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It's difficult to believe that Travis Tritt has been kicking it from Nash Vegas for nearly 15 years. For most of that time, Tritt has been remarkably consistent. He has espoused his own vision of outlaw country since the beginning. While marketed as one of the first "new traditionalists" and then refashioned as a progenitor of "young country," Tritt has followed his own redneck way throughout and for the most part made the records he wanted to make. My Honky Tonk History, is another chapter, though this one rocks pretty hard. Co-produced with Billy Joe Walker, Tritt assembled a stellar cast of pickers -- including Reggie Young, Pat Buchanan, Brent Mason, Pig Robbins, and Eric Darken in a very large cast for this date -- as well as some special guests. The title track opens the set with a rollicking firebrand and burning electric guitars all but covering a lone banjo that stands in for tradition. It's a juxtaposition that works, since Tritt's celebration of a hungry life of hustling is timeless. "Too Far to Turn Around," is a bluesy dobro-fueled ballad that is lean and mean, with Gretchen Wilson (one of the song's three writers) guesting on backing vocals. The intro to "What Say You," feels like a track off John Mellencamp's Lonesome Jubilee, but perhaps that's because Mellencamp duets with Tritt here on this working-class anthem. It's easily the best cut on the set, and the two singers are particularly suited to one another as electric guitars, mandolins, fiddles, a B-3, and Béla Fleck's banjo crisscross in a swirl of rocking country-soul. Honky tonk music proper enters the fray in Philip Claypool's "Circus Leaving Town," a modern take on the music that made the careers of George Jones and Ray Price. Texas R&B meets the country bar's sawdust floor in "Monkey Around," written by Delbert McClinton, Benmont Tench, and Gary Nicholson. It's greasy, raucous, and freewheeling with killer piano lines by Robbins. Of the ballads, slick as it is, Tritt and Marty Stuart's "We've Had It All," works well. Tritt brings the emotion in the tune right upfront and sings with conviction and grace, but the whining pedal steel in "Small Doses" makes the slow step of this low-down country tearjerker really stand out. Tritt's protagonist is a man on a barstool talking to himself, trying to buoy his courage to face the empty space left by a long-gone lover. In all, My Honky Tonk History is a solid, sure-voiced outing from an enduring and committed artist. Bravo.
© Thom Jurek /TiVo
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Jonathan Yudkin, Banjo - Mike Brignardello, Acoustic Bass - Travis Tritt, Producer - Travis Tritt, Background Vocal - Travis Tritt, Performer - Eddie Kilgallon, Background Vocal - Patrick Jason Matthews, Composer - Patrick Jason Matthews, Lyricist - Larry Franklin, Mandolin - Larry Franklin, Fiddle - Billy Joe Walker, Jr., Producer - Neil Thrasher, Background Vocal - Tom Bukovac, Electric Guitar - Eric Darken, Percussion - Dan Dugmore, Steel Guitar - Dan Dugmore, Dobro - Reggie Young, Electric Guitar - Reggie Young, Sitar - Gretchen Wilson, Background Vocal - John Cowan, Background Vocal - Jim Hoke, Harmonica - Greg Morrow, Percussion - Greg Morrow, Drums - Greg Morrow, Tambourine - Robbie Turner, Steel Guitar - Robbie Turner, Dobro - John Wesley Ryles, Background Vocal - Biff Watson, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Tammy Cochran, Background Vocal - Joy Lynn White, Background Vocal - Hurshel Wiginton, Background Vocal - Lisa Cochran, Background Vocal - Pat Buchanan, Electric Guitar - Billy Joe Walker Jr., Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Billy Joe Walker Jr., Electric Guitar - Melodie Crittenden, Background Vocal - Amber Dotson, Background Vocal - John Jarvis, Piano - John Jarvis, Synthesizer - Luke Bryan, Composer - Luke Bryan, Lyricist - Benny Quinn, Mastering Engineer - Jim Cooley, Mixing Engineer - Steve Tillisch, Recording Engineer - Richard Richardson, Background Vocal - Chuck Ainlay, Mixing Engineer - Wes Hightower, Background Vocal - Jason Lefan, 2nd Engineer - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar
