This particular
Tribute to Garth Brooks is not to be confused with the Cleopatra label's similarly-named effort -- which featured classic rock relics running through the Hat City superstar's material -- or the more country-fried tribute released by Big Eye, that infamous clearinghouse of cash-in comps and faceless studio dudes. No, this tribute is performed solely by one
John Sawyer, a satisfactory vocalist falling somewhere between country twang and big city pop slick. He runs ably through honky tonkers like "Longneck Bottle" and "Friends in Low Places," handles the ballads "If Tomorrow Never Comes" and "The Dance," with gentle tact, and has his best moment with the rousing "Standing Outside the Fire." But while it's a capable, occasionally entertaining set,
Sawyer's performances aren't unique enough to outrun the tribute album stigma that he's just doing this for a quick pay out. ~ Johnny Loftus