What makes Blue Plate Special by Prairie Oyster notable?

Blue Plate Special garnered significant acclaim, reaching number 7 on the Canadian Country Albums chart. The album's success helped solidify Prairie Oyster's standing as one of Canada's prominent country bands during the 1990s, showcasing their ability to resonate with both critics and fans alike. Released in 1996, Blue Plate Special was Prairie Oyster's fifth studio album, following their critically acclaimed album, Just Like New. At this point in their career, the band had firmly established themselves in the Canadian country music scene, building on their reputation for blending traditional sounds with contemporary elements.

How many songs are on Blue Plate Special?

Blue Plate Special has 12 tracks, running approximately 41 minutes.

Released 30 years ago

Blue Plate Special

Prairie Oyster · 1996

41 min · 12 tracks · country music

Uplifting melodies and heartfelt storytelling blend seamlessly in this vibrant country album filled with rich harmonies.

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Top tracks — play these first

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She Won't Be Lonely Long — This opening track features a catchy chorus and showcases the band's signature blend of upbeat instrumentation and relatable lyrics about love and longing.
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The Water's Deep — This poignant ballad stands out for its emotional depth, exploring themes of heartache with a haunting melody that lingers long after it's over.
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Tonight There's a Blue Moon — A standout track that captures the essence of romantic nostalgia, it beautifully intertwines vivid storytelling with engaging harmonies and instrumentation.
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One Way Track — This closing track embodies a sense of resolution and reflection, featuring intricate musicianship and lyrical maturity that encapsulate the album's journey.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album features strong melodies and storytelling but remains within conventional country frameworks.

What we noticed

The first three tracks feature upbeat tempos and strong vocal harmonies, establishing a lively tone that persists through much of the album.
Several songs incorporate traditional country instrumentation, including steel guitar and fiddle, which enhances the genre authenticity.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

If My Broken Heart Would Ever Mend

The verse shifts from regretful memories to hopeful anticipation, illustrating a journey from pain toward healing.

This structural progression mirrors the emotional evolution within the song, emphasizing resilience amidst heartbreak.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 She Won't Be Lonely Long 3:32
2 Whatcha Gonna Do? 3:38
3 The Water's Deep 4:11
4 If My Broken Heart Would Ever Mend 2:39
5 Tonight There's a Blue Moon 4:57
6 Long Gone Daddy 3:00
7 In the Summertime (You Don't Want My Love) 2:40
8 Unbelievable Love 3:34
9 Sunday Driver 0:52
10 There She Goes 3:32
11 One Way Track 5:43
12 Into the Blue 3:25

What to play next

Listen next

What Is This Country?

1998

Go back to

Only One Moon

1994

Full Prairie Oyster discography Artists like Prairie Oyster

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata