Brad Paisley

Play by Brad Paisley is a departure from his other CDs. Although his other CDs have featured his strong guitar playing and sounds instrumentals, this entire CD is a guitar playing showcase. The very few songs that feature vocals are still secondary to the outstanding guitar playing, and that is just the point with this CD. Brad Paisley is an incredibly talented artist, and he gets to show off these talents with a few of his colleagues.

This is an outstanding effort from Brad Paisley. The only downside to the CD is that there are not 10+ great songs featuring vocals. That's okay though, because the other Brad Paisley CDs beg repeated listenings. If you are a new fan, don't miss out on these other great CDs:

5th Gear
Time Well Wasted
Mud on the Tires
Part II
Who Needs Pictures

This 6th effort is a 5 star effort. Highly recommended.

Brad Paisley has taken quite a risk in making a record that will likely not be embraced by his regular fans, nor those that disdain mainstream country artists. And if that's true, it's a shame, because this record is absolutely fantastic. Simply put, it's a love letter from Brad to the electric guitar. I can't think of a record that mostly consists of guitar-based instrumentals that I could ever sit all the way through. But this record encompasses such a diverse array of styles, all played with amazing bravado, that it entertains throughout. Country, bluegrass, surf, jazz, and rock are all represented here, and all of the songs are exceptionally melodic and interesting. Even those songs which may start out sounding like lite-jazz hokum ("Kim") or country schmaltz ("More Than Just This Song", "Waiting On A Woman") ultimately reveal themselves to be heartfelt and beautifully played. Throw in a healthy dose of fun and some inspired duets and collaborations ("Start A Band" with Keith Urban, the rollicking "Come On In", with the late Buck Owens, "Cluster Pluck", with a small army of guitar slingers), and you end up with one of the best releases this year.

This guy has incredible talent, and I'd have never imagined a record like this coming from him based on the what I'd presumed about him. Let me just say this: If you like great guitar music, drop your preconceived notions and give this thing a spin, because it truly rocks.

If you are one of those people that doesn't pigeon hole themselves in regards to music genres this is a must buy. If you love guitar it pays off even bigger dividends.

Brad pays tribute to all sorts of genres and artists in this diverse, mostly instrumental album. Those who expect the typical country/pop chart topping singles may be somewhat disappointed, but if you dig a little deeper you will find a showcase of talent, of both Brad and his guests, that is not constrained by the tunnel vision of mainstream media and radio. It is a blast to hear all of the great influences and try to pick them out as you listen. From the Bluegrass-on-Redbull licks of "Huckleberry Jam" to the Eric Johnson-esque "Cliffs of Rock City," there is something here for everyone. If you play guitar you will be in heaven, if you don't, you will want to buy one and learn. Either way, it is a gem to listen to regardless of what genre you gravitate to.

I don't listen to much country music; what little I do listen to is generally considered "alt-country". I had only ever heard a song or two by Brad Paisley before, but picked up this album based on recommendations from other guitar players. (I "Play", though not on par with Brad!) I love instrumental rock, especially instrumental guitar pieces, and think this is a great album. That said, it is pretty all over the place, and I can see staunch country-music fans might not like it. A couple of the songs have a very rockabilly Brian Setzer vibe, and "Turf's Up" is pure homage to Dick Dale. "Cliffs of Rock City" I've heard is a nod to Eric Johnson's "Cliffs of Dover" (another great instrumental rock piece). "Les is More" is a jazzy little number giving respect to Les Paul. The guitar playing is fantastic throughout, and the songs are creative and melodic, and honour those mentioned above without being derivative. My least favourite songs on this album are actually the songs with lyrics. If you're a dedicated country music fan, this might be a skip for you. If you enjoy great guitar playing and various styles of music, I'd say give this a shot, even if you never listen to country music.

Any guitar player must listen to this, doesn't matter if you think country is for losers, pick it up. The cleverness of Paisley's lyrical and melodic songwriting translates right over to his guitar-playing and is even better. This is not just some wanker album, but totally the opposite it is obviously thoughtful as every track is unique and deserves more than 5 stars, and there ARE vocal tracks as well.

This CD had 3 of my favorite songs on it, so, it was a winner even before I opened it (they are: Ticks, I'm Still a Guy, Online). I admire his versitility, with fun songs, ballads, love songs and message songs. Not to mention his guitar playing skills.

Brad is the Man!!!!

Not only did this CD have the exact songs that I was looking for, but ones that I hadn't heard yet and just love. Brad Paisley fans will not be disappointed with this one.

This is one of artist that you should buy the WHOLE album. The extra stuff that will never hit radio is what makes it so special. If you love country music pick up the CD and enjoy. Warning - when you first listen to Bigger Fish To Fry and When We All Get To Heaven - you will laugh out loud moments - it was hard to explain while I was at work!

"Ticks", "On Line, and "I'm Still a Guy" crack me up. You've gotta love the SPIRIT of this CD! It is CERTAINLY a keeper!

