Country Roads And Other Places - Gary Burton

Advantages: There are some AMAZING songs to be heard
Disadvantages: Many songs simply sound like album fillers

...Being a huge fan of Gary Barlow I find it hard to disapprove of his work, however, there are clear hits and clear album fillers on this album. The songs which were released as singles such as Love Won't Wait and So Help Me Girl are amazingly powerful songs and Forever Love is one of my favourite songs of all time. There are also other little gems on the album including Open Road and My Commitment, however, the rest of the album leaves much to be desired. Gary's voice is amazing and a lot of effort has been put into this album which you can clearly tell. I feel the problems possibly arose due to Gary slipping out of his comfort zone and being in a negative place personally.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Some good hit singles on this
Disadvantages: Some lame tracks

...at number one in 1997. SO HELP ME GIRL A cover of a Country and Western song, this reached number 7 in 1997, if I remember rightly. It certainly went into the Top 10. It was a decent effort and the song is about how sometimes we fall in love when we don't want to. MY COMMITMENT A sloppy ballad and boring in places. This is no more than a filler in my opinion. Even the talents of Diane Warren can't save it. Gary's voice is the only good thing on this track. The song isn't very good at all. HANG ON IN THERE BABY A good cover of the Johnny Bristol track but it's not as brilliant as the Curiousity version. Gary re-recorded it as a B-side with Rosie Gaines and that was also good. I admit I always laugh when Gary sings "virgin" for some reason. ARE YOU READY NOW? An average slow-ish song. The same themes as usual. EVERYTHING I EVER... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great listening,Richard Burton.
Disadvantages: None (though perhaps a bit dated for the younger listener)

...voice has a mesmerising quality that draws you into the whole experience; along with Jeff Wayne’s musical composition he sets the tone of the whole album. The music is big, bold, and orchestral at times and completely in keeping with the whole venture. The Lyrics for the songs, written by Gary Osborne and Paul Vigrass, capture the essence and romance of Well’s original story, even if Wayne has played around with the characterisation a wee bit, (in the book the narrator tells the story of his brother, the journalist, whilst here Burton plays the part of the journalist as the narrator himself) but it doesn’t matter a jot, this isn’t trying to be just an audio book, it’s a musical experience using a well known story as a theme, so a little tweaking is allowed and does no harm. Musically this is a concept album using many different artists... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful