Guess Things Happen That Way

Amazon.com
Here's the second album in 26 years by Nashville's enduring maverick and eccentric--a 73-year-old "genius-visionary" in the words of some, and "professional fool" in his own words. It opens with an uptempo version of the Stones' "No Expectations" that's eventually goosed along by a soul chorus and horn-like keyboards, and includes Cowboy's own interpretations of songs he wrote that others made famous, most notably the great title song and "Ballad of a Teenage Queen" (both associated with Johnny Cash). Anyone who writes "S-E-R-I-O-U-S-L-Y" in this day and age clearly has undeniable love for real country in its various guises, however oddly he chooses to express it, and the accordion-oiled "Drinking Carrot Juice" suggests he probably doesn't care what you think anyhow. Such tracks more than compensate for a couple looney-tunes jazz missteps, and you've got to hand it to someone who sings like Walter-Brennan-only-carrying-a-tune and plays Dobro so sweet and simple. --John Morthland

Guess Things Happen That Way,Cowboy Jack Clement,Dualtone Music Group,Country,Pop,Traditional Country

Average customer rating: I Guess Jack Just Sings Them This Way I've waited 25 years for this CD..... At long last, a Jack Clement recording. +3/4 -- Charming set from country and rock pioneer

Guess Things Happen That Way Cowboy Jack Clement Manufacturer: Dualtone Music Group ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music Similar Items: Streets of Sin Lonesome, On'ry And Mean: A Tribute to Waylon Jennings Unforgettable Johnny Cash - Live From Austin TX Workbench Songs ASIN: B0002TY2I0 Release Date: 2004-09-14

Tracks:

1. No Expectations
2. Guess Things Happen That Way
3. There Ain't A Tune
4. It'll Be me
5. S-E-R-I-O-U-S-L-Y
6. Dreaming My Dreams With You
7. Every Place I've Ever Been
8. Trapped In An Old Country Song
9. Ballad Of A Teenage Queen
10. Drinking Carrot Juice
11. Leavin' Is The Lovin' Thing To Do
12. Off To Join The World

Product Description

1. No Expectations
2. Guess Things Happen That Way w/ Johnny Cash
3. There Ain't A Tune
4. It'll Be Me
5. S-E-R-I-O-U-S-L-Y
6. Dreaming My Dreams With You
7. Every Place I've Ever Been
8. Trapped In An Old Country Song
9. Ballad Of A Teenage Queen w/ Johnny Cash
10. Drinking Carrot Juice
11. Leavin' Is The Lovin' Thing
12. Off To See The World




Format: CD

Amazon.com

Here's the second album in 26 years by Nashville's enduring maverick and eccentric--a 73-year-old "genius-visionary" in the words of some, and "professional fool" in his own words. It opens with an uptempo version of the Stones' "No Expectations" that's eventually goosed along by a soul chorus and horn-like keyboards, and includes Cowboy's own interpretations of songs he wrote that others made famous, most notably the great title song and "Ballad of a Teenage Queen" (both associated with Johnny Cash). Anyone who writes "S-E-R-I-O-U-S-L-Y" in this day and age clearly has undeniable love for real country in its various guises, however oddly he chooses to express it, and the accordion-oiled "Drinking Carrot Juice" suggests he probably doesn't care what you think anyhow. Such tracks more than compensate for a couple looney-tunes jazz missteps, and you've got to hand it to someone who sings like Walter-Brennan-only-carrying-a-tune and plays Dobro so sweet and simple. --John Morthland

Customer Reviews:

I Guess Jack Just Sings Them This Way.......2005-03-25

"Cowboy Jack Clement" . . . i was always aware of his songwriting contributions . . . but i bought this cd "Guess Things Happen That Way" because i remembered that his "voice" and vocal style were reminicent of a long time favorite of mine, the late Burl Ives.

I was so pleasantl surprised to hear the voice of the late Jhnny Cash make an appearance on "Guess Things Happen That Way". As a matter of fact the mannert in which it is used made me just want to smile!

And a remembered the Johnn Cash recording of "Ballad Of A Teenage Queen" . . . it is so good to hear the man who wrote it, deliver it! -- pure heaven!

It is ssuch a great experience to hear "country music" the wa countr music was meant to be. If you've forgotten just how great this genre of music and song reall is, get this cd and give it one play . . . ou will spin it many many more times . . . it may never leave your cd player again.

