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COUNTRY ROADS (Warner France) (2 CDs)
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The King of Love
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Hal Ketchum Album Review:
A Different Sound for Hal at 2003-05-30
This CD is somewhat of a different sound for Hal - but a good different. From what I understand, this is the first record that he produced himself. It is somewhat of a break from his previous music, but I like the direction that his music seems to be going. There are a few upbeat numbers on this CD, but for the most part, the music is a little more mellow and heartfelt. I really dont understand why Hal doesnt get more radio play - he has been one of my favorite country artists for over a decade now. Take a listen - I dont think youll be disappointed!
Hal Ketchum Album Review:
All hail the king of love at 2003-03-29
This new CD has not come out of my CD player since I got it...!!! Not only does Hals voice sound better than ever, his production skills are amazing! Its one of those CDs that every single song is a joy to listen to over and over. I never hit the skip track button. I love this CD and if you already love Hals music, it will be your favorite to date. If you arent familiar with his music this is by far the best introduction. All hail King Hal!!
Hal Ketchum Album Review:
Awesome as always at 2003-03-26
I have been a fan of Hal Ketchum since his first album. One thing that I have found that Hal does in his albums, is stray from the norm. His voice sounds heavenly on all of the tracks on this newest CD. If you listen to music for variety, a rich, warm voice, and originality, you will play this CD over and over.If you want the cookie cutter type music and sound, I wouldnt suggest this item.
Hal Ketchum Album Review:
Hal has done it again at 2004-01-29
I really loved this CD. It is a departure from his earlier albums , but, it shows how adaptable and versatile a vocalist hal really is. His voice just continues to get better with each passing album. He is by far my favorite artist and always manages to make me think and feel the lyrics with him. I especially liked Run Loretta Run and the Angel song. Hals children are lucky to have a father that can express his feelings so beautifully about fatherhood. Way to go HAL!
Hal Ketchum Album Review:
Hal Ketchum The King Of Words at 2003-06-10
Hals new CD, The King Of love, has been in my CD Player since I got it. I love every song on this CD and it shows the power of Hals voice to express the emotions within a song without going overboard with all the production that some producers like to throw in to country albums today. Every song fits well with the other songs on this collction unlike the songs on Lucky Man. I love everything Hal does but the Lucky Man album was my least favorite. I have every album of Hals including the very first one he did, Threadbare Alibis, there isnt a bad one in the whole lot. I would recommend this album highly to anyone who is willing to listen to the words and visualize in your minds eye the picture Hal is painting. Hal Ketchum is one of a very few songwriters who have a definite message in their work.
Hal Ketchum Album Editorial:
2003 HDCD release on Curb Records. Hal is influenced by Buck Owens Marty Robbins and is a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
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Lucky Man
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Hal Ketchum Album Review:
Filled with a few gems at 2001-09-29
I think this is Hals best album in quite awhile. I have to disagree with some of the other reviewers in that I dont think he is trying so hard for radio airplay. I think that Rodney Crowell has produced a very good selection of songs. Two of the best are his own, Dreams of Martina and Loving You Makes Me a Better Man. True, not all 12 songs are masterpieces but without question it is filled with some memorable songs and strong vocals from Hal.
Hal Ketchum Album Review:
Loves all Hal sings to at 2002-07-21
Man this guy is good.Since Hal Ketchums first record on the Watermelon label many years ago, hes been singing about love and where its leading. Through the years, that destinations not always been clear, though now, like a man twice redeemed and this time for good, he offers us this excellent record rich with the theme of loves many blessings.Throughout this record Ketchum shows the growth thats made his later works so consistently good -- high-caliber songwriting, a unique voice, and enough honest style and delivery to make the common extraordinary. The Richest Man in Texas, the albums best song, sets this out plainly, with nearly sentimental lyrics that Ketchum elevates with his perfect delivery. The remaining songs are equally well-crafted, with 2 notable exceptions. The record includes not one but two duets, one with Dolly Parton and the other with Lisa Brokop, and theyre simply awful. Out of place, they seem like last minute efforts to make the record more radio-friendly, and theyre decided stinkers.Ketchums so consistently good its hard not to crave some luck for him to return to the commercial success he had with his first two major releases, though that doesnt seem meant to be. Still, Ketchum appears content to show his growth. 15 years ago he sang that loves a word far better left unsaid. Today, hes less poetic and more sincere, proof if we needed it that our best singer/songwriters grow with age, and to have 10 songs about love from someone of Ketchums level is a stroke of luck indeed.
Hal Ketchum Album Review:
Fresh and Poignant at 2001-10-04
After the critically acclaimed, Awaiting Redemption, I was waiting to see what Hal would have to offer next. This collection (produced by Rodney Crowell) is full of great songs penned by Hal and several other talented writers. Opening the set with the strong and melodic (Shes Something) Youre Everything, Hal moves from tune to tune with mastery. Other strong cuts are: Thats How Much you Mean To Me, Loving You Makes Me A Better Man, Dreams of Martina, Two Of The Lucky Ones (with Dolly), and Livin Life Lovin You. The gems in this collection that stand out for their artistic value are the Ketchum penned Shes Still In Love, Richest Man In Texas, which is true to Hals earliest writing style and more reminiscent of the tunes on Sure Love, and the deeply moving She Is, penned for his beautiful wife, Gina. The stinker in the collection is the out-of-place remake of Roy Hamiltons 1958 pop hit, Dont Let Go. Hals musical influence continues to grow in the Americana music industry as does his songwriting talents; ever changing. I dont believe his intentions are to garner radio airplay as much as to turn out the best songs his pen can create. This is where he finds success and satisfaction!
