John Anderson

Unfortunately John Anderson's Easy Money has nothing to do with the epic 1983 Rodney Dangerfield film by the same name. Fortunately John Rich (of Big & Rich fame) produced this album to sound like a southern soundtrack that would well accompany a roadhouse brawl or any other engagement involving fisticuffs ignited by fightin' words. The sappy "A Woman Knows" veers away from the hell-raising honky-tonk rock to salt up the beer mugs with cowboy tears. "Funky Country" is as unsettling as walking in on your father dancing, but "Willie's Guitar" makes up for it with a cameo by the Red Headed Stranger.

Aiding Shelton along with George Jones on Shelton's finale is new traditionalist stalwart
Anderson, returned to the label of his Eighties heyday by producer John Rich of Big and
Rich. Rich co-composed five songs, most notably the pre-breakup "A Woman Knows" and
the rambunctious "Brown Liquor." This is a committed set, but Rich is overextended, and
Anderson, 51, needs zippier material than he used to. On its finale, Willie Nelson... More >

New traditionalist stalwart Anderson finally returns to the label of his '80s heyday, aided by producer John Rich of Big & Rich. Rich also co-composed five songs, most notably the pre-breakup "A Woman Knows" and the rambunctious "Brown Liquor." This is a committed set, but Rich is overextended, and the fifty-two-year-old Anderson needs zippier material than he used to. On its finale, Willie and Merle themselves come to the rescue--a little too late. (Grade - ***)