1992 Rodney Crowell – Life Is Messy

crowell-rodney-1992Life Is Messy is the title of the seventh studio album released by American country music artist Rodney Crowell, released in 1992 by Columbia Records. It peaked at number 30 on the Top Country Albums chart. The songs, “Lovin’ All Night”, “What Kind of Love”, “It’s Not for Me to Judge”, and “Let’s Make Trouble” were released as singles. This album was seen by many as a return to form after his previous album, Keys to the Highway was not characteristic of Crowell’s style. Many famous musicians contributed instruments or vocals to this album such as Linda Ronstadt, Don Henley, Booker T. Jones and Steve Winwood.

“The Answer Is Yes” was covered by Michelle Wright on her 1996 album For Me It’s You, while “Lovin’ All Night” was covered by Patty Loveless on her 2003 album On Your Way Home.

The album was reissued in 2000 under the Lucky Dog label with a different logo and the border cropped around the picture.

Tracks

1 It’s Not For Me To Judge 4:01
2 What Kind Of Love 3:58
3
Lovin’ All Night 3:51
4 Life Is Messy 4:34
5 I Hardly Know How To Be Myself 4:46
6 It Don’t Get Better Than This 2:44
7 Alone But Not Alone 5:08
8 Let’s Make Trouble 4:28
9 The Answer Is Yes 4:19
10 Maybe Next Time 4:58

1 It’s Not For Me To Judge

Bass Michael Rhodes
Drums Jeffrey Porcaro
Guitar Steuart Smith
Guitar John Leventhal
Acoustic Guitar John Leventhal
Background Vocals Marc Cohn
Background Vocals Bobby Colomby

2 What Kind Of Love

Bass Larry Klein
Drums Mickey Curry
Guitar Steuart Smith
Organ Booker T Jones
Background Vocals Linda Ronstadt
Background Vocals Don Henley

3 Lovin’ All Night

Bass Michael Rhodes
Drums Eddie Bayers
Guitar John Leventhal
Acoustic Guitar Rodney Crowell
Piano Barry Beckett
Percussion John Leventhal
Percussion Rodney Crowell
Background Vocals Lari White
Background Vocals Vince Santoro

4 Life Is Messy

Bass Michael Rhodes
Drums Eddie Bayers
Guitar John Leventhal
Keyboards CJ Vanston
Percussion Eddie Bayers
Background Vocals Steve Winwood
Background Vocals Jonell Mosser
Background Vocals Vicki Hampton
Background Vocals Lari White

5 I Hardly Know How To Be Myself

Bass Leland Sklar
Drums Eddie Bayers
Guitar John Leventhal
Organ Barry Beckett
Piano John Leventhal

6 It Don’t Get Better Than This

Bass John Leventhal
Drums Larrie Londin
Guitar John Leventhal
Piano John Leventhal
Vocals Albert Lee
Vocals Jim Lauderdale
Vocals Larry Byrom

7 Alone But Not Alone

Bass Larry Klein
Guitar Steuart Smith
Guitar Larry Klein
Percussion Vinnie Colaiuta
Background Vocals Shawn Colvin

8 Let’s Make Trouble

Bass Larry Klein
Drums Alex Acuna
Guitar Steuart Smith
Keyboards Larry Klein
Percussion Alex Acuna
Percussion Reginald Sales
Vocals Sam Phillips

9 The Answer Is Yes

Bass Leland Sklar
Drums Eddie Bayers
Guitar John Leventhal
Organ Barry Beckett
Background Vocals Steve Winwood
Background Vocals Vicki Hampton
Background Vocals Vince Santoro

10 Maybe Next Time

Drums Larrie Londin
Guitar John Leventhal
Keyboards John Leventhal
Organ Barry Beckett
Percussion John Leventhal
Percussion Larrie Londin
Background Vocals Lari White
Background Vocals Vince Santoro