I'm a Texan
| I'm a Texan | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | October 15, 1993[1] | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Label | HighTone | |||
| Producer | Roy Dea | |||
| Gary Stewart chronology | ||||
| ||||
I'm a Texan is an album by the American musician Gary Stewart, released in 1993.[2][3] Stewart was born in Kentucky and resided in Florida; the album title is an acknowledgement of his popularity in Texas.[4] Governor Ann Richards declared Stewart an honorary Texan after the release of the album.[5] He supported it with a North American tour.[6]
Production
Recorded in Nashville, the album was produced by Roy Dea.[7][8] Tracy Nelson provided harmony and backing vocals on some of the tracks.[9] "It's True" is the only song written for the album by Stewart.[10] "One Night" is a cover of the song made famous by Elvis Presley.[11] "Draggin' Leather" was written by Mickey Newbury.[12] "Dark End of the Street" is an interpretation of the James Carr song.[12] "Those Memories" is a cover of the song most associated with Bill Monroe.[13] "Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor" was written by Johnny Horton.[14] Charlie McCoy played harmonica on "Stompin' Grounds".[15]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Lincoln Journal Star | [16] |
| Orlando Sentinel | [10] |
| The Philadelphia Inquirer |  [17] |
The Orlando Sentinel opined that "Stewart's mile-wide vibrato, rich tone and soulful phrasing are as affecting as ever."[10] The Los Angeles Times said that "what defines Stewart's vision of country—beyond his signature spine-tingling vocal quaver—is his willingness to travel the highway of hurt, and face the pain of living here in the real world."[18] Rolling Stone noted that "much of the material finds Stewart's quaver in its usual shot-and-beer setting (where his voice sounds like hands shaking after too much whiskey)".[19]
The Dallas Morning News stated that "Stewart's quivering voice, so fragile and steamy, is not a pretty thing... But then neither are the subjects he sings about: alcoholism, infidelity, sorrow and regret."[20] The Gazette called the album "a solid package of country-rockers, honky tonkers and weepers."[15] The Fresno Bee labeled it "high-octane honky-tonk", and considered it one of 1993's best country albums.[21]
In 1999, Dave McElfresh of Tucson Weekly listed I'm a Texan as the seventh best "low selling" album of the 1990s.[22]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Come On In" | 2:51 |
| 2. | "I'm a Texan" | 2:50 |
| 3. | "Stompin' Grounds" | 3:50 |
| 4. | "Hand Me Another" | 3:18 |
| 5. | "Draggin' Leather" | 3:56 |
| 6. | "It's True" | 4:07 |
| 7. | "Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor" | 2:52 |
| 8. | "Dark End of the Street" | 4:24 |
| 9. | "Make It a Double" | 3:07 |
| 10. | "One Night" | 3:38 |
| 11. | "Those Memories" | 4:25 |
| 12. | "Two More Fools" | 3:46 |
References
- 1 2 "I'm a Texan Review by Michael McCall". AllMusic. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
- ↑ Wolff, Kurt (2000). Country Music: The Rough Guide. Rough Guides. p. 377.
- ↑ The Encyclopedia of Country Music. Oxford University Press. 2012. p. 508.
- ↑ Lewis, Randy (January 2, 2004). "Gary Stewart, 58: Sang Country Tunes Hinting at His Own Demons". Los Angeles Times. p. B11.
- ↑ Hoover, Carl (October 7, 1994). "Music". Waco Tribune-Herald. p. 8B.
- ↑ "Gary Stewart, Friday...". Houston. Houston Chronicle. November 4, 1993. p. 3.
- ↑ Athey, William (February 8, 1994). "Reviews". The Forum. Salt Lake City. p. 7.
- ↑ "Album Reviews". Billboard. Vol. 105, no. 49. December 4, 1993. p. 56.
- ↑ McLeese, Don (November 11, 1993). "Gary Stewart I'm a Texan". Onward. Austin American-Statesman. p. 6.
- 1 2 3 Gettelman, Parry (December 17, 1993). "Gary Stewart, I'm a Texan". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 6.
- ↑ Martin, Dale (January 23, 1994). "Good ol' boys kick up their heels". The Victoria Advocate. p. 3E.
- 1 2 Hoekstra, Dave (December 19, 1993). "Real Country with Real Integrity". Show. Chicago Sun-Times. p. 7.
- ↑ Calmen, Jean (November 22, 1993). "Country". Detroit Free Press. p. 3E.
- ↑ Miller, Dennis (January 27, 1994). "Music". Time Out. Star-Gazette. p. 4.
- 1 2 Hogan, Dick (December 31, 1993). "BoDeans, Stewart". Weekend. The Gazette. Cedar Rapids. p. 5.
- ↑ Wolgamott, L. Kent (December 26, 1993). "Country". Lincoln Journal Star. p. 6H.
- ↑ DeLuca, Dan (December 5, 1993). "Country". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. K10.
- ↑ Lewis, Randy (December 23, 1993). "New Pick of the Week". OC Live. Los Angeles Times. p. 5.
- ↑ McLeese, Don (February 10, 1994). "Country & Western". Rolling Stone. No. 675. p. 46.
- ↑ Corcoran, Michael (December 26, 1993). "Gary Stewart I'm a Texan". The Dallas Morning News. p. 7C.
- ↑ Robison, Ken (February 27, 1994). "Greetings from the Grammys". The Fresno Bee. p. H3.
- ↑ McElfresh, Dave (December 23, 1999). "Record Highs – Our Reviewers Look Back on the Decade's Best Albums". Music. Tucson Weekly.