I'm a Texan

Last updated

I'm a Texan
I'm a Texan.jpg
Studio album by
Gary Stewart
Released1993
Genre Country
Label HighTone
Producer Roy Dea
Gary Stewart chronology
Gary's Greatest
(1991)		I'm a Texan
(1993)		The Essential Gary Stewart
(1997)

I'm a Texan is an album by the American musician Gary Stewart, released in 1993. [1] [2] Stewart was born in Kentucky and resided in Florida; the album title is an acknowledgement of his popularity in Texas. [3] Governor Ann Richards declared Stewart an honorary Texan after the release of the album. [4] He supported it with a North American tour. [5]

Contents

Production

Recorded in Nashville, the album was produced by Roy Dea. [6] [7] Tracy Nelson provided harmony and backing vocals on some of the tracks. [8] "It's True" is the only song written for the album by Stewart. [9] "One Night" is a cover of the song made famous by Elvis Presley. [10] "Draggin' Leather" was written by Mickey Newbury. [11] "Dark End of the Street" is an interpretation of the James Carr song. [11] "Those Memories" is a cover of the song most associated with Bill Monroe. [12] "Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor" was written by Johnny Horton. [13] Charlie McCoy played harmonica on "Stompin' Grounds". [14]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [15]
Lincoln Journal Star Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [16]
Orlando Sentinel Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [9]
The Philadelphia Inquirer Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [17]

The Orlando Sentinel opined that "Stewart's mile-wide vibrato, rich tone and soulful phrasing are as affecting as ever." [9] The Los Angeles Times said that "what defines Stewart's vision of country—beyond his signature spine-tingling vocal quaver—is his willingness to travel the highway of hurt, and face the pain of living here in the real world." [18] Rolling Stone noted that "much of the material finds Stewart's quaver in its usual shot-and-beer setting (where his voice sounds like hands shaking after too much whiskey)". [19]

The Dallas Morning News stated that "Stewart's quivering voice, so fragile and steamy, is not a pretty thing... But then neither are the subjects he sings about: alcoholism, infidelity, sorrow and regret." [20] The Gazette called the album "a solid package of country-rockers, honky tonkers and weepers." [14] The Fresno Bee labeled it "high-octane honky-tonk", and considered it one of 1993's best country albums. [21]

In 1999, Dave McElfresh of Tucson Weekly listed I'm a Texan as the seventh best "low selling" album of the 1990s. [22]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Come On In" 
2."I'm a Texan" 
3."Stompin' Grounds" 
4."Hand Me Another" 
5."Draggin' Leather" 
6."It's True" 
7."Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor" 
8."Dark End of the Street" 
9."Make It a Double" 
10."One Night" 
11."Those Memories" 
12."Two More Fools" 

References

  1. ↑ Wolff, Kurt (2000). Country Music: The Rough Guide. Rough Guides. p. 377.
  2. ↑ The Encyclopedia of Country Music. Oxford University Press. 2012. p. 508.
  3. ↑ Lewis, Randy (January 2, 2004). "Gary Stewart, 58: Sang Country Tunes Hinting at His Own Demons". Los Angeles Times. p. B11.
  4. ↑ Hoover, Carl (October 7, 1994). "Music". Waco Tribune-Herald. p. 8B.
  5. ↑ "Gary Stewart, Friday...". Houston. Houston Chronicle. November 4, 1993. p. 3.
  6. ↑ Athey, William (February 8, 1994). "Reviews". The Forum. Salt Lake City. p. 7.
  7. ↑ "Album Reviews". Billboard. Vol. 105, no. 49. December 4, 1993. p. 56.
  8. ↑ McLeese, Don (November 11, 1993). "Gary Stewart I'm a Texan". Onward. Austin American-Statesman. p. 6.
  9. 1 2 3 Gettelman, Parry (December 17, 1993). "Gary Stewart, I'm a Texan". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 6.
  10. ↑ Martin, Dale (January 23, 1994). "Good ol' boys kick up their heels". The Victoria Advocate. p. 3E.
  11. 1 2 Hoekstra, Dave (December 19, 1993). "Real Country with Real Integrity". Show. Chicago Sun-Times. p. 7.
  12. ↑ Calmen, Jean (November 22, 1993). "Country". Detroit Free Press. p. 3E.
  13. ↑ Miller, Dennis (January 27, 1994). "Music". Time Out. Star-Gazette. p. 4.
  14. 1 2 Hogan, Dick (December 31, 1993). "BoDeans, Stewart". Weekend. The Gazette. Cedar Rapids. p. 5.
  15. ↑ "I'm a Texan Review by Michael McCall". AllMusic. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  16. ↑ Wolgamott, L. Kent (December 26, 1993). "Country". Lincoln Journal Star. p. 6H.
  17. ↑ DeLuca, Dan (December 5, 1993). "Country". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. K10.
  18. ↑ Lewis, Randy (December 23, 1993). "New Pick of the Week". OC Live. Los Angeles Times. p. 5.
  19. ↑ McLeese, Don (February 10, 1994). "Country & Western". Rolling Stone. No. 675. p. 46.
  20. ↑ Corcoran, Michael (December 26, 1993). "Gary Stewart I'm a Texan". The Dallas Morning News. p. 7C.
  21. ↑ Robison, Ken (February 27, 1994). "Greetings from the Grammys". The Fresno Bee. p. H3.
  22. ↑ McElfresh, Dave (December 23, 1999). "Record Highs – Our Reviewers Look Back on the Decade's Best Albums". Music. Tucson Weekly.
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