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Kenny Chesney’s latest CD, “Lucky Old Sun” seems to be a return to the more introspective music of, what may be his best CD, “Be As You Are: Songs from the Old Blue Chair.” With its continued homage to sun and surf and some songs of lost love and roads not taken, the new CD has the same honest quality of the earlier CD. The Blue Chair album contained songs all written by Chesney and they proved that this singer/songwriter is a keen observer of the life and the people around him. He has a natural instinct for description and it’s easy to sit back, listen to the music and envision the people and places and it becomes easy to see why Chesney so enjoys his sojourns in the islands. The new music, which includes 5 songs written or co-written by him, again has the ring of honesty amid the island beat. Chesney is a master storyteller. One of the best songs is “Way Down Here.” According to the album notes, Chesney wrote the song after having a bad year (2005 with the breakup of his short marriage), while recovering on his boat. The song explains that this is the place he goes where people don’t ask him about his life – he can be down and he can deal with what’s on his mind on his own. In “Boats” Chesney describes the freedom of owning a boat – a place to go and lose yourself or a place to go to heal whatever is wrong with you. “Everyone Wants to Go To Heaven” has the clearest island beat (done with the Wailers) and is the first single from the album. This one is sure to be a hit on tour – not that Chesney fans need much urging to get them up on their feet and moving. The music and lyrics are catchy and you can’t help but sing along. Along with this, is “Ten With a Two” which Chesney sang with friend Willie Nelson at Farm Aid – a classic macho drinking song about the guy that thinks he’s leaving the bar with a 10 – only to wake up the next day next to a 2. There are several particularly good duets included. The first track, “I’m Alive” with Dave Matthews is wonderful mix of their voices – they seem to fit so naturally! The second is “Down The Road” written by Mac McAnally, who joins him on the song. Chesney begins by talking about a girl and her father’s need to know she will be well carried for – and the father’s view comes from McAnally. The final and best track, “That Lucky Old Sun” with Willie Nelson is a wonderful ballad – in the Nelson style and you can see the influence of both country stars in the music. NOTE: The deluxe version includes a second CD with Live versions of several songs including "Boston" and "Soul of a Sailor" -- spend the extra $$$ it's worth getting the extras!
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