Play: The Guitar Album

Last updated
Play
BradPlay.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedNovember 4, 2008 (2008-11-04)
StudioThe Castle (Franklin, Tennessee); Blackbird Studio (Nashville, Tennessee); Digital Insight Recording Studios (Las Vegas, Nevada).
Genre Country
Length62:06
Label Arista Nashville
Producer Frank Rogers
Brad Paisley chronology
5th Gear
(2007)
Play
(2008)
Playlist: The Very Best of Brad Paisley
(2009)
Singles from Play
  1. "Start a Band"
    Released: September 15, 2008
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic (70/100) [1]
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [2]
Billboard (favorable) [3]
Blender Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Entertainment Weekly B− [4]
Hartford Courant (favorable) [5]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [6]
Mojo Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Slant Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [7]
Uncut Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [1]
USA Today Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [8]
The Village Voice (positive) [9]

Play: The Guitar Album is the seventh studio album by American musician Brad Paisley. It was released on November 4, 2008 (see 2008 in country music). Like all of his previous albums, Play was released on Arista Nashville and produced by Frank Rogers.

Contents

The album is largely instrumental in nature, except for five vocal tracks, and strays from Paisley's usual country music output to touch on other styles of music. One of these tracks, "Start a Band" (a duet with Keith Urban), has been released as a single and has become Paisley's ninth consecutive Number One country hit, and his thirteenth overall. The album cover photograph was taken at Bristow Run Elementary School [10] in Bristow, Virginia.

Content

Play is largely an album of instrumentals, though Paisley sings five duets with other vocalists, including B.B. King, Buck Owens, and Keith Urban. [11] [12] King and Urban both play guitar on their respective duet tracks. Another track, "Cluster Pluck", features James Burton, Vince Gill, Albert Lee, John Jorgenson, Brent Mason, Redd Volkaert and Steve Wariner. [11] The Buck Owens duet is a song which Owens co-wrote. [13] It is not strictly a country music record, featuring jazz guitar and a song described by Paisley as "very heavy metal." [14] The final track, "Waitin' on a Woman", was first included on Paisley's 2005 album Time Well Wasted , and was later re-recorded as a bonus track to 2007's 5th Gear , from which it was released as a single. The version featured here includes guest vocals from Andy Griffith, and is the version used in the song's music video.

"Start a Band", the only single from the album, was released in September 2008. It is a collaboration with Keith Urban, who sings duet vocals and plays second lead guitar on it, and it reached Number One on the Billboard country singles charts in January 2009. At the 51st Grammy Awards, "Cluster Pluck" won the Grammy for Best Country Instrumental Performance, which was awarded to all of the guitarists featured. [15]

Reception

The album so far has a score of 70 out of 100 from Metacritic based on "generally favorable reviews". [1] Chris Neal of Country Weekly magazine gave Play four stars out of five, calling it "as indispensable as any album Brad has recorded to date—not to mention one of his best", also noting the "sharp melodies and constantly shifting musical terrain". [16] Play received three-and-a-half stars out of five from Allmusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine, who referred to most songs as "fall[ing] within the realm of the expected", but cited others as "pure '80s shred[…]revealing a side he's previously camouflaged." Erlewine also said that, like Paisley's other albums, Play was "among the most adventurous and best country music of this decade." [2] Ken Tucker of Billboard called the album "both outstanding and diverse" and made note of the Buck Owens duet, which he referred to as "bring[ing] an old friend back to life with the utmost respect." [3]

