You Won't Ever Be Lonely (CD - 1999)

Personnel: Andy Griggs (vocals); B. James Lowry (acoustic guitar); Jerry McPherson (electric guitar); Russ Pahl, Jeff King, Reggie Young (guitar); Paul Franklin (pedal & lap steel guitars); Charles Cushman (5-string banjo); Larry Franklin (mandolin, fiddle); Stuart Duncan (fiddle); Jimmy Nichols (piano, keyboards, background vocals); Richard "Spady" Brannan (bass); Paul Leim (drums, percussion); Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, Larry Marrs, Tammy Sullivan, Curtis Wright, Curtis Young (background vocals).

Recorded at Starstruck Studios, Nashville, Tennessee.

All tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology.

Personnel: Jimmy Nichols (keyboards, background vocals).

Recording information: Starstuck Studios, Nashvill, TN.

Andy Griggs' debut album is a tough sounding slice of modern country that, although far from raw, wisely avoids much of the ultra-sappiness that often taints the worst of the genre. Griggs has a wonderfully warm, deep, gospel-tinged voice that sometimes recalls Alan Jackson, but with less hillbilly twang. The material here is pretty strong; it sounds like Grigg and his producer really made an effort to weed out the throwaway Nashville pap, instead favoring more substantial fare in the tradition of other slightly left-of-center artists like Aaron Tippin and the Warren Brothers. Standout tracks include "Waitin' On Sundown," which wouldn't sound out of place on a Charlie Daniels Band or old Alabama album, and "Shine On Me," a duet with Waylon Jennings. That said, You Won't Ever Be Lonley, like 90 percent of the country that emerges from the Nashville major label machine, is bogged down by samey production and too-perfect playing. It's especially a shame in this case, considering the strength of many of the songs and Griggs' obvious talent. Although there is a nice rock edge happening in some places, nobody ever really takes any chances or embraces individuality in the manner that makes classic country so classic. Jennings' appearance underscores this fact, as his voice has a presence that completely transcends the album's limitations. It would be nice to see what Andy Griggs could do in a situation like Rick Trevino's appearances on the Los Super Seven albums, where his fine voice could be framed by rougher, more sympathetic music. ~ Pemberton Roach

YOU WON'T EVER BE LONELY, the debut by Louisiana native Andy Griggs, comes complete with great production, some fine songwriting and, most impressively, a personal endorsement from the legendary Waylon Jennings. Jennings' outlaw spirit is all over YOU'LL NEVER BE LONELY--the CD features Griggs' version of his #1 hit "Ain't Livin' Long Like This," as well as a duet with the man himself. But Griggs' take on the sound Waylon pioneered is a distinctly mellower one. Though Griggs gets gritty 'n lowdown on rockers like "A Side of Me" and "Ain't Done Nothing Wrong," he shows his romantic side on numbers like "You'll Never Be Lonely," "She's More" and the wistful "I Miss You the Most."

He shines as the narrator of the story song "Waiting On Sundown," skillfully spinning a tale of an abused wife's flight to freedom. But the highlight of the disc is "Shine On Me," the duet with Jennings. It's a gorgeous song in which the two men salute the redemptive powers of true love without ever getting maudlin. This rough-but-romantic stance is the true legacy Griggs has inherited from the outlaws, and he wears it well on YOU WON'T EVER BE LONELY. minimize