Honky Tonk Angel Album Review

This is the album that broke through to commercial success, with five singles being released from this album, all but one were top 5. One of the best was Don't Toss Us Away, and anyone vocally challenged should not attempt this song, without medical personal standing by with oxygen. Patty's first #1, Timber, I'm Falling in Love, which hit the top spot on August 12, 1989, features a rousing harmony by her bud Vince Gill. You may have heard of him, I think he had one or two songs, and maybe an award or two.

The second #1 Chains, has two interesting stories behind it. When Patty first heard the demo, the song had a slower tempo, and she thought it would be a really cool song if the tempo was a little quicker. (geez! what does she know??) To this day, Patty still believes the song to be too slow, so she has her drummer pick up the pace in concert. The next was this song was put on hold for George Jones. Nancy, George's wife told him to record this song. But George said, BACK OFF, this is Patty's song. It is a great woman song kinda thing, if you know what I mean. No, I am unsure if George recorded this song, but if he did, was there anyone who said, gee whiz, George, that is a great song, but it is not Patty. Most important, who would be the brave soul to speak those words. My personal favorite is the song written by Carter Stanley, I'll Never Grow Tired Of You. When Patty sings those mournful, lonesome, bluegrass songs, the goose bumps pop out. Thankfully, Patty loves bluegrass, because you are guaranteed that one will appear on an album.

This was the last album that Patty recorded one of her own songs. The demands of the road made it impossible to find the time needed to write. Go On is the final song, and it shows just how good she is as a writer. Patty also lost her co-producer, Emory Gordy, Jr. The next album Emory would co-produce, would be Patty's final album with MCA. With Emory gone as producer, you hear a more commercial driven album in the songs. They still manage to maintain the traditional sound, but the difference is there.

In 1989 Patty and Emory were married. Patty also went on a USO sponsored tour, to Japan, Korea, and Alaska, with Randy Travis. The tour was filmed by the Nashville Network for a special.

With my sanity almost shattered into billions and billions of tiny pieces, I was unable to re-write this page, because Jess has been e-mailing me every five minutes with her ruthless demands to see what I have written. She is REALLY beginning to get on my last exposed, blood raw nerve. Then there is Mr. Sulu, telling me to take it easy due to the surgery, he is actually doing the laundry and such. Between Jess, Mr. Sulu, and of course the ever present trolls laughing at me and mocking me, any shred of sanity is almost non-existent. Don't tell Jess, but I am going outside for a breath of fresh air, and try to put the shattered fragments of my mind back together. I shall see you On Down The Line.

Spellcheker Notes

Did you know???? Blues Side of Town was originally planned for the If My Heart Had Windows album?? Yep, it sure was. For some reason, it was not used. But, Patty really loved the song, so she hung onto it. When they were looking for songs for Honky Tonk Angel, she remembered the song and brought it to Tony Brown's attention. He said, "Yep, it's time for that song....do it." His exact words....probably. If not, it was close to that, because she did do the song, and it ended up a top 10 song for her.

Whew! That was tough...where's the spellchecker??? Where is she?!?! Geesh, never around when you need her...I sure hope I spilled everything write.

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