Where Are You Big Kenny?
You'd think there was something more to John Rich's Son Of A Preacher Man after "Shuttin' Detroit Down", but the rest of the album is so bad that you'll finally realize how much you like Big Kenny.
"Shuttin' Detroit Down" is one of those guilty pleasure patriotic Country songs that you'll agree with even if you know better. Like Haggard's "Fightin' Side Of Me" or Charlie Daniels' "In America", maybe Garth Brooks' "American Honky-Tonk Bar Association", but not Darryl Worley's "Have You Forgotten?" All of which means you'll forgive Rich for dissing New York City.
But the rest of the album? Rich must think he's the smartest man in Country music right now. And this album has been programmed to the letter. Soppy love songs that his old band Lonestar would have rejected. Uptempo ones with titles like "Trucker Man", "Preacher Man" and "Turn A Country Boy On" that are as bad as they read.
A big band one and of course a death song. Humor? Let's just say that throughout the album I cried out for Big Kenny like never before. But the sloppy lyrics are really prevalent on "The Good Lord and the Man" in which Rich tells us what would have happened had we lost World War II:
"Well I’m the grandson of a soldier and I’d fight the whole world over if duty called and freedoms on the line but thanks to the greatest generation and the ones still fighting for our nation I’ve never had to kill for my way of life"
Mr. Rich is 35 years old. Still young enough to suit up and fight for his Country. We've got some problems over there in that Middle East that he could take care of. Maybe he can take Lee Greenwood and Toby Keith with him.
So, buy the single and then ask yourself:
Where's Big Kenny when we need him most?
"Shuttin' Detroit Down" is one of those guilty pleasure patriotic Country songs that you'll agree with even if you know better. Like Haggard's "Fightin' Side Of Me" or Charlie Daniels' "In America", maybe Garth Brooks' "American Honky-Tonk Bar Association", but not Darryl Worley's "Have You Forgotten?" All of which means you'll forgive Rich for dissing New York City.
But the rest of the album? Rich must think he's the smartest man in Country music right now. And this album has been programmed to the letter. Soppy love songs that his old band Lonestar would have rejected. Uptempo ones with titles like "Trucker Man", "Preacher Man" and "Turn A Country Boy On" that are as bad as they read.
A big band one and of course a death song. Humor? Let's just say that throughout the album I cried out for Big Kenny like never before. But the sloppy lyrics are really prevalent on "The Good Lord and the Man" in which Rich tells us what would have happened had we lost World War II:
"Well I’m the grandson of a soldier and I’d fight the whole world over if duty called and freedoms on the line but thanks to the greatest generation and the ones still fighting for our nation I’ve never had to kill for my way of life"
Mr. Rich is 35 years old. Still young enough to suit up and fight for his Country. We've got some problems over there in that Middle East that he could take care of. Maybe he can take Lee Greenwood and Toby Keith with him.
So, buy the single and then ask yourself:
Where's Big Kenny when we need him most?
posted by Tom Lane at 7:26 AM
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