Editorial Review

Guy Clark is a slow worker. Read more

Reviews (12)

masterpiece
Here I am in Dublin...from there I'm hooked.Some of Guy's best writing.The title tune with the odd acoustic riff and the spooky sense of sorrow and joy at the same time."Stuff That Works", the collaboration with Rodney Crowell that includes a really sweet turn toward Guy's wife Suzannah, "Black Diamond Strings", the obligitory this could be a drunken sing along song if you want it to be, not to mention a tip of the cap to Rodney and those strings every guitar player started out with.
One of Guy's Best
Guy Clark is a slow and careful songsmith. He doesn't release many CDs, so each one is meticulously crafted.This is one of his best.
Wonderful Words
This was my first Clark CD.I have since purchased two more.I love the words to his songs.As you listen you are either inspired to do great things or feel saddened by a lost love.Guy definitely makes my commute a wonderful experience by focusing on what's real and what you feel.Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Country    2. Country    3. Country & Western    4. Country-Folk    5. Outlaw Country    6. Pop    7. Progressive Country    8. Singer/Songwriter   

Reviews (6)

The Best There Is
If this lady is not the "Patsy Cline of Bluegrass" I don't know who is.While Alison Krauss and Rhonda Vincent may be considered the "standards" for today's Progressive Bluegrass sound, nobody, and I mean nobody, can do more with a voice than Claire Lynch.She is amazing with her range flexibility and the tonal quality of her voice is haunting.Practically every cut on this new CD is great, although I'm not particularly drawn to "Western Swing", which she has included in the last couple of CD's .... the track on this one is "Fallin in Love".The rest are fantastic .... "Be Ready to Sail", the driving "White Train" and my favorite "I Believe in Forever".She's actually topped herself on this one.Buy it ... you'll see.

So Glad She's Back
Claire was gone from the scene for a few years, and I kept looking for her new record. This is it and it's wonderful. Claire has a warm and vocally commanding presence. Another reviewer compared her to Alison Krauss, but I don't think that's quite right. Claire has a rounder (no pun intended) vocal tone and the perfect complement to the great accompaniment she always chooses. Where Alison Krauss has an almost brittle timbre, Claire's is rich and somehow sexy.
Excellent!
I will just add that in addition to the other fine songs on 'New Day' already mentioned, Claire breathes new life into "White Train" - an excellent and somewhat obscure song by the 80's rock band The dB's. It was later recorded by the country duo Foster & Lloyd, and REM also did a live version. All fine versions, but Claire and the band really soar on this. It also shows that in addition to her wonderful voice, Claire has a great eye (ear) for tunes that others might not deem good choices for a bluegrass band. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Americana    2. Bluegrass    3. Contemporary Bluegrass    4. Country    5. Pop    6. Traditional Bluegrass   

Editorial Review

Packaged as two albums on one disc, these are among the best of Van Zandt's erratic studio recordings. The first is often overlooked, but it has many songs of dark, marvelous realism, true and accurate as arrows. Kevin Eggers's production is never heavy or busy: he mostly lets the songs breathe beside piano and guitar. And the poetic heights of the title track and "The Highway Kind" are remarkable by any standard. Read more

Features

• Original recording reissued

Reviews (18)

other stuff to check out
I am a huge fan of catchy, quiet folk music with insightful lyrics. If you enjoy this album then I strongly recommend that you check out the following:
Sweet writer, with a voice that grows on you...
This single-CD collection of two of Townes' early LP's should confirm for any lover of country/folk that Van Zandt's reputation is well-deserved. People such as Guy Clark, Nancy Griffith, Emmy Lou Harris, Billy Joe Shaver, Todd Snider, Willie Nelson, Steve Earle and many others who had more successful performing careers than Townes all praise his writing. I was pleased with the writing, but pleasantly surprised that TVZ could sing so well. His voice is limited, but endearing. He is one of a long line of artists who could not survive alcohol and drugs and the stress of the music business. All of the songs on here, all 22, are worth hearing, but more than half of them deserve and reward repeated listening. Those stand up to dozens of playings without getting stale. I'm speaking of songs such as "To Live is to Fly" and "No Lonesome Tune" and "Don't Let the Sunshine Fool Ya'" and "Poncho and Lefty" and "If I Needed You." While "Sunshine" was written by Guy Clark, Townes' version is almost as good as Clark's own. Eighteen of the tracks were written by Van Zandt. These performances were laid down on vinyl in the 1970's, but they hold up pretty darn well. If you have heard about TVZ, and want a good sample of his lyrics and singing, this item is a great value.

