Billy Ray Cyrus HOME AT LAST [Walt Disney Records] 2007
Produced by Fred Mollin
Review by Cheryl Breo
Billy Ray Cyrus certainly has come a long way since “Achy Breaky Heart” and the mullet haircut. With the release of his debut CD “Home At Last” for Walt Disney Records, he plants himself, with a firm grip on his roots, deep in the soil of family.
“Ready Set, Don’t Go” is a touching ballad written for his daughter, Miley, when she left for LA for the “Hannah Montana” pilot…”ain’t no room for me in that car, even if she asked me to tag along”. The emotions of love, pride, trepidation and heartbreak that resonate in this father’s voice are so powerful, anyone who is a parent that has watched their child spread their wings and leave the family nest will almost be able to taste the salty tears that Billy Ray most assuredly shed because they’ve shed the same bittersweet tears.
The deep theme of family and love continues with “The Beginning”, a touching, lyrically moving song of one man’s journey of love and devotion for his wife and family and his deep faith in God as he ends the earthly part of his journey, to travel “The Beginning” of his eternal journey. With “Flying By”, talking about the passing of time from childhood to old age, “My Everything”, a porch swing ballad, sung with that smooth country voice; ”you are my sunshine, my wind and my rain, all my tomorrows are here with you today” and “You Can’t Lose Me”, with its honest, brilliantly phrased lyrics, a true testament of devotion between lovers, best friends, parents and children; lyrics that will hold a special meaning for every individual listener.
Cyrus also includes some versatile classics on this CD like Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl”, James Taylor’s hit, “You’ve Got A Friend”, a wonderful Billy Ray version of “Put A Little Love In Your Heart”, and an absolutely brilliant trip to Oz in “Over The Rainbow”, done with the magic only Billy Ray Cyrus has.
“Home At Last” treats us to 13 tracks of original songs and timeless classics, that are deep in the heart of family, faith and love. Once thought to be a “one hit wonder” by the country music industry with “Achy Breaky Heart”, Billy Ray has definitely proven every “naysayer” wrong, with his successful TV series “Doc”, his daughter’s successful family TV series “Hannah Montana” and the growth and maturity of his music. Billy Ray Cyrus can “Achy Break” this reviewer’s heart anytime!!
