This is a slice of personal country
As usual Newbury’s lyrics and accompanying music cut deep.
Newbury has a knack for conveying emotions through music, and by that I mean “music” not just lyrics. Like the songwriters of years past he looks for melodies and sounds that create the emotion that he wishes to convey.
If it was all about words then Newbury wouldn’t pursue so many musical styles of his memory looking for what fits words. To be sure picking the right words to convey emotions and stringing them in the right way is a skill but to often songwriters forget about the music.
Newbury doesn’t.
Look to my other blog entries for biographical information on Newbury.
On this album some of the music is dated but mostly it is effective in transporting musically the emotional notes of the lyrics.
Clearly, what instruments are used to put across the melody and emotion and how they are played as well as how a song is sung are important also.
Newbury seems to understand that.
Having said all that I should note that he isn’t always successful but his understanding of a songs structure puts him ahead of many of his peers.
OK, this sounds like pretentious bullshit, so, have a couple of glasses of red and it will sound less pretentious.
If you think red wine is pretentious then you have problems.
This album is his MOR country lament album. The songs are all about lost love with barely a positive note amongst them. What positive moments there are, are couched in hesitation and carefully wishful thoughts.
The music is clean as you would expect from a mid 70s country album produced by Chip Young, but the slick arrangements don’t detract from the lyrics or the world weary voice. In fact the music conjures up a vivid picture of a broken hearted fool sitting in a barroom, 1975, drinking away his sorrow.
Musically, an apt comparison has been made between this album and Frank Sinatra’s magnificent broken hearted confessional album from 1955, “In the Wee Small Hours”. Both albums have ruminations on lost love(s) that are carefully observed and nakedly honest. The observation could only be clearer if Sinatra was drinking in the South and reciting words from a Davis Ackles album.
Ultimately though this album is superior it is not one of Newbury’s best. The album is a little “straight” and I like Newbury when he is quirky. The songs are powerful but one has to listen a little harder whereas on the other Newbury albums less effort is required to be seduced.
Tracks (best in italics)
- Apples Dipped in Candy – what a way to start an album. Another one of Newbury’s trilogies. A beautifully evocative country song as if Kristofferson met David Ackles. With some nice Chet Atkins guitar.
- Lovers – more Ackles …as if recorded in
To think they once tore down a wall for a door
But Now they don’t speak anymore
- Sail Away – one of the more optimistic songs on the album.
- When Do We Stop Starting Over – a country weapie which is both low key and epic …if that’s possible. The emotions are heightened.
- Lead On – spiritual, personal and not in the least mawkish.
- How’s the Weather – another great country-ish lament of memories, futures, passing times and old friendships turning into superficiality.
- If You Ever Get to
- You’ve Always Got the Blues – a slick, but not “slick bad” blues later covered by B.B. King and Bobby Bland.
- Let Me Sleep – a folk feel with a narrator looking for physical and spiritual rest, possibly eternal rest.
- Good Night- like a traditional pop country ballad you could almost here Jim Reeves singing.
And …
A good album. Not one of Newbury’s best (but it may grow on me – they always do) but his “:good” is other peoples “great”….. I’m keeping it.
Chart Action
US
Singles
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Album
1975 #172 Hot 200
Singles
Album
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Sounds
Lovers
Later version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVZ2fRU6v-c
Lead On
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC_H9LrEiRI
How’s the Weather
Attached
Mickey Newbury – How’s The Weather
If You Ever Get to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tECEVXaGrok
Let Me Sleep
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUetlQTSoJU
Others
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnJ73LbgnYM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbk-hXjSTgM&feature=related
Review
http://www.allmusic.com/album/lovers-mw0000882670
http://www.mickeynewbury.com/backporch/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=11825
Bio
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mickey_Newbury
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/mickey-newbury-mn0000525789
Website
Trivia
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