Johnny Reid: Born To ROCK ...and Roll!
For some reason, you can't find Johnny Reid's CDs here in the States. But we got our hands on his latest album "Born To Roll" last week... and I haven't taken it out of the CD player since!
Interesting Sidenote:
Johnny told us that they cut this album (right here in Nashville) with the intention of leaving most of it a little "raw" and "rough around the edges" -- as opposed to well-polished and fine-tuned with a lot of studio work.
...which probably explains how they were able to cut this entire album in just one day!
The bonus for listeners is that we get to hear a lot more of Johnny's "real" voice throughout the entire album, including those passion-filled long notes that he's so well-known for, plus all the rock-your-a#! screamin-out-loud chords that literally take your breath away.
I, for one, happen to LOVE the raw stuff.
But we're not talkin purely acoustical one-man/one-guitar kind of stuff here... Oh no, this is strong... it ROCKS! Even the ballads raise the roof.
From the backup vocals to the myriad of instruments used on this album, it all comes together perfectly to create a sound that's 100% Johnny Reid.
Now onto the songs...
Favorite Songs On "Born To Roll"
By the way, I think "gypsy" appears in at least three different songs on this album. Which says something about Johnny Reid and his past, that is oh, so intriguing.
Reminds me of something Jim always says:
"Back when I was on my gypsy tour..." in reference to a period of a time when Jim wasn't sure which direction he was headed in life -- all he knew is he was chasing some dream, and he hadn't found it yet. (Then he married me... *wink wink*)
"Sixty To Zero" - What a great play on words! And it makes me want to be riding with the top down in my Jeep having some good 'ol summertime fun. This song is HOT...
A baby's born, a momma cries. She sees a glimpse of his daddy there in his eyes. They take him home and watch him sleep, Stand and wonder who he's gonna be. Then it's Tonka Trucks, and baseball gloves. Then his first kiss and his first love. The innocence just don't last... Our dreams and our future go by so fast.
Those words are cool. And Johnny's voice does them more justice than the keys on my computer do, but it's the chorus that really seals the deal on this song for me. In the chorus, the Forces of Nature all come together in a unique, melodramatic way: Mountains moving, Rivers running, Shadows falling, Suns setting, Thunder rolling, Lightening striking, Darkness covering and Light being swallowed up ...Love it!
What's Johnny's Music Like?
It's raw, it's loud, it's deep, and it's always straight from the heart. Which pretty much sums up the kinda guy Johnny Reid is (...from what we've learned in the short time we've known him anyway).
His sound has been compared to that of a number of different singers. To me, Johnny Reid shares similarities with these classics:
- Joe Cocker (breathy notes sung straight from the soul)
- Rod Stewart (throaty sounding chords, lots of mandolin)
- John "Cougar" Mellencamp (happy, straight-shootin' talk with a smirk)
- Van Morrison (passion-filled songs that come deep from the heart)
Johnny Reid, as a singer/songwriter, reminds me of my other three faves: Shawn Mullins, Pat Green and Jeffrey Steele. They both have a sound that's unmistakable, yet also undefinable. Country? Not in MY book, but I guess for the "powers that be" (the record labels and the radio stations), they have to classify it as SOMETHING... I prefer to call it Xtreme Country!
Think about it... These guys aren't singing sappy tear-in-your-beer love songs with that Southern twang. Their love songs ROCK! And I'll bet barely 10% of their audience even OWNS a cowboy hat. Now, what kinda Country is that?! Non-traditional Country, if anything.
If I was somebody who was anybody, I would LOVE to help create a new genre for this new kind of Country music that seems to be used to classify everyone who can't be fit into another category. That's what Country music is these days... a catch-all category.
Okay, okay... I'll save that discussion for another day, another post. Sorry.
"After living in Nashville for the last 4-1/2 years, Reid has been classified as a Country-music singer, a label that doesn't quite suit his multi-dimensional style. Yet while the label might be somewhat inaccurate, there are aspects of the genre which are apparent in his music. 'I've never once called myself a Country singer. But when I went to Nashville, I fell in love with the lyrical style of Country music... I was a child of the mid-80s and listened to '80s rock bands. So if you listen to the album, you can probably hear a hybrid of all of these things, a wee bit of Country, a wee bit of rock, a wee bit of soul.'"
Source
My Summary...
"Uniquely catchy" defines each and every song on Johnny Reid's "Born to Roll" album, as you just can't help but tap your foot and bop your head when you're listening.
"Feel-good rock" comes to mind as a phrase to classify these tunes. Even the handful of slower ballads are so introspective and passion-filled that you're tapping your toes to THAT beat which is so captivating.
"Addicting" summarizes this entire album... it's one you WANT to listen to over and over again. The best part: if you're like me, you'll never tire of it.
"Best-kept secret" defines Johnny Reid, the singer/songwriter, as he takes his Canadian stardom on the road and tests the waters here in the States. As soon as people in these parts catch wind of his music, he'll be topping the American charts in no time. He's already proven himself in Canada... now he's here to prove it to everyone else!
Does anyone have tab\chords for THAT KINDA LONELY????????????????????????????????????????