For The Sake of the CD
Steve Earle is certainly entitled to his opinion, but comparing Bob Dylan to anyone seems kind of foolish. However, just the fact that many, myself included, consider Townes Van Zandt to be in the same league as Dylan as a songwriter speaks volumes about the late Texan's considerable talents. This is a nice pairing of two of his best albums. It's always cool to get two albums for the price of one. A great introduction to a cult hero who deserves wider recognition. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Americana    2. Contemporary Folk    3. Folk    4. Folk & Traditional    5. Pop    6. Popular Music    7. Progressive Country    8. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

The standout cuts on this follow-up to Kathleen Edwards's highly praised debut, Read more

Reviews (39)

Back To Me Has Shown Kathleen Is Only Growing Stronger!
Kathleen Edwards has only gotten better in Back To Me, with some brilliant songs. Her lyrics are solid, mature and actually sound genuine coming from her. I feel some singers are pretty fake with what they sing but I do feel Kathleen is honest in her lyrics. Her voice can sometimes make a song feel dull, but at other times she truly draws you in with her singing regardless, yet that would have to be thanks to the strong beats and guitars that back her up on this album. All of her songs though are enjoyable from first to last, and yet a few stick out more than the others:
Excellent New Artist
If you're a Sheryl Crow and/or a Shannon McNally fan you'll love this inspiring new singer songwriter. This CD has a great blend of soft rock n' roll and good lyrics. Thanks Amazon for the recommendation!

Even better than her first CD
Any artist who lists Tom Petty and Neil Young as her main musical influences has got to be headed in the right direction.While I liked her first CD, This one is much better all around, Great songwriting, The best tracks include "In State", "Independent Thief" and The title track on the more uptempo side. A songwriting style similar to Lucinda Williams.This is one of those CDs that you can listen to and not want to skip over any tracks.One of the best CDs of 2005 ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Country-Rock    2. Canada    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Rock/Pop    6. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

Former Whiskeytown frontman Ryan Adams claims to have written and recorded enough songs over the past several years to fill a four-CD collection--and that's in addition to his acclaimed 2001 breakthrough Read more

Reviews (70)

It's worth it
There are six very good reasons why you should have this album. They are as follows:
He just keeps getting better!
Wow!I liked Heartbreaker.I loved Gold.Demolition is amazing.This is one of those albums that rarer and rarer today in that you can feel the artist.Ryan's songs are some of the most heartfelt I've heard in a long time.Dear Chicago, Nuclear, and especially Desire are standouts but the whole album is great.I didn't think it could get better than Gold but it did.He's not showing quite as much range on the album but Ryan Adams continues to tighten and evolve his sound and songwriting. Definately get this album!

Music that grows on you
Great music will often grow on you, which is the case with Demolition by Ryan Adams.This was my first Adams CD.After a first listen I thought this stuff is pretty good, but nothing too spectacular.Now when I listen to the cd I do believe some songs are incredible.This music is deep and rich and not paper thin, which is why it doesn't get old quickly.Stand out tracks are "Desire," "She Wants To Play A Game Of Hearts," "Dear Chicago," "Cry On Demand," and "You Will Always Be The Same."
Read more

Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock    3. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Featuring members of the Jayhawks, Soul Asylum, Run Westy Run, and Wilco, Golden Smog has in the past felt like a typical side gig: for die-hard fans only. Not anymore. Read more

Reviews (44)

Don't Let the Cheezy Cover Fool You
These guys are great. All three of their albums are worth adding to your collection, especially if you are a fan of Buffalo Springfield/Byrds country rock.

