Classic Album Review-John Anderson “Wild & Blue”

From 1982, comes a release from John Anderson. “Wild & Blue” was released in 1982, giving John his first top ten album, as it peaked at number three. The album would spawn three singles, including the biggest hit of John Anderson’s’ career, “Swingin’”.

A number one hit begins things on the album, with the title cut. “Wild & Blue” ended 1982 at the top of the charts. Twenty-eight years have not changed my opinion that this was a great single. The heavy dose of fiddles and steel, along with John’s twang certainly made this record stand out amongst the likes Kenny Rogers, Anne Murray, Crystal Gayle, Alabama, etc., that dominated the country airwaves at that time. Good country music, right here.

“The Waltz You Saved For Me” was first a hit for the orchestra of Wayne King, in the 1930′s, and later became a moderate country hit for Ferlin Husky. Here, with the help of Emmylou Harris, John gives an acceptable version. Almost pitched too high, though; I think it might have sounded better had they gone down about a key.

Next, John gives us another cover, with his version of the Bob McDill penned “Honky Tonk Hearts”. The song had been a minor country top forty entry for Dickey Lee, the previous year. Again, keyed a bit too high for me, I think it would have come off much better had he sang a lower key.

Merle Haggard joins in for a duet on the Lefty Frizzell classic “Long Black Veil”. Not as haunting as Lefty’s version, which we just discussed on last week’s “Lefty Frizzell’s Greatest Hits” review, but not a bad version. This recording actually comes off a bit too smooth, thanks to the strings in background.

“She Never Looked That Good When She Was Mine” is the second best song on the side, after “Wild & Blue”. A great pure country ballad that John nails. Certainly one of the highlights of the album.

John’s lament, “Disappearing Farmer” was a timely tune, based on the depressed agriculture economy of the early 1980′s, yet ahead of it’s time, musically, as it would be a couple of years before artists such as Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Charlie Daniels, Charley Pride, and John Mellencamp were releasing tracks about farmers. A rather well done track to end the side.

An album of traditional country music in the 1980′s would not have been complete without at least one song from Sanger Shaefer. Here, he contributes “Honky Tonk Saturday Night”. A nice vocal performance from John on this one, but overall, a track that comes off a bit bland.

The third single from the album was “Goin’ Down Hill”. A top five hit in the summer of 1983, but pretty average, to me. Probably the weakest of his top ten hits.

On the other hand, “The Price Of A Thin Silver Dime” turns out to be an excellent straight country weeper. Vocals are dead on, the arrangement is perfect, this one is a definite Hidden Gem contender.

Everyone remembers “Swingin’”, John’s biggest hit. All over the radio in early 1983, it was completely different than anything John had previously done, adding strong elements of rock and pop to his country, yet it worked.

A pretty decent ballad ends the album. John really puts some emotion into “If A Broken Heart Could Kill”, a track that in my opinion, was single-worthy.

Because it was such a big hit, the Standout Track has to be “Swingin’”. As for the Hidden Gem, I will go with “She Never Looked That Good When She Was Mine”. And the Weakest Track? “Honky Tonk Saturday Night”.

Availability-wise, the used vinyl I saw was going around $8 to $15. Instead, why not get a CD that is priced at about $12? That’s right, this album is currently available on CD, but not MP3.

Overall, a pretty decent effort from John Anderson. There are a couple of tracks that are pretty average, plus a couple of more that could have been better with a bit of a vocal adjustment. Also, a couple of really strong tracks, as well. For me, I would have to rate this one a 3 out of 5.

HERE’S SOME MORE GREAT COUNTRY MUSIC

Don Williams – “Country Boy”