Name: Prayer Of A Common Man by Phil Vassar
Brand: Phil Vassar
SKU: 602517329614
Price: 9.9 USD
Availability: OnlineOnly
Rating: 2.5 (84 reviews)

ALBUM

It's hard to call Phil Vassar's Prayer of a Common Man a concept album, as it contains no narrative, but it sure is conceptual, built upon the trials and travails of the common man in 2008, which naturally means there are plenty of passing references to Republicans and Democrats and the high price of gas. Vassar pumps Prayer full of everyman melodrama and easy nostalgia, supporting his conversational clichés with music that is country in marketing only, as he chooses to support his tales of the common man with songs that deliberately evoke John Mellencamp and Bob Seger -- quite literally so with the latter, as Vassar builds in allusions to "Night Moves" and "Roll Me Away" on "My Chevrolet," which plays as if penned for a yearlong television ad campaign. He may aspire to Mellencamp and Seger, but his reliance on grandiose piano runs makes large sections of Prayer of a Common Man feel like the work of a Midwestern Billy Joel, especially as the first half of the album is heavy on overheated songs, designed to fill arenas but almost feeling better suited for a theatrical production. Things get a little looser as the album rolls on, as Vassar eases into a great little zydeco rocker called "Why Don't Ya" and indulges in some surprisingly effective psychedelia lite on the chorus of "It's Only Love," which recalls the better moments of Big Kenny. These tunes prove that Vassar is at his best when he doesn't try quite so hard, but the problem with Prayer of a Common Man is that for the bulk of its running time he's trying entirely too hard, either to say something important or to relate to the common man, a paradox that ultimately sinks the record. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

1. This Is My Life

by Phil Vassar

Composer: Phil Vassar
Tom Douglas; Composer
Acoustic Guitar: B. James Lowry; Performer
Background Vocals: Jeffrey E. Smith; Performer
Bass Guitar: Michael Rhodes; Performer
Drums: Greg Morrow; Performer
Hammond B3 Organ: Reese Wynans; Performer
Mellotron: Tim Akers; Performer
Percussion: Eric Darken; Performer
Lyricist: Tom Douglas
Phil Vassar; Composer
Electric Guitar: Kenny Greenberg
Jeffrey E. Smith; Performer
Performer: Michael Rhodes
Kristin Wilkinson
Phil Vassar
Russ Pahl
Tim Akers
Reese Wynans
Eric Darken
Jeffrey E. Smith
Greg Morrow
David Angell
B. James Lowry
John Catchings
Mary Kathryn Van Osdale
Kenny Greenberg; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Hank Williams; Production
Recording Assistant: Leslie Richter
Greg Lawrence
Aaron Kasdorf
Brian Gill; Production
Piano: Phil Vassar; Performer
Engineer: Adam Hull; Production
Mixing: Greg Droman; Production
Recording: Kim Daewoo
Greg Droman
Ed Wooley
Chip Matthews
Baeho "bobby" Shin; Production
Steel Guitar: Russ Pahl; Performer
Strings: John Catchings
Kristin Wilkinson
David Angell
Mary Kathryn Van Osdale; Performer
Executive Producer: Mark Wright
Phil Vassar; Production
Studio Personnel: Chip Matthews
Baeho "bobby" Shin
Adam Hull
Aaron Kasdorf
Brian Gill
Hank Williams
Leslie Richter
Greg Lawrence
Greg Droman
Ed Wooley
Kim Daewoo; Production
Primary Artist: Phil Vassar; Main Performer
Producer: Mark Wright
Phil Vassar; Production

