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Chesney Eases Into Caribbean 'Chair'

Posted: November 17, 2004 10:38 am
by Jahfin
From Billboard.com:
http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/artic ... 1000720425

Country music generally conjures images of Nashville or small town America. But Kenny Chesney, perhaps taking a cue from his friend Jimmy Buffett, seems to be looking to change that perception.

The country star's next release, "Be As You Are: Songs From an Old Blue Chair," is described as a personal album greatly influenced by visits to Caribbean islands during down time. The set is due Jan. 25 via BNA.

"This is my heart and it's a record that came out of that," Chesney says. "I didn't set out to 'write the island record,' I wrote songs about people I met, moments that stood out over the last few years, things I realized. When I went back and looked at my notebook, I saw this collection emerge.

"It's not what people think of when they think of a 'Kenny Chesney record,'" he readily admits. "This isn't that... it's like looking over my shoulder, seeing me when I'm being quiet -- and I'm just glad there are people I can share this part of me with."

In reference to its title, the 13-track album opens with "Old Blue Chair," the same song that closes this year's "When the Sun Goes Down," and also boasts an acoustic version of the track.

From there it includes such tunes as "Island Boy," "Key Lime Pie," "Soul of a Sailor," "Somewhere in the Sun" and "Guitars, Tiki Bars," which bears a striking resemblance to the name of Chesney's 2004 U.S. tour.

Released in February, "When the Sun Goes Down" debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 and the Top Country Albums chart. On the latter it remains a top 10 album, sitting at No. 7 in its 40th week on the tally. The set has sold more than 2.68 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The title track is a duet with Uncle Kracker that reached No. 1 on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. The album also spawned the top 10 singles "I Go Back" (No. 2) and "The Woman With You" (No. 6).

Here is the track list for "Be As You Are: Songs From an Old Blue Chair":

"Old Blue Chair"
"Be As You Are"
"Guitars, Tiki Bars"
"Island Boy"
"Somewhere in the Sun"
"She Came From Boston"
"Something Sexy 'bout the Rain"
"French Kissing Life"
"Key Lime Pie"
"Sherrie's Living in Paradise"
"Magic"
"Old Blue Chair" (acoustic)
"Soul of a Sailor"

-- Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y.

Posted: November 17, 2004 10:46 am
by IsleReef
That song list looks like he stole bits and pieces from Jimmy Buffett, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith & Bob Marley...... :roll: :roll: :roll: :wink:

Posted: November 17, 2004 10:49 am
by semitruths
I'll probably take some heat for saying this but .......... several years ago I was talking with friends and said "You watch, KC will become the next JB". I saw it at that time and have said ever since .... this is not to say he can fill Jimmy's shoes ... or that there are even 'shoes' to fill. I'm saying that it was (and is my thought that) KC will try to follow his version of the path that JB took. :D :D :D

Posted: November 17, 2004 10:53 am
by IsleReef
semitruths wrote:I'll probably take some heat for saying this but .......... several years ago I was talking with friends and said "You watch, KC will become the next JB". I saw it at that time and have said ever since .... this is not to say he can fill Jimmy's shoes ... or that there are even 'shoes' to fill. I'm saying that it was (and is my thought that) KC will try to follow his version of the path that JB took. :D :D :D
I guess there's nothing wrong with a little follow the leader..... :lol: :lol: :wink:

Posted: November 17, 2004 10:59 am
by OceanCityGirl
I didn't set out to 'write the island record,' I wrote songs about people I met, moments that stood out over the last few years, things I realized. When I went back and looked at my notebook, I saw this collection emerge.
Sounds like another singer'songwriter we know. I have no problem with others following Jimmy's footsteps. Let them all put their personal stamp on the style. I'll be buying it and judging it after a listen.

Posted: November 17, 2004 11:04 am
by TheSecretsInTheCrust
As I mentioned before in several "Chesney" threads....Old Blue Chair is the BEST song he has done to date. I am looking forward to this CD. I do not believe that Chesney is following anyone's path but his own. Who ever said that Jimmy is the sole proprietor of Island Music. Checney has spent a lot of time on the Islands and its only natural that a songwriter begin to write about his surroundings. I believe that this is Chesney being honest with himself.

Posted: November 17, 2004 11:19 am
by Tiki Bar
My husband keeps telling my keets what a hack Jimmy is, since he called in all of the big names of country so he could get some recognition. I wonder if by his argument, Kenny is a hack for "taking a cue from Jimmy Buffett"?

Posted: November 17, 2004 11:21 am
by LIPH
Just a heads up since I'm heading south next Monday and get to miss the crowds in Rockefeller Plaza. :lol: The Today Show will be having 3 concerts next week:
Monday, Nov. 22 - Kenny Chesney
Tuesday, Nov. 23 - Bon Jovi
Wednesday, Nov. 24 - Tim McGraw

Posted: November 17, 2004 11:23 am
by semitruths
Tiki Bar wrote:My husband keeps telling my keets what a hack Jimmy is, since he called in all of the big names of country so he could get some recognition. I wonder if by his argument, Kenny is a hack for "taking a cue from Jimmy Buffett"?

All of those entertainers took a cue from JB for one or more of their songs that have become hits for them.

Posted: November 17, 2004 11:24 am
by Air M'Ville Cap'n
TheSecretsInTheCrust wrote:As I mentioned before in several "Chesney" threads....Old Blue Chair is the BEST song he has done to date. I am looking forward to this CD. I do not believe that Chesney is following anyone's path but his own. Who ever said that Jimmy is the sole proprietor of Island Music. Checney has spent a lot of time on the Islands and its only natural that a songwriter begin to write about his surroundings. I believe that this is Chesney being honest with himself.
I remember agreeing with you several months ago that OBC is his best song to date, and I still agree with you now. His songwriting has come along way. Can't wait for this album.

Anybody know if he wrote all these songs?

Posted: November 17, 2004 12:45 pm
by msu#1
Air M'Ville Cap'n wrote:
TheSecretsInTheCrust wrote:As I mentioned before in several "Chesney" threads....Old Blue Chair is the BEST song he has done to date. I am looking forward to this CD. I do not believe that Chesney is following anyone's path but his own. Who ever said that Jimmy is the sole proprietor of Island Music. Checney has spent a lot of time on the Islands and its only natural that a songwriter begin to write about his surroundings. I believe that this is Chesney being honest with himself.
I remember agreeing with you several months ago that OBC is his best song to date, and I still agree with you now. His songwriting has come along way. Can't wait for this album.

Anybody know if he wrote all these songs?
They are all wrote by, or co-wrote by Kenny.