I admit that I'm a longtime fan of Pure Prairie League so I was glad to hear about this new studio album - the first in almost 20 years. I am old school so I got the CD and the first thing I noticed was the familiar cowboy drawing on the cover. Classic.
Pure Prairie League - Back on Track
photo credit: Laura Schneider
There are 12 tracks and here are a few of my favorites. When I started playing the first track, "The Beginning", it was like I was listening to PPL from decades ago. That could have been a track on the classic Two Lane Highway album."Picture Perfect Life" is a favorite. It shows off their musical chops and you know it's PPL when you hear that pedal steel guitar. The liner notes confirm that it's founding member John David Call on the pedal steel guitar.
"I Believe I Could Fall in Love with Loving You", is destined to become a song that couple's claim as "our song." I wouldn't be surprised to hear it as a first dance at a wedding.
Some of the tracks - "Skippin' Stones" with its bluesy driving beat and "I'm the Lucky One" are perfect for cruising in the car with the windows down and the music cranking. "Price of Love" even features a Jamaican steel drum sound! That was a pleasant surprise.
The cover of Little Feat's "Six Feet of Snow" is a treat and really showcases the music chops and harmonies.
There's a lot of variety on the album but it all has that PPL sound. Let's face it, the whole world loved/s "Amie" (and "Early Morning Riser" and "Two Lane Highway" and …) but then different tastes have favorite tracks. My old favorites like "I'll Change Your Flat Tire, Merle" or "Pickin' to Beat the Devil" may not be yours but there is always something for everyone on a PPL album and this new issue is the same way.
This latest edition of Pure Prairie League with this new album brings back the Pure Prairie League formula - great musicianship and harmonies combined with catchy melodies.
Pure Prairie League
photo credit: Laura Schneider
My two big questions are why aren't they in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and when are they playing in Cleveland?
Visit the Pure Prairie league website for this and other albums as well as tour info, merch and social media links.
Review by Dan Hanson
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