Simple Plans

Editorial Reviews
Contemporary Christian Magazine
Crockett is in fine voice and offers tasty arrangements, but this album's charm is its thinking-persons lyrics. If your concept of a poetic songsmith begins and ends with Jewell, get ready for the next level.

Sonically, the sessions are warm, evocative of friends sitting around a wood stove. Highlights include Milo Deering's fiddle on "Love the World" and Mike Collier's bucket, table, and spittoon (yes spittoon), which add percussive wallop to the instrumental "Hammer Thumb." Yep, nothing pretentious here, just simple, effective playing. Sounds like a plan to me.

- Anthony DeBarros, CCM --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Billboard
This sensitive singer/songwriter has never actually gone out of style in any musical genre. The contemporary Christian community is no exception. However... folk-tinged literate music seems to be making a strong comeback. With a group of well-written songs and a warm, plaintive vocal style, Crockett delivers an album rich in emotional conscience and musical appeal.

On this, his ninth album, Crockett issues a strong collection of tunes with low-key production and understated charm. Among... read more --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Album Description
Acoustic, bright and soulful songs spun from a consummate guitarist and story teller in pursuit of faith. Artful affirmations of community. Sophisticated folk-pop. "Live" and rootsy feel. Intimate cast of Texas heroes, including mandolin and fiddle, enhance Billy's sculptured guitar lines and vocals. Dedicated to the volunteers of Habitat for Humanity. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Simple Plans

Tracks:

Simple Plans
What You Got
No Strings on Love
Love the World
All I See in You
Tap On Your Shoulder
All of my Children
Hammer Thumb
Mark and Sammy
It All Turns
The Last in Line
Traveling Mercies

Album Description

Acoustic, bright and soulful songs spun from a consummate guitarist and story teller in pursuit of faith. Artful affirmations of community. Sophisticated folk-pop. "Live" and rootsy feel. Intimate cast of Texas heroes, including mandolin and fiddle, enhance Billy's sculptured guitar lines and vocals. Dedicated to the volunteers of Habitat for Humanity.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful.......2002-08-19

The best christian cd ever! you can listen to the music whenever and it lifts your spirits. the lyrics are great and easy to fallow! thank you billy!

Good album, but buy Red Bird Blue Sky first.......2001-02-27

I like Billy Crockett a lot, but for me, this album doesn't measure up to some of his earlier efforts. Its a good album, but if you don't have them already, buy "Red Bird Blue Sky" and/or "Watermarks" before you get this one.

Rootsy Music from an Acoustic Guitar Virtuoso.......2000-09-13

Billy Crockett has always been an amazing acoustic guitarist. This is what captures the attention first; however, after the initial WOW of his playing becomes a given, you begin to notice just how excellent are his compositions. From the thoughtful and meaningful lyrics to the beautiful melodies, Crockett is a writer's writer and a musician's musician ...

With Simple Plans, Crockett has moved from the expected style of the singer songwriter ala James Taylor & Dan Fogelberg to a more rootsy sound. It isn't necessarily Bluegrass or Folk although you'll definitely hear the influences. I would term it honest acoustic music.

Although, Crockett himself is a multi-instrumentalist (mandolin, guitar etc.) I agree with the other reviewers who pointed out that a highlight is Milo Deering who covers dobro and violin (at least). This guy is good!

As with most Crockett works, it is hard to term anything weak about this album.

This album comes off as vibrant, jubilant and bright although there is some conviction here too ... sounds like the players had a great time and as another reviewer pointed out, it could have come right from around the old wood stove among best of friends.

If you like good music with a heavy acoustic flavor and lyrical substance, this is a good one to get. Crockett's other works are also HIGHLY recommended. Not a bad one in the bunch.

- Scriptor

Billy Crockett does it again.......1999-12-21

He writes incredible songs, and is one of the most talented acoustic guitarists you will ever hear. Too many highlights on this album to point out one or two or three. It's perfect!

Billy in Concert.......1999-11-26

Billy Crocket and his group played a benefit for Habitat for Humanity at Milwaukie Presbyterian Church in Milwaukie, OR. They were wonderful - with young and old alike up on their feet clapping and singing to his music. Very inspiring.

Music:

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