- Outlaw

Mark Chesnutt keeps not only the spirit of honky-tonk alive and well, but pumps new life into the old outlaw songs. Mark's voice has never been better as he sings the outlaw songs of the 70s that influenced his career. Waylon, Willie, and the boys are all represented here; a wonderful primer for those who were too young at the time to hear these songs growing up. Black Rose and Freedom To Stay are my two favorite songs on the record, with Sunday Morning Comin' Down running a close third. Folks, if you want good, solid country music, You just can't go wrong with this record!!

Its nice to hear Mark perform some of the old Outlaw songs. He has the right voice and style to pull it off. A great album in my opinion for fans of Mark and fans of the old Outlaw gang...Kris, Willie, Tompall, Jessie, Waylon, Johnny and the rest. Great older songs redone by a modern day balladeer.

I admit I am biased, because I love Mark's music ever since his debut of "Too Cold At Home 2 decades ago. This cd has lost none of his country roots and reflects the homage he pays to predecessors such as George Jones, Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings. A super album if you enjoy traditional country.

Prime Cuts: A Couple of Good Years, Sunday Mornings Comin' Down, Only Daddy That Will Walk the Line By today's standard, "Outlaw" sounds domesticated. Eight years after Chesnutt parted from Columbia Records, Chesnutt has never stopped churning out one album after another, albeit on smaller labels. "Outlaw" is Chesnutt's first covers CD whereby he tips his Stetson to the movers and shakers of the outlaw movement in country music. Started as a reaction against the slick strings-laden Nashville sounds of the 60s, outlaw country is a deliberate attempt to puts dome teeth and grit back to the genre. Up until the movement's abeyance, this subgenre has seen its share of sonic gems by artists such as Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Billy Joe Shaver, and Kris Kristofferson among others. Nevertheless, in the light of today's rock based anthemic country, these dozen songs sound pretty laidback and mind you very country. Perhaps it's producer Pete Anderson's retro-style touches on these songs giving them a late 70s/early 80s feel, these songs sound pretty much like they had lived through a time warp with an old fashioned feel yet interpreted by Chesnutt's contemporary nuances. As with all cover albums, there is conundrum of how much creativity do you have with these chestnuts? One could easily be accused of irreverence if innovative readings were proffered. On the other hand, one could also be damned if a religiously close interpretation is mimic. On the whole, Chesnutt has chosen the latter with a slight dose of the former. Chesnutt's take of Kris Kristofferson's "Sunday Morning Coming Down" is the exemplar. With his slow and thoughtful nuance of each syllable of this tune, Chesnutt has captured the angst of the song's lyrical depths. And if there could ever be another improvement on Kristofferson's "Lovin' Her Was Easier" this is truly it. Pete Anderson has taken away the dreadful string arrangements of the original and has some rustic sounding fiddling. Kudos are also in order for Chesnutt to turning Dr. Hook's "A Couple More Years" into a duet. Though there's some awkwardness to it, but Chesnutt's barroom muffled tenor is well contrasted with Amber Digsby gorgeous soaring twangy soprano. It goes without saying that Chesnutt is indeed a Waylon fan. He has even named his son after his hero. Thus, it is not surprising that half the songs on this disc come from the late Jennings' catalog. Chesnutt is judicious in his choice: he has taken a fair number of more familiar numbers balanced with a few obscure selections. Chesnutt's stays close to Jennings' original with "Only Daddy That Will Walk the Line." Yet, despite the numerous covers of this magnum opus, it's still such a classic that it's hard to get tired of hearing. "Black Rose" and "Freedom to Stay," on the other hand, are lesser known songs. Chesnutt's bluesy and seasoned interpretations are well worth repeated listening. With his clean cut image, Chesnutt's out of place on David Allan Coe's "Time Off for Bad Behavior." Chesnutt just doesn't have the ruggedness to do this song justice. In fact, the best cover of Coe's hit is by far by Confederate Railroad on their debut album. Despite Anderson's meatier guitar riffs, Chesnutt just doesn't seem to have the zest to tackle Hank Jr.'s "Are You Ready for the Country." Knowing that the outlaw movement had often been associated with male artists, but there were a few women outlaws such as Sammi Smith and Jessi Colter. Chesnutt could have shaken the barrel even more if he were to tackle some of their music. That would have been something. Other than that, "Outlaw" ironically is quite a safe effort of generally good coverage of the material from this era of country music.

I love Mark Chesnutt and was excited to find that he had a new (to me) CD out. I thought that he had stopped recording years ago and was not aware that this CD existed until I decided to check here just in case I had missed one. Some reviewers are saying that he sounds better than ever, but I don't think so. He almost doesn't even sound like himself on these songs. If I had actually paid for this CD, I would be disappointed, but I got it free with Amazon Rewards.

Real honest country that sounds awesome.

Mark Outdoes himself again on this album and I couldn't be happier. What a great set of songs sung by one of the greatest country singers I have ever listened to.

Fabulous artist with superb backing instrumentals. This artist should still be getting air play on country music radio. Great performer.

As one of my favourite artists, Mark Chesnutt is right on the money with this one. I love his voice and he knows how to sing country. Every song is a winner and I love this CD. It's another one to listen to over and over again. I play Mark's CDs all the time and it makes me wish they'd "Outlaw" the kind of music country radio plays today. Here's to the next one Mark!

TRES BON ALBUM, et merci a vous c 'est un plaisir de pouvoir recevoir nos choix personnels

Great album

Es sind sehr gute Cover Songs auf dieser CD enthalten.Insgesammt ein Hörgenuss mit 12 Titeln.Produziert in diesem Jahr.

Thanks for asking.Yes I was pleased with cd.Greart singer.Loking to buy others as well.Thanks