To my way of thinking there is no more sincere and revealing expression of life through music than the country sound. Country music has a way of tearing down all the superfluousness and pretensions that seem to be such an integral part of our modern society and replacing them with an honest appraisal of what makes the human animal function; oft times referred to as "telling it like it is." Of course, it takes a special kind of performer to express these feelings effectively but without hammering too hard at our very tender egos: Johnny Darrell is that kind of performer.
Rather than giving a blow by blow discription of how this man grew up and developed into one of the premiere exponents of the sound that comes to us from the recording studios of Nashville, we'll instead look at him through his music, primarily this album.
RIVER BOTTOM: Using the upbeat approach, John tells the story of an evil woman who meets her death at the hands of a man now being persued by the police. The chorus is bluesy and given strong emphasis by John's guitar.
WOMAN WITHOUT LOVE: This tender ballad finds Darrell not being able to return the love of his woman and condemning himself for it. The song is a fine example of the sympathy that usually underlies country ballads.
JIMMY JACOB: Jimmy Jacob is the latest fling for Johnny's fickles woman and Mr. Darrell is issuing fair warning that Old Jim better enjoy himself before she moves on to the next one. The warning is in a good natured and philosophical vein.
I AIN'T BUYING: Even though Johnny's unfaithful wife could lie the birds out of the trees, he's making it crystal clear (via the up tempo route) that he's not buying a word of it.
THE WORLD I USED TO KNOW: Employing a high scale and a soft tempo Darrell gives this popular Rod McKuen number the warmth and understanding it deserves.
MAGGIE'S AT THE LINCOLN PARK INN: Morals and desire go at each other head to head in this cradle rocking lament about a man who is torn between the love of family and the girl in the title.
WHY YOU BEEN GONE SO LONG: The title song is a fast and funky semi-Rock selection that could very easily accompany a motion picture motorcycle race.
HUNGRY EYES: The theme of this anguished ballad is the love and work that two parents put into life without ever seeing a great deal of tangible results. The way Johnny sings this song, they could very well be his own folks.
THE HOUSE ON THE HILL: Returning to a place where you once shared love and finding it empty can only bring pain and sorrow and this ballad sums it all up in no uncertain terms.
AIN'T THAT LIVIN': The album closes with a sort of everyman dream, the desire to be welcome somewhere, sheltered and above all, loved.