Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers "Pilgrimage" Album Review
By Scott Sexton
"Pilgrimage"
If there ever was an album that deserved a hundred stars, this would be it. Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers make up one thing that we as Americans can truly call ours and that is country music. There are legends and then there are icons, and you guessed it, they are icons!
One thing is for sure, when people talk about their favorite artists in country music, The Gatlin Brothers are bound to come up somewhere in the conversation. Another well known fact is simple; these guys have been out of the spotlight for way too long. Their harmonies, their talent, and their love for the music industry have been missed by millions across the globe until now. With the release of their latest album "Pilgrimage," The Gatlin Brothers cover everything from their classic sounds and even expand on some interesting new sounds that will blow you mind!
From the second this record starts, it is clear that The Gatlins have grown over the years, and with the help of this album, they will now be considered true legends in country music as well as historians and sound keepers. One interesting angle that Larry decided to take was narrating the record and giving the fans some inside information before going into some of the best music anyone could ask for.
"The Pilgrim: I Never Had A Big Brother" introduces this record and sets the mood for every tune. Larry goes into detail on his thoughts and memories of the late, great Johnny Cash. It also lets the listener get prepared for a couple tracks that will grab anyone's attention. "Sweet Becky Walker" is a beautiful song that resembles the sounds that Larry Gatlin had as a solo artist. The musical arrangement and the strong vocals that are presented in this outstanding love song will have you wishing the song would never end.
"Penny Annie" has some of the best acoustics that will stop anyone in their tracks. It is about a girl who would dance every year at the local fair. After years of innocent dancing, she made her way to the bars and then that leads to worse things such as drugs and prostitution. There is a sense of lonesomeness in every word, yet somehow, it can relate to anyone who gives it a chance. We have all had our ups and downs and known others who have had it much worse. It is sad how some people choose the low roads.
"The Pilgrim: My Own Personal Pilgrimage" is the next chapter that can be heard. It shows an inside look on how hard the oil industry is. "Black Gold" is about a man who spends his life drilling for oil, yet no matter how hard he works, he is working too much and it is chasing his better half away. The modern sound this track offers if awesome, yet there is a classic feel in The Gatlin's voices. Sheer perfection is the only way to sum it up.
"Come Back To Texas" and "Handsome Young Gringo" are two more tracks that make this chapter whole. Both of them are equally great. Honestly folks this record is only halfway in and it is already worth a million bucks!
"The Pilgrim: Country Music Will Never Be The Same” is The Gatlin Brothers special dedication to country music and the people who have made it what it is today. The first single off this record to be released to country radio was written as a special tribute of sorts to the "Man in Black," Johnny Cash. The lyrics are to die for and if you listen closely, you will recognize the music as well.
Moving things right along "I've Done Enough Dying Today" is a typical country song that is about a love that has gone wrong. It describes how both parties confront the fact that they are both alone once again. Larry truly shows off his vocal talents on this track.
"The Pilgrim: Now It's Your Turn" offers a tune that is a personal favorite over anything on this record. "Say, Nashville Wadda Ya Say" is perhaps the most humble song ever written. Without giving too much away, sometimes people out grow certain things in their life and simply want to expand and try something new. You can't fault someone for this, it is something that they need to do and will not be complete until they have tried it. Well, that is pretty much what Larry is describing as he is singing about making his way back into the country music scene after being gone for so many years. He admits to certain mistakes and who can fault him for any of them? This song is a masterpiece, a work of art, and something we can all live by while trying to get through this crazy journey we call life.
"The Pilgrim: He Was There In Spirit” offers the listener a different aspect of Larry Gatlin that most of us has never seen. After hearing the tracks "If I Ever See Utah Again" and "American's That's Who," it is clear Larry hold's his country close to his heart, along with everything in it.
Wrapping things up with the final chapter, "The Pilgrim: Little Tin Cup," you can hear the final track "A Man Can't Live With A Broken Heart." It starts off slow, but speeds up a bit and describes how rough life can be when living it alone.
Album Tracks:
1. The Pilgrim: I Never Had A Big Brother
2. Sweet Becky Walker
3. Penny Annie
4. The Pilgrim: My Own Personal Pilgrimage
5. Black Gold
6. Come Back To
7. Handsome Young Gringo
8. The Pilgrim: Country Music Will Never Be The Same
9. Johnny Cash Is Dead (And His House Burned Down)
10. I’ve Done Enough Dying Today
11. The Pilgrim: Now It’s Our Turn
12. Say,
13. The Pilgrim: He Was the In Spirit
14. If I Ever See
15. He Bought Her Back
16. American’s That’s Who
17. Fill Me
18. The Pilgrim: Little Tin Cup
19. A Man Can’t Live With A Broken Heart