My hat's off to Cowboy Jack Clement . . . and i say to him, "thank you for the great great songs and for these great great performances captured now forever abd for future generations to hear and enjoy and sing along with. Thank you, Mr. Jack Clement. :)

I've waited 25 years for this CD............2004-12-18

As one of Jack Clement's number one fans, this album is a welcome addition to my music library. It 's perfect for those who aren't big fans of country music radio -- where every song sounds exactly like the one before. This CD is anything but that!

From the man who penned the words ...

"Cowboys have to fall in love, get hurt and all that bit, let their hearts hang out so they can write you all a hit. So ladies if they ask you, don't refuse. Let's all help the Cowboy sing the blues."

....this CD is full of songs that he wrote from personal experiences and is probably one of the most autobiographical recordings out today -- although I'm not sure he intended it that way.

Clement's voice is so soulful and touching on the ballads, and despite being tempered by years of smoking, one knows he's singing from deep in his heart. His voice touches you. I wish he'd mixed his voice a bit differently on "No Expectations", but the musicial arrangement is fun and entertaining.

Listen well to "Guess Things Happen That Way,", "There Ain't a Tune," "It'll be Me," and Dreaming My Dreams With You" and I promise you'll become a fan too. Then there is the Dixieland arrangement of "Leavin' Is The Lovin' Thing," a song with special meaning for this reviewer. It brings tears to my eyes everytime.

Every year, I pick one record to give for Christmas gifts. This is the one for 2004. Buy it today. Give it to all your friends! Spread some Cowboy cheer for the new year.

At long last, a Jack Clement recording........2004-11-11

If you have followed C/W music for anytime at all, you know who Jack Clement is. A songwriter par excellence. Several songs have been recorded hits for Jerry Lee Lewis, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash etc. and are included here. He produced albums for several Nashville stars for many years. My favorite Waylon Jennings album, "Dreaming My Dreams" was a masterpiece which he produced. He also traveled with the "Highwaymen" (Cash, Nelson, Jennings and Kristofferson) on tour and is Waylon's brother-in-law. Always neat to hear songs by the writer as many artists versions differ considerably.

+3/4 -- Charming set from country and rock pioneer.......2004-09-23

Clement's name is probably known to most music fans for his work as a producer and writer at Sun Records. His pen is the source of hits like "Guess Things Happen That Way" and "Ballad of a Teenage Queen" (both covered here), and his producer's desk the source of many of Johnny Cash's Sun-era recordings, as well as sides by Billy Lee Riley, Jerry Lee Lewis (who's Clement-penned "It'll Be Me" is also covered here), Waylon Jennings, Charley Pride and many others (including U2 in the '90s). As a performer, Clement's recorded very sporadically, with his last full length being 1987's "All I Want to Do in Life."

At 73, Clement's voice is a bit wobbly for the up-tempo tracks, but his expressiveness is captivating on the ballads, including the lovely waltz-time "There Ain't a Tune," the slow, introspective cover of "Dreaming My Dreams With You," and his own newly penned "Trapped in an Old Country Song." Ironically, his rendition of "Ballad of a Teenage Queen," punctuated by clips of Johnny Cash lifted from his American Recordings, is a simply produced affair, devoid of the backing singers Clement layered on Cash's Sun-era hit single. The album closes on a whimsical note with the circus-themed waltz, "Off to Join the World," also recently recorded by teen country sensation Blaine Larsen.

While a few tracks, including covers of "It'll Be Me" and the Rolling Stones' "No Expectations," find Clement unsuccessfully trying to out-sing a full electric band, the bulk of the album provides more gentle backing. With bass and drums as a guide, the touches of guitar, mandolin and steel provide perfect accompaniment for Clement and backing singers that include The Jordanaires. Clement may not have the pipes of those he wrote for and produced, but you can hear in his own work the energy and sense of adventure that he lent to those he worked with.

3-3/4 stars if allowed fractional ratings.

Average customer rating:

Guess Things Happen That Way Manufacturer: Original Sun Recordings ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music ASIN: B00066723G

Product Description

20 Tracks

Music Album:

1. Guitar Retrospective
2. Here Come the Derailers
3. High & Dry
4. High Lonesome Cowboy
5. Hillbilly Hero [Box set]
6. Honky Tonk Angel [Import]
7. Hoppy, Gene and Me
8. Hot Lunch
9. How Big 'A Boy Are Ya?, Vol. 1
10. I'm Little, But I'm Loud: The Little Jimmy Dickens Collection

Music Album