Coast Is Clear (CD - 1997)

Personnel: Tracy Lawrence (vocals); Rob Hajacos (various instruments); Mark Casstevens (acoustic & hi-string guitars); Darryl O'Donnell (acoustic guitar); Butch Davis (acoustic slide & electric guitars); Tom Baughman, Paul Franklin (steel guitar); Brent Mason (electric, gut-string & tic-tac guitars); Brent Rowan (electric guitar, mandolin); Bruce C. Bouton (pedal steel); Billy Cochran (fiddle); Dennis Burnside (piano, Hammond B-3 organ) Flip Anderson, Tony Harrell (piano, keyboards); Leon Watson, Dave Pomeroy, Glenn Worf (bass); Lonnie Wilson (drums, percussion); Eric Nelson, Milton Sledge (drums); Terry McMillan (percussion); Liana Manis, Deryl Dodd, Dennis Wilson, John Wesley Ryles (background vocals).

Producers: Don Cook, Flip Anderson, Tracy Lawrence.

Recorded at The Soundshop Studios and The Sony/ATV Tree Recording Studio, Nashville, Tennessee.

All tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology.

Personnel: Mark Casstevens (guitar, acoustic guitar); Lonnie Wilson (guitar, drums, percussion); Darryl O'Donnell (acoustic guitar); Butch Davis (electric guitar, slide guitar); Brent Mason (electric guitar, gut-string guitar); Brent Rowan (electric guitar, mandolin); Tom Baughman, Paul Franklin (steel guitar); Billy Cochran , Rob Hajacos (fiddle); Dennis Burnside, Flip Anderson, Tony Harrell (piano, keyboards); Eric Nelson, Milton Sledge (drums); Terry McMillan (percussion); Dennis Wilson , Deryl Dodd, John Wesley Ryles, Liana Manis (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Mike Bradley.

Recording information: Masterfonics, Nashville, TN; Sound Stage Studios, Nashville, TN; Soundshop Studios, Nashville, TN.

Photographer: Senor McGuire.

Unknown Contributor Role: Brent Mason .

The Coast Is Clear again demonstrates that Tracy Lawrence was one of the finest new honky tonkers of the '90s. Lawrence can wring tremendous emotion out of a song, adding nuances that give each line heart-tugging resonance. Unfortunately, his material is not the equal of his skills. Although there are bright spots, such as "Livin' in Black and White," about half of the record is saddled with pedestrian material performed without style. Try as he may, Lawrence cannot bring material of this level to life. Still, The Coast Is Clear remains a winning record, since Lawrence sings well no matter what the material, and when he is given a good song, the results are first-rate. ~ Thom Owens

This is a fine country record -- no real surprises, just a good balance of that instantly-identifiable, straight-ahead Nashville sound, and some colorful musical touches. Tunes like the catchy "How A Cowgirl Says Goodbye" and the anthemic "One Step Ahead of the Storm" highlight both Lawrence's effective, classic-country baritone, and the fine songwriting of a team headed up by producer Larry Boone. Lawrence really shines on the slower tunes, where he's able to wrap his vocal chords around a strong melody. "In a Moment of Weakness"--a tale of a man who almost falls into romantic temptation, but manages to hold on thanks to a phone call -- showcases Lawrence's ability to grab onto a song and make it his own. minimize