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Music CD - Phil Vassar: Prayer of a Common Man
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Music CD: Prayer of a Common Man
Artist: Phil Vassar
List Price: $10.98
Our Price: $7.19
Your Save: $ 3.79 ( 35% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Universal South
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Tracks:
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1. This Is My Life
2. Around Here Somewhere
3. My Chevrolet
4. Love Is A Beautiful Thing
5. Prayer Of A Common Man
6. I Would
7. Why Don't You
8. It's Only Love
9. Let Me Love You Tonight
10. Baby Rocks
11. The World Is A Mess
12. Crazy Life
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0602517329614
Format: Limited Edition
Label: Universal South
Manufacturer: Universal South
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Universal South
Release Date: 2008-04-22
Studio: Universal South
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating: 
Summary: "Prayer" is what it is
Comment: Phil will probably never be the best vocalist out there in the world of country music, but he will always be regarded as one of the best songwriters.
This album showcases his wonderful skills yet again. There are some downers (as with the other albums he's released) but majority of the songs are very heartfelt.
His version of "Love is a Beautiful Thing" is very similar to that of Paul Brandt's but the song is beautiful in itself so kudos to him for not changing anything too much. The title track of the album is a very emotional song - it is what it is, the prayer of a common man.
I like the album enough to give it a 4. It's worth the listen and worth the price.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great CD! Phil doesn't disappoint!
Comment: I love this CD! Several break-up themed songs, but only one is really sad-"Let me Love You Tonight". Phil always sings about things that mean something to him, and since he has recently gotten divorced, he has written several songs that reflect that. Don't get me wrong though. This CD is not a downer! The duet with Los Lonely Boys "Why Don't Ya" is my favorite. Crazy Life is another favorite. "Around Here Somewhere" is a great song, and my Chevrolet is also a favorite. I like the whole CD. The only song I'm not crazy about is "This is My Life". Other than that this CD is a long awaited nice surprise.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Vassar has gone country
Comment: Judging from the picture (plain t-shirt and jeans, rough looking) on the cover and the This Is My Life theme Vassar has decided to go for the Nascar set. I always thought of him as the thinking man's country singer in the Blackhawk group type tradition. Maybe not even a country singer at all. But country is a big enough and tolerant enough tent to make space for him. I guess it's ok, but I liked the more intellectual Vassar.
... Flash Gordon
Customer Rating:
Summary: Phil Vassar: Not Just Any `Common Man'
Comment: Country music's triple-threat Phil Vassar returns to the charts this week with his first true studio album in four years, "Prayer of a Common Man". In doing so, Vassar takes his introspective songwriting and soothing vocals to previously unattained heights. The album's bookends summarize its message well: This is My Life--A Crazy Life. Along the way, Vassar recounts tales of the good old days, love found and lost, and middle class struggles.
Indeed the past few years have been a crazy period in Vassar's life, including splits with his songwriter wife of five years, Julie, and his record label of seven years, Arista. These breakups have added fuel and sincerity to the songwriting machine as well as increased autonomy and creative input on the production side. These elements, combined with label president and co-producer Mark Wright's years of expertise (Brooks & Dunn, Lee Ann Womack, Gretchen Wilson), make "Prayer of a Common Man" a must-have for country and rock fans alike.
The album's opening track and vastly under-played debut single "This is My Life" chronicles the plight of the middle class in Vassar's typical upbeat style (think Carlene). Other highlights of the album include the title track "Prayer of a Common Man," a soulful ballad about struggling to make it through life; the current #5 single on the country charts "Love is a Beautiful Thing," the soon-to-be single and last minute addition to the album "I Would," written in a Las Vegas hotel room last December, and the sure-thing fan favorite "Crazy Life," an acoustic masterpiece that showcases Vassar's piano abilities and brings goosebumps with its intimate layers.
