Joe Nichols Album: “Revelation”

Description :

Personnel include: Joe Nichols (vocals); Brent Rowan (acoustic guitar, 12-string guitar); Bryan Sutton (acoustic guitar); Dan Dugmore (steel guitar); Gordon Mote (piano, synthesizer); Tim Lauer (Fender Rhodes piano); David Hungate (bass instrument); Shannon Forest (drums); Eric Darken (percussion); Wes Hightower (background vocals). <p>Recording information: Ocean Way Studios, Nashville, Tennessee; Emerald Studios, Nashville, Tennessee (2004); EMI, Nashville, Tennessee (2004); Tin Ear, Nashville, Tennessee (2004); The Cabin, Steamboat Springs, Colorado (2004). <p>One of the most traditional-sounding of the Nashville "new traditionalists," Joe Nichols is possessed of a rich, warm baritone that recalls the gritty golden pipes of legends George Jones, Conway Twitty, and, in particular, Merle Haggard. The Arkansas native also adopts the serious tone of his heroes, eschewing Music Row boot-scooting tunes in favor of songs full of heartbreak and soul-searching. The production on REVELATION reinforces the material's substantiality, focusing on uncluttered arrangements that allow the fine playing of Music City's finest (David Hungate, Bryan Sutton, Stuart Duncan, Brett Rowan) to shine through. Highlights include the life-affirming ballad "I Wish That Wasn't All," and the title track, a cover of Waylon Jennings's apocalyptic 1972 classic.

Outside a couple of slices of cheese, albeit well written cheese (the lead single, and "Singer in a Band"), this is a stellar piece of stone country with a commercial flair. I hear echoes of George Jones and Merle Haggard in this guy's voice and I get chills when I catch those subtle vocal references. If he'd come out in the late 80's when Randy Travis was leading the charge of traditional country's return to radio, Joe would be a massive star. In this day and age, it's hard to know... he may always be a second level star because of commercial country's glass ceiling for neo-traditionalists. However, he's not a second level talent. Witness "I Wish That Wasn't All", hands down the best radio-friendly country song in years. It's a clever heart punch of a song, with a tip of the hat to Keith Whitley. Joe's covers are all exceptional readings.... and surprise, surprise, they're not cheap attempts at radio play - the songs he picked to cover are not glossy, happy numbers. He truly loves the old stuff and it shows. A couple more up-tempo tunes or one less sugary piece, and I'd have given this 5 stars. Great record, though.

Joe Nichols has probably the most amazing voice in country music today. He could sing the alphabet and make it sound good. Thank goodness though that he chooses songs much weightier in emotional value. This album far suprasses "Brokenheartsville" in terms of a serious tone - the material is much more thought provoking. His voice is astoundingly dead on, and it almost gives me the chills everytime I hear the album. There isn't a single bad, or even mediocre, song on the entire disc. It is a complete masterpiece to listen to - some of the songs, one in particular, stay with me much longer after I get out of my car. "No Time to Cry" is one of the most touching songs I've ever heard.

Although this album is a gem, I do miss the light heartedness of "Brokenheartsville". There are only two upbeat songs on this album, and although the rest are all great songs, it's kind of a downbeat album. There aren't the funny, play-on-words type songs of his earlier work. In any event, it's a completely different album than before in terms of tone, but still phenomenal in every way. Highly recommended.

When I first listened to Joe Nichols' Revelations my overall feeling was that it was a little average. But, upon listening to it again I quickly changed my mind. The songs tell great stories and are easy to listen to; not to mention how relaxing Nichol's deep voice is. He sounds great on all the tracks and mixes up the mood with more upbeat songs like Don't Ruin it for the Rest of Us and What's a Guy Gotta Do? A great CD to have for the ride home from work or school to help wind down.