Email me and I will send you the .doc file as this one might not line up
daddy_works24_7@hotmail.com
Johnny Reid � Kicking Stones
D G D G
I remember sittin' in my old mans truck�watchin' him and all the other men
A G A D D/F#
Down on their luck�standin' around the fire
G Em D A G D
Fightin off the cold�Smokin', swearin', kickin stones
D G D
You know hard times�can turn a good man bad
G A G A
Make him do things out of anger, wish he�d never had
D D/F# G Em
Me and mama would watch him rollin� home
D A G D
Smokin, swearin, kickin stones
A G A G
Kickin stones, kickin stones down a long winding road
D A G D
They were smokin, swearin, kicking stones
D G D
All the dark days turn into years
G A G A
And all the hard times they�ve sure stole a lot of tears
D D/F# G Em
But there came a time where I had to move on
D A G D
From the smokin, swearin, kicking stones
A G A G
Kickin stones, kickin stones down a long winding road
Bm Bm/A
Brought me here brought me home
G A
With two boys of my own
G A
They come running they come laughing
Bm G
When I start singing they start dancing
G A
We go walking hand in hand
D G A D G A
Kickin stones�kickin stones
D
Kickin stones
LOVE THIS GUY!!! WHAT A VOICE!!
seriously.. ive looked everywhere... anyone have any luck... lovin. "that kinda lonely" reminds me of under the bridge by chilli peppers.
Hey hello there ruby "tex" i think :wave
Thats a great tune alright! and those chords to the kicking stones song would sure be nice to have right about now to strum along with.
who even knows if or when they'll end up in tab in the stores at all.
be nice if someone deciphered them and posted them out there somewhere.
Does anyone have the chords for Kicking Stones?
Thanks
Dave -
Yep! We bought Kickin' Stones a couple weeks ago, and haven't stop listening to it since!
We'll be posting a review here on the site soon...
Hint: It's a GREAT cd!
jim check out new c d kicking stones
I've been searching but can't find out how old Johnny Reid is. Do you know?
Johnny Reid has gone to number one with "Missing An Angel" and will be touring across Canada with Brad Paisley and Terri Clark this winter!
Here are his tour dates:
01/18: Vancouver, BC: Pacific Coliseum w/ Brad Paisley and Terri Clark
01/19: Kamloops, BC: Interior Savings Centre w/ Brad Paisley and Terri Clark
01/20: Edmonton, AB: Rexall Place w/ Brad Paisley and Terri Clark
01/22: Winnipeg, MB: MTS Centre w/ Brad Paisley and Terri Clark
03/12: Hamilton, ON: Copps Coliseum w/ Brad Paisley
03/13: Ottawa, ON: The Corel Centre w/ Brad Paisley
03/14: London, ON: John Labatt Centre w/ Brad Paisley
could you e-mail me the chords for missing an angel? Thanks Terry
could you email me the chords for missing an angel?
Thanks
William
I love Johnny Reid! He's got an AMAZING voice!
loved Johnny's voice and approach to giving his listeners what they want. Great record. keep up the good work. WHEN CAN WE GET THIS IN THE STATES?
MAN THIS ALBUM WOULD KICK @#$% IN THE STATES. IS ANYONE LISTENING?......OR IS ALL THE COOL TUNES ONLY FOR OUR BROTHER CANADIANS TO ENJOY? SOMEONE HELP ME OUT,....
Love Johnny! Huge fan since first hearing him on local radio in southern Ontario last fall.
I saw Johnny at New Years Eve then again this August in Port Perry, ON and he was great. He is such a personable performer and nice to talk to. I love his album and can't wait to hear more. Keep up the great work!!!!
A Big Fan
Kim from Oshawa, ON
I HAVE SEEN THIS PAST SATURDAY NIGHT (AUGUST 27)JOHNNY REID PERFORME LIVE IN FRONT OF ME...I HAVE A BLAST! I HAVE THE CHANCE TO MEET HIM IN PERSON, REALY NICE GUY! I ALSO MEET HIS WIFE AND TWO BOY'S... SO CUTE! HE GAVE US A FANTASTIC SHOW WHIT A LOT OF ENERGY. HE WAS AT THE COUNTY FAIR OF AYER'S CLIFF, FOR 9.00$! WHAT A JOKE... AND ALSO, GREAT DEEL!!! I HOPE THAT, ONE DAY, WILL SEE HIM AGAIN PERFORME LIKE HE DID, WHIT A BIG LOAD OF ENERGY, LIKE HE SAID, IN ARE AREA. I'LL BE THERE WHIT NO FEAR!
THANK YOU
STEPHANIE FROM SHERBROOKE ,QC.
Cait -
According to CMT Canada:
"In January of 2000, Johnny Reid released his self-titled debut album which got some great response from radio stations across the country. This time around, however, Johnny has his sights set a little higher and hopefully with the release of his second album, Born To Roll, which will hit stores January 18, 2005."
If "Born To Roll" is Johnny's 2nd cd, what is his first one called? I saw him in Pembroke, playing for the MarianHill Fundraiser 2 days ago. He ROCKS!! His slow songs are so amazing and he signed autographs and stuff after the show. Very down to earth... and cute, too ;)