Kenny Chesney - Be As You Are

Kenny Chesney may work the Jimmy Buffett mojo a little too hard on his CMA Award-winning album, When the Sun Goes Down. But he comes by it naturally, having vacationed at Myrtle Beach as a child and today owning a home in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Now comes his all-out island salute, Be As You Are (Songs from an Old Blue Chair), which surprises only in its concentration on the restorative vibe of beachfront life rather than the bikinis and rum-soaked nights. Intimate and subdued, the album gets mandatorily frolicsome on "Guitars and Tiki Bars." But mostly it's a reflective look at the people, places, and passion that make up his south-of-the-equator equation. There are lovely moments here--the cocktail swirl of "Magic," the quiet eroticism of "Something Sexy in the Rain," and the faraway ache of "Somewhere in the Sun." Trouble is, Chesney, who wrote or cowrote all 13 tracks, ended up with enough material for only half a record, and then repeated many of his ideas (particularly the singling out of the émigrés who came to the islands to become whole again) to fill out the album. Add that shortcoming to the mellow sameness that prevails, and Be As You Are becomes less an album for that old blue chair than one for the hammock. --Alanna Nash

Recommended New Traditionalist Country Albums

No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problems	When the Sun Goes Down	Toby Keith, Greatest Hits, Vol. 1
Alan Jackson, A Lot About Living (And a Little 'Bout Love)	Alan Jackson, The Greatest Hits Collection	Toby Keith, How Do You Like Me Now?!

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~island gettaway~

Let me first start out by saying that this is totally different than Kenny's previous albums, because every song has a beachy feel of the islands, and is not radio-ready typical "pop-country". Not for everyone, however i absolutely love this CD - it is one of the best albums I have ever bought! Low key and laid back, this is island country at its best. Also, Kenny wrote every song on here, which really shows the talent he has for song-writing and why he originally came to Nashville as a song-writer. So many good songs, and so many true stories about people that Kenny has encountered in the islands.

"Old Blue Chair" and the title track "Be As You Are" seem to be the highlights on here, but there are plenty of other relaxing & soothing gems such as "Somewhere In The Sun" and "Sherry's Living In Paradise". I have listened to this album probably over a thousand times, and it never gets old. The songs take you to another place and another time - where there are no worries or problems. So peaceful and beachy, you can close your eyes and almost hear the ocean waves, feel the sun, and see your feet in the sand!

The last song on the CD sums up this album perfectly - it's an acoustic performance of "Old Blue Chair" with Kenny singing live on the beach with just him and his guitar - and you can hear the ocean waves crashing peacefully in the background. I can't say in words how amazing this CD is...all I can say is that you need to hear it yourself to understand...I highly recommended buying this album!!! Overall ~10/10~ November 30, 2008

This album + the beach + an iced cold drink = LIFE IS GOOD

This album is full of great songs!! My favorite is "Magic". It's a good mix of island music with a touch of the big band sounds of Frank Sinatra. Island Boy makes me appreciate being born on the Coast, hanging out at the barrier islands where it's "peaceful and serene". "Guitars and Tiki Bars makes you want to dance! When you can't get to the beach, just play this album! True Kenny fans will appreciate it! September 25, 2008

Loooovvvved it!!!

I spent a week in St. John recently. This album makes me feel like I'm right back there. Laid back and easy. And it's fun to hear the names of the places I recently was in the songs. It was cool to know he hung out in the same places I did. The music is so relaxed and smooth. Loved it! April 7, 2008

It takes me there

This is by far, my favorite Kenny Chesney CD to date. I know a lot of people have not liked his foray into island music (and away from contemporary country music) with this CD, but I applaud it! These songs are heartfelt, soulful, and moving and I can almost feel the sand between my toes and the waves lapping at my feet whenever I listen to it. Thanks Kenny, for these songs that always 'take me there' when I most need it. I hope you'll record more CD's like this in the future! December 6, 2007

my 5 pm music every Friday

I am not a Country Music fan. I listen to Classical and Blues and classic R&B.

BUT - I went on a Windjammer cruise in January 2007 to the BVI with my sister and her friends and one of our stops was Jost Van Dyck. We had lunch at Ivan's and they were playing this CD. I ordered it when I got home. It spoke to me and 6 months later, the call is even stronger.

I am in a high pressure job as Director of Sales Operations (not too far from Boston - "She's from Boston".......) for an international technology company and work from 6 am to 7 pm most days.

But Fridays, I make an exception - at 5 pm EST, I start this CD (it is always in my office CD player), pour myself a glass of wine and decompress as I say goodbye to my 200 daily emails and 4-5 daily conference calls.

It has made me truly start to seriously re-evaluate my priorities. Our kids are grown, we have no debt, I am well-compensated but so is my husband and my job is just to make a few people richer.....My only problem is that my husband cannot do his work remotely. Hmmmmmmmm

Take my advice and buy this CD to decompress.

June 19, 2007

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