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List Price: $7.99 | | Label: Bna Entertainment
Salesrank: 6608
Released: January 25, 2005 |
| Our Price: $3.85 |
| Used Price: $1.49 |
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| Media: Audio CD |
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Be As You Are Track Listing:
1. Old Blue Chair
2. Be as You Are
3. Guitars and Tiki Bars
4. Island Boy
5. Somewhere in the Sun
6. Boston
7. Something Sexy About the Rain
8. French Kissing Life
9. Key Lime Pie
10. Sherry's Living in Paradise
11. Magic
12. Soul of a Sailor
13. Old Blue Chair [Ocean Mix][*]
Editorial Review:
Kenny Chesney may work the Jimmy Buffett mojo a little too hard on his CMA Award-winning album, When the Sun Goes Down. But he comes by it naturally, having vacationed at Myrtle Beach as a child and today owning a home in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Now comes his all-out island salute, Be As You Are (Songs from an Old Blue Chair), which surprises only in its concentration on the restorative vibe of beachfront life rather than the bikinis and rum-soaked nights. Intimate and subdued, the album gets mandatorily frolicsome on "Guitars and Tiki Bars." But mostly it's a reflective look at the people, places, and passion that make up his south-of-the-equator equation. There are lovely moments here--the cocktail swirl of "Magic," the quiet eroticism of "Something Sexy in the Rain," and the faraway ache of "Somewhere in the Sun." Trouble is, Chesney, who wrote or cowrote all 13 tracks, ended up with enough material for only half a record, and then repeated many of his ideas (particularly the singling out of the émigrés who came to the islands to become whole again) to fill out the album. Add that shortcoming to the mellow sameness that prevails, and Be As You Are becomes less an album for that old blue chair than one for the hammock. --Alanna Nash
Recommended New Traditionalist Country Albums
No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problems |
When the Sun Goes Down |
Toby Keith, Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 |
Alan Jackson, A Lot About Living (And a Little 'Bout Love) |
Alan Jackson, The Greatest Hits Collection |
Toby Keith, How Do You Like Me Now?! |
Be As You Are Reviews:
Personal Favorite 
2009-05-13 - I got this CD shortly after it came out, and after being prompted to write a review I thought why not? Trouble is, I really don't have much to say about this album - other than just get it and listen for yourself. The music is gorgeous and truly speaks for itself, and I can't believe anyone who has anything bad to say about Be As You Are. I've been a Chesney fan for a while, and this is definitely my personal favorite; the CD gets me through the winter when my beach bum heart can't take it anymore, and it enhances the summer once it's here (I don't really call it Be As You Are anymore - it's my Winter Survival Guide).
What's really impressive is the spectrum on this album, from the island fun and silly in songs like "Guitars and Tiki Bars" and "Key Lime Pie" to the nostalgic longing in songs like "Somewhere In The Sun" and "Something Sexy About The Rain" (which, I have to say, is possibly my favorite Chesney song; it's absolutely gorgeous). If nothing else, the 'Ocean Mix' of "Old Blue Chair" is worth the album price; the acoustic mixed with the background waves is a gorgeous combo he should really try with some other songs (it's a bit like the new Corona commercial, where he's singing "Beer In Mexico" by the fire on the beach - nothing short of beautiful).
Going from the Amazon review, I do have one thing to say. Ms. Nash made the comment that Chesney didn't have enough material for the project and "then repeated many of his ideas (particularly the singling out of the émigrés who came to the islands to become whole again) to fill out the album". She's referring to "Island Boy", "Boston", and "Sherry's Living In Paradise" - and, as an avid country fan and story teller in general, she can't be any more wrong. Yes, all three songs focus on people who have moved to the islands, but each story is different and the songs all possess different elements that make them unique. Granted, I've never heard this thing about Chesney only having ammo for half an album (so she might be right), but I highly doubt that - and the comment wasn't at all necessary.
Also, on her "Add that shortcoming to the mellow sameness that prevails" comment...all I can say is if you don't like it, don't listen. The CD was supposed to be mellow - it was island-inspired music, all possessing the calm serenity you get from the beach. Ms. Nash was obviously in dire need of a beach trip when she wrote her site review, as I suspect she may have forgotten what that old blue chair is all about. It's a harmony Chesney captured perfectly on this album, and that should not be held against him.
