Blake Shelton - Blake Shelton's Barn And Grill (2004) [Hi-Res]

Blake Shelton's third album showcases a young country singer/songwriter with a penchant for storytelling and a willingness to mix poignancy and humor. On the opening track, 'Some Beach,' Shelton engages in a lighthearted romp highlighting the Jimmy Buffett influence that seemed to become more and more prevalent among country artists in the early 2000s.

A tropical lilt is also present in the self-effacing 'On a Good Day,' which goes so far as to flirt with a reggae groove. While Shelton delves into deeper emotions on 'When Somebody Knows You That Well' and the grandly unfolding 'The Bartender,' perhaps the most striking moment on „Barn And Grill“ is the closing song, 'I Drink.' Penned by cult-favorite alt-country songwriter Mary Gauthier, it deftly traces a drinking problem back to a troubled childhood and an alcoholic father, with no sentimentalism whatsoever, using punchy, sardonic songcraft to deliver a powerful message that could very easily have come off heavy-handed. It's a fine way to end an album, and a hopeful sign of what could be around the corner on Shelton's fourth.

Blake Shelton, acoustic guitar, vocals
Terry McMillan, harmonica, Jew's harp, whistle
John Willis, acoustic guitar
Bryan Sutton, acoustic guitar
Byrd Burton, acoustic guitar
Brent Rowan, electric guitar, bass
Sonny Garrish, steel guitar
Paul Franklin, steel guitar, lap steel guitar
Connie Ellisor, violin
David Davidson, violin
David Angell, violin
Rob Hajacos, fiddle
Kris Wilkinson, viola
Carole Rabinowitz-Neuen, cello
Jonathan Yudkin, violin, fiddle, viola, cello
Mike Rojas, piano
Gordon Mote, piano
Tim Lauer, Hammond b-3 organ, Wurlitzer organ
Bobby Braddock, Wurlitzer organ, synthesizer, mini-Moog synthesizer
Alison Prestwood, bass
Shannon Forest, drums
Ed Seay, cymbals
Shawn Simpson, shaker
Danny Myrick, background vocals
Curtis Young, background vocals
John Wesley Ryles, background vocals
Melodie Crittenden, background vocals
Paul Overstreet, background vocals
Wes Hightower, background vocals
Blue Miller, background vocals
Dennis Wilson, background vocals
Carl Jackson, background vocals

Tracklist:
01. Blake Shelton - Some Beach (3:25)
02. Blake Shelton - Nobody but Me (2:39)
03. Blake Shelton - Good Old Boy, Bad Old Boyfriend (3:03)
04. Blake Shelton - Love Gets in the Way (3:31)
05. Blake Shelton - Goodbye Time (3:23)
06. Blake Shelton - Cotton Pickin' Time (3:16)
07. Blake Shelton - What's on My Mind (3:06)
08. Blake Shelton - When Somebody Knows You That Well (3:41)
09. Blake Shelton - On a Good Day (3:35)
10. Blake Shelton - The Bartender (3:17)
11. Blake Shelton - I Drink (3:29)