Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates

SAVE A HORSE, RIDE ME! Dancin for groceries makes me cry, he knows middle america better than anyone else. I get so hot when he sings about the real working man "In a blue-collar shirt and a baseball cap union made
He's hot, sweat drops". Cant wat till he comes back to town!!!!!!!!

Here is yet another silver platter of wonderful songs by Kenny Chesney. To date, he has released more than a dozen great albums since his debut in the mid-1990s. Like his previous recordings, this album is starting to churn out great hits, as well as containing a bunch of great songs overall. Many of the tracks deal with real life issues, and some are just down right fun.

The first track "Never Wanted Nothing More" is about having fun and that little moments, relationships with family and friends, finding the Lord, and being happy with what you have are the things that are important. "Don't Blink" is a story of an old man recounting important events in his life and noting how quickly time passes. A soft ballad, "Better As A Memory" illustrates that he prefers to keep moving on rather than staying in one place. The duet "Shiftwork", is an island style song about going to work out of necessity and not really enjoying it, yet the money the employee earns allows him to go on vacation.

Another island song is the reggae piece "Got A Little Crazy" in which the character got wild drinking a lot, and waking up with a girl, and having fun last night. A fun song is "Wild Ride", a high-energy duet with Joe Walsh, laced with guitar work and synthesized falsetto voice. Either one of these would make a great single for the airwaves. "Just Not Today" recognizes that he needs to grow up and face responsibilities someday, but for now, he wants to enjoy the fun activities of youth. This track would also make a great single.

Family life serves as the theme in two of the songs here: "Wife and Kids" is very straightforeward about the desire to have a family. "Dancing For The Groceries" is a story about a working-class single mother who dances to earn money to support her kids and pay the bills. The final two songs on the album are softer and slower: "Scare Me" tells how change can be frightening, yet once your life is changed by meeting someone, you don't want things to return to the way they were. "Demons" mentions harmful items that one can be attracted to and they may follow you around, such as bad relationships or adictive substances.

This recording adds to the growing portfolio of Kenny Chesney's music, and can be appreciated for its versatility. Every KC fan should go out and obtain this album, while newcomers may find this to be a nice introduction to this talented artist.

Kenny keeps shelling out hits and this album is one of my favorites. "Almost a memory" is about my favorite song out right now and "Don't Blink" is a great reminder of what is important in life.

I was kind of disappointed in this cd, especially after hearing the first two singles and all the hype building up this CD.

It's good, But it's not one of those that you want to play over and over again and love all the songs.


It does have it's good points though, Don't Blink, Never Wanted Nothing More, Just Not Today, Scare Me and Better As A Memory. All of those songs are great.

But Wild Ride, Demons, Shiftwork, etc, never really stood out to me and I never really cared for them.

Back in the late 90s, Kenny Chesney was just another popular "hat act"; as respected as the next singer, but generic all the same. Ever since 2002's No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problems, however, he has found his niche, taking over from that beach-loving, elder statesman of Country, Jimmy Buffett, to pen and perform songs about tequila, sunshine and surf. A love affair with the Caribbean islands has served as inspiration to many of his recent hits, and coloured his 2003 masterpiece When the Sun Goes Down and its follow-up The Road and the Radio. Although his new album, Just Who I Am: Poets and Pirates, doesn't break any new ground thematically - indeed, many of the songs could have featured on any Kenny album this decade - the now-forty year-old has at least delivered a mature, reflective album, surprisingly complementing the fun-loving, beach-party songs. In the past, Kenny has added an underlining vulnerability to the most seemingly nonchalant narrative. His 2005 Number 1, "Beer In Mexico", wherein he struggles with the prospect of leaving the care-free youthful existence of old and accepting the responsibility which comes with age, and eventually deciding to "sit right here and have another beer in Mexico" is a valid example. He frequently masters such themes which can be easily over-looked even at the second or third listen. With his latest album, he adds to that parallel premise, adding weight to what he terms to be his most personal album yet. Surprisingly, he doesn't have a single writing credit on this disc, but the songs seem to be so in-tune with his personality, they must have been tailor-made for him.

