You Hear Georgia
You Hear Georgia puts Blackberry Smoke's strengths in a clear, focused setting. The band combine Southern rock, country and blues with little interest in changing their basic identity. Producer Dave Cobb gives the playing a direct presence, allowing the rhythm section, guitars and Charlie Starr's voice to work together. The ten-song length also helps the record keep its purpose.
Live It Down starts with a tough riff and an energetic band performance. The guitars have an immediate appeal, while the rhythm keeps the opening moving firmly ahead. The title track gives Starr's soulful delivery and the vocal harmonies a more central place. Its concern with being judged by a Southern accent adds a clear idea to the familiar rock setting.
Hey Delilah brings one of the best changes in feel. Its medium-paced funk gives the instruments a different kind of movement, letting the band sound lighter without losing their presence. The song broadens the album through its rhythm rather than a dramatic change of style.
Lonesome for a Livin' takes a more direct country route. Jamey Johnson's guest vocal and the pedal steel give the performance a convincing emotional weight. The contrast works especially well alongside All Rise Again, where Warren Haynes adds a stronger guitar presence to another substantial rock arrangement.
Old Enough to Know provides a quieter break through its acoustic playing. The smaller setting gives the melody space and prevents the tougher material from taking over the whole record. Morningside then restores a heavier, blues-rock character.
There is a limit to the range of surprises. Several familiar musical forms return, and listeners seeking a major shift in direction may find the record too settled. Its appeal depends on how much pleasure those forms can still provide.
For the most part, the answer is plenty. You Hear Georgia has strong playing, clear arrangements and useful differences between its songs. Blackberry Smoke make their established sound feel worthwhile through the quality of the performances, with the quieter country passages giving the rock material a more effective setting.