2. Around Here Somewhere

by Phil Vassar

Composer: Phil Vassar
Charlie Black
Tommy Rocco; Composer
Acoustic Guitar: B. James Lowry; Performer
Background Vocals: Jeffrey E. Smith; Performer
Bass Guitar: Michael Rhodes; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jeffrey E. Smith
Kenny Greenberg; Performer
Lyricist: Tommy Rocco
Charlie Black
Phil Vassar; Composer
Drums: Greg Morrow; Performer
Percussion: Eric Darken; Performer
Performer: Stuart Duncan
Phil Vassar
Jeffrey E. Smith
Greg Morrow
B. James Lowry
Kenny Greenberg
Russ Pahl
Reese Wynans
Michael Rhodes
Eric Darken; Performer
Piano: Phil Vassar; Performer
Engineer: Adam Hull; Production
Fiddle: Stuart Duncan; Performer
Hammond B3 Organ: Reese Wynans; Performer
Mandolin: Stuart Duncan; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Hank Williams; Production
Mixing: Greg Droman; Production
Recording Assistant: Brian Gill
Leslie Richter
Greg Lawrence
Aaron Kasdorf; Production
Steel Guitar: Russ Pahl; Performer
Executive Producer: Mark Wright
Phil Vassar; Production
Recording: Chip Matthews
Ed Wooley
Greg Droman
Kim Daewoo
Baeho "bobby" Shin; Production
Studio Personnel: Baeho "bobby" Shin
Kim Daewoo
Greg Lawrence
Greg Droman
Ed Wooley
Chip Matthews
Leslie Richter
Adam Hull
Aaron Kasdorf
Brian Gill
Hank Williams; Production
Primary Artist: Phil Vassar; Main Performer
Producer: Phil Vassar
Mark Wright; Production

3. My Chevrolet

by Phil Vassar

Acoustic Guitar: B. James Lowry; Performer
Composer: Billy Alcorn
Tim Ryan Rouillier
Phil Vassar; Composer
Background Vocals: Jeffrey E. Smith; Performer
Bass Guitar: Michael Rhodes; Performer
Drums: Greg Morrow; Performer
Hammond B3 Organ: Reese Wynans; Performer
Lyricist: Tim Ryan Rouillier
Phil Vassar
Billy Alcorn; Composer
Electric Guitar: Kenny Greenberg
Jeffrey E. Smith; Performer
Percussion: Eric Darken; Performer
Performer: Jeffrey E. Smith
Phil Vassar
Eric Darken
Michael Rhodes
Reese Wynans
Russ Pahl
Kenny Greenberg
B. James Lowry
Greg Morrow; Performer
Executive Producer: Mark Wright
Phil Vassar; Production
Mastering Engineer: Hank Williams; Production
Mixing: Greg Droman; Production
Piano: Phil Vassar; Performer
Recording Assistant: Leslie Richter
Brian Gill
Aaron Kasdorf
Greg Lawrence; Production
Steel Guitar: Russ Pahl; Performer
Engineer: Adam Hull; Production
Recording: Greg Droman
Kim Daewoo
Chip Matthews
Baeho "bobby" Shin
Ed Wooley; Production
Studio Personnel: Brian Gill
Adam Hull
Baeho "bobby" Shin
Chip Matthews
Ed Wooley
Greg Droman
Greg Lawrence
Kim Daewoo
Leslie Richter
Hank Williams
Aaron Kasdorf; Production
Primary Artist: Phil Vassar; Main Performer
Producer: Phil Vassar
Mark Wright; Production

