His “Watermelon Crawl”, in the 90’s, finally broke the boundaries for country music, from, music for the over 50’s to, music for the youngsters, and if it wasn’t for “Ten Rounds with Jose Cuervo” we would never have realized how much fun it would be, dancing wearing cowboy hats and boots. Many of us had hoped that the protagonist of “Back To Texas” would be persuaded to return to Texas, and “The Keeper Of The Stars” made it a special day for so many people. This is Tracy Byrd, a myth, an icon of modern country music who, following a long period of recording silence, returns with this new album. The title and the cover are already a great business card, but it is after the first time you have listened to it, that this “All American Texan” convinces you, especially because it sounds as though it was recorded in the 90’s, the golden age of modern country music. Garth Brooks had just become a superstar, George Strait was crowned new king of country music and a large group of unknown artists (Alan Jackson, Chris LeDoux, Clay Walker, Shania Twain, Clint Black, Mark Chesnutt, Tracy Lawrence and Tracy Byrd as well) were preparing to conquer the world of the seven notes. Returning to this “All American Texan”, a self-produced record, there are 10 songs, ranging from melodious ballads, (“Before I Die”, “Shame To Grace” and “Roll With Me”) to the faster and rhythmic songs, (the title track “All American Texan” but also “Texas Truck”, and “It’s About The Pain”). As I have said, the feeling, the arrangements and the spirit of this Cd, give it that unmistakable 90’s sound, which, in my opinion, is its best quality. Even the voice, thankfully, is just as it was twenty years ago. So, Tracy Byrd is still the Tracy Byrd we all remember. (Gianluca Sitta)
