I Saw the Light
Hal Ketchum
Brent Mason, Terry McMillan, Sweet Pea Atkinson, Ashley Cleveland, Aubrey Haynie, Stephen Bruton
Engineer: Bob Campbell-Smith,
Producer: Chuck Howard, Stephen Bruton
Curb Records (USA), 1998
1 CD
Catalogue #: 77895
EAN: 0715187789524
UPC: 715187789524
You save: 20%
Personnel includes: Hal Ketchum (vocals, acoustic guitar); Jason Wilber (acoustic & electric guitars); Richard Bennett (acoustic guitar); Brent Mason, J.T. Corenflos, Dann Huff, Stephen Bruton (electric guitar); Paul Franklin (steel guitar, dobro); Dan Dugmore (steel guitar); Aubrey Haney (mandolin, fiddle); Rob Hajacos (fiddle); Mike Utley (piano, Hammond B-3 organ); John Hobbs (piano, keyboards); Kevin McKendree (piano); Dennis Burnside (keyboards); Keith Carper (bass, background vocals); Glenn Worf (bass); Eddie Bayers, Chris Nieto (drums); Terry McMillan, Chris Searles (percussion); Dennis Wilson, Curtis Young, Liana Manis, Malford Milligan, Sir Harry Bowens, "Sweet Pea" Atkinson, Ashley Cleveland (background vocals).
Principally recorded at Curb Studios, Nashville, Tennessee.
Hal Ketchum got married shortly before releasing I SAW THE LIGHT, which is presumably why this album finds him shifting his focus from incisive, poetic songs to romantic musings. While Ketchum's voice is in fine form, the material here is less weighty lyrically and much glossier musically than his past work. The title track, a remake of Todd Rundgren's 1972 pop hit, is a countrified version, adding a little fiddle and steel guitar. "When Love Looks Back At You," a radio-ready single, seems similar in feel and plot to Ketchum's previous hit, "Sure Love."
Several tracks are gritty rockers that provide a change of pace among the love songs. Standouts include "Too Many Memories," an eloquent meditation on lost love, with a soulful feel and a nifty B-3 organ part. "Love Me, Love Me Not," adds an accordion to the mix to great effect, and "For Tonight" features a terrific vocal performance
