BRETT WALKER
STRAIGHT JACKET VACATION
After the untimely death of Brett Walker last year, I held off my commentary on this album, released posthumously, wanting to let some healing happen before featuring this review.
This review is short.
Quite simply, this album is a classic, his best since Nevertheless.
While most readers will not know Brett Walker by name, due to his numerous contributions of songs for use in television programming (such as Sex And The City, Baywatch, One Tree Hill, Felicity for starters), it is quite probable you are familiar with his work.
Brett was born with a voice made for rock, and Straight Jacket Vacation is an album full of rock anthems and ballads that are tailor-made for that voice. In a world with radio, this would be full of radio hits.
Top notch songwriting, superior playing, and clean, balanced production. Did I mention the singing?
Tragically, this will be Brett's last album, and he goes out on a high note.
Available at NEH Records (US) and AOR Heaven (Europe).
ALBUM SAMPLER
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You're right; I wasn't familiar with him, but that sample you included has a real nice sound to it.
ReplyDeleteWe sure have lost a lot of musicians the past couple years. Were you a fan of the old Everly Brothers harmonies?
They were a little before me, but I know the big hits and love their vocals.
DeleteI know one brother just passed-I forget if the other is still alive.
I think I already admitted to not having heard who he was, so I'll spare repeating myself. I do really like the samples I heard, though, so I may have to check Straight Jacket Vacation out. It's not often I listen to a full 12 minutes of sound clips without getting tired of it.
ReplyDeleteBryan- I've been dealing with NEH Records (in your home state of Colorado) for about sixteen years, so if you do decide to buy the disc I am sure Mike McPherson would appreciate the sale.
DeleteAmazon carries the MP3 release if you are digitally inclined.
Larry