Brad Paisley has been around in country music long enough to know what music is good, it's called trust! That's why I bought this album.

Really enjoyed the movie, but didn't think I'd like the soundtrack as much. I was wrong, listened to it while driving from Los Angeles to San Diego and was singin' along with it the whole way!!

this is a great CD because it is parent friendly. The kids like it because it is from the movie and we like it because it is actually good music.

I bought this for my two sons. One is five and the other is three. They love it! A great buy for kids and for parents who want to create a fun car ride!

Great audio for a long drive with my little one. He loves the movie, and this soundtrack is enjoyable for us both. He also enjoys listening to it while playing with his Cars collection.

Tracks 3,5 & 10 were best song rtracks on the whole cd. I wish theyed put thoses 3 songs on a cd with other disney songs which would be much better. Id say thoses 3 tracks is what saves this cd from getting 1 star rating.

I was charged for this item and as of this date have not received it. Correspondence with Vincent Books has done no good. I should have received it by no later than August 25 and this is September 9. No cd no return of money.

This is a good album of solid classic style country music. I hadn't tried any music by this artist and bought the album without any preconceived notions about it. It's enjoyable. Only thing - it has these tracks that are just a few seconds long with mumbling on them that I don't get and dont like.

the items i received were in the exact condition as the description on the website stated. very prompt delivery. thanks!

I had heard Ticks last summer and thought I would give this CD a try while waiting for 5th Gear to be released. I love every track on this CD. From Paisley's tongue & cheek lyrics to the soulful ballads, I enjoy his music. I am surprised I have not worn it out yet. This turned me in to a big Brad Paisley fan and I now own everything he has released without any remorse. Great guitar playing and lyrics that have real meaning. I look forward to many years of great music from this very talented musician. This album is my favorite so far.

The package was very well sealed . The item was in excellent shape and the delivery was very fast.

Paisley is a great musician, one of the more witty song writters around. So not only do you get to listen to good music, but if you pay attention to the lyrics your will end up laughing also. He is a better guitarist than he gets credit for.

Brad Paisley is one of my favorite artist and Mud on the Tires is one of his best Albums. I recommend the purchase of this CD to all Brad Paisley Fans. It is a must have.

This album is a very good collection of songs, sung by a very talented young man. Especially worth hearing is track #9, Whiskey Lullaby, in which Brad is joined by Alison Krauss.

Brad is a terrific singer and his duet with Alyson Kraus is a perfect match. This cd is one that you can just put it in the player and listen.

Love listening to Mud on the Tires on our favorite country station and wanted to hear the rest of the cd. Not disappointed!

Aside from your everyday Christmas songs, this also has a song Brad wrote and performed when he was 13. The Kung Pao Buckaroo snag too and that was hilarious. I don't who they are but they are but what a great ending to the CD. This CD adds holiday cheers to our cookies baking and decorating. A very Merry Christmas!

The album is an overall great Christmas record. It combines new country with tradtional Christmas music in a "something for everyone " format, including Brad's comedy spoof on the Merry Christmas versus Happy Holidays debate.

Brad knows how to make you smile on this cd. His talent continues to give me hours of music listening pleasure!

Enjoyed listening to the CD specially the young Brad and the song he wrote. With that song He put the magic of Christ back into Christmas.

Great Christmas music for the season. I would recommend this to all who love Christmas music for the holiday.

This is Brad at his best. His new stuff tends to be a little naughty, but his older stuff is funny and creative. I personally think this is one of his best CD's.

With "the fishin' song", now my husband who has never been a country fan is hooked. I've been listening to Brad Paisley for a while and think he's an incredible artist who just keeps getting better. This one is from a few years ago, but is great. Can't wait for the greatest hits - but they are all wonderful.

Brad Paisly takes it to a whole new level. Who wouldn't love a good lookin man with a great sounding voice!

I bought this CD because I wanted one of the songs in it.
After hearing the complete album, now I like the other songs also.

Good Cd. The most I Like are de moved songs and the colaborations with other artists.
I find it more commercial than the following albums.

He didnt have to be was meant for my life as not knowing my birth father but had a dad who was more of a dad then the birth father could have ever been to me. When i gave birth to my firstborn he was the best papa I could have asked for my daughter. I didnt call him ,my dad for years but assure you when the time came right, I surely did and was very proud to call him my dad. Though he is deceased since 2/ 14/ 07 I know he is watching down on me still making sure I do a good job raising his 3 grandaughters. Thanks dad for everything you did for me . Raising me the hardest job than a 40 hour work week, and helping me and caring for me. I love you and miss you. Love, Your daughter.

To my husband: You didnt have to , but you did. You gave her love as you did your own child. You didnt have to. You watched her grow, played baseball, concerts and other important events in her life and you didnt have to. I hope she appreciates all that you did for her when she grows up. Much love your wife

This is coutry you can all enjoy. It is mostly more classical style of country, but Paisley is one of the more humorous songwriter of our time.

