Music review: Blake Shelton – ‘Red River Blue’
?”This may come out a little crazy,” warns Blake Shelton on the irresistibly catchy “Honey Bee” from his latest studio album. For “Red River Blue,” Shelton delivers a satisfying assortment of traditional blue-collar arrangements, rollicking party numbers and some sentimental ballads guaranteed to tug at the heartstrings.
The Oklahoma good ole boy has been on a bit of a roll this year. Shelton married Miranda Lambert in May, making the couple the new dynamic duo of country music. Shelton also served as one of the coaches on NBC’s “The Voice,” and he knows a little about selecting a tune and singing it to perfection. The charming “God Gave Me You” and “Over” focus on Shelton’s knack for nailing a love song to win women over. Faster numbers like “Get Some,” “Good Ole Boys” and “Hey” are slathered with Shelton’s bad boy charm and penchant for a good time as he sings, “Turn the guitars up and raise them cups.”
“I’m Sorry” is an overpowering song about hurt, heartbreak and the failure to forgive as Shelton and Martina McBride pair up for a touch of pure country gold. Not to be overshadowed, Lambert joins her husband on the title track with its beautifully simplistic delivery.
After hearing two of country music’s most promising voices smolder together in a wave of emotion and passion, one can’t help but wonder when the pair will release an entire album together. For now, fans will have to be content to enjoy Shelton at the peak of his career going it alone.
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