Josh Turner Album: “Long Black Train [2004]”

If this CD only contained the song "Long Black Train", it would be worth purchasing. What a song! When I heard it on the radio, I couldn't believe that I was hearing it on the radio.

Josh Turner's deep voice is so rich and pure. To me, it is the best kind of voice for real country music.

The cover of the late Jim Croce's "Don't Mess Around with Jim" is a pleasant little surprise. With Turner's deep Southern voice, you get the idea that you might be hearing Slim sing the song.

This is a really good CD. Just the right mix of up-tempo and slower songs. Very good voice, something you can listen to over and over. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I had only heard "Long Black Train" on the radio before buying the CD,and I am not disappointed at all with it. Highlights include "Long Black Train", "Backwoods Boy", and Jim Croce's "You Don't Mess Around With Jim". Great CD, recommend to anyone, new and real (ok, old) country fans alike.

Wow! Josh's voice is truly breathtaking. His deep, rich voice is enough to give anyone the chills. But, it's not only his voice that I enjoy, but more importantly the music that he sings. His songs show such emotion and he sings straight from the heart.

In his first big hit, "Long Black Train", Josh uses a long black train as a metaphor to temptation. He warns us to avoid the Devil's dark "train" of sin by clinging to the Lord, because there is victory in Him. I love the great message to this song. Josh sings about his convictions and about things he believes strongly in and can relate to. In "Backwoods Boy" he describes not only himself, but also many other young men who live in rural areas and build their lives around the hunting season. My brother absolutely loves hunting and says that "Backwoods Boy" is his signature song. I would have to agree.

In "I Had One, One Time", Josh sings about a homeless man who lost everything he ever had. It really makes you sit back and count your blessings and realize how fortunate we are even though sometimes it doesn't seem like it. His new big hit that is heard on the radio is "What It `Aint." In this track, Josh explains that real love isn't about lies, adultery, or money. He sings about situations that "can make a grown man faint."

Truly, Josh's unique, deep voice combined with lyrics revealing good messages make him a stand out artist. These qualities interest not only country music lovers, but also Christian and gospel lovers. I would recommend this CD, Long Black Train, to anyone, regardless of your music preference. I surely would have to say that Josh is on the right "track"!

I ordered this CD as part of a package deal in which I had to choose 6 free CDs. Although I liked Josh, "Long Black Train" was the last one I chose, and the last one I listened to. I had NO IDEA that it would be possibly the greatest CD I'll ever own. Rarely do I find an album that I love THIS much. EVERY track is amazing, fast or slow, happy or sad. Josh's voice is indescribable and the lyrics definitely tug at the heart. It's REAL country music, so expect nothing less. It's hard to pick a favorite. "In my Dreams" is beautiful, and so is "She'll go on You." I've loved "What it Ain't" ever since it came out, and "Backwoods Boy" always makes me smile (Josh's accent is so adorable.) BUY IT, and good luck trying to take it out of the CD player after you've fallen in love with it.

J.T.'s debut album is enjoyable from start to finish. "Long Black Train" touches the heart, as does "She'll Go On You". "Backwoods Boy", which happens to be my personal favorite, is fun and reminds me of home. J.T.'s songs have a tendency to ring true. You hear the lyrics, start singing along, and then you're transported to... somewhere else. That is the truly great thing about music, anyway, isn't it? Not only that, but his voice is all his. 100% natural. Lots of deep, strong, pitch-perfect notes throughout every song, and that is a rare thing to find, these days. J.T. should be commended for this album, but we need to light a fire under him. It was released about two years ago. J.T., where is album #2?