Common Man's Prayers are answered!
This common man's prayer was answered when Phil Vassar released another CD! Vassar isn't a household name (yet), but is an incredibly talented singer/song writer who has written songs for Chesney, McGraw, McBride, and many other A-list country stars. The tracks on this CD exemplify Phil's ability to take snippets from his life and turn them into runaway smash hit songs. Whenever I hear a Vassar song, I listen while the song plays out like a video in my head. This is a great work that belongs in your music collection

"Prayer" is what it is
Phil will probably never be the best vocalist out there in the world of country music, but he will always be regarded as one of the best songwriters.

This album showcases his wonderful skills yet again. There are some downers (as with the other albums he's released) but majority of the songs are very heartfelt.

His version of "Love is a Beautiful Thing" is very similar to that of Paul Brandt's but the song is beautiful in itself so kudos to him for not changing anything too much. The title track of the album is a very emotional song - it is what it is, the prayer of a common man.

I like the album enough to give it a 4. It's worth the listen and worth the price.

Great CD! Phil doesn't disappoint!
I love this CD! Several break-up themed songs, but only one is really sad-"Let me Love You Tonight". Phil always sings about things that mean something to him, and since he has recently gotten divorced, he has written several songs that reflect that. Don't get me wrong though. This CD is not a downer! The duet with Los Lonely Boys "Why Don't Ya" is my favorite. Crazy Life is another favorite. "Around Here Somewhere" is a great song, and my Chevrolet is also a favorite. I like the whole CD. The only song I'm not crazy about is "This is My Life". Other than that this CD is a long awaited nice surprise.

Vassar has gone country
Judging from the picture (plain t-shirt and jeans, rough looking) on the cover and the This Is My Life theme Vassar has decided to go for the Nascar set. I always thought of him as the thinking man's country singer in the Blackhawk group type tradition. Maybe not even a country singer at all. But country is a big enough and tolerant enough tent to make space for him. I guess it's ok, but I liked the more intellectual Vassar.

... Flash Gordon

Phil Vassar: Not Just Any `Common Man'
Country music's triple-threat Phil Vassar returns to the charts this week with his first true studio album in four years, "Prayer of a Common Man". In doing so, Vassar takes his introspective songwriting and soothing vocals to previously unattained heights. The album's bookends summarize its message well: This is My Life--A Crazy Life. Along the way, Vassar recounts tales of the good old days, love found and lost, and middle class struggles.

Indeed the past few years have been a crazy period in Vassar's life, including splits with his songwriter wife of five years, Julie, and his record label of seven years, Arista. These breakups have added fuel and sincerity to the songwriting machine as well as increased autonomy and creative input on the production side. These elements, combined with label president and co-producer Mark Wright's years of expertise (Brooks & Dunn, Lee Ann Womack, Gretchen Wilson), make "Prayer of a Common Man" a must-have for country and rock fans alike.

The album's opening track and vastly under-played debut single "This is My Life" chronicles the plight of the middle class in Vassar's typical upbeat style (think Carlene). Other highlights of the album include the title track "Prayer of a Common Man," a soulful ballad about struggling to make it through life; the current #5 single on the country charts "Love is a Beautiful Thing," the soon-to-be single and last minute addition to the album "I Would," written in a Las Vegas hotel room last December, and the sure-thing fan favorite "Crazy Life," an acoustic masterpiece that showcases Vassar's piano abilities and brings goosebumps with its intimate layers.

"Prayer of a Common Man" is a sure-fire hit and a wonderful addition to any CD collection. Vassar shows he is not just a "Common Man," but a certified talent and a force to be reckoned with in the country music world. Buy this album and support a nice guy and an amazing artist. And if you haven't been to a concert yet, you won't regret it. You will be amazed.