 List Price: $13.99
Lowest Price: $9.79 
Amazon.com: John Rich, of the smash-hit country duo Big & Rich, calls James Otto The Biggest Voice in Country Music and Otto's new album, Sunset Man, co-produced by Rich, proves why. From the soulful "Just Got Started Lovin' You" to the muscular "Ain't Gonna Stop," James Otto promises to deliver a fresh, big sound to the format. Customer Reviews: Rating: 
Date: 2008-06-14
Amazing
Bought this album for one song and fell in love with them all. James Otto is definitely a rising star!!
Mrs. Polishwolf Rating:
Date: 2008-06-09
AMAZING CD!
I had never even heard of James Otto. Saw this when I was browsing on Amazon. It's a great album full of fabulous music and lyrics. If you like country rock, give James Otto a try. I doubt you'll be disappointed. Rating: 
Date: 2008-05-31
BillyBob
James Otto has great potential with his strong, gritty soulful voice.
However, this album "sunset man" I feel is a dud.
The song "just got started loving you" totally deserves to be a number 1 hit.
This song is pure hard country at it's best. On a recent road trip I listened to the cd twice and aside from just got started loving you, it struck me as just boring. I ended up giving the cd away.
So much of what Nashville is churning out right now is a mix of hip hop, r&b, rock and pop with pedal steele guitar or a fiddle thrown in here and there. it's not country that's for sure.
If I did this again I would just buy the mp3 down load of just got started loving you and call it good.
James, get away from the muzik mafia and you should do well. Rating:
Date: 2008-05-23
Solid, but unspectacular
James Otto's first big-time release is a decent record that showcases his vocal talents and versatility. It has both peaks and valleys, but is a record definitely worth listening to, and possibly purchasing.
I can't say I regret buying the album, because I like supporting artists (at least that's what I tell myself). I bought this album on the heels of "Just Got Started Loving You", his hit single that's been burning up the airwaves for weeks now. That catchy tune and soulful, passionate delivery sold me on this guy.
Other than that, the best songs on this record are the slower ballady-type songs like "I Don't Feel Like Your Man", "For You", "Sunset Man," and "Damn Right."
Also of note is "Where Angels Hang Around." It's a subtly-written song about St. Jude's Childrens Hospital in Memphis. You have to know what he's talking about, but I picked up on it immediately. It's a beautiful song.
Despite the smooth, soulful hits above, there are three complete and utter throwaways that made me want to re-sell this CD on eBay. The opening track, "Ain't Gonna Stop" is a "Big & Riched up" abomination of a song with stupid lyrics and juvenile rhymes like "Black Corvette... Hot Cigarette." He even mentions his own name in the song-- like a rapper. Pathetic.
The other two throwaways are "The Man That I Am" and "Drink & Dial." The former is an R&B song better suited to somebody like Chris Brown on an urban rap station. It has a drum machine intro, and simply has nothing to do with the country music genre. "Drink & Dial" is another "Big & Rich" creation that is better suited for a movie soundtrack or strip club than this album. I hate that this review has turned into this, but these 3 songs are truly hideous, and bring down the whole record.
James Otto's voice is amazing though. Powerful, smooth, yet gritty. It's a soulful, very unusual combination. He reminds me a lot of Randy Owen of Alabama and Travis Tritt. Musically, he seems to resemble elements of country/crossover greats like Ronnie Milsap and Conway Twitty. This album is definitely not straight up traditional country, but mixes a little of a bluesy-soul vibe into a contemporary country package-- something that hasn't been done recently. He also co-writes most of this songs on the album.
This guy has the potential to be something special, but he needs to ditch the MuzikMafia/Big & Rich influence to truly be great. They're holding him back.
Rating:
Date: 2008-05-12
All great!
This is my first James Otto CD and I am very pleased with the purchase. Usually when you buy a CD there is at least two or three songs that you aren't crazy about but not the case with this one. Loved them all! |