Attempting to sustain youthful nonchalance, a theme hitherto featured in "Beer In Meixco", "Don't Happen Twice" and "Young", make a re-appearance here in the exuberant "Just Not Today", while in the disc's first Number 1, "Never Wanted Nothing More" he remembers wanting a car more than anything, and then a girl and finally God. In the soul-searching Number 1, "Better Than a Memory" Kenny tries to explain why he is better than a memory than as her man. It's a song packed with metaphors and similes, which include the wistfully sung, "I move on like a sinner's prayer."

The crowning moment on this set is undoubtedly the chart-topping, make-every-moment-last, "Don't Blink", a sentiment echoed from his 2002 Number 1 "The Good Stuff" and detailed even more in another chart-topper, 2003's "There Goes My Life".

The album does sit back and kick it's shoes off however, particularly on the reggae-styled "Got a Little Crazy Last Night", where he sounds like Men At Work in their eighties hey day. Joe Walsh of The Eagles guests on the joyously upbeat, "Wild Ride" and on "Wife and Kids", Kenny yearns for a family. The track is filled with earnestly, notably as Kenny has just hit 40 without said wife and kids. Vulnerability is highlighted once more in "Scare Me" and the ballad "Demons". It is "Dancin' for the Groceries", however, which has caught most critics' attention, with it's depiction of a single mother doing a strip to pay the bills. The song is tastefully narrated and elicits sympathy for her plight.

Although this isn't exactly Kenny's best album - that accolade should surely go to When the Sun Goes Down - it is nevertheless a good album. Fans will like it and it should win over a few converts too.

I've been a fan of Kenny's music since the beginning, but the last few releases have just pushed him over the top. This one is no different. This release is a full-throttle as Kenny has been since he started headlining his own tours. I would compair this to "The Road and the Radio," and "When the Sun Goes Down." It's in the same vein musically, lyrically, and with his overall performance as well. It's pretty simple, if you've been a Kenny fan for even just the last few years, you know what to expect by now. He just does not dissapoint. This album features the typical 3 or 4 songs that as suitable for singles, then it has another couple songs that slow way down and let Kenny tell you sad stories. Then we have the uptempo Kenny... This is my favorite side of Kenny Chesney. He surrounds himself with some real good guitar players, and knows how to turn the volume up. It's just like his self-given proclamation to his style, he is a hillbilly rock-star. Oh yeah, and dont forget the family-tinged tear jerkers. Yeah, they're on here too. It's pretty easy to figure out what you're going to get before you buy this. If you liked the last 2 studio albums, you'll like this one. If not, well, that's your loss.

I love Kenny. I can really identify with his love for the islands. He is singing my life. His live concerts are great too.

Kenny Chesney sings songs straight from the heart about personal experiences and everyday life. I really enjoy "That's Why I'm Here" and so have all my friends. Keep up the good work Kenny.

This CD brings us a bit deeper into Kenny's heart and soul. He may not have written these songs himself, but you feel his passion behind the words. There are "feel-good" songs on here, (Never Wanted Nothing More, Just Not Today, and Got A Little Crazy) that make you just want to turn it up loud and sing along. There are also songs that make you think about life (Don't Blink, Wife and Kids, and Better As A Memory).
Overall, the CD encompasses a little bit of everything and is simply a great CD. As a major Kenny fan, I could not wait for this CD to be released and I was not disappointed and you won't be either.
Just put it in and enjoy the ride!

As a huge Kenny fan, I have to admit that this album - while not his best - was very satisfying. It offers the type of country music that we have become used to from Kenny and his contemporaies: a little country, a little rock, a little roll. This cd is alot more mature lyrically with the songs about "good times" being balanced with songs about marriage, love, and life once your 20s are over. I just saw Kenny in concert in MI (May 22) and it was a great expierence I recommend for any true fan of his; I really enjoyed "Don't Blink" and "Shiftwork" performed live (both on this cd).