"Prayer of a Common Man" is a sure-fire hit and a wonderful addition to any CD collection. Vassar shows he is not just a "Common Man," but a certified talent and a force to be reckoned with in the country music world. Buy this album and support a nice guy and an amazing artist. And if you haven't been to a concert yet, you won't regret it. You will be amazed.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Vassar's "Prayer" Deserves to be Heard
Comment: Prime Cuts: Prayer of a Common Man, Let Me Love You Tonight, Crazy Life
Though Phil Vassar may sing about the common man, he's far from being a mere plebian. Unlike the copious guitar-strumming studs that Nashville keeps churning out each year, Vassar's métier has been the piano. In fact, when Vassar first burst on the scene, critics have touted him as country music's Elton John. Unfortunately, with each release Vassar slowly evolved into the average country-rocker when jangly guitars and ear-popping drums take the fore. As a result his hits began to dry up to such a state that he was dropped from Arista Records. A subsequent hiatus due to his marital problems has served him well. Now with a new major label behind him and a new co-producer Mark Wright, Vassar has re-discovered his own creative mien. With a more organic approach encased with more rustic instruments like the piano, harmonica, banjo and fiddles, Vassar sounds refreshingly country.
Youthful emancipation of first love in one's Chevrolet on a summer night may have been one of the over-used narrative plots of numerous country songs, but the way Vassar re-tells it on "My Chevrolet" still sounds so vivid that it will immediately grab your attention with its picturesque lyrics he paints. Similarly, Vassar's warm and engaging delivery of the commercially country-pop wedding anthem "Love is a Beautiful Thing" (formerly performed by Kenny Rogers) makes you want to hear the song over and over again. The seamless male harmonies that sequel into a driving jolly "It's Only Love" calls to mind Vassar's hit "Carlene." Punctuated by Vassar's patented piano chops, "This is My Life" is a slice of American life, a song that ought to strike a chord with any listener.
However, the CD's best moments are in the more introspective cuts. Written at a low point in his life, "This Crazy Life," a gentle banjo-picked ballad packs all the emotional punches as Vassar reflects on the uncertainties of life. The title cut, "Prayer of a Common Man" is plaintive ballad that strings together stories of people in need (be it a daughter who need braces to a man who needs to job) crying out to God for help. With haunting lines to the Almighty such as "Hallelujah, is anyone up there?" and "I don't need charity but clarity." No, this is not your average feel-good religious chorus. Rather, "Prayer of a Common Man" is an honest heart's cry to God in the midst of need. Moving on to more happier moments, "Let Me Love You" is a gem of a love song--opening slow with Vassar taking his time to confess his love to his girl in a romantic way; this song rips right into the soul. Chalk up another big hit to come for this piano man.
All in all, there's not a bad song here. Every song spells personality, honesty and individualism. It's almost every song on his album has a story that waits to be to be told. Add to that Vassar has never sound more engaging and passionate. To top it off, the more subtle and countrier backings, certainly make the CD even more enjoyable. Vassar's "Prayer" deserves to be heard.
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Editorial Reviews:
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Phil Vassar has gained much attention through his knack for hit songwriting and his compelling and highly entertaining skills on the piano. The Chicago Tribune writes, "Phil Vassar has the talent of a legend." He has sold millions of records both on his own and for other artists such as Tim McGraw, Jo Dee Messina, and Colin Raye with his chart topping penmanship. His first Universal Records South release is co-produced by Vassar with Universal Records South President and noted producer, Mark Wright (Gretchen Wilson, Brooks & Dunn, Lee Ann Womack). Vassar's heart-swelling embrace of life's richest blessings is also apparent, especially on lead single "Love Is A Beautiful Thing." At the same time, his writing has grown more introspective and personal, as "This Is My Life" and the title track can attest. The new album may show Vassar's serious side, but he hasn't forgotten how to have fun. "My Chevrolet," "Why Don't Ya" and "Baby Rocks" rank among his best toe-tappers and are already getting warm receptions at his heralded live shows. Even on the love songs, Vassar shows his uncommon charm, wit and playfulness, be it "Around Here Somewhere" or "It's Only Love." And he's not shy about taking strong emotions head on with "I Would" or on the stunningly raw "Let Me Love You Tonight." His songwriting is fueled by his hard-charging touring schedule. "People ask me why I still do so many shows, but you work your whole life just to get to the point where people want you to come play," he says.
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