Classic Rewind: Jeannie Seely – ‘Mr Record Man’

Album Review: Joe Diffie – ‘A Thousand Winding Roads’

Joe’s debut solo album was released on Epic in 1990, and immediately propelled him to stardom; overnight success (at the age of 32) which was thoroughly deserved, because this is an excellent album, and a fine exemplar of the neotraditional movement which all too briefly dominated the genre. It was produced by Bob Montgomery (then also working with Vern Gosdin) and Johnny Slate. They provided a sympathetic backing which showcased Joe’s vocal prowess.

The lead single ‘Home’ (written by Andy Spooner and Fred Lehner), which has the disillusioned protagonist looking wistfully back to his childhood, took Joe right to the top of the charts. It set records as the first ever debut single to hit #1 on all three of the major charts then in existence (Billboard, Radio & Records, and Gavin). The nostalgia feeds on the protagonist’s disillusionment about the dreams he has been pursuing:

The rainbows I’ve been chasing keep on fading before I find my pot of gold…

Now the miles I put behind me ain’t as hard as the miles that lay ahead
And it’s way too late to listen to the words of wisdom that my daddy said
The straight and narrow path he showed me turned into a thousand winding roads
My footsteps carry me away, but in my mind I’m always going home

The pained ballad ‘If You Want Me To’ was almost as successful, reaching #2 in 1991, and is my personal favorite of the four singles from this project. One of Joe’s own songs (written with Larry Williams), it was the first showcase of the apparently effortless slide between registers which is Joe’s most remarkable gift as a vocalist, as the narrator gently tells his beloved he is prepared to do whatever she wants from him, even if:

If it takes good-bye to make you happy
Then I’ll just walk away if you want me to

‘If The Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets)’, written by Kim Williams (Larry’s brother) and Ken Spooner, took Joe back to #1, with its witty western swing twist on being broke and too easily swayed by a persuasive car salesman. The optimistic final single was written by Joe with his friend and regular co-writer Lonnie Wilson (who also plays drums and sings backing vocals on the album), about finding a ‘New Way (To Light Up An Old Flame)’. The only really happy song on the album, it was another #2 Billboard hit, and cemented Joe’s status as one of the brightest new stars of the early 90s.

Heartbreak also comes uptempo with the drinking-to-forget-the-heartbreak song ‘I Ain’t Leavin’ Til She’s Gone’ (written by Joe with Wayne Perry and Lonnie Wilson). Joe wails,

One drink’s too many
Ten ain’t enough
Lord, but she’s still here
So I’ll have one more

More western swing is on offer with the similarly themed ‘Liquid Heartache’, another of Joe’s songs, this one written with the veteran Red Lane, with a great groove which really lets the musicians stretch out.

Giveaway: George Jones Starter Kit

Congratulations to Andrew.  He’s our winner this month.  We’ll be in touch, Andrew.  Keep reading for coverage of this month’s Spotlight Artist, Joe Diffie, and for your chance to win new music from Joe.

When I think of George Jones, I tend to think of the sad songs which form the core of his repertoire. From ‘The Door’ to ‘A Good Year for The Roses’, ‘A Picture Of Me (Without You)’ to ‘He Stopped Loving Her Today’ (voted greatest country song of all time), and a host of other classic hits. He is almost unparalleled at distilling heartbreak within the three minutes of a country song. Sad songs have always been the heartblood of country music, but they have become less prevalent particularly on country radio, which seems to prefer a cheery diet of positive sentiments to the songs of broken hearts. Apparently it’s also almost a kiss of death to release a slow-tempo’d song as a summertime single these days.

Despite the fact that his sad songs are the ones on which his reputation rests, George Jones can also turn his hand to fun up-tempo and novelty songs from ‘White Lightning’ (one of his biggest hits) and ‘Love Bug’ early in his career to later efforts like 1988’s ‘The King Is Gone (So Are You)’ and the 90s hit ‘I Don’t Need Your Rocking Chair’. He also has some classic love songs in his repertoire, ranging from ‘Walk Through This World With Me’.

If you’re a country fan and you have only heard a few of George’s biggest hits, you’re missing out on arguably the greatest country singer of all time. We hope our coverage of George’s music this month is whetting your appetite to explore his catalog.

Just tell us if you prefer to listen to sad songs or happy ones before midnight on 31 July, and one lucky reader will win a copy of The Great Lost Hits, the new compilation showcasing the best of George’s years on Musicor, plus The Essential George Jones, which includes most of his biggest Epic hits and a sprinkling of other classics from his debut hit ‘Why Baby Why’ to 1999’s ‘Choices’.