Whitney Pastorek, reviewing the album for Entertainment Weekly , gave the album a B− rating. She referred to the duets as "a welcome respite from all the noodling", but said that as a whole, the album was "an indulgence he's earned but doesn't quite pull off." [4] In his Consumer Guide, Robert Christgau picked out one song from the album, "Waitin' on a Woman", as a "choice cut" ( Scissors icon black.svg ), [17] calling it "a good song on an album that isn't worth your time or money". [18]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Huckleberry Jam"2:52
2."Turf's Up"
  • Paisley
  • Rogers
3:30
3."Start a Band" (with Keith Urban)5:26
4."Kim"Paisley3:58
5."Departure"Paisley, Rogers4:28
6."Come On In" (featuring Buck Owens)Owens3:53
7."Kentucky Jelly"
2:43
8."Playing with Fire"
  • Paisley
  • Robert Arthur
4:51
9."More Than Just This Song" (featuring Steve Wariner)
  • Paisley
  • Wariner
5:14
10."Les Is More"
  • Paisley
  • Rogers
3:18
11."Pre-Cluster Cluster Pluck Prequel" (A.K.A. "From Uncle Jimmy to Justin" [19] )
  • Paisley
  • Rogers
  • Kevin "Swine" Grantt
1:34
12."Cluster Pluck" (featuring James Burton, Vince Gill, Albert Lee, John Jorgenson, Brent Mason, Redd Volkaert, Steve Wariner)
  • Paisley
  • Rogers
  • Grantt
3:31
13."Cliffs of Rock City"
  • Paisley
  • Arthur
3:44
14."Let the Good Times Roll" (featuring B. B. King)
5:30
15."What a Friend We Have in Jesus"Traditional2:31
16."Waitin' on a Woman" (featuring Andy Griffith)
5:02
Total length:62:06

Personnel

Toy Band on "Huckleberry Jam"

Group vocals on "Cluster Pluck"

Production

Chart performance

Singles

YearSinglePeak chart positions
US Country US CAN
2008"Start a Band" (with Keith Urban)15551

Related Research Articles

<i>Mud on the Tires</i> 2003 studio album by Brad Paisley

Mud on the Tires is the third studio album by American country music artist Brad Paisley. Released on July 22, 2003, through Arista Nashville, it produced four hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts: the Top Five hits "Celebrity", "Little Moments" and "Whiskey Lullaby", as well as the Number One title track. The album itself has been certified 2× Platinum by the RIAA, while "Whiskey Lullaby" and the title-track have been certified as gold singles.

<i>Time Well Wasted</i> 2005 studio album by Brad Paisley

Time Well Wasted is the fourth studio album by American country music artist Brad Paisley. It was released on August 16, 2005, on Arista Nashville. It was the Country Music Association's Album of the Year for 2006.

<i>Blue</i> (LeAnn Rimes album) 1996 studio album by LeeAnn Rimes

Blue is the debut studio album by American country music singer LeAnn Rimes, released in the United States on July 9, 1996, by Curb Records. It peaked at number three on the US Billboard 200, and number one on the Top Country Albums chart.

<i>You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs</i> 1997 studio album by LeAnn Rimes

You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs, or simply You Light Up My Life, is the second studio album by the American country singer LeAnn Rimes. Released in the United States by Curb Records on September 9, 1997, when Rimes was 15 years old, it followed her debut album Blue. The album was hugely successful but many critics thought that much of the material did not do Rimes' talent justice. The album has been certified 4× Platinum by the RIAA. She was the first solo artist to chart on the Billboard 200 twice, and fourth overall under the age of 18.

<i>R.I.D.E.</i> 2005 studio album by Trick Pony

R.I.D.E. is the third studio album by American country music group Trick Pony. It is the group's only recording for the Asylum-Curb label. The album's name is an abbreviation for "Rebellious Individuals Delivering Entertainment".

<i>Nothin but the Taillights</i> 1997 studio album by Clint Black

Nothin' but the Taillights is the seventh studio album by American country music singer Clint Black. Black co-wrote many of the songs with others and played much of the guitar himself for this album.

<i>There You Go Again</i> 2000 studio album by Kenny Rogers

There You Go Again is the twenty-fourth studio album by American singer Kenny Rogers, released in 2000. It is his second studio album on his own Dreamcatcher Records label. It produced the singles "There You Go Again", "He Will, She Knows", "Homeland" and "Beautiful ".