4. Love Is A Beautiful Thing

by Phil Vassar

Acoustic Guitar: B. James Lowry; Performer
Composer: Jeffrey Steele
Craig Wiseman; Composer
Background Vocals: Jeffrey E. Smith; Performer
Bass Guitar: Michael Rhodes; Performer
Drums: Greg Morrow; Performer
Hammond B3 Organ: Reese Wynans; Performer
Lyricist: Craig Wiseman
Jeffrey Steele; Composer
Electric Guitar: Kenny Greenberg
Jeffrey E. Smith; Performer
Percussion: Eric Darken; Performer
Performer: Jeffrey E. Smith
Eric Darken
Steve Nathan
Michael Rhodes
Reese Wynans
Russ Pahl
Kenny Greenberg
B. James Lowry
Greg Morrow; Performer
Executive Producer: Mark Wright
Phil Vassar; Production
Mastering Engineer: Hank Williams; Production
Mixing: Greg Droman; Production
Piano: Steve Nathan; Performer
Recording Assistant: Leslie Richter
Brian Gill
Aaron Kasdorf
Greg Lawrence; Production
Steel Guitar: Russ Pahl; Performer
Engineer: Adam Hull; Production
Recording: Greg Droman
Kim Daewoo
Chip Matthews
Baeho "bobby" Shin
Ed Wooley; Production
Studio Personnel: Brian Gill
Adam Hull
Baeho "bobby" Shin
Chip Matthews
Ed Wooley
Greg Droman
Greg Lawrence
Kim Daewoo
Leslie Richter
Hank Williams
Aaron Kasdorf; Production
Primary Artist: Phil Vassar; Main Performer
Producer: Mark Wright
Phil Vassar; Production

5. Prayer Of A Common Man

by Phil Vassar

Composer: Phil Vassar
Tom Douglas; Composer
Acoustic Guitar: B. James Lowry; Performer
Background Vocals: Vicki Hampton
Kim Fleming
Jeffrey E. Smith; Performer
Bass Guitar: Michael Rhodes; Performer
Lyricist: Tom Douglas
Phil Vassar; Composer
Drums: Greg Morrow; Performer
Electric Guitar: Kenny Greenberg
Jeffrey E. Smith; Performer
Performer: Jeffrey E. Smith
Phil Vassar
Eric Darken
Jelly Roll Johnson
Michael Rhodes
Vicki Hampton
Reese Wynans
Kenny Greenberg
Kim Fleming
B. James Lowry
Greg Morrow; Performer
Engineer: Adam Hull; Production
Hammond B3 Organ: Reese Wynans; Performer
Harmonica: Jelly Roll Johnson; Performer
Percussion: Eric Darken; Performer
Piano: Phil Vassar; Performer
Executive Producer: Phil Vassar
Mark Wright; Production
Mastering Engineer: Hank Williams; Production
Mixing: Greg Droman; Production
Recording: Ed Wooley
Kim Daewoo
Baeho "bobby" Shin
Chip Matthews
Greg Droman; Production
Recording Assistant: Aaron Kasdorf
Greg Lawrence
Leslie Richter
Brian Gill; Production
Studio Personnel: Aaron Kasdorf
Baeho "bobby" Shin
Chip Matthews
Ed Wooley
Greg Droman
Greg Lawrence
Kim Daewoo
Leslie Richter
Hank Williams
Brian Gill
Adam Hull; Production
Primary Artist: Phil Vassar; Main Performer
Producer: Mark Wright
Phil Vassar; Production

6. I Would

by Phil Vassar

Composer: Phil Vassar; Composer
Acoustic Guitar: B. James Lowry; Performer
Background Vocals: Jeffrey E. Smith; Performer
Bass Guitar: Michael Rhodes; Performer
Lyricist: Phil Vassar; Composer
Drums: Greg Morrow; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jeffrey E. Smith
Kenny Greenberg; Performer
Performer: Larry Franklin
Michael Rhodes
Phil Vassar
Steve Nathan
Jeffrey E. Smith
Greg Morrow
B. James Lowry
Kenny Greenberg; Performer
Engineer: Adam Hull; Production
Fiddle: Larry Franklin; Performer
Hammond B3 Organ: Steve Nathan; Performer
Mandolin: Larry Franklin; Performer
Piano: Phil Vassar; Performer
Executive Producer: Phil Vassar
Mark Wright; Production
Mastering Engineer: Hank Williams; Production
Mixing: Greg Droman; Production
Recording: Ed Wooley
Kim Daewoo
Baeho "bobby" Shin
Chip Matthews
Greg Droman; Production
Recording Assistant: Brian Gill
Leslie Richter
Greg Lawrence
Aaron Kasdorf; Production
Studio Personnel: Baeho "bobby" Shin
Kim Daewoo
Greg Lawrence
Greg Droman
Ed Wooley
Chip Matthews
Leslie Richter
Adam Hull
Aaron Kasdorf
Brian Gill
Hank Williams; Production
Primary Artist: Phil Vassar; Main Performer
Producer: Phil Vassar
Mark Wright; Production

