Who Needs Pictures [Enhanced CD]

by Brad Paisley

Overview

It's easy to glance at Brad Paisley and assume that he's another in a long line of contemporary country artists that get by on their good looks instead of their talent, but his debut album Who Needs Pictures suggests otherwise. Paisley follows the pattern set by such neo-traditionalists as George Strait, Randy Travis, and Alan Jackson, yet he adds a bit of a pop sheen -- never as much as John Michael Montgomery, but similar to Tim McGraw. Although it boasts a shiny, clean production, Who Needs Pictures keeps itself firmly within country territory, even if it doesn't feel like its roots dig that deep. Similarly, Paisley's voice is a little thin, lacking the resonance of a Travis, but it is appealing, as are his songs, all of which he co-wrote with a host of collaborators (most notably Chris DuBois and Kelley Lovelace). His material may be a little cutesy, but it's catchy, particularly on the faster numbers. Those tunes are surprisingly diverse, ranging from the Western swing-styled "It Never Woulda Worked Out Anyway" and the breezy "I've Been Better" to the skittering Bakersfield instrumental "The Nervous Breakdown," the rocking contemporary country opener "Long Sermon," and the winning honky tonk of "Sleepin' on the Foldout." And even if his ballads tend to drag, "He Didn't Have to Be" is strikingly autobiographical and heartfelt, showcasing his potential in that area, as well. So, even if Who Needs Pictures is a little uneven, it hits considerably more than it misses, and those hits suggest Brad Paisley is an artist worth following. [An enhanced CD was also released.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	06/01/1999
Label:	Arista / Bmg / Sony Music
UPC:	0886979879621

Tracks

1. Long Sermon
2. Me Neither
3. Who Needs Pictures
4. Don't Breathe
5. He Didn't Have to Be
6. It Never Woulda Worked Out Anyway
7. Holdin' on to You
8. I've Been Better
9. We Danced
10. Sleepin' on the Foldout
11. Cloud of Dust
12. The Nervous Breakdown
13. In the Garden

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Brad Paisley   Primary Artist,Guitar,Lead Vocals,6-String Bass,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Earl Clark   Guitar (Steel)
Frank Rogers   Banjo
Wes Hightower   Vocals (Background)
Glen Duncan   Fiddle,Mandolin
Mike Johnson   Dobro,Pedabro,Guitar (Steel)
James Gregory   Bass
Bernie Herms   Piano,Keyboards,Fender Rhodes
Eddie Bayers   Drums
Mitch McMichen   Drums,Percussion
Kelley Lovelace   Featured Artist
Tim Lauer   Accordion

Technical Credits

Chris Latham   Overdubs,Engineer
James Gregory   Composer,Composer
Frank Rogers   Composer,Engineer,Overdubs,Producer
Greg Droman   Engineer
John Kelton   Mixing,Engineer
Nathan DiGesare   Engineer,Overdubs
Brian David Willis   Overdubs
Tim Nichols   Composer
Brad Paisley   Composer
Hank Williams   Mastering
Chris Dubois   Composer
Traditional   Composer
Paula Montondo   Engineer,Mixing Assistant,Assistant Engineer,Recording Assistant
Christophe Dubois   Composer
Robert Arthur   Composer
Richard Hanson   Mixing Assistant
Richard Barrow   Mixing
Mitch McMichen   Composer
Senor McGuire   Photography
"Loopy Dave" Willis   Digital Editing
Susan Sherrill   Production Assistant
S. Wade Hunt   Design,Art Direction
Rich Hanson   Mixing Assistant
Mike Purcell   Mixing Assistant,Assistant Engineer,Recording Assistant
Bernie Herms   String Arrangements
Kelley Lovelace   Composer,Performer