STARTING OVER , CHRIS STAPLETON : A REVIEW
CHRIS STAPLETON PRESENTS AN OUTLET FOR THE PHYSICIAN ’ S EMOTIONS AND SALVE FOR THE SOUL .
John David Kolter , MD
MENTAL HEALTH
Music occupies a unique corner of our expressive psyche , a release in the balloon of tension of everyday life . Putting patients first often means putting ourselves and our emotions decidedly lower on the priority list , leaving want for a healthy release . On Kentucky native Chris Stapleton ’ s fourth studio album , “ Starting Over ,” he deftly and beautifully conveys a remarkable breadth and spectrum of emotion , each note a wisp of exhalation , a release of tension that satiates the want . This deeply emotional musical ride transcends the country music genre with influences of pop , R & B , blues and southern rock interwoven with the unmistakably direct lyrics for which Stapleton is known . There is a realization listening to “ Starting Over ” that Stapleton is singing about experiences that are largely his own , but feelings that are not at all unique to him . The album makes you feel and reflect through Stapleton ’ s eyes , but reminds us that the complexities of life touch us all regardless of our station . It is not that , in listening to the album , one gets the feeling that Chris Stapleton is trying to be everything to every listener but more that Chris Stapleton is everything driving country music right now .
Right out of the gate , Stapleton hits hard with his emotive folk title track , “ Starting Over .”
A fitting gateway to the album and to Stapleton ’ s life , replete with change since he first hit it big after performing his version of
“ Tennessee Whiskey ” with Justin Timberlake at the 2015 Country Music Association Awards . Stapleton sings “ well the road rolls out like a welcome mat , to a better place than the one we ’ re at ” sweeping the listener into the album with promises of what is to come . Yet , it is immediately reflective of the mood of the album ’ s tumultuous release year , 2020 , and he reminds us “ this might not be an easy time , there ’ s rivers to cross and hills to climb .” Clearly finished with ( continued on page 16 )
MARCH 2021 15