefty/Merle honky-tonk style being so hugely out of style with the Nashville pop machine, but it's sure nice to hear he's still out there recording music, even if this is a re-release of a 1998 album. Gosdin suffered a stroke in 1995, and another in 1999, causing a few setbacks to his career, but it's a hope that this re-issue will rekindle interest in a man who can really wrap his throat around a classy country song.