(P) 2004 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Jonathan Yudkin, Banjo - Mike Brignardello, Acoustic Bass - Travis Tritt, Producer - Travis Tritt, Background Vocal - Travis Tritt, Performer - Eddie Kilgallon, Background Vocal - Larry Franklin, Mandolin - Larry Franklin, Fiddle - Billy Joe Walker, Jr., Producer - Neil Thrasher, Background Vocal - Tom Bukovac, Electric Guitar - Eric Darken, Percussion - Dan Dugmore, Steel Guitar - Dan Dugmore, Dobro - Reggie Young, Electric Guitar - Reggie Young, Sitar - Gretchen Wilson, Composer - Gretchen Wilson, Lyricist - Gretchen Wilson, Background Vocal - John Cowan, Background Vocal - Jim Hoke, Harmonica - Greg Morrow, Percussion - Greg Morrow, Drums - Greg Morrow, Tambourine - Robbie Turner, Steel Guitar - Robbie Turner, Dobro - John Wesley Ryles, Background Vocal - Biff Watson, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Tammy Cochran, Background Vocal - Joy Lynn White, Background Vocal - Hurshel Wiginton, Background Vocal - Lisa Cochran, Background Vocal - Pat Buchanan, Electric Guitar - Billy Joe Walker Jr., Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Billy Joe Walker Jr., Electric Guitar - Melodie Crittenden, Background Vocal - Amber Dotson, Background Vocal - John Jarvis, Piano - John Jarvis, Synthesizer - Benny Quinn, Mastering Engineer - Jim Cooley, Mixing Engineer - Jon McElroy, Composer - Jon McElroy, Lyricist - Steve Tillisch, Recording Engineer - Cory Mayo, Composer - Cory Mayo, Lyricist - Richard Richardson, Background Vocal - Chuck Ainlay, Mixing Engineer - Wes Hightower, Background Vocal - Jason Lefan, 2nd Engineer - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar
(P) 2004 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Billy Joe Walker, Jr., Producer - Rivers Rutherford, Composer - Rivers Rutherford, Lyricist - Travis Tritt, Performer - Travis Tritt, Producer - Bob DiPiero, Composer - Bob DiPiero, Lyricist
(P) 2004 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Frank J. Myers, Composer - Frank J. Myers, Lyricist - Jonathan Yudkin, Banjo - Mike Brignardello, Acoustic Bass - Travis Tritt, Producer - Travis Tritt, Background Vocal - Travis Tritt, Performer - Eddie Kilgallon, Background Vocal - Larry Franklin, Mandolin - Larry Franklin, Fiddle - Billy Joe Walker, Jr., Producer - Neil Thrasher, Background Vocal - Tom Bukovac, Electric Guitar - Eric Darken, Percussion - Dan Dugmore, Steel Guitar - Dan Dugmore, Dobro - Reggie Young, Electric Guitar - Reggie Young, Sitar - Gretchen Wilson, Background Vocal - John Cowan, Background Vocal - Béla Fleck, Banjo - Jim Hoke, Harmonica - Greg Morrow, Percussion - Greg Morrow, Drums - Greg Morrow, Tambourine - Robbie Turner, Steel Guitar - Robbie Turner, Dobro - John Wesley Ryles, Background Vocal - Biff Watson, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Tammy Cochran, Background Vocal - Joy Lynn White, Background Vocal - Hurshel Wiginton, Background Vocal - Lisa Cochran, Background Vocal - Pat Buchanan, Electric Guitar - Billy Joe Walker Jr., Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Billy Joe Walker Jr., Electric Guitar - Melodie Crittenden, Background Vocal - Amber Dotson, Background Vocal - John Jarvis, Piano - John Jarvis, Synthesizer - Michael Bradford, Composer - Michael Bradford, Lyricist - Benny Quinn, Mastering Engineer - Jim Cooley, Mixing Engineer - Steve Tillisch, Recording Engineer - Richard Richardson, Background Vocal - Chuck Ainlay, Mixing Engineer - Wes Hightower, Background Vocal - Jason Lefan, 2nd Engineer - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar
