Chris Cagle (2003)

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.
Personnel: Chris Cagle (vocals, acoustic guitar); Mike Noble, John Willis (acoustic guitar); Ilya Toshinsky (electric, resonator & classical guitars, banjo); John Carroll (electric guitar); Jonathan Yudkin (mandolin, mandocello, fiddle, cello, octophone); Gary Smith (keyboards); Robert Wright (bass, background vocals); Chris McHugh (drums, percussion, programming); Shannon Forrest (drums, percussion).
This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.
Personnel: John Willis, Michael Noble (acoustic guitar); Ilya Toshinsky (electric guitar, classical guitar, resonator guitar, banjo); Jon Carroll (electric guitar); Jonathan Yudkin (mandocello, mandolin, fiddle, cello, strings); Gary Smith (strings); Robert Wright (bass guitar, background vocals); Chris McHugh, Shannon Forrest (drums, percussion); Steve Turner (drums).
Audio Mixer: Craig White.
Recording information: Crime Scene Studios; Curb Studios.
Photographer: Marina Chavez.
Despite seeing a promising career almost get capsized after his original label sank under the weight of corporate restructuring, Chris Cagle bounced back with a self-titled sophomore effort that hints at an effusive romantic side beneath his rough-and-tumble, blue-collar side. A good indication of how lovestruck he can get reverberates through the leadoff single "What a Beautiful Day," where Bruce Hornsby-like piano accompaniment pushes along this chronological layout of a successful relationship. The sparsely arranged "Look At What I've Done" with its mournful fiddle and crying string section sits at the other end of the spectrum as a busted-up affair lies in shards.
"Just Love Me" finds the progressive-minded country crooner pleading for love despite his shortcomings, "I'd Be Lying" deals with overcoming male pride to reveal true feelings and "Growin' Love" ties it all up in a neat fairytale ending. It's not all swooning and ballads, though, as Cagle manages to kick it up a notch on the rowdy twangfest "Chicks Dig It." minimize