Plant Early
Jerry Douglas · 1989
39 min · 8 tracks · country music
Eclectic instrumentation weaves together traditional country and new wave influences, creating a vibrant tapestry of sound and emotion.
Top tracks — play these first
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Pushed Too Far — This opening track establishes the album's thematic exploration of emotional boundaries while showcasing Douglas's virtuoso slide guitar work, setting the tone for the rest of the record.
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La Conversacion — In this track, Douglas experiments with intricate arrangements that blend lyrical storytelling with rich instrumentation, demonstrating his ability to merge diverse musical styles seamlessly.
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Mexican Rex — Here, Douglas employs a playful narrative style and upbeat tempo that captures a sense of joy and spontaneity, highlighting his knack for engaging songwriting.
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If You've Got the Money (Honey I've Got the Time) — This cover stands out due to its fresh interpretation and lively arrangement, bridging classic country roots with Douglas's distinct touch, making it a memorable highlight on the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends traditional country with new wave elements, creating a unique sound but lacks strong cohesion.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a strong banjo riff in 'Pushed Too Far' that sets a lively pace, which is maintained through the first four tracks.
- The final track, 'If You've Got the Money (Honey I've Got the Time', shifts to a more classic country sound, contrasting with the eclecticism of earlier songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo listening experience
- intricate melodies for detail seekers
- soothing background for conversation
- rich storytelling with emotional depth
Maybe skip if you
- seeking fast-paced excitement
- prefer standalone hit tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Plant Early is Jerry Douglas' debut solo album, released in 1989 after establishing himself as a prominent session musician and member of the progressive bluegrass band, Strength in Numbers. At this point, Douglas was transitioning from collaborative efforts to showcasing his unique artistic voice.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Alison Krauss· Chris Thile· Tim O'Brien
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Pushed Too Far 5:01
- 2 La Conversacion 7:18
- 3 A Peaceful Return 4:29
- 4 So on and So Forth 4:46
- 5 Mexican Rex 4:17
- 6 Make a Wish 3:54
- 7 The Swinging Bridge 4:16
- 8 If You've Got the Money (Honey I've Got the Time) 5:21
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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