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Dusty
Drake - Self-titled debut album
Album Review by: Cheryl H. Hill, Staff Journalist
This self-titled CD starts off with an upbeat ditty titled "Too Wet
To Plow" and, for a moment, I thought I had accidentally put in a
Montgomery Gentry CD by mistake. Don't misunderstand me; I intend this
to be a compliment. In fact, it is pretty impressive if one individual
can manage to convey the power, quality and passion of a strong duo --
and one of the very best duos at that. Not bad, not bad at all.
Ironically, the very next song on the album is titled "Not Bad For
A Good Ole Boy," and I totally agree with that observation. This is
most likely a befitting, although modest, evaluation of Dusty
Drake.
All of the songs on this album have, intentionally or unintentionally, a
worthy message or moral but the most powerful song is "One Last
Time." The last line of the song is, "as the pilot tries to
pull the plane out of a dive... one... last..." While waiting for
the last word of this song, which never comes, you suddenly realize that
you are holding your breath. Wow! The power of this song is comparable
to a free-fall from one of those wild adventure rides; only here, you
aren't anticipating the fall and that makes the jolt more powerful when
you hit the reality wall. My understanding is that this song was written
about 9-11, but it illustrates a dynamic lesson about every day life.
Not everyone gets the opportunity, in his or her last few moments on
earth, to make one last connection to the person they love. This song
will unquestionably make you do some reevaluating of your own life. You
might even find yourself picking up the phone to make a long over due
call.
Drake had a hand in writing several of the songs on this album including
the cavalier "Ain't Nobody's Business." Although I think the
song is, in part autobiographical, the album insert reveals a much
gentler side of Mr. Drake and it is just as impressive as his vocal and
songwriting talents.
 After
nominating his wife for "Best Supporting Musician's Wife"
(which he predicts she would easily win -- if there were such an award)
he goes on to say, "God sent us two angels in our sons. I am
convinced the only reason I am their daddy is because God knew she would
be their mommy." Okay, folks, these ahhhhhhhh-inspiring words come
from a man with long hair, tattoos, and a dad-gum big ole earring who
claims to be part of "a bunch of thirty-something-year-old guys
going on eighteen." All things considered, this translates to only
one thing: the man is an absolute, bonafide, authentic born artist ...
musician/poet/singer.
I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of his album, including the liner
notes and the photos on the liner. I agree wholeheartedly with his
simple philosophy, "Ain't nothing worth havin' if it comes too
easy." Drake has the vocal proclivity and the kind of voice that
penetrates your heart and dives deep into your emotions. Since he
already knows that stardom doesn't come easy, and has already
demonstrated he is willing to work hard to achieve, I predict he will
definitely find his way to the top of the ladder of success
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