Hal Ketchum Album Review:
Not just for tried and true Hal fans at 2001-12-06
I am a longtime fan of Hal Ketchum, but this CD will delight even those listeners who are not as devoted as I am. I keep listening to this CD over and over again! From the very first song, Youre Everything, you are grabbed and find yourself humming along. You Cant Go Back will get your toe tapping and fingers snapping, and Dont Let Go, has the influence of swing behind it. The songs are upbeat and catchy. The downside to this CD is the two duets. Dolly Parton sounds off-tune most of the time and Lisa Brokops voice was never a favorite to begin with. He would be better off to keep it a solo act next time or find someone who is more compatible to his vocal style. Overall though, a great buy. You will keep this one close at hand and listen to it often!
Hal Ketchum Album Review:
Hes Baaack at 2002-01-05
Wow! I am already incredibly impressed. Man, I am so glad to see that he has an album that will send him back to the top of the charts where he belongs.Take a listen to Dont Let Go and the duet with Dolly Parton Two of the Lucky Ones if you dont believe that Hal Ketchum is one of the most talented artists of our time. Thank goodness for Rodney Crowells (the producer of this album) insight and expertise to perfectly blend the radio friendly songs with the trademark Hal Ketchum without losing an ounce of the soul and essence that we have all come to know and love as Hal Ketchum.I highly recommend this album to any music fan, and it is an essential part of any Hal Ketchum fans collection.
Hal Ketchum Album Editorial:
Through this song cycle of loves salvation Hal Ketchum tries to renew the commercial success he enjoyed a decade ago with Small Town Saturday Night without sacrificing the critical respect he earned with his previous release IAwaiting Redemption. The plainspoken simplicity and heartfelt sincerity of You Cant Go Back and Richest Man in Texas bring out the best in Ketchums reedy tenor while overblown duets with Dolly Parton (Two of the Lucky Ones) and Lisa Brokop (Keep Mom Dad in Love) succumb to schmaltz. The sound is generally slicker and sweeter than one might expect from producer Rodney Crowell though Ketchums soulful reading of a pair of Crowell originals Loving You Makes Me a Better Man and Dreams of Martina reflects an artistic kinship. Don McLeese
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Awaiting Redemption
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Hal Ketchum Album Review:
What Garth could not do at 1999-12-01
With this album, Hal has accomplished what Garth Brooks tried to do by creating his alter-ego Chris Gaines. He has shown us the variety and depth of his musical talent, without betraying his country roots, nor trying to hide behind a false persona. Hal plays some rock, some blues, some country, and its all music form the heart. I cant get over what an incredible album this is. Anyone with a desire for passionate music should pick this one up. Youll never put it down.
Hal Ketchum Album Review:
Hal true to form at 2002-06-27
I you like the soulfull country of Hal Ketchum you will not be dissappointed with this selection. Excellent music to relax to or work to.
Hal Ketchum Album Review:
Redemption at last! at 2001-10-17
This CD is awesome from beginning to end. It has to be Hals best CD release to date, partially due to the fact that the songs were recorded live in the studio. The songwriting is superb; listen to the tenderness of the opening song Days of Wonder. There are five songs previously recorded on the I SAW THE LIGHT CD that are given a new treatment here. The live recordings give the songs a new life, removing the polished studio sound that was evident in prior releases. Dear Anna Lee was written in the hull of a ferryboat in which Ketchum stowed away. It is delivered as a letter from a man who is lost at sea in a storm to his girl back home and describes the feelings of hopelessness and despair experienced. When Blue Was Just A Color is a great song about sadness. My favorite song on this CD is the bluesy title cut, Awaiting Redemption, which features a hot electric guitar solo by producer Stephen Bruton. I cant say anything negative about any of the cuts on this CD, and thats a rare thing for me to say.
Hal Ketchum Album Review:
Not a bad disc... at 2000-04-07
This album has a lot of great songs on it, but it lacks one thing: consistency. Although its clear that Hal is trying to explore new territory, it still seems like hes afraid to go all the way and leave his days of top 40 country behind. As soon as he can let go of the country sound he is supposed to have, he will be able to do some knockout music. Although this album pushes the envelope somewhat, several of the tracks are carried over from Hals previous attempt to break onto radio, I SAW THE LIGHT. Good album, but Hal needs to let loose a little more.
Hal Ketchum Album Review:
A Breakthrough CD from a Brilliant Singer/Songwriter at 2000-01-05
Ive always loved Hal Ketchum, but this album is a quantum leap beyond anything hes released before. Its intimate, heartbreaking, beautiful and raw. Not at all typical country, it incorporates blues and rock in a way that even my husband, who hates country music, pricked up his ears and remarked, Who is this? This is really interesting! Im sorry Hal had to go through the hell he apparently endured in the past few years, but this is an honest breakthrough album similar in feeling (if not in sound) to Bonnie Raitts Nick of Time and John Hiatts Bring the Family. I hope the Powers That Be in Nashville allow Hal to continue releasing great albums like this that push the boundaries of the genre.
Hal Ketchum Album Editorial:
Throughout his career Hal Ketchum has pitted his pushing gritty roots rock against his pushing wimpy singer-songwriter muse; his Lyle Lovett smarts against his Michael McDonald sensibility. On IAwaiting Redemption the grit and the smarts win out most thanks to soulful skittering grooves (the title track) distressed blues licks (When Blue Was Just a Color) and a sense of spirituality that comes across more wise than preachy (a fine version of producer Stephen Brutons great Too Many Memories). And while lines like You let down your golden hair and I climbed into your garden dont sing any better than they read Ketchum usually pulls them off through a sheer commitment to their worth. One more argument for the importance of being earnest. David Cantwell
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