The new Sammy Kershaw studio release, Better Than I Used To Be is his first new album in three years, and was produced by Buddy Cannon (Kenny Chesney) while being released by Big Hit Records/Megaforce Records/Sony/RED Distribution. Sammy Kershaw's career includes six Gold and three Platinum albums that have scanned in excess of 5 million records. He was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame this February. His eleven Top 10 singles include two # 1 hits: "She Don't Know She's Beautiful" and "Love Of My Life." This album drops as Kershaw is running for Louisiana's Lt. Governor, currently polling for the top spot out of 8 candidates.
The Review:
Three tremendous ballads and two covers make for five outstanding songs on this strong indie release from one of country music’s traditionalists, Sammy Kershaw. The first release to radio- and severely underappreciated there- is/was “Better Than I Used To Be.” It’s a great match for Kershaw with his tumultuous past personal life and history with relationships. With lyrics that recognize old demons that do not allow them to shape the man or direction of the man, it’s a tremendous single. The second great ballad is the wistful tale of running into an old ex at a restaurant and getting the cold shoulder in “Like I Wasn’t Even There.” Each chorus evolves with different lyrical memories and when he can’t catch his breath at the bar, the emotion he evokes has genuine feelings of loss. The third- and perhaps most powerful of the ballads- is “The Snow White Rows Of Arlington.” Written by Hugh Prestwood, “Arlington…” reminds us through philosophical and poetic lyrics of the real cost of protecting America from those whose ‘holy mission is to destroy all we hold dear.’ It’s a shame this song hasn’t received more publicity than it has.
And then there are the two fun covers. Better Than I Used To Be features a duet with Jamey Johnson on "Cover of the Rolling Stone," which is a remake of the classic 1972 Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show song written by Shel Silverstein. It is lightweight fare compared to some of the previous ballads, but the fun they had in recording the single translates to a smile to your ears. Kershaw also covers an old Tracy Byrd song on “Saltwater Cowboy” that somehow I had missed back in the day. It has tremendous tongue in cheek lyrics such as “If this bottle goes overboard, you better wish me luck. Cause I’m scared of sharks, but terrified of sobering up.”
Overall, the album is a great reminder why Kershaw is a fantastic country music vocalist and one of the more underrated artists of his generation. This one is definitely recommended for those that like their country classic.
Sounds Like:
A modern-day George Jones
Track Highlights (suggested iPod adds):
Better Than I Used To Be
Saltwater Cowboy
The Snow White Rows Of Arlington
Like I Wasn’t Even There
The Cover Of The Rolling Stone (with Jamey Johnson)
The Verdict:
Three & A Half Stars Out Of Five
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