A little-known gem
Like one of the other reviewers here, I bought this CD on a whim back in 2001, attracted to it because of its interesting cover.I gave it a listen and liked it quite a bit, but was not entirely sure about it.I kept listening to it--and it improved on each listen.With Gary Louris, Jeff Tweedy, and others, Golden Smog combined several considerable talents who proved, in some respects, to be superior to either the Jayhawks or Wilco.On this CD (which is some respects different from the other Golden Smog CDs), the influence of the Byrds, the Beatles, and Dylan can be heard--but there are some heavier rocking songs, including the powerful "White Shell Road" with its intense guitar work (and strange, brilliant lyrics).
To call my own
I've been a fan of this kind of music since I picked up a copy of Uncle Tupelo's "Anodyne" at Amoeba Records in Berkeley some years back.Since then, I've amassed a collection including music by Wilco, Tupelo, Son Volt, Old 97s, Jayhawks, My Morning Jacket, Alejandro Escovedo, and more.I have to say that this disc gets nearly the most play out of all of them.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Country-Rock    2. Pop    3. Psychedelic    4. Rock    5. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Brought to the attention of Columbia Records by a fluke--John Mellencamp was friends with the artist's father, noted author Larry McMurtry--James McMurtry proved himself more than worthy of a record deal, despite such family and industry connections, with his debut album. He backed up his keen sense for lyrical detail with deft, sturdy musicianship, whether picking through delicate numbers such as "Crazy Wind" and "Song for a Deck Hand's Daughter" or delivering anthemic roots rockers such as "Painting by Numbers" and "I'm Not from Here." With an appropriately desolate, deadpan vocal delivery, McMurtry tells tales of desperate small-town characters, painting a vivid picture of an America that lurks far from the bright lights and big cities. Read more

Reviews (18)

McMurtry the 'Word Man'
You don't remember Dylan's melodies as much as his words. 'Gargling in the rat race choir' ? Well, McMurtry is a North Texas Bob Dylan, even more than Oklahoma's Jimmy LaFave. He is one of those artists that hasn't made a bad song; because, every song's words make you think. I own every CD, except the new live one. If you like one CD, you will like them all.

A wonderful album - I can listen to it as I drive for days..
I bought this album on the recommendation of a friend and boy am I glad I did! The lyrics are poignant and yet work. You can tell that he inherited his dad's ('Lonesome Dove' author Larry McMurtry) ability to mold and use the English language. But the great thing is that the music is just as good as the lyrics - you'd be singing along even if the words were meaningless.
Too Long In Obscurity
I agree with the sentiment expressed by another reviewer that if radio programmers had any imagination, James McMurtry would be a superstar. But, to borrow a line from one of McMurty's songs, the programmers 'work from the neck down', they 'don't call the shots'.Read more

Subjects:  1. Americana    2. Country    3. Pop    4. Popular Music    5. Rock    6. Rock/Pop    7. Roots Rock    8. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

The gentle hand of Emmylou Harris guides this tribute to ill-fated country-rock avatar Gram Parsons, which goes a long way toward explaining why this star-studded salute avoids the pitfalls that befall many such projects. Harris got her start harmonizing with the patron saint of alt country, contributing mightily to Parsons's two early 1970s solo albums and reviving selections from his small, but indispensable, oeuvre throughout her career. She has a vested interest in finding a true connection between her former benefactor and this cast of Parsons partisans. Here she bands together a flock of followers who range from obvious offspring (Wilco, Gillian Welch, Whiskeytown) to not-so-evident disciples (Beck, the Pretenders, Sheryl Crow). Parsons's partner in the Flying Burrito Brothers, Chris Hillman, teams with Steve Earle on "High Fashion Queen," and David Crosby (like Parsons and Hillman, an ex-Byrd) joins Lucinda Williams on "Return of the Grievous Angel." Harris harmonizes with Beck on "Sin City" and shares the mic with Crow on "Juanita," one of the collection's highlights. Ultimately, Harris has assembled a homage that would've pleased her old mentor. Read more

Reviews (73)

serviceable tribute album but ultimately superfluous
Tribute albums are always a tricky business.It is rather difficult to create a cohesive album of disparate artists trying to re-form familiar songs into their own unique style.This Emmylou Harris produced tribute album for Gram Parsons is certainly no exception.It's not really a bad idea in theory.Gram Parsons was many things, but "great singer" was not one of them, so to have some polished pipes singing his songs was an idea with potential.Unfortunately, hardly any of these artists can put in the emotion that Gram infused in his plaintive vocals. Why you guys don't provide 10 stars for this?
Every tracks of this album are so stunning, esp. Sleepless Nights and A Song for You. You will have to find Gram Parsons's work to guarantee his talent.