I can't stop playing the song Shift Work over and over. Most tunes are catchy and stay in your head all day.

This is one of the best cd's I have heard in awhile. It reaches down into your soul and expresses so many different feelings! Absolutely Love it!

I was a little worried when I heard that Kenny Chesney was going to put out an album where he hadnt written any of the songs. This would be the first time he would do something like this.

I thought how could it be bad after putting out so many fantastic albums in the past.

Well it was. Granted it's not bad by any means, it's just not up to par with his typical work which is usually outstanding.

Kenny Chesney has won entertainer of the year for 8 years in a row, and seeing him in concert proves how good he is at wowing the crowd. Maybe Kenny should take a break from touring and write some of his won work for his next album.

Pat Bonish
www.everymilesamemory.com

EVERY song on this CD is good! Possible the best CD I have purchased in the last year.

I don't care what others have to say about this album. It is good. I like his music and like almost all of the songs that he sings. I love all of the songs that he writes. I think that he is one of the best singers in country music today!

I've been knowing Kenny's music only since few months ago...
Here in Italy country music has not much fans, and I knew him before more for his private life than for his own music. I heard a song of his months ago almost by chance and it struck me so far that I wanted to hear more and more about his music.Poets&Pirates his a fantastic amazing record, played in a fantastic way, and Kenny's voice is at his top!!
Every song is perfect in itself and great!even Shiftwork, that at the first struck me less than the others gets and grows more and more funny and crazy at every listening!It's an album very intimate, some songs fit his life perfectly even if Kenny didn't write them (Wife and Kids, Better as a Memory, Demons), music often winks at pop rock more than in his early works, even if it remains country in arrangements and instruments.
Don't Blink, Wife and Kids, Better as a Memory, Dancin' for the Groceries, Demons are the best songs.Good stuff Kenny!

What is it with the overproduction and the electric guitars???? I listened to this overrated artist at a friend's house who happened to have bought this CD. I was curious because my friend said that he liked Kenney Chesney. I think I know why he likes Kenney and it isn't his music.....its the same reason the girls like him. Not because he's a great singer...he isn't....

As far as the music goes on here...forget it. My ears hurt so bad after one listen and its obvious this guy's music only sells because his looks market him....but you know what, folks??? Looks fade away....Kenney will turn 40 soon and his hair will start thinning (if it isn't already) and all that beer he drinks on the beach he likes to sing about will soon develop into a potbelly. Then he can kiss his career goodbye.

I love Kenny, and this is a great cd, I esepcailly love the song "wife and Kids"

The artist of my cd is Kenny Chesney. He is an awesome singer. I always tell my mom that Kenny Chesney is my future husband. I love his songs and music, so he's probably one of my all time favorite singers. One of his most recent songs is called "Wife and Kids", and I love that song. The title of the whole cd is Just Who I Am, and the style of the cd is country. The rating the computer had for this cd is four stars, although I give it five stars. Just because I love Kenny Chesney's cd's and music. This is a good cd for people that like country. Like me I love country.

Carley B.

Kenny is a great singer as it is but this nw album makes you feel as though you really know him and his life. Has alot of great songs, some about his life and what he hopes for it to become

This is a great cd by chesney like always. You can really relate to the songs on this one. I know many of us understand one of them Shift Work. Great song.

I loved this Kenny Chesney cd. I especially liked the songs
Shift Work and Don't Blink. But all of the songs are good as
Kenny always is. I highly recommend this CD

This was a Christmas Gift requested by my son who lives in another state, so I have not actually heard the CD. However, I have had no complaints from him about it and the ordering and receiving of it went fine.

