Disco de Darryl Worley: “Have You Forgotten?”

Darryl Worley's 9/11 ode "Have You Forgotten?" stormed to the top of the country singles charts in only five weeks. Caught off-guard with no album ready to capitalize on its popularity, the label decided to take the four new recordings Worley had completed and package them alongside twelve songs from his first two underappreciated albums (2000's Hard Rain Don't Last and 2002's I Miss My Friend).

Worley constructed the album's first half as a tribute to the American solider. Leading off with the hit title track, he takes a feisty stand on "I Will Hold My Ground," then aches for those lost in war on "Shiloh."

Just when it seems that he's hankering to be the new millennium's Barry Sadler, the album's second half kicks in, effectively displaying Worley's diversity. It includes his five prior hits, like the touching "I Miss My Friend" and the optimistic "Second Wind," as well as the amusing, tropical-flavored new recording "I Need A Breather."

This package serves to effectively reintroduce Worley to the music buying (not always the same as the radio-listening) public. A bright future awaits.

One of the most successful and controversial releases of 2003, the title track of HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN treads boldly, but sensitively, onto the hallowed ground of 9/11. But there is more-a lot more-to this collection than that superb opening song. In fact, this CD features four brand-new Worley songs, plus twelve selections from his first two albums. For anyone previously unfamiliar with Worley, hearing all of these songs together is a pretty good indicator that Worley is no mere "overnight sensation," nor will he fade away after the white-hot response to "Have You Forgotten?" The second new track, "I Will Hold My Ground," (written by Daryl Worley and Frank Jones) is a very effective and enjoyable song that is lyrically reminiscent of Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down," but musically is pure uptempo country, with a very memorable and inspiring chorus. (Amazingly, when Petty sang his excellent song, he didn't get bashed for it by critics of a certain political persuasion.) The next track is "P.O.W. 369," one of Worley's earlier tunes, which is a timely reminder to honor everyone who has ever served this nation in uniform, particularly those who have paid such a terrible price in doing so. Next up, Worley tips his hat to Jimmy Buffett, with the tropical tune, "I Need a Breather," which was co-written by Steve Leslie, and beckons with warm breezes and cool drinks. Worley hits all the right buttons on the aching "Back Where I Belong," which is about as "classic country" as any song I've heard in years. The Mark Nesler song "Those Less Fortunate Than I" receives a compassionate reading from Worley...a moving call to help the homeless, the hungry, and victims of gang violence...a song that many of Worley's "anti-war" critics seem to have missed. "Shiloh," written by Worley, Wynn Varble, and Don Poythress, is not only a high point of the CD, but is certainly one of the best songs about war ever written and recorded. Lyrically haunting and cinematic in scope, the song takes the listener to that bloody and tragic Civil War battlefield. Far from glorifying war, this song paints a vivid picture of the suffering and sacrifice that war brings-and it honors every soldier who died on that field that day. The small string ensemble paints a heart-tugging sonic landscape as Worley sings the brilliant line: "Standing in the presence of the past...." Then, after sounding a lot like Merle Haggard on a number of these songs, Worley suddenly shifts into Roger Miller/Doug Kershaw territory with the very fun and impossibly catchy "Tennessee River Run." Returning to a classic country sound with "The Least That You Can Do," Worley proves his vocal chops by investing the song with a convincing sad lilt. "I Miss My Friend" (written by Mark Nesler, Tom Shapiro, Tony Martin) is one of those songs you hear the first time and know it will endure, thanks to a timeless lyrical theme and great vocals. Darryl explores a jazzy/bluesy vibe on the lighthearted "Family Tree," and digs deep into blue-collar twang with "A Good Day to Run." What follows is "Second Wind," another Buffett-esque song; a comforting, cathartic ballad, kissed by the salt air and some sweet, smooth harmonies. Worley and Wynn Varble wrote "When You Need My Love," which reminds this listener of some of Dan Fogelberg's best moments; lyrically, musically, and vocally. A little Texas swing enlivens the memorable "Too Many Pockets," which sounds as if it could have been a fun Django Reinhardt tune, but was actually written by Worley and Steve Leslie. Finally, it's back to Worley's Haggard stylings for "The Way Things Are Going," and when I compare anyone to Haggard, brother, it's a compliment! Some very tasty acoustic guitar picking highlights this very traditional country ballad. All in all, HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN? is a portrait of a man unafraid to wear his heart on his sleeve and take whatever shots come his way. Here's one listener who is hoping that he receives all of the acclaim, respect, and gratitude that he deserves...for a long, long time.

Although I disagree with the basis of his song "Have You Forgotten" (that it refers to two separate incidents and tries to make them one and the same), I am very fond of 14 of the 16 tracks on this CD. When I got it, I didn't realize it was a compliation of his two others - to be honest, I hadn't even heard of him before. I can now say, though, I am glad to have this CD and value it in my current music collection.

I have three words to describe how I feel about this CD, I LOVE IT and you will too! Darryl can sing a country song like no other and he can write 'em too! Way to go Darryl! Thank you for making great music!

I want to say that this country boy has hit the right notes

with this CD. HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN evokes emotions of

anger,love and patriotism rolled in to one.

I love all the songs on this CD ...

...

Can't hardly wait for another CD from this man....

5 --- BIG *S*T*A*R*S