CD Review: Kenny Rogers “You Can’t Make Old Friends”
Remember, please, CD Reviews are always always always just one person’s opinion! This one is my opinion of this CD, which has already become a classic keeper at my house — Mary Jane
Kenny Rogers
“You Can’t Make Old Friends” CD cover
Kenny Rogers: “You Can’t Make Old Friends,” Warner Brothers Music
This new CD, released only weeks before the half-century-of-music legend was (finally) inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, is the legend’s 65th recording project. The songs are as diverse as Kenny Rogers’ career; his voice is as pure as it was in the beginning; and production, harmonies, voice all emote what the lyrics are saying about love, anger, desperation — the realisms of life on life’s terms.
When I first plugged this into my CD player, I kept wanting to rewind the song just heard and listen again, but then realized I’d miss the next one if I did that. When I heard the next one, I wanted to rewind it and listen again. And so it went.
Talking about diversity? OK, let’s talk…
Love songs — “When You Love Someone” and “Look At You” are passion personified. Pride and hope — “’Merica,” packed with unique, down-home meanings of the U.S.A.’s red, white and blue; and “Turn This World Around” should become an anthem. Anger and regret — “You Had To Be There” is a conversation between a young con and his pop, spoken through the glass window of a visiting room. Arrangement — Blackwheat Zydeco’s joining with Rogers on “Don’t Leave Me In The Night Time.”
The title cut, “You Can’t Make Old Friends,” a duet with his old friend Dolly Parton, is perhaps a weaker song on the CD project. That doesn’t mean it’s bad. The lyrics run true, but it has a fluffy feel to it. And ”Neon Horses” requires quite a few listens to quite get it.
Kenny Rogers has never claimed to be a songwriter, and all of these songs are written by others, including such giants as Don Schultz, Paul Overstreet, and and Dan Seals. Several have been previously released by such artists as Tim McGraw, Linda Rondstadt, Moe Bandy, and Bryan Adams. Others are first-cuts.
“You Can’t Make Old Friends” shows the true grit that Kenny Rogers and so many artists of the true country era possessed and still do, as they push themselves to balance between roots, romance, and rock. But, then, we don’t expect less from our Texas musicians.
Kenny Rogers is still the pop/country/folk maestro he’s always been.
Category: - CD Reviews
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