Disco de Garth Brooks: “Ropin' the Wind”

By the time this album was to be released, Garth Brooks has clearly established himself as an icon in country music. So, it was with great anticipation that "Ropin' The Wind" came into existance. With the success of his first albums firmly establishing his marketability, there was speculation that this third entrie into the Garth franchise would have difficulty beating the records set by "Garth Brooks" and "No Fences". Who would have guessed that this album would, in fact, be his most successful and largest grossing album of them all.

"Ropin the Wind" is virtually a collection of greatest hits for Garth. Of the ten tracks on the CD, no less than five went on to become top 10 hits, many of which going straight to the top.

The album redefined Garth's style and firmly established the rock/country hybrid style that made Garth popular in multiple music markets. Where his first two CD's were more traditional in their sound, this CD really crossed over into rock, while at the same time maintaining the rich sounds of country music. Even Garth, who had recorded the work of other country artists in the past, turned to friend Billy Joel ("The Piano Man") to help pen "Shameless", arguably one of the strongest songs on the album.

Though thematically, the lyrics of his songs remained faithful to the ideas and themes found in country music, his styling definitely was more edgy, riding the line between country and classic rock. "Rodeo", a song about a man who is torn between the love of his woman and his passion for the rodeo is driving, with a very rhythmic feel. It plays at once like an up-tempo country song and a soulful blues/rock ballad.

"Papa Loved Mama" plays along those same lines, a hybrid of rock and country, perfectly blending the styles to create an entirely new sound. This song's lyrics are also a reversal of traditional country, where a vengeful husband turns against his cheating wife, running his semi-tractor into the side of a motel where she and her lover have slipped away. Where the song could have a very dark overtone based on its lyrics, its instead upbeat, with quick driving tempos and slick guitar and fiddle solos fleshing out the over-two-minutes long outro.

Of course, no Garth album would be complete without at least one power-ballad, and this album has three beauts: "What's She Doing Now", a lament about a love gone wrong, and the balladeer pondering what his lost love is up to, "Lonesome Dove", a wonderfully narrated depiction of a family growing up in the old west, and, this reviewer's personal favorite Garth song of all time, "The River", an inspirational piece about chasing your dreams, and taking chances, regardless of the challenges that might be placed before you. This song, the final track on the album, resounds as Garth's favorite as well. (It should be noted that Garth always placed the songs most personal to him as the final track on each of his albums.)

In all, "Ropin the Wind" is powerful, highly-stylized, and definitely one of the pinnacle albums in Garth's career. This is a great album for anyone who has never listened to a Garth Brooks CD, because it will make you an instant fan, no matter what style of music you listen to.

This album may not be the best of Brook's albums, but it is definitely up there. Hits "What She's Doing Now" and "The River" are as good as any of his other hits. I especially like "What She's Doing Now." "Papa Loves Mama" is possibly the worst song Brooks has ever sang, but one rotten apple does not spoil the bunch. I did not "Shameless," but many people found it a refreshing addition to this album. And this is only the hits.

But what makes me declare this album worthwhile is not any of the hits but rather Garth Brook's greatest song he ever wrote and greatest song he ever sang: "In Lonesome Dove." It is a true country song and the lyrics are pure genius. There are few songs that I really, really, just love. "Love, Me" by Collin Raye is the best song ever, but this is in the top 25. Too bad it was never released so that it could earn its deserved respect.

This album is worth the purchase if you don't have it and you like Garth Brooks. Do not buy it if you do not like Garth; that song will not change your opinion.

Garth's second best studio album, surpassed only by the phenomenal "No Fences". This album has something for everyone. Ballad lovers will appreciate "What She's Doing Now" and "The River". Pop lovers will enjoy the cover of "Shameless". People that like good harmless country will enjoy "Rodeo" and the humorous "Papa Loved Mama". Just like "No Fences", this album is loaded with hits and great songs, a fantastic album from beginning to end.

I just love this CD... each song is an instant hit. Sometimesyou just hear one song you like and buy the CD and after listening tothe CD several times, the other songs grow on you... but this is one of those CDs where each song is great to listen to the first time around. Silly songs, songs that tell a story, some are mellow, some rock... such a diverse collection of themes and sounds doesn't always work, but it works on this disc. Many are great for dancing... some two-stepping, some slow-dancing. Whether you are a die-hard country-only kind of person or if you only find a country song once in a blue moon that you can barely stomach, this is a great CD. Many of the lyrics are stereotypical of country music... cheatin' spouses, big rigs, bulls, rodeo, six-guns, cowboys and momma in prison... it's all there... so if you hate that kind of music, this won't be the disc for you. If you love an easy-to-listen-to melody, great voice and sometimes tender and sometimes hilarious lyrics, this is just the ticket.

The album opens with the bluegrassy "Against The Grain," with its nothing-ventured-nothing-gained theme. It is followed by the cowboy blues "Rodeo," which features another topic close to the hearts of country music fans, and "What She's Doing Now," a powerful ballad immersed in steel guitar. Halfway through ROPIN' THE WIND and there's not even a trace of "pop music." In fact, Garth could even be mistaken for Randy Travis on "Cold Shoulder." "In Lonesome Dove" is a beautiful Western narrative, while "Papa Loves Mama" talks of truckers, diesels, wine bottles, the penitentiary, and the graveyard; when's the last time you heard a song like that on a Michael Bolton album?

Yes, Garth is all country on ROPIN' THE WIND--even though hefervently covers "Shameless," a song written by his idol Billy Joel. But really, with that twang, the catch in his voice, the steel guitars and the blue-collar themes, how can anyone doubt Garth's devotion to traditional country?