A tribute done with class!
It was midnight and I stumbled upon a show called West 57th Sessions, from New York and unbeknown to me, what I was watching was a live performance of this tribute CD, "Return of the Grievious Angel."I managed to record the remaining 5 or 6 songs and hope to see it on video one day.Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative Country    3. Alternative Country-Rock    4. Alternative Folk    5. Alternative Pop/Rock    6. American Trad Rock    7. Americana    8. British Punk    9. College Rock    10. Contemporary Country    11. Contemporary Folk    12. Country-Folk    13. Country-Rock    14. Folk-Rock    15. Heartland Rock    16. Indie Rock    17. Neo-Traditional Folk    18. Neo-Traditionalist Country    19. New Wave    20. Pop   

Editorial Review

One decade's oddity is the next decade's institution. Or at least that's been the case with Lyle Lovett. The Lone Star eccentric emerged in the 1980s ostensibly as a country artist, but it became clear pretty quickly that a Southern accent and a pair of cowboy boots does not a Nashville favorite make. In time, however, Lovett's free-range brand of swing, blues, gospel, folk, and whatever has been embraced by a coterie of fans who have as little interest in genres as their hero. Read more

Features

• Live

Reviews (70)

CD t hat makes you smile!
What a great CD.A talented artist with intelligent,funny lyrics at his best LIVE!

Captures Great Energy of LIVE Peformance :)
After seeing Lyle in Oshkosh, Wisconsin last month, I find that I have been playing LL's live album in the car over and over remembering what a professional performance I saw at Leach Amphitheatre.It was a warm night,with temps in the high 80's with a half-moon rising over the nearby river, much like a Texas night. Lyle played for two and a-half hours.It was a great and relaxing time for my wife Debbie and I.A perfect evening. WOW!

Best Lyle Lovett to date, with most of his signature songs.
If you're unitiated, your first thoughts tend to be to think of Lyle Lovett as primarily a Country Music guy with odd hair and who married Julia Roberts - that's from a random sampling of my younger musician friends. Then, I pop in Lyle Lovett Live in Texas, and let them listen to "Penguins," the opening track. The tight drums, horn section and bass guitar work always gets them frowning, and saying "THAT'S Lyle Lovett???" followed by a series of comparisons of this music to some music they already like.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Country    2. Contemporary Country    3. Country    4. Country & Western    5. Pop    6. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

The Jayhawks' breakthrough album is a roots rock classic. "Like folk music, but really loud," is how guitarist Gary Louris liked to describe the Jayhawks, but the reality is more complex--try the country-rock sound of the Flying Burrito Brothers, Neil Young, or the Band married to white-boy soul, bar band rawness, and a slight alternative edge. Read more

Reviews (47)

the jayhawks are a great band
it says it right on the the sticker they put on the cd "the jayhawks are an astonishingly(sp?) easy band to love."it is true.they are a great band they are my second favorite band right behind tom petty & the heartbreakers.i love this cd it is not their best(tomorrow the green grass and rainy day music are both better).but this album is still about as close to perfect as a band can get.the song "clouds" has one of my favorite opening lines of any song "the God of the rich ain't the God for the poor..."also the song "settled down like rain" is just fantastic and is probably my favorite song of all time.i am very suprised no one else has mentioned this song.they tend to single out "take me with you(when you go)", "waiting for the sun", and "nevada, california"which are all great songs but still not as good as "settled..."basically this album is great and i can't imagine anybody not enjoying it.it is a classic one of the best albums i own.

On of the Top 10 albums of all time.
My favorite album. Every song is perfect and listening to it always takes me back to the days when nothing really mattered but the music.
Drive and listen
The first few times through, this CD made little impression on me.Then, I really listened to it.I was on a road trip, it was a CD I picked up on the way out the door, but it and Buddy Miller's _Universal United House of Prayer_ were the only ones I played.And both were worth the time and attention.At least one of these cuts--"Nevada, California," "Waiting for the Sun," or my favorite, "Crowded in the Wings"--will eventually get to you and draw you in.It might take a rainy-day road trip to set the mood, but the Jayhawks will eventually make you glad you listened. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock    3. Rock/Pop   

Features

• Live

Reviews (15)

