Craig Morgan Album: “Craig Morgan”

Description :

Personnel: Craig Morgan, Merle Haggard (vocals); B. James Lowry (acoustic, electric & gut string guitars); John Jorgenson, Steve Cropper (electric guitar); Mike Johnson (steel guitar); Rob Hajacos (fiddle); Jim Horn (tenor & baritone saxophones); Steve Herrman (trumpet); Charles Rose (trombone); John Hobbs (keyboards); Larry Paxton (bass); Randy Hardison (drums, percussion); Ted Hewitt, Melonie Cannon (background vocals). <p>Recorded at Emerald Sound & Sound Stage Studios, Nashville, Tennessee and Tally Studio, Palo Cedro, California. <p>"Paradise," the first track of Craig Morgan's self-titled debut CD, is a touching, well-crafted song about an ex-Army man. But for Morgan, it's not just a song--it's his life. Prior to becoming a professional musician, he spent years as an elite, highly decorated soldier in the U.S. Army. Morgan evidently applied some of that army discipline to his music, because this debut is an almost flawless country record. <p>His vocals, often reminiscent of Buck Owens and George Jones, are perfect for delivering such hard country numbers as "Hush," "When a Man Can't Get a Woman Off His Mind" and "It's Me." He's an exceptional songwriter, too, turning out finely observed meditations on home and family ("302 South Maple Avenue," "Walking In My Father's Shoes"), and, of course, the upside and downside of love, as in the giddy "Something to Write Home About," and the anguished "Everywhere I Go." Morgan's talent has attracted some big names to this project--legendary R&B guitarist Steve Cropper adds some licks to the funky "Everything's a Thing," while none other than Merle Haggard pops in for "I Wish I Could See Bakersfield," a tribute to the late songwriter Tommy Collins.

This CD is a great testament of how good country music should sound like. The songs, for the most part, are top-notch material. "Paradise" is a great song about his time in the Army. "I Want Us Back" is a great song, too. "Something To Write Home About" is my favorite. A great song about a man who is excited about a woman he cares about, and wants to tell his parents about it. There's not a throwaway on this CD. The best are "Something To Write Home About", "302 South Maple Avenue", "It's Me", "Paradise", "Everywhere I Go", and "I Wish I Could See Bakersfield." This is good, mostly traditional country music that deserves more airplay than it gets. Keep it going, Craig.

He can really sing - songwriting is excellent as well. When I first heard Almost Home I felt the same way as I did when I first heard Garth Brooks. I got Craig's first & second cd from listening to that release. Good variety of material on both his cds.

Worth the money for sure!

"When A Man Can't Get Can't A Woman Off His Mind" is destined to become a classic. It has the right instrumentation, melody and lyrics. Craig picked a home run song when he chose Bill Anderson's "When A Man Can't Get Can't A Woman Off His Mind".

One of the many songs Craig wrote from this album is "Paradise" which I would think would be climbing the charts with it's military theme. (maybe we should wonder about "the charts".)

"Hush" also has the makings of a great country song. If you enjoy Dale Watson's songs, give Craig a try.