(P) 2004 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Jonathan Yudkin, Banjo - Mike Brignardello, Acoustic Bass - Travis Tritt, Producer - Travis Tritt, Background Vocal - Travis Tritt, Performer - Eddie Kilgallon, Background Vocal - Larry Franklin, Mandolin - Larry Franklin, Fiddle - Billy Joe Walker, Jr., Producer - Neil Thrasher, Background Vocal - Tom Bukovac, Electric Guitar - Eric Darken, Percussion - Dan Dugmore, Steel Guitar - Dan Dugmore, Dobro - Reggie Young, Electric Guitar - Reggie Young, Sitar - Gretchen Wilson, Background Vocal - John Cowan, Background Vocal - Jim Hoke, Harmonica - Greg Morrow, Percussion - Greg Morrow, Drums - Greg Morrow, Tambourine - Robbie Turner, Steel Guitar - Robbie Turner, Dobro - John Wesley Ryles, Background Vocal - Biff Watson, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Tammy Cochran, Background Vocal - Joy Lynn White, Background Vocal - Hurshel Wiginton, Background Vocal - Lisa Cochran, Background Vocal - Pat Buchanan, Electric Guitar - Philip Claypool, Composer - Philip Claypool, Lyricist - Billy Joe Walker Jr., Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Billy Joe Walker Jr., Electric Guitar - Melodie Crittenden, Background Vocal - Amber Dotson, Background Vocal - John Jarvis, Piano - John Jarvis, Synthesizer - Benny Quinn, Mastering Engineer - Jim Cooley, Mixing Engineer - Steve Tillisch, Recording Engineer - Richard Richardson, Background Vocal - Chuck Ainlay, Mixing Engineer - Wes Hightower, Background Vocal - Jason Lefan, 2nd Engineer - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar
(P) 2004 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Jonathan Yudkin, Banjo - Mike Brignardello, Acoustic Bass - Travis Tritt, Producer - Travis Tritt, Background Vocal - Travis Tritt, Performer - Eddie Kilgallon, Background Vocal - Larry Franklin, Mandolin - Larry Franklin, Fiddle - Billy Joe Walker, Jr., Producer - Neil Thrasher, Background Vocal - Tom Bukovac, Electric Guitar - Eric Darken, Percussion - Dan Dugmore, Steel Guitar - Dan Dugmore, Dobro - Reggie Young, Electric Guitar - Reggie Young, Sitar - Gretchen Wilson, Background Vocal - John Cowan, Background Vocal - Jim Hoke, Harmonica - Gary Nicholson, Composer - Gary Nicholson, Lyricist - Greg Morrow, Percussion - Greg Morrow, Drums - Greg Morrow, Tambourine - Robbie Turner, Steel Guitar - Robbie Turner, Dobro - Benmont Tench, Composer - Benmont Tench, Lyricist - John Wesley Ryles, Background Vocal - Biff Watson, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Tammy Cochran, Background Vocal - Joy Lynn White, Background Vocal - Hurshel Wiginton, Background Vocal - Lisa Cochran, Background Vocal - Pat Buchanan, Electric Guitar - Billy Joe Walker Jr., Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Billy Joe Walker Jr., Electric Guitar - Melodie Crittenden, Background Vocal - Amber Dotson, Background Vocal - John Jarvis, Piano - John Jarvis, Synthesizer - Benny Quinn, Mastering Engineer - Jim Cooley, Mixing Engineer - Delbert McClinton, Composer - Delbert McClinton, Lyricist - Steve Tillisch, Recording Engineer - Richard Richardson, Background Vocal - Chuck Ainlay, Mixing Engineer - Wes Hightower, Background Vocal - Jason Lefan, 2nd Engineer - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar
(P) 2004 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Jonathan Yudkin, Banjo - Carole Rabinowitz, Acoustic Cello - Mike Brignardello, Acoustic Bass - Travis Tritt, Producer - Travis Tritt, Background Vocal - Travis Tritt, Performer - Eddie Kilgallon, Background Vocal - Larry Franklin, Mandolin - Larry Franklin, Fiddle - Billy Joe Walker, Jr., Producer - Neil Thrasher, Background Vocal - Tom Bukovac, Electric Guitar - Eric Darken, Percussion - Dan Dugmore, Steel Guitar - Dan Dugmore, Dobro - Reggie Young, Electric Guitar - Reggie Young, Sitar - Gretchen Wilson, Background Vocal - John Cowan, Background Vocal - Jim Hoke, Harmonica - Carl Goradetzky, Violin - D. Bergen White, Arranger - Mary K. Vanosdale, Violin - Greg Morrow, Percussion - Greg Morrow, Drums - Greg Morrow, Tambourine - Robbie Turner, Steel Guitar - Robbie Turner, Dobro - John Wesley Ryles, Background Vocal - Biff Watson, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Tammy Cochran, Background Vocal - Joy Lynn