Posted on 04/19/2003 7:21:54 PM PDT by SamAdams76
The minute I heard "Have You Forgotten?" I knew I had to hear the rest of the CD it came off of. Already a fan of the singer of the song, Darryl Worley, I instantaneously loved the song and the sentiment behind it. It isn't a song about the Iraq situation but more of a reminder of why we sent troops to Afghanistan.
Upon hearing the song, Darryl's label DreamWorks Records knew they'd have to rush out an album to give fans something with the song on it. Since Darryl's last record I Miss My Friend had just released its second single the label decided, with Darryl's help, to select some non-single tracks from the first two albums in addition to four new songs. After the new songs were recorded, the label then decided to add the first six singles of Darryl's career and make the Have You Forgotten? CD a "Best of" so far type of record.
And what a wonderful record it is. No matter what your politics may be regarding Darryl's massive hit title track, the rest of the album is filled with some of the best country music to come out of Nashville in the past 10 years.
"I Will Hold My Ground" is the first of the other three new songs included on the CD. It is a song that is similarly themed with Have You Forgotten," only that Darryl is singing about standing and fighting for what he believes in despite the fact that he doesn't like confrontations. He sings that he won't back down or give in... he'll fight for what's right and hold his ground.
"POW 369" is one of the songs that I loved off of "I Miss My Friend." I had and inkling that it would appear here as well for it has the theme of respecting the military and veterans. This song, also recorded by stylist Doug Stone for his last CD, is a steel guitar drenched ballad about a man who rethinks his road rage upon reading the license plate of the "victim."
When I hear the new track "I Need A Breather" I feel like I have been transplanted to a place where there are no job constraints and just a time to relax and have fun. The melodies of the song remind me of any Jimmy Buffett song, along with Garth Brooks' hit song "Two Pina Coladas."
The Mark Nesler-penned "Those Less Fortunate Than I" is a wonderfully reflective song about not taking too much stock in your own life to neglect that there's almost always someone who's worse off than you are. I always hoped the song would be a single from that CD and perhaps just maybe it'll see the light of day with a "second chance." Despite what happens with the song, it is one of the best Darryl has recorded so far in his brief career.
"Shiloh" is a somber song about remembering those who fought at the bloody fight during the Civil War. It's a song that isn't likely to be a single but it does remind us of the impact of war and what it does to the generations that follow.
"Tennessee River Run" is a likely contender with "I Need A Breather" for summertime single. The song opened up I Miss My Friend and still sounds great here. If there's any complaint to the song it is that it is almost a rewrite of Alan Jackson's "Chattahoochee" from years ago. That being said the song is fun and sure to make many people smile and help 'em have fun.
When you add in the six hit singles, All but one ("Two Many Pockets") Top 40 hits, Darryl Worley's Have You Forgotten? is a wonderful album. Those people who have been eying Darryl's previous two albums but never buying them will have more reason to buy this one. Even without the hit singles, this "rushed" CD would've been a stellar collection of tunes. Have You Forgotten is truly one of 2003's most important albums.
I think everybody here should support Darryl Worley and buy this album (I bought my copy today). Even if you are not a country fan or if you already own the two album from which many of the tracks were pulled from, you should still get this album. The anti-war, anti-Bush crowd have already started attacking Worley, spamming Amazon.com with bad reviews and calling radio talk shows that he appears on to accuse him of shamelessly "wrapping himself around the flag." Nothing would frost this crowd more than to see his album top the charts as well. Especially if it knocks out the Dixie Chicks.
I listened to this new album twice today in its entirety. It is 16 songs long. I do not own his first two albums so all this music is relatively new to me, though I have heard a couple of these songs on the radio. Good album and I recommend that you all go out and buy a copy!
Actually I think Darryl Worley's music is sort of mainstream so far as country goes, not twangy at all. But then, I am a hardcore country fan who listens to bluegrass and lots of older stuff like Patsy Cline, George Jones and Waylon Jennings.
Anyway, I agree with you that we should support the recording artists who reflect our values as much as we boycott the ones who don't. I happen to be not much of a rap music fan but if a rap artist ever came out with an album that celebrated America and conservative values, I think I'd go out and buy it. (Yeah, I know I am probably making a safe bet here.)
I've never been much of a Country music fan, but some of it is growing on me... thanks to Sean Hannity in large part. He's a country music fan, and actively promotes conservative-minded country musicians on his radio show.
I was so moved by Worley's song "Have You Forgotten" and by his interview with Sean on the radio (and angered by all the peaceniks out in the streets at the time) that I placed the order right away, before I forgot Worley's name (I had never heard of him before). I should receive the CD early next week... can't wait!
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