Sevens

Personnel includes: Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood (vocals); Steve Wariner (vocals, acoustic guitar); Shawn Camp, Carl Jackson (acoustic guitar, background vocals); Chris Leuzinger (nylon string & electric guitars); Mark Casstevens, Pat Flynn (acoustic guitar); Bruce Bouton (steel guitar); Al Perkins (dobro); Rob Hajacos, Randy Howard (fiddle); Bobby Wood (piano, Wurlitzer piano, keyboards); Catherine Styron (piano); Mike Chapman, Kevin Grant (bass); Milton Sledge (drums, percussion); Randy Hardison (drums); Sam Bacco (congas, percussion); Susan Ashton, Kathy Chiavola, Vicki Hampton, Robert Bailey, Yvonne Hodges, Dorothy Robinson, Charles Green, Matt Lindsey, Sandy Mason, Big Al, Double "D", "Sam The Man" Duczer, Leona Heid (background vocals).

Recorded at Jack's Tracks Recording Studio and Javelina Studios, Nashville, Tennessee.

All tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology.

SEVENS was nominated for a 1999 Grammy for Best Country Album.

A quick glance at the songwriting credits on SEVENS might give you the idea that Brooks, the quintessential proletariat hero, the Springsteen of Nashville, has gone hip on his blue-collared, regular-Joe listeners. "You Move Me" was co-authored by thinking mans's singer-songwriter Pierce Pettis and "Bellau Wood" is a collaboration between Brooks and underground country-rock hero Joe Henry. Fear not, though, because while he's looking outside the usual circle of Nashville writers for material, SEVENS is classic Garth Brooks.

There are downtempo heart-breakers like "I Don't Have To Wonder" and boisterous sing-along numbers such as the Jimmy Buffett-esque "Two Pina Coladas." Garth ups the hormone quotient on the lusty "Take The Keys To My Heart" and adds a touch of bluegrass to "Do What You Gotta Do." A career like his is based on a lot more than good fortune, but SEVENS is sure to be a lucky number, both for Brooks and his legions of fans.

What the critics say...

Rolling Stone (1/22/98, p.54) - 3 Stars (out of 5) - "...Brooks still exhibits the touch of a master country craftsman here and there, and when he's on...SEVENS comes up a winner..."