Jamey Johnson genuine
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If you're looking for a contemporary country singer who throws a hootin', hollerin' good time, Jamey Johnson isn't your man -- even if he did write "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" for Trace Adkins.
The outlaw singer from Alabama, who takes his cues from the likes of Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard, rode into Stage AE Thursday night peddling a pure shot of authenticity. That might have something to do with why he lands on Top 10 lists, but got moved inside AE because of sluggish sales.
Looking like a mountain man or metal god with long hair and impressive beard, Mr. Johnson ambled on stage with a beat-up acoustic guitar, singing, "I was just a normal guy/life was just a nine to five," the opening line to "High Cost of Living," one of the signature songs from 2008's "That Lonesome Song."
It quickly established his band as one that could play gentle Nashville twang and spin off into sizzling Southern rock. Clearly, the main attraction was his roadhouse baritone, deep as a canyon, and evocative of rebel greats such as Johnny, Merle and Waylon. He uses it effortlessly, holding back a bit to lure you in close. He doesn't say much up there either and barely moves.
He broke our hearts with the beautifully written hardship ballads like "Can't Cash My Checks" ("It's so hard to stay honest in a world that's headed to hell") and picked it up with the snarling country rocker "That Lonesome Song" and the funky "Tulsa Time." The spoken-word "Poor Man Blues" was like being thrust into the middle of a Sam Peckinpah movie, and his take on Seger's "Turn the Page" was downright chilling."
As if we didn't already know where he's coming from, he tips off his own influences with his choice of traditional covers, which included Willie Nelson's "Night Life," the Patsy Cline standard "I Fall to Pieces" and a harrowing "In the Pines," all sung in a way that says he's paid his dues and now he's here to stay.
To their credit, the faithful fans, who knew they came to the right bar, couldn't help but hoot and holler.
First Published September 23, 2011 12:00 am