White, Background Vocal - David Davidson, Violin - Gary Vanosdale, Violin - Hurshel Wiginton, Background Vocal - Lisa Cochran, Background Vocal - Pat Buchanan, Electric Guitar - Chris Mohr, Composer - Chris Mohr, Lyricist - Bob Mason, Acoustic Cello - Conni Ellisor, Violin - Billy Joe Walker Jr., Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Billy Joe Walker Jr., Electric Guitar - Melodie Crittenden, Background Vocal - Amber Dotson, Background Vocal - Casey Beathard, Composer - Casey Beathard, Lyricist - John Jarvis, Piano - John Jarvis, Synthesizer - Pamela Sixfin, Violin - Benny Quinn, Mastering Engineer - Jim Cooley, Mixing Engineer - Steve Tillisch, Recording Engineer - Kristin Wilkinson, Violin - Alan Umstead, Violin - Richard Richardson, Background Vocal - Chuck Ainlay, Mixing Engineer - Wes Hightower, Background Vocal - Jason Lefan, 2nd Engineer - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar
(P) 2004 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Jonathan Yudkin, Banjo - Philip O'Donnell, Composer - Philip O'Donnell, Lyricist - Mike Brignardello, Acoustic Bass - Travis Tritt, Producer - Travis Tritt, Background Vocal - Travis Tritt, Performer - Eddie Kilgallon, Background Vocal - Larry Franklin, Mandolin - Larry Franklin, Fiddle - Billy Joe Walker, Jr., Producer - Neil Thrasher, Background Vocal - Tom Bukovac, Electric Guitar - Eric Darken, Percussion - Kendell Marvel, Composer - Kendell Marvel, Lyricist - Dan Dugmore, Steel Guitar - Dan Dugmore, Dobro - Reggie Young, Electric Guitar - Reggie Young, Sitar - Gretchen Wilson, Background Vocal - John Cowan, Background Vocal - Jim Hoke, Harmonica - Greg Morrow, Percussion - Greg Morrow, Drums - Greg Morrow, Tambourine - Robbie Turner, Steel Guitar - Robbie Turner, Dobro - John Wesley Ryles, Background Vocal - Biff Watson, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Tammy Cochran, Background Vocal - Joy Lynn White, Background Vocal - Hurshel Wiginton, Background Vocal - Lisa Cochran, Background Vocal - Pat Buchanan, Electric Guitar - Billy Joe Walker Jr., Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Billy Joe Walker Jr., Electric Guitar - Melodie Crittenden, Background Vocal - Amber Dotson, Background Vocal - John Jarvis, Piano - John Jarvis, Synthesizer - Benny Quinn, Mastering Engineer - Jim Cooley, Mixing Engineer - Steve Tillisch, Recording Engineer - Richard Richardson, Background Vocal - Chuck Ainlay, Mixing Engineer - Wes Hightower, Background Vocal - Jason Lefan, 2nd Engineer - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar
(P) 2004 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Jonathan Yudkin, Banjo - Mike Brignardello, Acoustic Bass - Travis Tritt, Producer - Travis Tritt, Composer - Travis Tritt, Lyricist - Travis Tritt, Background Vocal - Travis Tritt, Performer - Eddie Kilgallon, Background Vocal - Larry Franklin, Mandolin - Larry Franklin, Fiddle - Billy Joe Walker, Jr., Producer - Neil Thrasher, Background Vocal - Tom Bukovac, Electric Guitar - Eric Darken, Percussion - Dan Dugmore, Steel Guitar - Dan Dugmore, Dobro - Reggie Young, Electric Guitar - Reggie Young, Sitar - Gretchen Wilson, Background Vocal - John Cowan, Background Vocal - Jim Hoke, Harmonica - Greg Morrow, Percussion - Greg Morrow, Drums - Greg Morrow, Tambourine - Robbie Turner, Steel Guitar - Robbie Turner, Dobro - John Wesley Ryles, Background Vocal - Biff Watson, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Tammy Cochran, Background Vocal - Joy Lynn White, Background Vocal - Hurshel Wiginton, Background Vocal - Lisa Cochran, Background Vocal - Pat Buchanan, Electric Guitar - Billy Joe Walker Jr., Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Billy Joe Walker Jr., Electric Guitar - Melodie Crittenden, Background Vocal - Amber Dotson, Background Vocal - John Jarvis, Piano - John Jarvis, Synthesizer - Benny Quinn, Mastering Engineer - Jim Cooley, Mixing Engineer - Steve Tillisch, Recording Engineer - Marty Stuart, Composer - Marty Stuart, Lyricist - Richard Richardson, Background Vocal - Chuck Ainlay, Mixing Engineer - Wes Hightower, Background Vocal - Jason Lefan, 2nd Engineer - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar
