Farmers in a Changing World

Amazon.com
In 1994 a group of grizzled country and R&B veterans, led by Steve Ripley (a J.J. Cale and Leon Russell sideman), released a meticulous, bouncy record of neotraditional country and swampy rock that became the fastest-selling platinum album in history. They called themselves the Tractors, and despite a Christmas disc and a few cuts on tribute albums, the band hasn't been heard from since. Their full-length follow-up to The Tractors may be one of the year's best-sounding rock & roll or country albums: the mix all but hurls itself from the speakers and the playing sounds like craftsmen with their professional guard down. There are playful false starts and endings, greasy guitar licks--even some slide from Bonnie Raitt--ebullient piano, and warm, moaning horns. The band slaps its musical wizardry across boogie-based tunes--dance and old rock & roll are the lyrical themes--and the whole feels like a rockin' roadhouse blues album, a renegade homage to country rockers Jerry Lee Lewis and Delbert McClinton, and a joyful, spontaneous slice of American music. --Roy Kasten

Entertainment Weekly
The Tractors, whose '94 debut yielded a fresh hybrid of country, boogie-woogie, and blues, revisit the same fields but harvest a less substantial crop.

Farmers in a Changing World

Tracks:

I Wouldn't Tell You No Lie
Linda Lou
How Long Will It Take
Shortenin' Bread
World's Biggest Fool
Poor Boy Shuffle
With a Girl Like You
Elvis Thing
Way To Late
Foot Stomp Stompin'

Customer Reviews:

Copy of their first CD.......2007-06-27

Of course the songs are not exactly the same, but this is an exact copy
of their wonderful "the Tractors" CD that every music lover should own.
Therefore there's nothing new about this and at the and it's so
repetitive that it hurts the ears and I must admit I even couldn't
finish listening to it. I love honky tonk but not the "same" song 9
times in a row. The remaining one sure is a nice ballad and the only
highlight.

They're Simply Brilliant.......2004-02-19

This like their others is magic.Shortenin' Bread, Poor Boy Shuffle - just love them. I wish they would find time to visit downunder - its a great country and I for one would welcome them with open arms. Steve Ripleys voice just blows me away. I have just bought his solo CD and it too is brilliant. How do I get hold of Chicken Covers an album of kids songs?

Average customer rating:

These Tractors must have been tired.
Not their best
Over and Over..
"I can't stop my feet!"
THESE GUYS ARE GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Farmers in a Changing World
The Tractors
Manufacturer: Arista
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music

General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music

New Traditionalist | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music

General | Country | Styles | Music

Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music

Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Tractors
Fast Girl
Ripley
Have Yourself a Tractors Christmas
Big Night

ASIN: B00000DFUK
Release Date: 1998-11-03

Tracks:

I Wouldn't Tell You No Lie
Linda Lou
How Long Will It Take
Shortenin' Bread
The World's Biggest Fool
Poor Boy Shuffle
With A Girl Like You
The Elvis Thing/Mystery Train
Way Too Late
Foot Stomp Stompin'

Amazon.com

In 1994 a group of grizzled country and R&B veterans, led by Steve Ripley (a J.J. Cale and Leon Russell sideman), released a meticulous, bouncy record of neotraditional country and swampy rock that became the fastest-selling platinum album in history. They called themselves the Tractors, and despite a Christmas disc and a few cuts on tribute albums, the band hasn't been heard from since. Their full-length follow-up to The Tractors may be one of the year's best-sounding rock & roll or country albums: the mix all but hurls itself from the speakers and the playing sounds like craftsmen with their professional guard down. There are playful false starts and endings, greasy guitar licks--even some slide from Bonnie Raitt--ebullient piano, and warm, moaning horns. The band slaps its musical wizardry across boogie-based tunes--dance and old rock & roll are the lyrical themes--and the whole feels like a rockin' roadhouse blues album, a renegade homage to country rockers Jerry Lee Lewis and Delbert McClinton, and a joyful, spontaneous slice of American music. --Roy Kasten

Customer Reviews:

These Tractors must have been tired........2003-07-07

I've enjoyed the Tractors' first release, and this CD falls short of that effort. Farmers in a Changing World were simply left behind.

Not their best.......2002-01-11

The Tractors took over four years to put out this follow-up to their very successful debut album (a Christmas album and contributions to side projects like the Rolling Stones tribute set Stone Country came along in the meantime). Wish I could say it was worth the wait.

Farmers In A Changing World does get off to a lively start. Especially noteworthy is "Linda Lou," a toe-tappin_ New Orleans tale that recalls their one prior radio hit "Baby Likes To Rock It," and their take on the standard "Shortenin_ Bread" - a far funkier rendition than the one Ethel Mertz sang years ago on I Love Lucy. If the Tractors had been able to maintain the energy of those tracks, this CD would be more than fine. Half-way through, however, the pace slows down, and the Tractors' sound derails.

When the fun evaporates, the group_s liabilities start to become very apparent. Lead vocalist Steve Ripley_s voice (think of Tom Petty after throat surgery) is unique but possesses a woefully limited range that is incapable of conveying the sensitivity needed on a ballad like "The World_s Biggest Fool." The lyrics to most of the tracks are pretty lame as well, especially on "The Elvis Thing"- another tired tribute to the King which suffers furthur from a beat that plods along in seeming perpetuity.

While the musicianship is first-rate throughout (not a shocker, as all five are former session musicians), ultimately none of the material is remotely memorable. Next time out the Tractors should stick to what they do best: high-octane music with a complete emphasis on fun.

Over and Over.........2000-10-21

I don't normally get caught up in an album or a group ... but this one I "can't put down"... I travel a lot and it's always in my truck CD changer, along with a couple of their other albums! I can't get enough of these guys...

"I can't stop my feet!".......1999-03-28

Great to hear some old geezers (okay, they're not that old, but by today's music industry standards, they oughta be doin' the reunion thing by now) makin' some fine music. The Tractors know what they like, and they do as well as anyone. Stick to your roots, fellas!

THESE GUYS ARE GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......1999-03-06

The Tractors new Album is fantastic. These guys are good and you can tell they love what they do. Linda Lou, Shorten Bread, Worlds Biggest Fool, The Elvis Thing, should all be #1 hits. I could listen to them all day long.

Music Album:

Music Album