<i>5th Gear</i> (album) 2007 studio album by Brad Paisley

5th Gear is the sixth studio album by American country music singer Brad Paisley. It was released June 19, 2007, by Arista Nashville and debuted at number three on the Billboard 200, with first week sales of about 197,000 copies. On April 9, 2008, 5th Gear was certified platinum by the RIAA.

<i>Part II</i> (Brad Paisley album) 2001 studio album by Brad Paisley

Part II is the second studio album by American country music artist Brad Paisley. Released on May 29, 2001, through Arista Nashville, it became Paisley's second platinum-certified album in the United States. It produced four singles; "Two People Fell in Love", "Wrapped Around", "I'm Gonna Miss Her " and "I Wish You'd Stay", which respectively reached number 4, number 2, number 1, and number 7 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts. "Too Country" also entered the country charts from unsolicited airplay.

<i>Brad Paisley Christmas</i> 2006 studio album by Brad Paisley

Brad Paisley Christmas is the first Christmas album and fifth studio album by American country music artist Brad Paisley. It was released on October 10, 2006, by Arista Nashville. His first album of Christmas music, features a mix of traditional Christmas songs and newly written songs. The track "Born on Christmas Day" was written by Paisley when he was thirteen years old, and the recording features elements from a recording Paisley made of the song in 1985. Also included is a cover of Buck Owens' "Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy". Also included is "Kung Pao Buckaroo Holiday", a parody on political correctness.

<i>Christmas Vol. II</i> 1996 album by the American band, Alabama

Christmas Vol. II is the second Christmas album of country music band Alabama. It was released on September 17, 1996.

<i>Walkin in the Sun</i> 1990 studio album by Glen Campbell

Walkin' in the Sun is the forty-sixth album by American singer/guitarist Glen Campbell, released in 1990. It includes the single "She's Gone Gone Gone", Campbell's last Top 10 hit on the country music charts. The single itself was released via Universal Records, a short-lived label founded by Jimmy Bowen, instead. This album, however, marked his return to Capitol Records.

<i>The Other Side</i> (Wynonna Judd album) 1997 studio album by Wynonna

The Other Side is the fourth solo studio album by American country music artist Wynonna, released in 1997 on Curb Records in association with Universal Records. The album, which was certified gold by the RIAA, produced three chart singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks charts: "When Love Starts Talkin'", "Come Some Rainy Day" and "Always Will" respectively reached #13, #14 and #45. A fourth single, "Love Like That", failed to chart. The album also includes "We Can't Unmake Love", a duet with John Berry, which was also included on Berry's 2000 Greatest Hits album.

<i>The Right Place</i> 1997 studio album by Bryan White

The Right Place is the third studio album by American country music artist Bryan White. It was released in 1997 on Asylum Records. The album produced four chart singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts. In order of release, these were "Love Is the Right Place", "One Small Miracle", "Bad Day to Let You Go", and "Tree of Hearts", which respectively reached numbers 4, 16, 30, and 45. "Bad Day to Let You Go" also overlapped with White's guest appearance on Shania Twain's 1998 single "From This Moment On".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Start a Band</span> 2008 single by Brad Paisley and Keith Urban

"Start a Band" is a song written by Dallas Davidson, Ashley Gorley and Kelley Lovelace. It was recorded as a duet by American country music artist Brad Paisley and Australian country music artist Keith Urban for Paisley's sixth studio album Play. Released in September 2008 as the only single from that album, it is also one of only four non-instrumental tracks on the album. It is Paisley's 22nd entry on the Billboard country charts, and Urban's 18th and ranked number one on the US Hot Country Songs charts in 2009.

<i>American Saturday Night</i> 2009 studio album by Brad Paisley

American Saturday Night is the eighth studio album by American country music artist Brad Paisley. It was released on June 30, 2009, by Arista Nashville. Like all of his previous studio albums, it is produced by Frank Rogers. The first single, "Then," has become his fourteenth Number One on the Hot Country Songs chart. iTunes released songs from the album weekly as part of the countdown to the album's release. "Water" was released on June 9, 2009, followed by the title track on June 16 and "Everybody's Here" on June 23. The second radio single is "Welcome to the Future." The title track was released as the third single on November 16, 2009. As of the chart dated January 8, 2011, the album has sold 714,812 copies in the US. It earned a 2009 Academy of Country Music Awards nomination for "Album of the Year". In 2012, MSN.com listed American Saturday Night as one of the 21 Essential 21st-Century Albums.