(P) 2004 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Jonathan Yudkin, Banjo - Mike Brignardello, Acoustic Bass - Travis Tritt, Producer - Travis Tritt, Background Vocal - Travis Tritt, Performer - Eddie Kilgallon, Background Vocal - Larry Franklin, Mandolin - Larry Franklin, Fiddle - Billy Joe Walker, Jr., Producer - Neil Thrasher, Background Vocal - Tom Bukovac, Electric Guitar - Eric Darken, Percussion - Dan Dugmore, Steel Guitar - Dan Dugmore, Dobro - Reggie Young, Electric Guitar - Reggie Young, Sitar - Gretchen Wilson, Background Vocal - John Cowan, Background Vocal - Jody Harris, Composer - Jody Harris, Lyricist - Jim Hoke, Harmonica - Greg Morrow, Percussion - Greg Morrow, Drums - Greg Morrow, Tambourine - Robbie Turner, Steel Guitar - Robbie Turner, Dobro - John Wesley Ryles, Background Vocal - Biff Watson, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Tammy Cochran, Background Vocal - Joy Lynn White, Background Vocal - Hurshel Wiginton, Background Vocal - Lisa Cochran, Background Vocal - Pat Buchanan, Electric Guitar - Billy Joe Walker Jr., Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Billy Joe Walker Jr., Electric Guitar - Melodie Crittenden, Background Vocal - Amber Dotson, Background Vocal - John Jarvis, Piano - John Jarvis, Synthesizer - Benny Quinn, Mastering Engineer - Jim Cooley, Mixing Engineer - Steve Tillisch, Recording Engineer - Donny Kees, Composer - Donny Kees, Lyricist - Richard Richardson, Background Vocal - Chuck Ainlay, Mixing Engineer - Wes Hightower, Background Vocal - Jason Lefan, 2nd Engineer - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar
(P) 2004 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Jonathan Yudkin, Banjo - Mike Brignardello, Acoustic Bass - Travis Tritt, Producer - Travis Tritt, Background Vocal - Travis Tritt, Performer - Eddie Kilgallon, Background Vocal - Larry Franklin, Mandolin - Larry Franklin, Fiddle - Billy Joe Walker, Jr., Producer - Neil Thrasher, Background Vocal - Tom Bukovac, Electric Guitar - Eric Darken, Percussion - Dan Dugmore, Steel Guitar - Dan Dugmore, Dobro - Reggie Young, Electric Guitar - Reggie Young, Sitar - Gretchen Wilson, Background Vocal - John Cowan, Background Vocal - Jim Hoke, Harmonica - Greg Morrow, Percussion - Greg Morrow, Drums - Greg Morrow, Tambourine - Robbie Turner, Steel Guitar - Robbie Turner, Dobro - John Wesley Ryles, Background Vocal - Biff Watson, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Tammy Cochran, Background Vocal - Joy Lynn White, Background Vocal - Hurshel Wiginton, Background Vocal - Lisa Cochran, Background Vocal - Pat Buchanan, Electric Guitar - Billy Joe Walker Jr., Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Billy Joe Walker Jr., Electric Guitar - Melodie Crittenden, Background Vocal - Amber Dotson, Background Vocal - John Jarvis, Piano - John Jarvis, Synthesizer - Jerry Salley, Composer - Jerry Salley, Lyricist - Benny Quinn, Mastering Engineer - Jim Cooley, Mixing Engineer - Chris Stapleton, Composer - Chris Stapleton, Lyricist - Steve Tillisch, Recording Engineer - Richard Richardson, Background Vocal - Chuck Ainlay, Mixing Engineer - Wes Hightower, Background Vocal - Jason Lefan, 2nd Engineer - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar
(P) 2004 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Jonathan Yudkin, Banjo - Mike Brignardello, Acoustic Bass - Travis Tritt, Producer - Travis Tritt, Background Vocal - Travis Tritt, Performer - Eddie Kilgallon, Background Vocal - Larry Franklin, Mandolin - Larry Franklin, Fiddle - Rivers Rutherford, Composer - Rivers Rutherford, Lyricist - Billy Joe Walker, Jr., Producer - Neil Thrasher, Background Vocal - Tom Bukovac, Electric Guitar - Eric Darken, Percussion - Kendell Marvel, Composer - Kendell Marvel, Lyricist - Dan Dugmore, Steel Guitar - Dan Dugmore, Dobro - Reggie Young, Electric Guitar - Reggie Young, Sitar - Gretchen Wilson, Background Vocal - John Cowan, Background Vocal - Jim Hoke, Harmonica - Greg Morrow, Percussion - Greg Morrow, Drums - Greg Morrow, Tambourine - Robbie Turner, Steel Guitar - Robbie Turner, Dobro - John Wesley Ryles, Background Vocal - Biff Watson, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Boyd Houston Robert, Composer - Boyd Houston Robert, Lyricist - Tammy Cochran, Background Vocal - Joy Lynn White, Background Vocal - Hurshel Wiginton, Background Vocal - Lisa Cochran, Background Vocal - Pat Buchanan, Electric Guitar - Billy Joe Walker Jr., Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Billy Joe Walker Jr., Electric Guitar - Melodie Crittenden, Background Vocal - Amber Dotson, Background Vocal - John Jarvis, Piano - John Jarvis, Synthesizer - Benny Quinn, Mastering Engineer - Jim Cooley, Mixing Engineer - Steve Tillisch, Recording Engineer - Richard Richardson, Background Vocal - Chuck Ainlay, Mixing Engineer - Wes Hightower, Background Vocal - Jason Lefan, 2nd Engineer - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar
(P) 2004 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Album review
It's difficult to believe that Travis Tritt has been kicking it from Nash Vegas for nearly 15 years. For most of that time, Tritt has been remarkably consistent. He has espoused his own vision of outlaw country since the beginning. While marketed as one of the first "new traditionalists" and then refashioned as a progenitor of "young country," Tritt has followed his own redneck way throughout and for the most part made the records he wanted to make. My Honky Tonk History, is another chapter, though this one rocks pretty hard. Co-produced with Billy Joe Walker, Tritt assembled a stellar cast of pickers -- including Reggie Young, Pat Buchanan, Brent Mason, Pig Robbins, and Eric Darken in a very large cast for this date -- as well as some special guests. The title track opens the set with a rollicking firebrand and burning electric guitars all but covering a lone banjo that stands in for tradition. It's a juxtaposition that works, since Tritt's celebration of a hungry life of hustling is timeless. "Too Far to Turn Around," is a bluesy dobro-fueled ballad that is lean and mean, with Gretchen Wilson (one of the song's three writers) guesting on backing vocals. The intro to "What Say You," feels like a track off John Mellencamp's Lonesome Jubilee, but perhaps that's because Mellencamp duets with Tritt here on this working-class anthem. It's easily the best cut on the set, and the two singers are particularly suited to one another as electric guitars, mandolins, fiddles, a B-3, and Béla Fleck's banjo crisscross in a swirl of rocking country-soul. Honky tonk music proper enters the fray in Philip Claypool's "Circus Leaving Town," a modern take on the music that made the careers of George Jones and Ray Price. Texas R&B meets the country bar's sawdust floor in "Monkey Around," written by Delbert McClinton, Benmont Tench, and Gary Nicholson. It's greasy, raucous, and freewheeling with killer piano lines by Robbins. Of the ballads, slick as it is, Tritt and Marty Stuart's "We've Had It All," works well. Tritt brings the emotion in the tune right upfront and sings with conviction and grace, but the whining pedal steel in "Small Doses" makes the slow step of this low-down country tearjerker really stand out. Tritt's protagonist is a man on a barstool talking to himself, trying to buoy his courage to face the empty space left by a long-gone lover. In all, My Honky Tonk History is a solid, sure-voiced outing from an enduring and committed artist. Bravo.
© Thom Jurek /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 12 track(s)
- Total length: 00:40:40
- Main artists: Travis Tritt
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Columbia
- Genre: Blues/Country/Folk Country
(P) 2004 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
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