This is one awesome CD. I received this for Christmas, and I LOVE it. I play it over & over. Kenny is finally getting back to the music he started with.

The CD is exactly what I wanted and expected. Also fast service and
fair price.

I cannot say enough about this CD. It shows continued growth on Kenny's part as he works at becoming a historical country great. I do not understand the negative reviews at all. To say the first two tracks, Never Wanted Nothing More and Don't Blink, are all the CD has to offer is just flat out wrong. Honestly they are just a warm up to the best two tracks, Just Not Today and Wife and Kids. Better as a Memory and Demons will follow right behind.

Regarding Shiftwork, It is intended to be a fun song not a country classic. Can you imagine how much fun the studio had recording with a current country superstar and an absolute country legend. George and Kenny must have had a ball, wish I was there.

"No Shoes No Shirt No Problems" being his best and in my "Top Ten Country CD's All Time" this CD, "Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates" is a must and I consider it Kenny's second best.

Kenny does it again! I love just about everything he has done and this album is great! I love how his music takes me away from the everyday hustle and bustle, and puts me in a great mood.

Kenny Chesney is Kenny Chesney--no matter WHO he is. And basically, no one cares other than he's "entertainer of the year" (again) and that he rocks.

In "Just Who I Am," Kenny maintains that rocking, rolling, and (sometimes) raunchy beat he's captained these past few years. No Chesney CD is a waste and his "faithful" will love this one as well (as one can tell by its sales); however, there's nothing new on this CD. It's Kenny Chesney--exactly as we've seen him on his previous two CDs. Now, that's not necessarily a negative, as he's great as he is, but perhaps something new would enhance this one. Perhaps he's just too busy touring or lounging on those Caribbean beaches he loves so well (where DOES he find the time?) to go that "extra effort," no matter to whom he's paying homage (right)--George Strait, Dwight Yoakam (a stretch here!), etc. He should always remember, though, that you dance with the one you brung.

Still--Kenny rocks. And his music is great.

I have always anxiously awaited a new album by Kenny Chesney. Usually, an album keeps be entertained for year before I want a new one to come out. However, after a week of listening to Just Who I am: Poets and Pirates, I already want a new one.
Kenny has always had what I call "no skip tracks album". Meaning, when track five comes on, you don't skip it because you dislike it. On his past studio albums I listen to them all the way through. However, I only like three or so songs on his new album. My taste only? Not so. This album is not Kenny. I never thought I would a Chesney album anything other than a perfect 5.
I hope his next album is better.

My wife and I are fans of Kenny Chesney. She is more country than I am and know that she does not have the time to shop for new music. So with Christmas coming fast I needed to fill the stocking with new music for her to enjoy. It was an easy choice to find the cd and I know that using Amazon.com to find/fill our music needs is quick and very reasonably priced. His music videos are always good!

Well Kenny has certainly done it again!!! He just gets better and better. All the tracks are awesome, not just the ones you know, can't stop playing it. Don't listen to the people giving under 4* reviews, as these people would probably find fault with a 5* hotel!!! Some people are just hard to please, so just go out and buy this great Kenny CD. Not as good as Live Those Songs Live, but then what is???

Easy on the eyes, even sweeter on the ears. His musical ability is fantastic. Kenny is as always a joy to listen to.

WAS KENNY & GEORGE HELD AT GUN POINT TO DO THAT. THAT IS JUST BAD.
TWO STARS FOR THE FIRST TO SONGS. THAT'S IT

I was a little shocked how much I liked this CD, some of Kenny's music is, well like he can't get over college. On Poets & Pirates, some of the songs were so deep, almost bringing you to tears and others like "Scare me", you wished he was singing it to you. This CD has a good balance of dancin' and kickin back, this is a great addition to my collection. Hey Kenny, you are both a Poet and a Pirate:-) From a Mermaid...

the new cd is good, but i would not say its some of kenny's best work. I like his last CD better!

i'm a big fan of Kenny Chesney. So it is really easy to say that his new cd is a big hit at my home. there isn't one song on the cd that i do not love, but i most favorite is "Don't Blink" the second song on the cd. I think there is a message in that song for all of us. go buy the cd, you won't regret it.