Love Railroad Earth
I haven't had a chance to listen to Elko lately because my husband's constantly making me more cds of RRE that he downloads, but it is a masterpiece that I have listened to a lot. When my husband started catching on to this band I thought yeah, yeah, yeah, as the other live bands we've seen over the years like Phil & Friends, Ratdog etc. and others just ultimately don't cut it for me and make me nostalgic for the past. I'd pretty much written all that off and I mostly listen to World and Middle Eastern music now. So for fear of dispointment I didn't pay a lot of attention (and at first didn't like Todd's voice) but was totally willing to see them live and really check them out, as I HAD noticed the high calibre musicianship. So we went to see them and from the start I was riveted, not just by how they're all masters of the instruments they play, how layered and full their music is, how the energy level is consistent and up throughout the whole show, how beautiful and original the melodies are, poignantly Todd sings, that I was dancing my butt off (most important) but by how moved I felt. This is heart music. It is just so refereshing and uplifting to hear new, well-crafted tunes with genuine lyrics, played flawlessly on real instuments, even deeply felt love songs without a trace of prettiness, not to mention the variety and quantity of songs. It isn't easy to do what this band does, and I so appreciate that they do. It's great to have a new band to love and look forward to seeing again and again.
Bluegrass Jam Delight
The references to the "jam" scene in other reviews are relevant upon listening to this live set. "Elko" has a place in my repeat listening pile. There are new musical impressions and discoveries after each listen and it continues to grow on me. The freshness and originality of the arrangements are welcome in the bluegrass scene as well as the jam scene. The only flaw is in the production quality which has a bit of a "taper" sound to it but I am sure this endears this set to jam lovers.

Excellent live CD from someone who has 100+ RRE shows on CDR
I'm an old Deadhead who discovered Railroad Earth a couple of years ago. I've checked out Phish, String Cheese Incident, the late Leftover Salmon, New Monsoon, the various post-Dead bands (RatDog, Phil Lesh & Friends), and other jambands too numerous to list here. By far, the best of the batch is New Jersey-based Railroad Earth. RRE is good because, first, they focus on writing great songs. Second, Todd Sheaffer (formerly of the sadly overlooked band From Good homes) and company are ALL excellent musicians who play off each other very well. Finally, when the band gets together live (and Elko is their first commercial live effort), they really sizzle!
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Subjects:  1. American Trad Rock    2. Americana    3. Jam Bands    4. Pop    5. Rock    6. Rock/Pop    7. United States of America   

Editorial Review

Rough-hewn Texas treasure Billy Joe Shaver is something like that old chunk of coal he once wrote about--except his "diamond" already shines through. On this self-produced effort, his first new studio release in three years, he strips things down to the basics in mostly acoustic arrangements that sometimes recall Hank Williams Sr. at his starkest and most vulnerable. The material--alternately heartbreaking ("Livin' a Lovin' Lie") and outrageously earthy ("If the Trailer's Rockin' Don't Come Knockin'")--cuts a wide path, including two reworked numbers: a hot-wired version of "Live Forever" with Big & Rich, who, led by Big Kenny, sail into an evangelistic romp near the end; and an invigorated solo rendition of "Jesus Christ Is Still the King." Shaver has been to hell and back on a pack horse in the last six years--his wife died after a long bout with cancer; his blazingly talented guitarist son, Eddy, died of a drug overdose; and his own health was threatened. But what a comeback, steeped in his faith in the Almighty and his own power of resurrection. The evidence is here in abundance. "Slim Chance and the Can't Hardly Playboys," a vocal collaboration with Kevin Fowler, showcases Shaver's renewed sense of humor, while "Valentine," an affecting duet with Nanci Griffith, does as much as his recent wedding to spotlight his belief in romance as redemption. There's not much to quibble with here, unless you're a grinch who wants to gripe about Shaver's meandering sense of pitch, his way of sometimes circling around a note before he finally lands. But if you are, there's a bonus track here for you--a sprightly accordion-laced version of "Feliz Navidad" with Flaco Jimenez. This is "The Real Deal," all right. And then some. Read more

Reviews (10)

This man has some BIG Cowboy boots!!!
BJS just goes to show that age is just a state of man.Another EXCELLENT cd form the man!!Maybe his best yet!
Billy is the best
Billy Joes songs have mesmerized me ever since i first heard "old five and dimers like me".He is truly a legend in country music. The only thing that keeps me from giving this five stars is the inclusion of Big and Rich on the album.If he is not careful he will be lumped in with other older performers who ride on the coattails of popular modern "country" artists.

