Well that title is something to get your head
around - country music played in pop style on a Hammond organ. I'm not going to
bother asking 'why' because I know there are no answers here, and if that
grinning, topless blonde showing generous side boob on the cover knows what's
going on, then she's not telling. On the back, the write-up assures me
"You don't have to be a country and western fan to enjoy this album as it is
styled to suit all tastes. If you were not certain of the origins of these songs
this will serve as a tribute to the contemporary country writers whose material
falls into many categories". I don't know what that means either. I suppose
I'd best just get on and listen to it then.
"A very interesting collection of classic country melodies arranged specially for the Hammond organ" - the back cover says that too, but that 'very interesting' descriptor oversells this by a good few grand, and if by 'arranged specially' they mean a basic karaoke backing track with the 'vocal' melody played straight over the top, two fingered style, on a Hammond organ then fair enough. Because that really is all there is to it. There is no more to this album than that.
Who on earth would find this 'very interesting', or even be interested enough to buy this I wonder? Hardcore country music fans tend to be a conservative bunch who wouldn't take kindly with anyone messing about with the old standards, and surely even the casual fan doesn't listen to this stuff just for the tunes? 'Take These Chains From My Heart', 'He'll Have To Go', 'Your Cheatin' Heart' - these are well trod songs of misery for the broken-hearted to wallow in with a bottle. Hearing them piped out sans lyrics with the jolly subtlety of an ice cream van's horn in August dilutes their message somewhat; as Waylon Jennings sang, "I don't think Hank done 'em this way" Even the more upbeat numbers ('Jambalaya', 'Hey Good Lookin'') blandly chirp along in their own mindless, fixed grin, thousand yard stare way with no sense of context, tradition or understanding of what country music is all about. Or, for that matter, with any artistry in the playing. I could go on, but suffice it to say 'Pop Country' is about as imaginative as the cheesecake cover shot they use to try to sell it. Quite frankly, I find this whole package ridiculous.
"A very interesting collection of classic country melodies arranged specially for the Hammond organ" - the back cover says that too, but that 'very interesting' descriptor oversells this by a good few grand, and if by 'arranged specially' they mean a basic karaoke backing track with the 'vocal' melody played straight over the top, two fingered style, on a Hammond organ then fair enough. Because that really is all there is to it. There is no more to this album than that.
Who on earth would find this 'very interesting', or even be interested enough to buy this I wonder? Hardcore country music fans tend to be a conservative bunch who wouldn't take kindly with anyone messing about with the old standards, and surely even the casual fan doesn't listen to this stuff just for the tunes? 'Take These Chains From My Heart', 'He'll Have To Go', 'Your Cheatin' Heart' - these are well trod songs of misery for the broken-hearted to wallow in with a bottle. Hearing them piped out sans lyrics with the jolly subtlety of an ice cream van's horn in August dilutes their message somewhat; as Waylon Jennings sang, "I don't think Hank done 'em this way" Even the more upbeat numbers ('Jambalaya', 'Hey Good Lookin'') blandly chirp along in their own mindless, fixed grin, thousand yard stare way with no sense of context, tradition or understanding of what country music is all about. Or, for that matter, with any artistry in the playing. I could go on, but suffice it to say 'Pop Country' is about as imaginative as the cheesecake cover shot they use to try to sell it. Quite frankly, I find this whole package ridiculous.
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