This CD is really a disappointment to me. Some songs are good, but there are some truly bad ones. Incidentally, the two worst are the ones that I expected the most out of. "Shiftwork" with George Strait, and "Wild Ride" with Joe Walsh are two terrible songs.

Kenny has created his own sound, and we have come to expect that from him, but it just sounds so recycled now. "Don't Blink" sounds too much like "I Go Back" and "Just Not Today" sounds like "Summertime". I don't know. I just wish that the man would sit down and listen to his records from beginning to end, starting with his first release. He's gotten way overproduced, and it's just sad.

What happened to songs like "Just Don't Happen Twice" and even "The Good Stuff". He needs to rediscover his roots, and he needs to either get involved in the song writing or choose different songs to record. I don't want filler, and would it kill the man to have one fiddle or steel guitar on his records?

There's a reason why "Never Wanted Nothin' More" was such a huge hit. It sounded original, and it has more country twang than any other song on this album.

PLEASE KENNY, STOP THIS MADNESS! YOU'RE BETTER THAN THIS!

Good songs of note: "Wife & Kids", "Demons", "Better as a Memory"

I bought this CD as a gift for my son's birthday. He thinks it is great and especially loves the song "Don't Blink". He has every Kenny Chesney CD now.

I have always bought Kenny's CD's with such high hopes, and this one did not let me down at all. The songs on this CD seem to be personal to Kenny, especially Wife and Kids. The majority of the songs have a really good meaning behind them. Over all it is a great CD, and has a great mix of slow and upbeat songs.

Kenny Chesney has been recording amazing records since When The Sun Goes Down to The Road and The Radio. This one you can skip. He slept his way through this c.d. The songs are not good, the electric guitars are loud and I mean LOUD!!!! Kenny you're not a rock star. He should have stay with his island, fun living sound. This c.d. is empty. It looks like the record company had to get a new Kenny c.d. out and rushed it. That's what it was a rushed job. Uhhhh I listened to it once and threw it aside.

This is Kenny Chesney's best cd yet. It is one of those cds where every song on the album is a work of art. Even if you aren't a big fan of country music, this cd is easy going, has good messages, and will put you in a relaxing mood.

Kenny Chesney knows just what to do to keep putting great songs and cd's out there! I am a huge fan of his and this cd didn't let me down! His songs just seem to speak to your heart and he sounds as good or better than he always has!

Kenny Chesney has done it again. I enjoy listening to this CD as much as his others. The first two radio releases have been great, and I especially like the duet with George Strait (Shift Work). I can't wait to see him in concert again next year to hear all of the songs off of this album live, along with his other hits.

Huge Kenny fan...and this album does not disappoint! Loved it the first time I listened to it. If you love Kenny, you will love this CD!

I thought Kenny Chesney would not be able to make another album I liked as much as "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems" but not so. His new album is excellent. I like every song on it especially "Shift Work" with George Strait and "Dancin for the Groceries."

Kennny has become the new "buffett" of music , He make's singing look easy. the cd is easy on the ears and will make you come back for more.

This is a FABULOUS CD!! I would buy it a million times over!! I am not a tremendous Kenny fan, but I do LOVE THIS CD!! Very similar to previous CD, but at the same time, very different. Buy it NOW, definitely!!

If you like kenny's style this is what you get. No experiments just plain an d simple Chesney songs.
For me the best song has been Don't blink but its just my taste

This was my first purchase from Amazon. I ordered on a Saturday, and by Tuesday, had my CD. Thanks for great service....not to mention a great CD. Thanks, Marianne

Save your money and buy an earlier and much better album of Kenny's. I have nothing positive to say about this one. I gave the CD away.