7. Why Don't Ya

by Phil Vassar

Accordion: Michael Guerra; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: B. James Lowry
Russ Pahl; Performer
Lyricist: Shawn Sahm
Speedy Sparks
Mac Baca; Composer
Recording Assistant: Brian Gill
Greg Lawrence
Aaron Kasdorf
Leslie Richter; Production
Background Vocals: Jeffrey E. Smith
Los Lonely Boys; Performer
Bass Guitar: Michael Rhodes; Performer
Drums: Greg Morrow; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jeffrey E. Smith
Kenny Greenberg; Performer
Hammond B3 Organ: Reese Wynans; Performer
Percussion: Eric Darken; Performer
Composer: Mac Baca
Speedy Sparks
Shawn Sahm; Composer
Performer: B. James Lowry
Greg Morrow
Jeffrey E. Smith
Russ Pahl
Reese Wynans
Michael Rhodes
Michael Guerra
Eric Darken
Los Lonely Boys
Kenny Greenberg; Performer
Engineer: Adam Hull; Production
Executive Producer: Mark Wright
Phil Vassar; Production
Mastering Engineer: Hank Williams; Production
Mixing: Greg Droman; Production
Recording: Baeho "bobby" Shin
Chip Matthews
Ed Wooley
Greg Droman
Kim Daewoo; Production
Studio Personnel: Chip Matthews
Baeho "bobby" Shin
Adam Hull
Aaron Kasdorf
Brian Gill
Hank Williams
Ed Wooley
Greg Droman
Greg Lawrence
Kim Daewoo
Leslie Richter; Production
Primary Artist: Phil Vassar; Main Performer
Producer: Mark Wright
Phil Vassar; Production

8. It's Only Love

by Phil Vassar

Composer: Julie Vassar
Rodney Clawson
Phil Vassar; Composer
Acoustic Guitar: B. James Lowry; Performer
Background Vocals: Jeffrey E. Smith; Performer
Bass Guitar: Michael Rhodes; Performer
Lyricist: Rodney Clawson
Julie Vassar
Phil Vassar; Composer
Drums: Greg Morrow; Performer
Electric Guitar: Kenny Greenberg
Jeffrey E. Smith; Performer
Performer: Jeffrey E. Smith
Phil Vassar
Eric Darken
Michael Rhodes
Reese Wynans
Russ Pahl
Kenny Greenberg
B. James Lowry
Greg Morrow; Performer
Engineer: Adam Hull; Production
Guitar: Russ Pahl; Performer
Hammond B3 Organ: Reese Wynans; Performer
Percussion: Eric Darken; Performer
Piano: Phil Vassar; Performer
Executive Producer: Mark Wright
Phil Vassar; Production
Mastering Engineer: Hank Williams; Production
Mixing: Greg Droman; Production
Recording: Kim Daewoo
Greg Droman
Ed Wooley
Chip Matthews
Baeho "bobby" Shin; Production
Recording Assistant: Leslie Richter
Brian Gill
Aaron Kasdorf
Greg Lawrence; Production
Studio Personnel: Hank Williams
Aaron Kasdorf
Adam Hull
Baeho "bobby" Shin
Chip Matthews
Ed Wooley
Greg Droman
Greg Lawrence
Kim Daewoo
Leslie Richter
Brian Gill; Production
Primary Artist: Phil Vassar; Main Performer
Producer: Mark Wright
Phil Vassar; Production

