Hey Good Lookin'- A good and fun cover of Hank Williams old Honky Tonkers classic. Not one country musician who has ever played behind chicken wire and picked glass out of their shirt collar at the end of the night hasn't played this song. This kind of put in my mind that maybe Jimmy put aside his bare feet and bathing suits for cowboy boots and Nudie Suits.
Jimmy’s cover of the Guy Clark "Boats to Build" put some hope back in for a more tropical theme but he seemed to be rushing the tempo a bit. It seemed hurried as if he wanted to get it in under a time limit for Airplay. Once again Alan Jackson and Jimmy compliment each other. Just slow it down Bubba.
The title track "License to Chill” was a big disappointment. What were fun lyrics and could have been a rousing drinking song was covered with what sounded like canned Nashville. I think done in a more Buffetesque or even a Texas Hill country style it would fly. Instead it flutters around like Frat Party Fare.
Coast of Carolina-Bubba done good! I am thinking since I can't find any song writer credits for this that Jimmy wrote this one. If not it's still good. Good story telling with emotion and complimentary music. I think this will be a major PH favorite.
Jimmy knows Diddly! Bo Diddley that is. Those Bo Diddley style rockabilly licks combined with Jimmy and Toby yowling lyrics full of rednecked braggadocio makes this cover of Will Kimbroughs song a fun one too.
Anything, Anytime, Anywhere. OK when I saw the title and based on the rednecked versions of the previous songs I was looking for another version of Toby Keith’s Courtesy of the Red White and Blue. What I got was, well just Wow! Jimmy nailed this Bruce Cockburn song. If one is ever loved like this they are truly receiving a gift from God.
Talk about disappointing. Trip Around the Sun doesn't even make the trip around the block. What was so full of potential with the vocal power of Martina McBride and great lyrics is overshadowed by what sound like 80's style keyboard Pop.
With a new arrangement this one could be a keeper. As it is you keep it.
Yee Haw! Simply Complicated really isn't. Based on what appears to be depression era bluegrass licks that can be equally pounded out on a guitar, banjo, ukulele, or beer soaked upright piano. This pop culture story penned by Jimmy and Bill "Ain't No Sunshine" Withers will become a new "Math Sux" Meaning it will be hated by many and loved by as many.
I hope we don't get picked up for drunk driving on these road trips. Jimmy makes jumps from the juke joint to the beach with alarming regularity. I think if we just hang out at the Florabama it wouldn't be that far of a trip. Coastal Confession is some more story telling in the great Buffet Style. Leaning toward Bayou swamp pop and not Nashville canned tracks makes this a plus.
Sea of Heartbreak-I like it. This Don Gibson song already covered by icons such as Johnny Cash was a pleasant surprise. Song with George Straight this classic metaphor of love and sea has you swaying along.
Conky Tonkin'- Mmmmmm. Jimmy's honky tonk twang story of trip by a Miami airhead with a smooth talker to the keys bring back memories of a time when shrimp skin boots, sun burned arms, necks, and baseball caps were the norm in the keys. Before cruise ships and Trolley's. I am wondering if it might not have been better with JJW but Clint Black doesn't do a bad job.
The Nawlins style moaning of "Playin the Loser" paired with Bill Withers and the back up vocals of who I think is Nadira makes this a soon to be but unsung classic.
Window on the World. Jimmy's bop to this John Hiatt song does a good job of portraying a man experiencing a love recently lost.
Someone I used to love-OK the title threw me. Here I am thinking here is another lost love song. Who broke Jimmy's heart now? What we have is a soul stirring duet with Nanci Griffiths of a current love that one wants to keep. This one should be released as a single. Jimmy singing with this Rose of Texas on this Bruce Cockburn song makes it a hidden jewel.
Scarlet Begonia's What starts out as fun quickly degenerates in an equivalent of fingernails in a black board. I guess never being much of a deadhead makes my dislike of this arrangement suspect. I like the lyrics just not the arrangements with it.
OK steel drums and steel guitar to calm the twitch caused by the previous song. This song seems almost biographic and prophetic to me. Or could be. Reminded me of places I've gone to recover from loves lost and places I can go to if I ever loose again. Where soft winds carry the cries of the gulls and quiet wump of the surf against the soft white sand make things not so bad and hope eternal.
OK with a few exceptions I think this is a fun filled album. True it's not all Jimmy's work but he is introducing us to some great songwriters. I'd buy it! Oh wait I did.
I mean geez...."Simply Complicated" is so bad, it's painful.
