Mickey Gilley Albums (35)
'Live from the Mickey Gilley Theatre'
Release Date 4/26/2005
Tracks 32
Label Madacy
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What The Critics Say
Mickey Gilley recorded the ten songs that comprise Invitation Only in 1991, a few years after he left Epic and about ten years after his commercial peak, but the sessions stayed on the shelf until Varese's release of the album in the spring of 2003. It wasn't just that this particular album was left behind; Gilley effectively abandoned the idea of being an active recording artist during the '90s, and he didn't cut another album during the decade. So, this album, which would have followed his last proper studio album by only three years, now appears 15 years later, re-produced by Matthew Miles to make it a little more modern...but only a little, since this record is firmly within the post-urban cowboy, mature country-pop tradition; it would have sounded dated if it appeared in 1991 or 1992. All this means is that Invitation Only is ballad-heavy -- in the liner notes, Gilley recalls that "Conway Twitty once told me to find tunes the ladies love," and he takes that advice to heart -- and the production is soft and hazy, playing up Gilley's considerable abilities as a crooner. If the production is a little too clean and the song selection a little unadventurous, it's nevertheless professionally done and appealing in its own MOR way, and when the tempo is varied a little -- when he treads into mild Jerry Lee territory on "Sadly Ever After" or goes mildly tropical on "I Didn't Know Your Memory Loved Jamaica" -- it's a nice change of pace. All in all, it's a good, solid listen. Not a lost classic by any means, but after years without any new Gilley whatsoever, it's good to hear him again. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
This is a curious item in the sense that only part of it was previously available on the box set of various artists entitled Live at Gilley's. This is the entire set recorded sometime before the club closed in 1986 and does not have an exact date attached to it, but it hardly matters. This is one stompin' piano-pumpin' rock-a-rolla country set with Mickey Gilley revisiting his entire career in song, from 1974's "Room Full of Roses" (his first number one) and "She Called Me Baby" (the B-side), to the Jerry Foster classic "Here Comes the Hurt Again" and "A Headache Tomorrow or a Heartache Tonight," to Hank Cochran's classic "That's All That Matters" with many more. And, yes, "Don't All the Girls Get Prettier at Closin' Time" is here in the most over-the-top rock version ever recorded. It's fast, furious, exuberant, and hedonistic. But with ballads such as the Keith Stegall/Stewart Harris tearjerker "Lonely Nights," Gilley's deeply emotional and sensitive side comes across in spades. As a singer, Gilley was always underrated, and that's a shame because, as he proves in front of an audience, he is a monster of an interpretive vocalist. Another winner is "The Blues Don't Care Who's Got 'Em," a tune associated very closely associated with Charlie Rich. Gilley's version is a raw honky tonker with gorgeous piano runs and backing vocalists sweetly singing a doo wop chorus in the background. One of the true stunners on the set is Gilley's version of the Ben E. King/Leiber/Stoller classic "Stand by Me." His live version rivals King's and John Lennon's for pure emotional honesty and searing commitment. There are some limitations in the source tape on this set, but they do absolutely nothing to detract from the power of this 12-track set. For Gilley fans this is essential, as it may be his best live document. For roots rock and honky tonk fans, this is revelatory. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide
'Christmas at Gilley's'
Release Date 10/10/1995
Tracks 10
Label Sony Special Products
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'With Love from Pasadena, Texas'
Release Date 4/6/1993
Tracks 10
Label Quicksilver
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'Make It Like the First Time'
Release Date 1/1/1993
Tracks 12
Label Branson
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