9. Let Me Love You Tonight

by Phil Vassar

Acoustic Guitar: B. James Lowry; Performer
Composer: Phil Vassar
Jeff Smith
Julie Vassar; Composer
Bass Guitar: Michael Rhodes
Tim Akers; Performer
Drums: Greg Morrow; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jeffrey E. Smith
Kenny Greenberg; Performer
Hammond B3 Organ: Reese Wynans; Performer
Percussion: Eric Darken; Performer
Performer: Michael Rhodes
Eric Darken
Steve Nathan
The Love Sponge String Quartet
Jeffrey E. Smith
Greg Morrow
B. James Lowry
Kenny Greenberg
Russ Pahl
Tim Akers
Reese Wynans; Performer
Piano: Steve Nathan; Performer
Steel Guitar: Russ Pahl; Performer
Lyricist: Jeff Smith
Julie Vassar
Phil Vassar; Composer
Engineer: Adam Hull; Production
Mastering Engineer: Hank Williams; Production
Mixing: Greg Droman; Production
Recording: Chip Matthews
Ed Wooley
Baeho "bobby" Shin
Greg Droman
Kim Daewoo; Production
Recording Assistant: Aaron Kasdorf
Leslie Richter
Greg Lawrence
Brian Gill; Production
Strings: The Love Sponge String Quartet; Performer
Executive Producer: Phil Vassar
Mark Wright; Production
Studio Personnel: Brian Gill
Hank Williams
Greg Lawrence
Kim Daewoo
Leslie Richter
Greg Droman
Ed Wooley
Chip Matthews
Baeho "bobby" Shin
Adam Hull
Aaron Kasdorf; Production
Primary Artist: Phil Vassar; Main Performer
Producer: Phil Vassar
Mark Wright; Production

10. Baby Rocks

by Phil Vassar

Acoustic Guitar: B. James Lowry; Performer
Background Vocals: Jeffrey E. Smith; Performer
Lyricist: Phil Vassar
Billy Alcorn
Jeff Smith; Composer
Recording Assistant: Brian Gill
Greg Lawrence
Aaron Kasdorf
Leslie Richter; Production
Banjo: Soctt Saunders; Performer
Bass Guitar: Michael Rhodes; Performer
Drums: Greg Morrow; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jeffrey E. Smith
Kenny Greenberg; Performer
Fiddle: Stuart Duncan; Performer
Hammond B3 Organ: Reese Wynans; Performer
Composer: Billy Alcorn
Phil Vassar
Jeff Smith; Composer
Percussion: Eric Darken; Performer
Performer: Michael Rhodes
Phil Vassar
Eric Darken
Soctt Saunders
Jeffrey E. Smith
Greg Morrow
B. James Lowry
Kenny Greenberg
Stuart Duncan
Russ Pahl
Reese Wynans; Performer
Executive Producer: Phil Vassar
Mark Wright; Production
Mastering Engineer: Hank Williams; Production
Mixing: Greg Droman; Production
Piano: Phil Vassar; Performer
Steel Guitar: Russ Pahl; Performer
Engineer: Adam Hull; Production
Recording: Chip Matthews
Ed Wooley
Baeho "bobby" Shin
Greg Droman
Kim Daewoo; Production
Studio Personnel: Baeho "bobby" Shin
Kim Daewoo
Greg Lawrence
Greg Droman
Ed Wooley
Chip Matthews
Leslie Richter
Adam Hull
Aaron Kasdorf
Brian Gill
Hank Williams; Production
Primary Artist: Phil Vassar; Main Performer
Producer: Phil Vassar
Mark Wright; Production

