Joe Diffie Album: “Thousand Winding Roads”

This cd is as powerful and well-put together as any country music debut in the last 30 years. Each song oozes with earnestness reminiscent of classic country, the musicality of a Keith Whitley tune, mixed with the appeal of contemporary country. Two songs, "Home," and "Almost Home," in particular move me to tears nearly every time I listen to them. The sentimentality in these songs are unparalleled. "If the Devil Danced in Empty Pockets" is possibly one of the best to come out of this era, with lyrics that are witty and relevant in any era. "If You Want Me To," and "Stranger in Your Eyes," are break up ballads that aren't sappy, but beautiful. "I Ain't Leavin Til She's Gone," and "New Way to Light Up an Old Flame" sound more contemporary, with a little bit of drive to them. The low point of the record for me is a mediocre song called "Liquid Heartache," which is a cool little ditty, but nothing profound or memorable as the rest of the cd. Also, "There goes the neighborhood," is pretty mediocre. These two songs are what keep the cd from being classic. I would recommend this to any fan of country music, either contemporary or classic. This is a true five star album, a treat for any country music fan.

I bought this music on cassette when it was initally released. I searched for a long time to find it on CD. I was so pleased to find it on Amazon. I listen to it often. It came out the year my father passed away and "Almost Home" was the one of the songs I related to the most, along with "A Thousand Winding Roads". Every song on this CD speaks to the heart. This CD is the reason I purchase all of his others.

Joe shows his influences on this CD.A Thousand Winding Roads is my favorite of all of Joe's works.You can hear hints of all the Country Greats on this CD....Hershel Brown

The first three tracks here - Home, If the devil danced in empty pockets and If you want me to - were all big country hits that helped Joe begin a recording career that was successful without ever making him a really major star. If you've got one of the various hits packages, you have those three songs already and may be wondering why you need this. The answer is simple - the quality of the other seven songs is extremely high.

Although the album has a contemporary edge, it should appeal to most traditional country fans. Joe is capable of singing a variety of songs, including the upbeat New way to light up an old flame, the sad There goes the neighbourhood and the wistful Stranger in your eyes. Indeed, every song is brilliant and many of them were probably considered for single release - it is that kind of album.

Of Joe's original albums, this is generally regarded as his best. I cannot say that for certain as I have not heard all the others, but I haven't heard a better one and I can imagine that he would have difficulty improving on this one.