The Man I Want to Be

by Chris Young

Overview

Since Chris Young appeared on the Nashville Star television program in 2006, he's been on a roll. After signing with RCA he had a hit with "Drinkin' Me Lonely," his first single from his self-titled debut recording. Likewise, the two singles that have preceded the release of The Man I Want to Be in 2009 haven't done too badly, either, getting plenty of play on radio. Young co-wrote "Voices," and "Gettin' You Home," creating a buzz surrounding the album's release -- and rightfully so. While Young's sound is firmly in the contemporary country camp, it's also a lot more hardcore honky tonk than it is refried '70s rock cliches that plague the genre. Part of that is due to his big booming baritone voice that rings as clear as a bell in this mix. (Think George Strait-meets-Josh Turner.) The other part of his appeal is the use of a relatively small group of musicians in the recording process, giving the disc a more organic sound that a lot of what's out there. Young's writing talents aren't confined to the singles either; he co-wrote another of the best tracks here -- the stellar hillbilly anthem and album opener "That Makes Me." Young also has a lot of respect for tradition: "Rose in Paradise" is drenched in fiddles, mandolins, and acoustic guitars. It's a country-styled blues and features no less than Willie Nelson as a duet partner. The final track on the set is a moving cover of Tony Joe White's "Rainy Night in Georgia." Its beauty lies in its arrangement. Young understands the soulful nuances in the tune, but still does it his own way. His reading of this classic ballad is utterly tender and believable with sparse, stripped down arrangements; and rather than stick with his trademark baritone, his stretches his vocal range -- including a mean falsetto -- to the brink and still pulls it all off. The Man I Want to Be is definitely a cut above what's currently out there; it's sophisticated, disciplined, passionate, sincere, and clever. ~ Thom Jurek

Product Details

Release Date:	08/31/2009
Label:	Rca
UPC:	0886972281827

Tracks

1. That Makes Me
2. Voices
3. The Dashboard
4. Gettin' You Home
5. It Takes a Man
6. The Shoebox
7. Rose in Paradise
8. Twenty-One Candles
9. The Man I Want to Be
10. Rainy Night in Georgia

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Chris Young   Primary Artist
Willie Nelson   Primary Artist,Vocals
Aubrey Haynie   Fiddle,Mandolin
Biff Watson   Guitar (Acoustic)
John Hobbs   Piano,Keyboards
Steve Nathan   Piano,Keyboards
Wes Hightower   Vocals (Background)
Shannon Forrest   Drums
Brent Mason   Guitar (Electric)
Glenn Worf   Bass
Kenny Greenberg   Guitar (Electric)
Tania Hancheroff   Vocals (Background)
Eddie Bayers   Drums
Paul Franklin   Dobro,Guitar (Steel)

Technical Credits

Jake Burns & The Big Wheel   Engineer,Mixing Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Monty Criswell   Composer
Angela Hall   Grooming
Tammy Luker   Production Assistant
Chris Tompkins   Composer
Bob Ludwig   Mastering
Kent Blazy   Composer
Jake Burns   Engineer
Craig Wiseman   Composer
David Bryant   Assistant Engineer
Ed Hill   Composer
James Stroud   Producer
Jim McBride   Composer
Julian King   Mixing,Engineer
Willie Nelson   Duet
Tim Nichols   Composer
Tom Hambridge   Composer
Stewart Harris   Composer
Tony Joe White   Composer
Josh Kear   Composer
Jeffrey Steele   Composer
Richard Hanson   Engineer,Mixing Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Brett James   Composer
Randy Houser   Composer
Cory Batten   Composer
David Frasier   Composer
Marina Chavez   Photography
Chris Young   Composer
David Biondolillo   Assistant Engineer
Mark D. Sanders   Composer
Doug Rich   Production Assistant