This is a good CD, but not like the Brad of today's radio. The ballads are still there, but it is much more traditional country music. Don't be disappointed. I really liked it, as does my husband, the real Brad fan.

Song writing, guitar playing...
Brad's an awesome talent, you can't go wrong with any of his cd's!

This item was well packaged, delivered on time and it is as all Brads CDs are, first class music. Another great Brad CD to add to my collection.

This CD had 3 of my favorite songs on it, so, it was a winner even before I opened it (they are: Ticks, I'm Still a Guy, Online). I admire his versitility, with fun songs, ballads, love songs and message songs. Not to mention his guitar playing skills.

Brad is the Man!!!!

Not only did this CD have the exact songs that I was looking for, but ones that I hadn't heard yet and just love. Brad Paisley fans will not be disappointed with this one.

This is one of artist that you should buy the WHOLE album. The extra stuff that will never hit radio is what makes it so special. If you love country music pick up the CD and enjoy. Warning - when you first listen to Bigger Fish To Fry and When We All Get To Heaven - you will laugh out loud moments - it was hard to explain while I was at work!

"Ticks", "On Line, and "I'm Still a Guy" crack me up. You've gotta love the SPIRIT of this CD! It is CERTAINLY a keeper!

Brad Paisley has been around in country music long enough to know what music is good, it's called trust! That's why I bought this album.

Sony BMG's Legacy division has created a two-fer series titled "x2" ("times two") that bundles pairs of previously released CDs into a slipcase at a discount price. Neither album is changed from its original release, so these aren't meant to attract an artist's long-time fans, but by focusing on catalog perennials (e.g., Boston's first two albums), or the early works of artists who found greater acclaim mid-catalog, they provide newer fans a quick way to catch up. In Paisley's case Legacy's put together his first two albums, 1999's Who Needs Pictures and 2001's Part II, giving those who latched onto his work with the breakthroughs of Mud on the Tires and Time Well Wasted an opportunity to see how he got there. What you'll find is that from the start Paisley was a matinee idol with a new traditionalist's ear, and the two-year arc of these initial albums show just how quickly he capitalized on his writing, singing and guitar playing gifts.

Paisley's debut features a dozen originals and a cover of the traditional "In the Garden," with generous doses of two-step beats, fiddle and Paisley's twangy guitar. There's no forgetting this is a Nashville recording, as producer Frank Rogers gives everything a tight polish, but Paisley's unabashedly country with his vocals and heart-plucking lyrics. The album produced two chart-topping singles, the touching tribute to step-fathers, "He Didn't Have to Be" and the serendipitous love song "We Danced." Album tracks include the boot-scooting "Me Neither," western swing "It Never Woulda Worked Out Anyway," Mexicali-flavored "I've Been Better," two-stepping "Sleepin' on the Foldout," and the hot-picked instrumental "The Nervous Breakdown." Paisley's lyrics split time between emotion and humor, but his earnest delivery keeps things from descending into treacle or country corn.

The sophomore release, Part II, was dead on in its title, as it continued all the elements of Paisley's debut. Among the most noticeable changes are the inclusion of two covers: Darrell Scott's harrowing tale of an Appalachian mining town "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive" (covered to even greater effect the same year by Patty Loveless on her back-the-roots Mountain Soul release), and "Too Country," on which Buck Owens, George Jones and Bill Anderson guest for the latter's idyllic vision of a simple American life. Paisley's originals again range from serious to comic, with both digging a bit deeper than on his debut. The chart-topping "I'm Gonna Miss Her" is both funny and home-spun, as an angler weighs another hour on the lake against the impending departure of his mate. The song's lazy beat provides a perfect complement to the fisherman's half-hearted contemplation of shortening his trip. The upbeat fiddle-and-steel tune "All You Really Need is Love" is comic in its catalog of a wedding's endless expenses, but there's a great deal of painful truth here for anyone who's put together (or paid for) a wedding. The album's other three hit singles include the heartbroken letting-go ballad "I Wish You'd Stay," the philosophical interconnectedness of "Two People Fell in Love," and the twangy two-step shuffle into marriage and adulthood, "Wrapped Around."

As on Paisley's debut, there's a barn-burning instrumental, "Munster Rag," featuring incredible guitar runs, and the album closes, as did the debut, with a traditional tune of faith, the gospel "The Old Rugged Cross," recorded live with just voice-and-guitar at the Grand Old Opry. Part II is a more sophisticated and deeper album than Paisley's debut, and paired with its predecessor, fans get a chance to hear the speed with which potential (Paisley's, his producer's, his band's, and his cowriter's) developed into music that launched a country superstar. If you only know Paisley from his more recent albums, you owe it to yourself to check out the quality of his early works. [©2008 hyperbolium dot com]