Sunday, July 11, 2010

The Guitar Song - Jamey Johnson


The cover of Jamey Johnson's highly anticipated follow-up to That Lonesome Song has finally been released. Titled The Guitar Song, it's a 2-disc album, featuring 25 tracks. Jamey has described the album as a black-and-white one, with songs reflecting both moods. The first single, Macon, came out a month ago and it's a really good song. Not sure if that's black or white, but if the song is an indication of how the rest of the album is, then I'm sure all country music fans out there will enjoy it.

"The original idea was always to do a double album," says Jamey. "The album is a tale. The first part of it is a very dark and sordid story. Everything after that is progressively more positive, reassuring and redemptive."

The "Black" songs include the menacing, "Poor Man Blues," the defiant "Can't Cash My Checks," the sighing and bluesy "Even the Skies Are Blue" and the chilling "Heartache." The lighter, "White" songs are highlighted by the strongly autobiographical "That's Why I Write Songs," the languid "Front Porch Swing Afternoon," the rocking "Good Times Ain't What They Used to Be" and the easy-going groove tune "Macon."

The ambitious project's textures are many and varied. "Baby Don't Cry" is a lullaby. "I Remember You" is a gospel song. "That's How I Don't Love You" is a deeply sad power ballad. "By the Seat of Your Pants" tells of life's lessons. The title tune, "The Guitar Song," is told from the point of view of two forgotten guitars hanging on a pawn shop wall. "Playing the Part" and "California Riots" come from feeling out of place as a country boy in Hollywood.

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