It's been a long wait for Jeff Bates's sophomore effort. Heck, one of the tracks on here ("I Can't Write That") I first heard in concert a couple years ago. This album has taken a long time to get out there, but it was well-worth the wait. Bates is one of the strongest vocal performers around, and a pretty good songwriter, to boot.

In fact, the only problem I have with this album is it doesn't feature enough of his own songs. Still, the tunes he didn't write, he takes and makes his own. His cover of the classic "Rub It In" is pure enjoyment; "One Second Chance" (about a man whom society shuns because of his bad-boy younger days) is extremely powerful, especially since you know Bates has been there and done that; the same goes for the afore-mentioned "I Can't Write That" and "Mama Was a Lot Like Jesus" (not nearly as cheesy as the title would lead you to think). "Good People," the album's first single (and, if I remember, original title track), lags a little, but is still a fun song; "What I Know" is a tongue-in-cheek delight. There are of course romantic, sexy ballads in the vein of "Long Slow Kisses" (the radio version is included here), such as "No Shame" and the title track...both are highlighted by Bates's powerful delivery. "The Woman He Walked On" is oddly touching; "Hands on Man" is a tongue-in-cheek ode to the guys who like to get down and dirty, so to speak; and "That'll Get You Ten" critiques the choices we make in life.

Overall, Jeff Bates returns with a stellar sophomore effort. LEAVE THE LIGHT ON is much stronger than his debut; the only flaw is that there isn't more of Bates's own songwriting. Maybe next time. However, you still get a great batch of solid country songs, from one of the best singers out there. A singer/songwriter/musician to be reckoned with, Jeff Bates may just be the future of country music, if radio can ever get over the fact that he is a traditionalist. Some call him the reincarnation of Conway Twitty; I say he's just a good ol' Mississippi boy doin' what he's best at: singing solid country music.

Go buy this CD and go straight to the title cut on your CD player.........and you're going to be hooked forever, if you're not already. There isn't enough space here to say all the good things I'd love to say about Jeff and his band, "Good People". They are so talented and have very friendly and outgoing personalities. JEFF in CONCERT is something you should put on your "must see" list. You won't be sorry! The Rainbow Man CD featured many true tales of Jeff and his life and this one basically picks up where that left off. Jeff has always been open and honest about his life and the mistakes he's made, and on this CD you'll hear some of that as you both laugh and cry with him.

If you only buy one CD this year, make it "Leave the Light On" by Jeff Bates. If you don't like it, email me and I'll buy it back from you!

The new Jeff Bates CD, Leave the Light On, was delayed several times before it was finally released in April. Bates decided he wanted to do fewer songs on drinking and more on love and relationships. Some things are worth waiting for! The CD is packed with the kinds of ballads and love songs that were just made for Bates' deep, sexy voice.

A new version of "Long Slow Kisses" makes the first track and is followed by the remake of a Craddock classic "Rub It In." Bates helped to write several of the songs on the CD. "No Shame" is an upbeat love song and the title song, "Leave the Light On," is made even more romantic by the deep richness of his voice:

"So baby, leave the light on

I wanna look inside your lovin eyes

And watch you when you breathe

So leave the light on

When you're making love to me."

"One Second Change," is the first single and Bates claims it's his personal favorite. It's the humorous story about life in jail and how difficult it is finding work as an ex-con and the final song, "Mama Was A Lot Like Jesus" is about a poor backwoods woman, like his own mother, who could "make a bag of groceries last two weeks" and always gave forgiveness and love.

"What I Know" was recorded live. The song simply tells about the end of a relationship:

"I remember when you left

I recall you made as hell

I know where you told me to go

Oh but I went somewhere else."

The audience gives a lasting applause at the end of the song. Many listeners will find much to cheer about with this CD - Bates has the ability to write and sing songs that everyone can identify with - either in finding love, losing it or just enjoying it while you have it.

By: Maxine Macpherson

There's no doubt that Jeff Bates has one of the best voices in country music today. He could sing the alphabet and make it sound incredible. Couple his voice with great songs, and you get "Leave the Light On", his second album thus far.

The album is filled with catchy, fun, thought provoking material. Jeff certainly has a sense of humor, and seems to poke fun at himself when he sings about prison and heartache (both of which he's been involved with)...you just gotta love that kind of humility. He sings great songs with a great voice, and has an awesome songwriting talent. I agree with the spotlight review that he should have put more of HIS songs on here (he only co-wrote 2 songs here, when he wrote almost all of the songs on "Rainbow Man"), but still, it's a very solid, consistently good album that will have you singing all day long. Definitely a must buy!

i love it would love to order his new cd me and conway when it comes out cant wait to hear him and Loretta Lynn this summer