Toby Keith - Big Dog Daddy
Album review by: Cheryl Harvey Hill
On
the insert that came with the album it says, "Big Dog Daddy by
Toby Keith -- By. As in, sung by, written by, released by,
produced by..." and that pretty much sums it up. Big Dog
Daddy is proof that this multi-platinum music superstar can do
all that and a whole lot more. Keith is a methodical troubadour
who has perfected the art of striking a harmonious chord within
the human spirit through his music.
"You get out what you put
in" Keith says, "I've always been the hardest worker,
and prided myself on that. I may not be the biggest star around,
but nobody will ever out work me. For the first time ever, I've
made an album that I can listen to up and down and never go, 'Man,
I wish I didn't let them do that.' If I didn't like the way
something sounded, I fixed it." This is obviously a method he
should adhere to in the future since the whole album, from first
cut to last, is vocally, lyrically and musically sound. "High
Maintenance Woman," the first single to be released from the
album, is also the fastest rising single of his career and is
already sitting in the top ten on the charts.
This album has the Toby stamp
all over it, in it, and through it and, trust me on this, this is
a good thing. He proudly states that he even sang his own
harmonies; something he had not done before. If you have any
doubts how well Keith can harmonize with himself, just listen
closely on "White Rose," "High Maintenance
Woman," and "Love Me If You Can."
One of my favorite cuts is
"Love Me If You Can." Keith says, "That song is
just me. I get roped into these political arguments, but the truth
is I don't see things right or left, I see them right or
wrong." You will understand why he says that if you listen
carefully to all the words of this song.
Sometimes I think the war is
necessary / Every night I pray for peace on earth / I hand out my
dollars to the homeless / but believe that every able soul should
work / I'm a man of my convictions / Call me wrong / Call me right
/ Gonna bring my better angels to every fight / You may not like
where I'm goin' / but you sure know where I stand / Hate me if you
want to / Love me if you can
Another track that really stood
out for me is "Walk it Off," in fact, this might be my
favorite cut on this album. Keith has absolutely perfected the art
of infusing the lyrics with so much heartfelt passion and I love
the softness in his voice, and the sincerity in his delivery, on
this song. No one can do this quite like him. He has a way of
blind-siding your psyche with that tremor in his voice and
bringing you, effortlessly, to your emotional knees. And when it
comes to great lyrics and clever hooks, I'm certain that Keith and
Scotty Emerick are two of the most prolific songwriting partners
in any genre of music.
When asked why he hasn't
produced his own album before Keith says the only reason is that
he simply didn't have the time since he was busy opening record
labels, restaurants, and working on movies. Well, after listening
to this album from start to finish, you will be hoping he makes
time to produce some more.