Love it
Ain't got much to say but get it.
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Subjects:  1. Americana    2. Country    3. Outlaw Country    4. Pop    5. Singer/Songwriter    6. United States of America   

Editorial Review

Cover art, front: a behatted (of course) Dwight, face completely hidden. Back: a shapely, half-nude model sporting a Read more

Reviews (31)

My Favorite
This is my favorite CD of Dwight's. I love every song on this CD. My favorite song on this CD is A Thousand Miles From Nowhere. This is country music at its best. I love the video also because it has trains in an old train yard and I love trains. Fast As You is also a good song. I love the beat of the song and it is a good song to country line dance to. Ain't that Lonely Yet is also a very good song with a relaxing melody. This Time is a very good song and it is pure country music at its best. It reminds me of Buck Owens singing in the 60's. My least favorite song on the CD is Pocket Of A Clown. All in all this CD is the finest work Dwight has ever done.

Hi Ho Silver. This is quality country, man
Dwight Yoakam has a good ear for what`s qualitycountry,inspired from the "bakersfield school" of great country star`s like Buck Owens,etc. This CD are Yoakam in more or less topform, except for a few letdowns, this CD shines. Track 1 Pocket of a Clown is a good opener, played in arelaxable speed, this one delivers. Yoakam`s voice has a brightness and certain coolnees , which give him a certain sting all trough. But, hey. The best Track on the CD Track 2 Thousand miles from nowhere, is a minor masterpiece when it come`s to "hitsong writing". From the beginning to the end it has flaire and style, marked all over. The windy guitar and Yoakam`svoice delivers something what we can called "outer space "music. The song kicks you off the ground, and you nearly belive you can fly trough room and space when you listen to it. Track 3 Home for sale is an ok slow country song, which doesn`t have a build up to a climax, but are anyway relaxable to listen to. Track 4 This Time, is classical "walkalong" country from the Bakersfield school of music, and Yoakam`s voicehas that "Buck Owens" scwung all over.Track 5 Two doors down has much of the same mood all trough, but doesn`t really kicks in gear.Track 6 Ain`t that lonley yet, has much of the same quality as Track 2. That sometimes "undescribable" airy outer space feel, that fill joy into your`e mind and soul, that also Yoakam sings in the song: you hungry for some more.
One of the best
Outstanding album;one of the best ever released by any artist.I'd say this is one of the top 3 in Dwight's catalog of releases.There really are no words to describe the sound and mood found on these tracks, but this is definately "it".There seems to be a wide-open, vast, lonely feeling throughout this album, and whether the setting of the song begins in the desert or on a bar stool, you cannot help but feel damn near every word of the songs.I have always felt (and probably always will) that Dwight has no peers;but the mixing and outstanding engineering of the sound found here, deserves special mention.Well worth your money. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Country    2. Bakersfield Sound    3. Country    4. Country & Western    5. Country-Rock    6. New Traditionalist    7. Pop   

Editorial Review

Both the introduction to hard country for a generation of college kids and a key entry in what became the neotraditionalist movement, Dwight Yoakam's debut was a near-perfect re-creation of Buck Owens's Bakersfield sound. "Bury Me" and "Miner's Prayer" are heartfelt homages to Yoakam's real Kentucky roots, while honky-tonkers like "South of Cincinnati" remind how many Kentuckians eventually headed to Ohio for good jobs. Most immediately striking, though, are Yoakam's covers--particularly versions of Johnny Horton's "Honky Tonk Man" and Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire"--which subtly tune up the Bakersfield sound with a rock & roll super-charge. Read more

Reviews (15)

Hillbilly music is the only thing that keeps me hanging on.
This was Dwight Yoakam's major label debut album.He previously had released an independent label album, which had several of the same songs that are on this one.(Good luck finding a copy of THAT album.)Dwight wrote seven of the ten songs himself.The remaining three songs are covers of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire", Ray Price's "Heartaches By the Number" and Johnny Horton's "Honky Tonk Man" (which became Yoakam's first hit).Out of Dwight's original songs, "Guitars, Cadillacs" was a big hit and "It Won't Hurt" was a minor hit.Yoakam was a breath of fresh air at the time this album came out, playing a more traditional "honky tonk" sound, at a time when Nashville was embracing a slick "urban cowboy" sound.This is a solid debut album by an important artist.One peculiar thing about the album is that it ends with Marlon Brando asking "What Indian reservation is this?"

