Phil Vassar Asks a Key Question on New Album
I know albums don't have themes. That would be weird, and wouldn't really show that an artist has that coveted "range" everyone talks about. However, if there was a theme to Phil Vassar's new album, or just an overall message about who he is as an artist, I'd have to pick the very last track: "Where Have All the Pianos Gone?"
Vassar has always had this reputation as Nashville's piano man. And he stands out for his ability to play (and jump up on and slide across) his grand piano. But he's never had a song where he comes out and sings "I miss those days/Billy Joel on the radio/Stevie Wonder rockin' me/Elton John in the '70s," like he does here. He goes on to name check other influences, like Ray Charles, Ronnie Milsap and Barry Manilow. And he gets all serious in the bridge and slows it down to talk about playing "Rocket Man" and "Piano Man" until 3 a.m., and how he's lighting up the black and whites. It is such a great song because you just know the question comes straight from his heart.
That said, there are other tracks on his new album, Traveling Circus, that I'm loving just as much as that piano one. There is "A Year From Now," which is one of those time-heals-all-wounds songs, but it's sexier than I'm used to from Vassar. And I think "Tequila Town" could be a big radio hit. He's certainly not the first country singer to extol the virtues of the stuff after a rough week, and he probably won't be the last, but it sounds fresh coming from Vassar. Oh, and he wrote a song with Kenny Chesney, too. So be sure to give that one a listen. It's called "I Will Remember You."
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me says:
I think your wrong in that some albums do have a theme.
marine says:
I want to know when zac brown band is going to release 20 mile ride as a single? I could care less about all of this other BUNK
casey says:
Can yall do a story on Granger Smith, he has some really good songs and videos. It would be nice to see them played on CMT.
Thanks and Gig’em
huh? says:
It’s called a concept album. sheesh.
Redmaz says:
“I know albums don’t have themes” Did you really say that Alison? Of all the lame, incorrect, and disrepectful things you’ve said about music here, this may be one of the top 5.
hotelmotel says:
I like reading Alison’s blog posts because they are often entertaining but she certainly does not seem to be well informed about music. Her best blogs are not about music at all, but about the behavior of stars.
Carole says:
That is what makes Phil so different from everyone else. His songs have a connection that a lot of people can relate too !! Phil Vasssar is awesome !!
Filipino Kid says:
“Where Have All The Pianos Gone?”
They’re on Ryan Tedder(OneRepublic), Coldplay, The Fray, The Swift, Until June, Augustana, Five For Fighting, Aqualung, Jon McLaughlin, Marit Larsen, and Caroline Herring
Peacock Queen says:
Didn’t Waylon Jennings top selling “Outlaw” album have a theme? One that generated a whole “new” set of country music?
Peacock Queen says:
By the way, I love Phil Vassar, and I agree with Carole! Phil was my favorite judge on Nashville Star, too!
Joe says:
Kenny Chesney and Buffett have beach themes, george strait is cowboy, chris ledoux is all cowboy.
Kathie says:
I’m also a Phil Vassar fan! I’ve been listening to it non-stop and it’s unlike me to listen to anything but Christmas music this late in December!