John Anderson
Album: Goldmine
Label: Bayou Boys
Tracks: 13
Website: http://johnanderson.com

This has been an eagerly awaited album by John Anderson and country music fans. Following his last Bigger Hands album a whole six years ago it has been a long wait but one that I'm pleased to report has been well worth it. John has always wanted to have as much input to his music as possible by keeping it traditional and working with the people he knows he can rely on. This is none more evident than on this album with songs that he has chosen by co-writing twelve of the thirteen tracks, selecting his favourite co-writers, musicians and by releasing through his own Bayou Boys Music label.

Going back to his breakthrough in the late seventies through to his first big song Swingin' in the nineteen-eighties, the huge Seminole Wind in the nineties and his solid albums since you can almost guarantee with any new John Anderson release that you will have quality tracks, strong unmistakeable vocals and good old traditional country music.

The album starts with a patriotic American anthem 'Freedom Isn't Free' that has a very true message in its lyrics "it never was and never will be, what I'm trying to say there's always been a price to pay" referring to the soldiers who have fought in wars to give us what we call freedom these days.

The second track 'Magic Mama' has a little story behind it as it was written by Merle Haggard while he was in hospital suffering with pneumonia. He asked John if he wanted the song and he couldn't refuse as they both agreed that his voice could be the only one to do it justice. The piano and country fiddle adds to an upbeat fun sound and interesting lyrics about a character that is "Magic Mama from Malibu".

'Back Home' is a heart wrenching slow emotional song about a mum who sees her late son just as she is about to pass over. "Happily Ever After" is a little bit too subdued and one of a very few poor points on the album. It has nice instrumentation but seems to be missing that little 'magic' ingredient!

Josh Turner co-wrote the title track with John and it is a positive song about the woman in a man's life being the "jackpot" and that in having her by his side he is "sitting on a Goldmine". Josh is also co-writer on the lead single 'I Work A Lot Better'. John has said that it is great to work with a modern day artist like Josh as he is keeping alive the traditional country sound through a contemporary way that isn't the same old similar "bro-country" type that has been giving country music a lot of negative press over the last few years. The song is one you can imagine being danced to in the UK country and western clubs. I'm sure there will be a choreographed dance to this if there isn't already. The lyrics refer to the singers' productivity being a lot better when his partner is giving him certain attention.

There is another sombre song 'I Will Cross O'er The River' with classic guitar and fiddle and once again referring to going to the afterlife. The wonderful steel guitar twang at the start of 'Louisiana Son Of A Beast' is a deceptively slow start as just as you think it's going to be another slowie it turns into a fun song about hunting out in the wilds and down in the swamp where there's all sorts of wildlife like alligators.

'Holdin' On' is about the daily struggles that many people face each day and how tough and hard life can be. "the extra forty dollars went for food, the porch needs paid but I ain't in the mood, the grass keeps growing it needs mowing too, some days it's all that I can do"

There's some fabulous banjo on 'Song The Mountain Sings' with further fiddle and the most prominent traditional country feel of the album. This has to be my favourite as it refers to the sounds that have come from the Appalachian mountains where all the country sounds originated from. This is traditional country at its best and who better to sing it than John with his unique country lilt.

After such a high track on the album there is a slightly disappointing track in 'On and On and On'. It's about working on a relationship and not giving up but sadly the song does get a little annoying and is missing a little something I can't put my finger on.

'Don't Forget To Thank The Lord' is back on customary ground. This is a song about thanking everything and everyone in life especially the Lord, the teacher and the preacher, the fireman, policemen, mothers and the soldiers. They all get a mention in this very relatable song. John's distinct vocal is at its best here in a very catchy, sing-along and uplifting number that also has a great melody.

After thanking almost everyone on the previous song John decides to round off a delightful album with a few thank you's by acknowledging his fans over the years by stating "You All Are Beautiful'. "I thank the good Lord everyday for the music and the friends along the way". He is reminiscing about his journeys performing, the many people he has met and is very grateful and thankful. This is a lovely way to round off what is one of my favourite albums from a legendary artist over the last few years. Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson and Don Williams have all released some great recent albums and Goldmine from John Anderson is up there with them showing that country music can still sound like it always has done and it's not going to change. Long may the traditional country music be played in this way by these splendid artists and musicians.

Craig Parry