From the Vault...

11/08/2015
#1489

info
Sawyer Brown
"Greatest Hits 1990-1995"


© Curb Records

Year of Release: 1995
Rating:

track listing
  • Some Girls Do
  • Thank God For You
  • All These Years
  • Dirt Road
  • This Time
  • The Walk
  • Trouble On The Line
  • Cafe On The Corner
  • I Don't Believe
    In Goodbye
  • The Boys And Me

  • WSVNRadio Archives
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    Sawyer Brown related sites:
    Sawyer Brown Website
    Wikipedia
    Previous Review: #1488
    Summeoyo--Don't Judge A Song By Its Title
    Next Review: #1490
    Mel McDaniel--Greatest Hits
    Sawyer Brown
    "Greatest Hits 1990-1995"



    I didn't really follow Country music from the 1980s up to the early 1990s. So I cannot say that I remember Sawyer Brown. They achieved some #1 hits back in the 1990s, as two of them are in this week's review, their Greatest Hits 1990-1995. "Some Girls Do" and "Thank God For You" hit #1, from the early 1990s. They did have another #1, prior to 1990 ("Step By Step"; 1984).


    The band was first named as Savanna, but changed the name to the road near they practiced. The band was formed in Apopka, Florida. Their beginnings was that of a Novelty band. The band became more serious, adding ballad songs, as well as changing their musical style from Novelty to Country. They auditioned for Star Search in 1983. They ended up winning on the show, with the $100,000 grand prize and recording contract. They originally signed with Capitol Records, and by 1990, they had 20 albums recorded. Their first Greatest Hits was released by 1990. In 1991, they switched labels, from Capitol to Curb (which Curb was a Capitol joint partnership). Towards the end of the '90s decade, the band gradually fell out with Country radio, although they kept recording, and moved to Lyric Street Records in 2003, and returned back to Curb a year later. The band was primarily popular, based on the songwriting of Mac McAnally, mostly ballads. This particular style seemed to re-define their music, making them a better band from the critics, who claimed they were more of a "bubble gum" pop band. (After all, they did start out as a Novelty act.) By the early 2000 decade, the band's members had changed, as one of them, Mark Miller, formed the Christian record label, Beach Street Records. One of the first acts he produced was Casting Crowns.


    Ten tracks from this 5-year period, and yes, their sound IS Country. Not like today's "Country that sounds more like Pop." Sawyer Brown's music here has a more laid back Country feel, and honestly, this is a great to listen to, to have on while you're working, or just simply relaxing. To compare to other Country acts, a little bit of Brooks & Dunn, and a little of Brad Paisley. It's all good...


    With the first two tracks being the #1s ("Some Girls Do," "Thank God For You"), these are well-deserved #1 Country tracks. A nice soft ballad has "All These Years." Dirt Road is another good Country song, and upbeat Country gets songs such as "This Time," "I Don't Believe In Goodbyes" and "The Boys And Me." Then there's some good laid back Country on "The Walk," "Trouble On The Line," "Cafe On The Corner."


    Again, it's all good on the Greatest Hits compilation for Sawyer Brown. It's easy-going Country. The ballads are exceptionally good. There isn't one bad song here, as these were songs that were popular for them, during 1990 to 1995. Sawyer Brown's music was best defined in the 1990s. Sawyer Brown has achieved top Country awards. And although I didn't really follow Country during Sawyer Brown's prime, the 1990s seemed to be a good decade for traditional Country music. As the 21st Century emerged, Country turned to more of a Pop sound, which many Country fans and critics have argued, that this "new Country" just isn't what we grew up on. Yes, it is Pop sounding. It's not like the traditional Country, as with Johnny Cash, Waylon & Willie, Merle, and many who basically made the sound of Country great as it was, during the 1970s decade. But for those who enjoy "good Country," Sawyer Brown is another band you will definitely enjoy.


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    Previous Review: #1488
    Summeoyo--Don't Judge A Song By Its Title
    Next Review: #1490
    Mel McDaniel--Greatest Hits