New Brad Paisley record "Play"

I've been able to spend some time with the new BP record. As many of you know, I'm not a big Nashville Music guy, but he is such a good guitar player that I've tended to give him a pass.

this new album is definately not a big release for him. I doubt there will be a tour to support it, and a label push. It's a guitarists record. many of the tracks are instrumental, and they cover a wide range of styles. i suspect that many BP fans who pick this up as "Oh wow here's the new Brad Paisley record. I LOVE him." are going to be in for a shock.

There is a duet with Keith Urban. There is an amazing track where half a dozen world renown guitarist take turns chicken pickin and it smokes. He sings a song with B.B. King and even with Buck Owens...who is too dead to come to the studio.

But of course, for all that...you've got a song that sounds like it didn't make the last Joe Satriani record. You've got a couple that sound, frankly, like elevator music. bland. forgettable.

Even with the ups and downs, I love this release...because i like to hear guitar players and it's something that has been out of fashion for some time now. guitar playing is largely absent from popular rock music, and mainstream country music is now a bit neutered in the same way.

If you'd like to hear a REALLY good player, with a green light to make the record he has always wanted to make, pick up play and play it loud.