John Conlee – “Blue Highway”
I got this copy of “Blue Highway” by John Conlee back in 2011, and I am only just now realizing that it was still currently sealed from it’s original 1984 release, so tonight is the first time the needle goes to the vinyl.
“Years After You” opens the album, and it’s a slower country song, I will say I do like John Conlee’s voice. The song is pretty good, not too fond of the backing vocals on this though. The song is about a middle-aged man who years after his break-up still misses his girlfriend and is struggling to cope. John was only a few years older than me when he recorded this. Next up, “Radio Lover” and I will say that it does have more of a beat to it, and it is quite enjoyable. The chorus is pretty nice too. There is a spoken word part in the song. “De Island” comes next, and I feel like it is something Tattoo from Fantasy Island would say, it is a more tropical sounding country song, it’s also more upbeat and happy sounding. The title track, “Blue Highway” comes next, and it’s back to the slower country sound and I find on this album, some of the songs are really great, and others don’t really quite hit like the others. “Down to Me” closes out the A-Side, and we end on the slower country sound, it’s not exactly my favorite type of country music. John does have a really nice voice.
The B-Side opens with “A Little Bit of Lovin’” and it’s got more of a upbeat sound to it, and it’s not a bad song it’s definitely one of the more interesting ones on the album. Next up is “Arthur and Alice” and it’s got some nice guitar playing before John starts to sing, and it’s a bit slower, but the musicianship is pretty good. I feel like this song is about an old married couple. There are a few nice parts to this song. “Working Man” comes next, it reached number 7 on the Billboard charts. It’s not too bad either. As a working man, I approve this song. “But She Loves Me” follows next, and we wind back down to the slower country sound once more. The album closes out with “Is There Anything I Can Do” and we pick up the pace a speed or two, I’m not quite sure how to really describe this type of country music, but it’s kind that pop sound to it, but not exactly being pop country.
In closing, it’s not exactly my most favorite albums I’ve heard. I do have one more John Conlee album in my collection, and I do hope it is more interesting than this one has been. I will say that John definitely has a very nice voice, and I do love when he hits those higher notes.
Catalog Number:
MCA-5521
Credits:
Drums – Eddie Bayers
Bass – Joe Osborn
Keyboards – Dennis Burnside
Ukulele, Acoustic & Electric Guitar – Brent Rowan
Synthesizer – John Jarvis
Acoustic Guitar – Jimmy Capps
Steel Guitar – Terry Choate, Weldon Myrick & Larry Sasser
Sax – Jay Patten
Trumpet – Mike Haynes
Tambourine – Rick McCollister
String Arrangements – Alan Moore
Strings – The A Strings
Concert Master – Connie McCollister
Background Vocals – Dennis W. Wilson, Judy Taylor, Bud Logan & Rick McCollister
Photography – Dennis Carney
Art Direction – Tim Naprestek
Design – Keith A. Wright
Released:
1984
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