Brad Paisley Album: “Part II”

Description :

Personnel: Brad Paisley (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, 6-string tic-tac); Bill Anderson, George Jones, Buck Owens (vocals); Eddie Stubbs, Little Jimmy Dickens (spoken vocals); Gary Hooker (electric guitar); Mike Johnson (steel guitar); Darrell Scott (banjo, dobro, mandolin); Ron Block (banjo); Jim "Daddy" Heffernan (dobro); Justin "P-Bop" Williamson, Glen Duncan (fiddle); Carl Grodetsky & The Nashville String Machine (strings); Bernie Herms (piano, Hammond B-3 organ, keyboards); Kevin "Swine" Grantt (upright & electric basses); Eddie Bayers, Ben Sesar (drums); Glen Duncan, Mitch McMitchen, Brian David Willis (percussion); Wes Hightower, Chely Wright, Swine, Kenny Lewis, Chely Wright, Sonja Isaacs (background vocals). <p>Principally recorded at The Castle, Franklin, Tennessee. <p>"Munster Rag" was nominated for the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Country Instrumental Performance. <p>"I'm Gonna Miss Her" was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. <p>Here's a story you've heard a thousand times; an artist makes headway in the world of contemporary country pop while maintaining an intrinsic quirkiness and a commitment to real country roots. The difference here is that in Brad Paisley's case it's actually the truth, not just a marketing ploy. While there's a modicum of pop appeal and everyman sensibility to which Paisley's success can be attributed, he's no "hat act." His sense of humor (displayed not only in his lyrics, but in his inclusion of the self-explanatory instrumental "Munster Rag") and his ability to pen quirky, surprising tunes while remaining respectful of the honky-tonk verities make him a kind of blue-collar Lyle Lovett. While he's not as arch and post-modern as ol' LL, Paisley's got more going on upstairs than 99 percent of the cardboard cowboys cluttering up the country charts.

Too Country?! Humph...no such thing! If you want to call Brad Paisley too much of anything, how 'bout TALENTED?! Thanks to Brad's infectious guitar grooves on "Two Feet of Topsoil", and soul-captivating lyrics and string arrangement in "I Wish You'd Stay", along with the sprinklings of honest humor in "I'm Gonna Miss Her", "Come on Over Tonight", and "All You Really Need is Love", not to mention the bone-haunting emotion of "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive", oh and the proud and heartfelt traditional country anthem "Too Country", sung with legends Bill Anderson, Buck Owens, and George Jones, with last-but-not-least Opry-recorded gospel favorite "The Old Rugged Cross", I have now formed a union with my c.d. player! (And that still leaves 5 more outstanding cuts, including the current hit single and video, "Two People Fell in Love"!) WHEW...Brad has proven again that traditional country doesn't mean it belongs in the attic and doesn't relate to our stories and lives of today. Since when has honesty, truth, and being yourself gone out of style?! Glad to say I didn't realize it had, nor has Brad. Too Country?! I don't think so. Too Talented?! If anyone's guilty, it's Brad!

With great writing skills and stellar guitar playing ability, Brad Paisley is that rare commodity in modern country music: a complete artist. His latest CD Part II continues in the same refreshing stone country vein as his 1999 debut Who Needs Pictures.

What impresses most about this traditionalist's sophomore effort is its varied musical styles. "Two Feet Of Topsoil" gets the set off to a blistering start with a flurry of fiddles and steel guitars, then the deadpan "I'm Gonna Miss Her" takes a humorous jab at one man's "confused" priorities (he picks fishing over his woman). The ballads "I Wish You'd Stay" and the title track provide some heart-tugging moments, while the haunting bluegrass cover "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive" serves up some gritty mountain music. The only mis-step on the entire album is the event recording "Too Country," featuring George Jones, Buck Owens, and Bill Anderson.

Like country albums from years ago - but UNLIKE most of his current peers, Paisley includes an instrumental (the sizzling "Munster Rag") and concludes with a hymn ("The Old Rugged Cross" - recorded live at his Grand Ole Opry induction ceremony). It's appropriate that an inspirational performance would close such an inspired album.

I loved "Who Needs Pictures," and actually like it the smallest fraction more than Part II. But this is incredible! Tells you something about what we're dealing with here...

By the time I've gotten around to writing this, the second single has been released, and that's "Wrapped Around," as infectious, clever and charming as you might imagine with the hook line, "I think it's time to put a ring on the finger I'm wrapped around."

Thing is, it could have been any of the songs here, whether "Come On Over Tonight" (a hardcore bachelor's hilarious dinner of eating crow!) or "I Wish You'd Stay" (heartbreak personified) or "You Have That Effect On Me" (great lounge-y, loopy song of a guy head over heels). The diversity described above is just the beginning of what's great about this man and his very simpatico team. It is also very admirable that he and they (it is a very loyal team) haven't compromised the essential vision they embraced from the beginning...straight-ahead, modern but pure country. NOT country-pop fusion. Intelligent, clever, funny, heartfelt, tuneful, terrific country music.

By the way, these are virtuoso musicians all. Brad Paisley could make it just as a country guitar god if he wished, and I am not exaggerating about his skill, which is notorious. Me, I'm glad he also writes and sings! You'll be, too.

You go, guys. Brad, you and yours do yourselves proud.

I'm usually one to stick to the mantra that the difference between a good album and a great album is all in the production. While "Who Needs Pictures" nailed the musical aspects, "Part II" takes the same musical talent and wraps it up in absolutely amazing production that gives great depth to the album, and the end result is nicely cohesive. There's also something about his soulful sound that leaves me feeling like I know this guy, after a single listen through the cd, there's a definite sense that you've just shared a good part of his heart. The entire album's got great balance, a good level combination of the kind of song that showcases his irrististably dry wit and the kind of song that lets you sit back and get emotional right along with him. The orchestral introduction to "I Wish You'd Stay" is leaps and bounds beyond anything from "Who Need Pictures", the haunting undertones of "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive" paint a great visual picture of a bleak mining town, Chely Wright's vocals in the background of the track "Part II" give it a gentle edge, all in all, it's a great effort, I enjoyed his debut album, but I'm enjoying "Part II" much more. This boy's on the climb, look forward to seeing him get the kudos he deserves for such a great sequal.

Part II is the sophmore release that shows that Brad Paisley is here to stay in country music!!What a cracking album.

He begins with the toe tapping Two Feet Of Topsoil,then his big breakout no.1 hit I'm Gonna Miss Her(very funny).Also included are the hits Wrapped Around-love Brads electric guitar solo on this and the 2 lovely ballads Two People Fell In Love and I Wish You'd Stay.

Other standouts include the beautiful collaboration with the fantastic Chely Wright on the ballad Part II which she sings harmonies on and she also co wrote the excellent Come On Over Tonight with Brad-great song.

He then ends the album with 2 gorgeous songs.The big country anthem Too Country feat Bill Anderson,George Jones and Buck Owens.Love the lyrics to this and a beautiful rendition of the classic gospel song The Old Rugged Cross,which Brad sings live on the Grand Ole Opry with just his acoustic guitar,simply stunning.

You cannot possibly go wrong with this fantastic album.An absolute must for any true country fan...