Glory in the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship is the first Christmas album by Chris Tomlin. It was released on October 6, 2009. It peaked at No. 1 on Billboard's Holiday albums chart and No. 79 on the Billboard 200 chart. In 2010, it re-entered the Billboard 200 and peaked at No. 19. It was recorded live in the studio and features a duet with Matt Redman, as well as two tracks featuring Christy Nockels and Audrey Assad.

<i>Wheelhouse</i> (album) 2013 studio album by Brad Paisley

Wheelhouse is the tenth studio album by American country music artist Brad Paisley. The album was released on April 9, 2013 by Arista Nashville, with Paisley being the only producer on the album instead of Frank Rogers.

<i>Moonshine in the Trunk</i> 2014 studio album by Brad Paisley

Moonshine in the Trunk is the eleventh studio album by American country music artist Brad Paisley. It was released on August 25, 2014, by Arista Nashville. It became Paisley's eighth album to hit No. 1 on Billboard's country chart.

<i>Love and War</i> (Brad Paisley album) 2017 studio album by Brad Paisley

Love and War is the twelfth studio album by American country music singer Brad Paisley. It was released on April 21, 2017, through Arista Nashville. The album's lead single is "Today".

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Critic Reviews for Play". Metacritic . Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  2. 1 2 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Play - Brad Paisley". Allmusic . Retrieved 27 December 2008.
  3. 1 2 Tucker, Ken (November 8, 2008). "Play". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 13, 2008. Retrieved December 27, 2008.
  4. 1 2 Pastorek, Whitney (October 30, 2008). "Play Review". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved December 27, 2008.
  5. Kinter, Thomas (November 4, 2008). "BRAD PAISLEY: Play". Hartford Courant . Archived from the original on December 12, 2008. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  6. Lewis, Randy (November 3, 2008). "Album review: Brad Paisley's 'Play'". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved July 17, 2011.
  7. Keefe, Jonathan (November 2, 2008). "Brad Paisley: Play". Slant . Retrieved July 17, 2011.
  8. Barnes, Ken (November 3, 2008). "Brad Paisley, Play: Guitar Picnic". USA Today . Archived from the original on June 24, 2013. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
  9. Hurt, Edd (November 12, 2008). "Brad Paisley Salutes Great Women, Guitarists, Puns". The Village Voice . Retrieved July 17, 2011.
  10. "Bristow Run Elementary School - Announcements & Events". Bristowrunes.schools.pwcs.edu. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
  11. 1 2 "Brad Paisley is at 'Play' With New Album". The Boot. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
  12. "Brad Paisley Gets Ready for Election Day Play". CMT . Retrieved August 12, 2008.
  13. "Next Brad Paisley CD Features Buck". Great American Country . Retrieved July 24, 2008.
  14. "He can pick it, and he can pick 'em". The Charlotte Observer . Archived from the original on July 23, 2008. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
  15. Bonaguro, Alison (February 9, 2009). "Brad Paisley won two Grammys but didn't go". CMT . Retrieved February 17, 2009.
  16. Neal, Chris (December 1, 2008). "Reviews: Brad Paisley — Play". Country Weekly . 15 (24): 58. Archived from the original on December 21, 2008. Retrieved December 27, 2008.
  17. Christgau, Robert. "CG: Brad Paisley". RobertChristgau.com. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  18. Christgau, Robert. "CG 90s: Key to Icons". RobertChristgau.com. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  19. ASCAP song page for "From Uncle Jimmy to Justin"
  20. "Brad Paisley Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  21. "Brad Paisley Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  22. "Brad Paisley Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  23. "Top Country Albums – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2020.