In perhaps the most highly anticipated and most dreaded album of the year, Rory Feek released his solo debut ‘Gentle Man’ on Friday. The project is his first new music since the passing of his wife and singing partner Joey Feek to cervical cancer in 2016. Everyone knew it would be emotional listening to an album without Joey’s voice, but Rory made sure her presence was felt even though she could not sing any of these songs.
Feek closed out this album with the biggest emotional gut punch of all, a duet with Dolly Parton called ‘One Angel’. The song gives us specific insight into Joey’s final days and how Rory struggled with his faith leading up to and beyond her death. Parton almost takes on the role of Joey here, as she gives a voice to the late singer’s perspective during this time. I would suggest you don’t listen to this song in public and make sure you have plenty of tissues handy. The lead track ‘Me & The Blues’ is the only other song that directly references Joey’s death and it’s a sad depiction of how empty Rory feels without her here. Although Vince Gill is credited on this song, he only sings harmonies, which was a smart decision because it would make it far less authentic and special if Gill was truly featured on this song.
The title track ‘Gentleman’ fully encapsulates who Rory is as a man and a human being in general. He doesn’t care if his way of life is outdated, or if people make fun of him. He is proud of the way he carries himself and the way he treats people in his life. He even goes on to say that he believes that being a gentleman is what made Joey fall in love with him. Although every other song sounds uniquely Rory, ‘Gentleman’ gave me the strongest Dan Fogleberg vibes, and I’m not mad at it. Probably the most interesting and attention-grabbing song in this collection is ‘Satan and Grandma’. This song is credited as a duet with Lee Ann Womack, but like ‘Me & The Blues’, this one is more of Womack singing harmonies than her having a major feature. If the title doesn’t immediately suck you in, the opening lyric “Satan knew my grandma well” certainly does. This is a song I will be going back to for a repeat listen.
As a fan of Joey + Rory, it fills me with pride to know that Rory Feek is able to forge his own path in music, while also keeping the memory of Joey alive in all of our hearts. It is understandable if you would feel like it might be too painful to listen to this album knowing Joey isn’t able to sing on it. Out of respect for Joey and for Rory, give ‘Gentleman’ a chance by listening to it here.
