Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 25, 1995 TAG: 9511270098
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JIM PATTERSON ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: NASHVILLE, TENN. LENGTH: Medium
``Fresh Horses'' - a new album by Brooks, country's top-selling star - arrived in record stores at the same time as a double CD of Beatles music, including the first new Fab Four song in 25 years. And to make matters even more competitive, Bruce Springsteen also has a new record out.
The Beatles and Brooks are both on Capitol Records - which will have a merry Christmas season indeed. But is Brooks setting himself up for a disappointment?
After all, he has become somewhat accustomed to his albums rising to be No. 1 on the country - and pop - charts.
He thinks country radio is capable of helping sell huge numbers of CDs. ``Will they be bigger than the Beatles? Geez, that's a tough call. I think not,'' he said.
``I think we're in a no-lose situation. If we get pounded, it's by the Beatles and everyone's expecting us to get pounded anyway. And if for some reason we hold our own, it's going to make country music, make Garth Brooks, look stronger. So we'll see.''
``Fresh Horses'' marks Brooks' first foray into the marketplace in two years with new material. Country fans are accustomed to an album a year from their stars.
It's an eclectic collection, with more of the big emotional ballads, story songs and wild-eyed rockers that took Brooks to the top. His current single is ``The Fever,'' a clever rewriting of an Aerosmith number.
There's also an inspirational ballad dedicated to Oklahoma City, ``The Change.'' A native of Oklahoma whose parents still live there, Brooks is working on a video for the song that incorporates footage from the aftermath of the federal building bombing.
Stylistic departures on the album come with the Celtic ``Ireland'' and the playful nursery rhyme novelty ``It's Midnight Cinderella.''
``Fresh Horses'' has more of Brooks' own songwriting than any of his prior albums. Though he had two years, most of the material was written within the last six months.
For most of 1995, the singer concentrated on overseas touring and spending time with his family. He continued his fight against the sale of used CDs (he objects because songwriters only get royalties on new sales).
A limited-edition greatest hits album plugged the gap for fans.
A sucker for self-imposed pressure, Brooks decided that his goal for the next album would be the cut-for-cut appeal of the first Eagles greatest-hits album. Commercial expectations were already high for the 33-year-old, who has sold more than 54 million albums since his debut in 1989.
He wasn't writing much, and wasn't satisfied that submissions from the Nashville songwriting factory were quite right. His longtime producer, Allen Reynolds, suggested it was time for Brooks to give his own music top priority again.
``It's like - focus,'' he said. ``And I focused, and all of a sudden the ideas for writing just started eatin' me up and I couldn't write enough.
``It felt like the old days, laying there in bed not getting any sleep. All I do is take care of my music and if people want to hear my views on something I'll tell 'em, but I'm not going to go out looking for it.''
About to embark on a lengthy American tour this spring, Brooks says only one thing takes priority over his career - wife Sandy and his two daughters.
There's now a Girl's Bus on the Garth Brooks tour. ``It's a girl driver, all girls,'' Brooks said. A home school teacher will be on board for the children.
As for the future, Brooks says the biggest thing that will happen to him next year is that he and his wife plan to get married again by restating their vows on their 10th anniversary.
by CNB