When I had the pleasure of attending the Phoenix show in 2010 on their final "Last Rodeo Tour",
I knew they would be missed! According to some sources, the second most
successful musical duo in music history behind Simon & Garfunkel: Brooks & Dunn had quit their highly successful career after 20 years and some 28 million albums sold.Naturally music would be part of their life after Brooks & Dunn. When Kix Brooks tried one album, that wasn't really that successful, he more successfully switched to 'American Country Countdown' show host and other ventures (acting, running a winery).
Ronnie Dunn, the significant voice in B&D and heard on the majority of their songs as lead vocal, started also with a solo project, in which he obviously put a lot of heart and blood, as documented by the excellent 'Making Of' video he did for the self-titled album. In addition there were a couple of highly professionel videos produced for songs from the album, even though only 3 songs were released as singles.
Two of those singles had strong messages and were far from party songs, often associated with B&D. 'Bleed Red' appeals to the respect for humanity in all of us, because we all bleed red. It went No. 10.
With the almost politically critical 'Cost of Livin' ' he put a strong message across, which touched a lot of nerves. It went Top-20 also.
From there the success trailed off and the investment did not seem to pay off. So Ronnie and the Arista label (owned by Sony Music Entertainment) parted ways; maybe in relation with the demise of the label in 2011.
But fortunately Ronnie did not quit. Instead he tried to go with new media, pushing his internet presence and set up another record deal with strong personal involvement through his own label 'Little Will-E Records'. Coming from this, his second solo album 'Peace, Love and Country Music' was released in April 2014. However no longer as a physical medium, but only digitally. And fortunately also internationally!
The album offers an exciting mix of traditional country music and modern rock-tinged sounds. The lead-off single 'Kiss You There' is one of my favorite songs on the album. To me, everything was done right for the song:
- first of all, it is a catchy, upbeat song that has written "HIT" all over it, next
- during CMA Fest 2013, going with the new media, a flash mob was initiated to introduce the song to the public and again a professional video produced, eventually
- the official video for the single was as innovative as it was spectacular
- fans seemed to love it too from various feedbacks on the net
ONLY radio did not seem to like it, as it did not even really chart, as far as I understand.
What a shame! Where is the issue?
The album starts with a traditional country honky tonk song about a 'Grown Damn Man' who is working hard and loving true. Nothing that really sticks out.
I much rather like 'Cadillac Bound'. The sound is more mainstream with a pulsating beat about achieving ones dreams. Then a Cadillac may become reality.
'Cowgirls Rock n Roll' pushes it up a couple more notches. From a brooding undertone the songs builds to the chorus that explodes with screaming rock guitars. Ronnie sure does know how to rock!
After a sad country ballad about a love breakup ('Heart Letting Go'), 'You Should See You Know' returns to a modern mid-tempo sound. The song is still full of sadness about seeing someone all (too) happy after a break-up.
'Country This' is one of the exciting stick-out songs on the albm. With slight rap undertones and powerful guitar riffs, it rocks out heavy. A cool song about musical cliches, freedom of taste and the suggestion to turn the station if the sound does not appeal.
'I Whish I Still Smoked Cigarettes' is a clever lyric, because it is not really about smoking cigarettes, but about the time, when smoking cigarettes was common. In other words, about the time when we were all younge(er). It is a nice, slightly melancholic ballad, on which Ronnie's voice shines.
'Let's Get The Beer Joint Rocking' is a rocking little song, that could have been on a Brooks & Dunn album, full with screaming guitars.
'You Don't Know Me' is a surprise cover version of the old classic Ray Charles song (written by Cindy Walker and covered by a ton of other artists). It turns out a great, bluesy and emotional version with great electric guitars and Ronnie Dunn in fine vocal form!
I could imagine 'Romeo & Juliet' being a radio single. A midtempo ballad about giving love a second chance: to make it Romeo & Juliet again. But then again, radio doesn't seem to give Ronnie Dunn a chance anymore ...
A strange, but somehow cool song about the ten commandments is 'Thou Shalt Not'. It reminds me a little of 'The Joint' from Eric Church's album 'The Outsiders'. But while Eric has his song lean more towards a jazzy brass sound, this ones steers more towards an almost psychodelic rock sound. Definitely a stand-out, even though not everyone might like it. I do.
Time to close the album with some more traditional country music stuff: 'They Still Play Country Music' in Texas and the title track: "We all could use some more Peace, Love and Country Music".
So on his latest album, Ronnie brings us a large song selection (14 tracks) with a good variety in sounds and a little more traditional stuff than on his first album. Clearly enough material to be enjoyed by listeners across the spectrum and showcased on country radio as well. Why the latter is not happening may be an age-thing, but in any case it is a shame and not really understandable.
I give it a positive 4 stars out of 5.
Artist: Ronnie Dunn (http://ronniedunn.com/)
Album: "Peace, Love and Country Music"
Release Date: April 8th, 2014 / Producer: Ronnie Dunn
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