John Rich - Underneath the Same Moon (CD)

First issue of Rich's 1999 solo debut

By redtunictroll  Mar 20, 2006

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In between his success as a member of the '90s country group Lonestar and his riotous reinvention as half of Big & Rich, vocalist/songwriter John Rich cut this solo album in Nashville, and promptly had it shelved by his record company. Though he&...#39;d already met and was writing with "Big" Kenny Alphin (whose own solo debut was shelved the same year, and also recently issued), his music was still anchored more to the contemporary sounds of late-90s Nashville than to the rowdier work he'd pioneer with the Muzik Mafia. Highlights include the Celtic-flavored waltz-time "Old Blue Mountain," featuring bagpipe and a strong harmony vocal from Sara Evans, the funky "She Brings the Lightnin' Down," the redemptive mid-tempo rocker "Something To Believe In," and the Fairfield Four backed gospel of "New Jerusalem." The album includes several finely crafted ballads, including Rich & Alphin's "I Love You Like That" and Gretchen Peters and Bryan Adams' "When You Love Someone." Having just broken from Lonestar, and yet fully settled in with his new crew, Rich can be heard searching out a new identity. He'd yet to fully clear the then-contemporary sound of Nashville from his pen or voice, nor had he freed himself from the strictures of Music City's production choices. Still, he showed himself to be a compelling songwriter and singer, and held his own as a solo performer. Fans of his work with Lonestar and fans of his recent work with Big & Rich will each enjoy in the opportunity to hear these "'tween" recordings. [©2006 redtunictroll at hotmail dot com] Read more Less