Long in short: the CD is a must for your collection, especially if you're a beach bum at heart. You'll love it.
Chesney finds his true voice
2009-01-14 - This cd is amazing. It is Kenny Chesney's 8th studio release and he cultivated a huge fan base as he grew and developed as an artist. Here on BE AS YOU ARE he finds his true voice. He has written every song and reveals a great deal about himself. A lot has happened to him in his life and he finds peace, serenity and a true place for contemplation by the sea.
Every song here is about how carefree, easy and simple life is on the islands. The title track BE AS YOU ARE says it all. Whether you be a local, a tourist or a star all people are the same. This message permeates throughout the collection yet each song manages to have its own identity and stand alone as a piece of pure beauty and honesty given in the gift of song. There are no misses here - all songs are standouts. The mood is set with the opening OLD BLUE CHAIR. From here by the ocean all of lifes troubles and problem seem to fade or at least be easier to deal with. I think the most import mesage is that we can all find a place where we can find serenity and be able to be contemplative about our life. He is sharing his.
SOMEWHERE IN THE SUN, SOMETHING SEXY ABOUT THE RAIN and SOUL OF A SAILOR are all beautuful songs performed with earnest emotion. There are also some real fun uptempo tracks that will have you singing along and dancing with them - GUITARS AND TIKI BARS and KEY LIME PIE. Then we have the ultra romantic slow waltz of MAGIC. This tender song will make you want to dim the lights and share it with that special someone.
Kenny Chesney has found a place where he can let go, relax and be contemplative at his own pace. This is something we all need and Kenny shares his feelings here with 100% honesty. It is very rare to find a cd that is so much from the singer's soul. Here you get to know yet another facet of Kenny Chesney and it is a great gift.
Takes me away to a better place...
2009-01-05 - I am not a Kenny Chesney Fan. For that matter, I am not a country music fan. Therefore, I would have never known about this CD has it not been for my sister, who knows about my love of the islands. She sent it to me in a xmas present. I thought "oh wow, a country cd" (ick). Then I popped it into my BOSE, and WOW ! I LOVE IT !! Mellow, real and great for sitting on the beach ! You GO Kenny ! Make us some more just like it ! Country music die hard rednecks probably wont like it, since it dont have trailer parks, NASCAR, foodstamps, divorce or bubbas..
~island gettaway~
2008-11-30 - Let me first start out by saying that this is totally different than Kenny's previous albums, because every song has a beachy feel of the islands, and is not radio-ready typical "pop-country". Not for everyone, however i absolutely love this CD - it is one of the best albums I have ever bought! Low key and laid back, this is island country at its best. Also, Kenny wrote every song on here, which really shows the talent he has for song-writing and why he originally came to Nashville as a song-writer. So many good songs, and so many true stories about people that Kenny has encountered in the islands.
While "Old Blue Chair" and the title track "Be As You Are" seem to be the highlights on here, there are plenty of other relaxing & soothing songs such as "Somewhere In The Sun" and "Sherry's Living In Paradise". I have listened to this album probably over a thousand times, and it never gets old. Each song takes you to another place and another time - where there are no worries or problems. So peaceful and beachy - you can close your eyes and almost hear the ocean waves, see the sun, and feel your feet in the sand!
The last song on the CD sums up this album perfectly - it's an acoustic performance of "Old Blue Chair" - with Kenny singing live on the beach with just his guitar. You can hear the ocean waves crashing peacefully in the background, which is such a nice ending to the album. I can't say in words how amazing this CD is...all I can say is that you need to hear it yourself to understand...I highly recommended buying at least one copy!!! Overall ~10/10~
This album + the beach + an iced cold drink = LIFE IS GOOD
2008-09-25 - This album is full of great songs!! My favorite is "Magic". It's a good mix of island music with a touch of the big band sounds of Frank Sinatra. Island Boy makes me appreciate being born on the Coast, hanging out at the barrier islands where it's "peaceful and serene". "Guitars and Tiki Bars makes you want to dance! When you can't get to the beach, just play this album! True Kenny fans will appreciate it!