11. The World Is A Mess

by Phil Vassar

Composer: Phil Vassar
Tom Douglas; Composer
Acoustic Guitar: B. James Lowry; Performer
Background Vocals: Jeffrey E. Smith; Performer
Bass Guitar: Michael Rhodes; Performer
Drums: Greg Morrow; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jeffrey E. Smith
Kenny Greenberg; Performer
Hammond B3 Organ: Reese Wynans; Performer
Organ: Reese Wynans; Performer
Lyricist: Tom Douglas
Phil Vassar; Composer
Mastering Engineer: Hank Williams; Production
Mixing: Greg Droman; Production
Percussion: Eric Darken; Performer
Performer: Jeffrey E. Smith
Phil Vassar
Eric Darken
Michael Rhodes
Reese Wynans
Russ Pahl
Kenny Greenberg
B. James Lowry
Greg Morrow; Performer
Piano: Phil Vassar; Performer
Engineer: Adam Hull; Production
Recording Assistant: Leslie Richter
Brian Gill
Aaron Kasdorf
Greg Lawrence; Production
Steel Guitar: Russ Pahl; Performer
Executive Producer: Mark Wright
Phil Vassar; Production
Recording: Ed Wooley
Greg Droman
Baeho "bobby" Shin
Chip Matthews
Kim Daewoo; Production
Studio Personnel: Hank Williams
Aaron Kasdorf
Adam Hull
Baeho "bobby" Shin
Chip Matthews
Ed Wooley
Greg Droman
Greg Lawrence
Kim Daewoo
Leslie Richter
Brian Gill; Production
Primary Artist: Phil Vassar; Main Performer
Producer: Mark Wright
Phil Vassar; Production

12. Crazy Life

by Phil Vassar

Composer: Phil Vassar; Composer
Acoustic Guitar: B. James Lowry; Performer
Bass Guitar: Michael Rhodes; Performer
Mandolin: Stuart Duncan; Performer
Percussion: Eric Darken; Performer
Lyricist: Phil Vassar; Composer
Hammond B3 Organ: Reese Wynans; Performer
Performer: B. James Lowry
Stuart Duncan
Phil Vassar
Eric Darken
Michael Rhodes
Reese Wynans; Performer
Piano: Phil Vassar; Performer
Engineer: Adam Hull; Production
Executive Producer: Phil Vassar
Mark Wright; Production
Mastering Engineer: Hank Williams; Production
Mixing: Greg Droman; Production
Recording: Greg Droman
Ed Wooley
Chip Matthews
Kim Daewoo
Baeho "bobby" Shin; Production
Recording Assistant: Brian Gill
Leslie Richter
Greg Lawrence
Aaron Kasdorf; Production
Studio Personnel: Hank Williams
Kim Daewoo
Leslie Richter
Greg Droman
Ed Wooley
Chip Matthews
Baeho "bobby" Shin
Adam Hull
Aaron Kasdorf
Brian Gill
Greg Lawrence; Production
Primary Artist: Phil Vassar; Main Performer
Producer: Mark Wright
Phil Vassar; Production

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

12 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

43 minutes and 4 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 1416x1416 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

All tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

7/12 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

New Country, New Traditional, Country, Contemporary Country

Label

Universal/Island Def Jam

Music Distribution Service

UMG Global

Country

United States

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Mar 10, 2008

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

602517329614

Shopping cart

Notification

Prayer Of A Common Man

1. This Is My Life

2. Around Here Somewhere

3. My Chevrolet

4. Love Is A Beautiful Thing

5. Prayer Of A Common Man

6. I Would

7. Why Don't Ya

8. It's Only Love

9. Let Me Love You Tonight

10. Baby Rocks

11. The World Is A Mess

12. Crazy Life

Technical Specifications

Prayer Of A Common Man

Product information

Release options

1. This Is My Life

2. Around Here Somewhere

3. My Chevrolet

4. Love Is A Beautiful Thing

5. Prayer Of A Common Man

6. I Would

7. Why Don't Ya

8. It's Only Love

9. Let Me Love You Tonight

10. Baby Rocks

11. The World Is A Mess

12. Crazy Life

Technical Specifications