Re-issue coming in September '06
There'll be an expanded re-issue coming with lots of early live tracks plus liner notes from Dwight himself. "Hooray!" she typed.

One of the greatest country records I've ever heard
Sometime in the mid-80's,when I first heard "Guitars & Cadillacs" blasting on the sound system of a country bar/restaurant near Fayetteville GA,I was blown away.Along with 2 or 3 other artists of the past twenty years Dwight Yoakam deserves an honored place in the pantheon of country music immortals, next to George, Merle, Buck, Willie, Ray Price, the Man In Black, etc.Even if you don't generally like "country music", especially what passes for it today, give a listen to this, or any other Dwight album.I can't imagine fans of most any kind of American rootsmusic -rockabilly, Buddy Holley, Elvis, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison , Bob Wills - not liking at least some of Dwight's stuff.I would especially recommend this to newcomers, particularly the title song.It still gets me rockin' almost twenty years later. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Country    2. Bakersfield Sound    3. Country    4. Country & Western    5. Country-Rock    6. Neo-Traditionalist Country    7. New Traditionalist    8. Pop   

Reviews (2)

A southern man full of soul sings to his wife.....
Simply put, this album is great! Dave Barnes is a talented singer/songwriter and this time out he writes of his recently wed wife and their relationship (except for the break up song). Dave sounds very comfortably as he moves through these songs. His sound this time is less based around his acoustic guitar (although it is there) but more the musicians that play with him. Chasing Mississippi comes away with more of this funky blues rock feel to it; however, it still feels like Dave Barnes. This album feels more like a next step him I think. The quality of the production itself is very good. It doesn't feel like an independent record at all. Ed Cash did a good job producing this one for Dave. If you like singer/songwriters, soulful singers, or just good music then check this album out. Then after that check out his other album.

Great cruisin' CD
This CD would be right at home with late 70's-early 80's pop/rock (Kenny Loggins, Eagles)...very well-crafted with excellent musicianship...my favorite tunes are "Everybody Knows But You", "Jackson" (with harmony vocals from Vince Gill), "Sounds Like Me". ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative Country-Rock    3. Americana    4. Contemporary Blues    5. Pop    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop    8. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

The world can never have enough Buddy Holly songs. And as Holly hasn't been around since 1959, the music of Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys performs a public service, as Big Sandy not only channels the pure sincerity of Holly's tenor and the sweet innocence of that musical era, but writes songs such as "Love That Man" and "The Ones You Say You Love" that sound as fresh now as Holly's forever will. Yet Big Sandy and the Boys don't confine themselves to a single genre (neither, for that matter, did Holly and the Crickets), as the roadhouse twang of "The Great State of Misery," the horn-laden, Stax/Volt R&B of "Slipping Away," and the Western swing of "Yes (I Feel Sorry for You)" all combine for the platter party conjured by "The Power of the 45," which opens and closes the album. "Drop the needle in the groove and start to move," the song implores, and it's hard to resist the invitation. Read more

Reviews (2)

Turntable Magic
So, all right it's a c-d, but "Turntable Matinee" reminds those of us old enough to remember what it was like to set the needle in the groove and hear something special and not bat an eye at an occasional crackle or pop. This album is fantastic. Most are comparing it to Buddy Holly & the Crickets. There's some truth to that, but I'm hearing some Nick Lowe & Rockpile in there too. This album has a great "live" feel to it. I'm already looking to see what club they'll be coming to in my area.

A New Release from Big Sandy!!!
wow, sandy is back with a big time cd!! here's the deal
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Country    2. Americana    3. Bass (Upright)    4. Country Boogie    5. Dobro    6. Drums    7. Guitar (Acoustic)    8. Guitar (Electric)    9. Memphis Soul    10. Neo-Traditionalist Country    11. Pedal Steel    12. Pop    13. Rock    14. Rock/Pop    15. Rockabilly    16. Roots Rock    17. Saxophone    18. Vocals    19. Western Swing Revival   

Editorial Review

Imagine the Rolling Stones recording a country album in Muscle Shoals with Dusty Springfield singing lead. Now imagine a young artist from North Carolina whose ambition not only measures itself against such classic comparisons, but shows the promise to transcend them. Tift Merritt's major-label debut finds such promise fulfilled on "Sunday," the six-minute centerpiece in which the sweet sensuality of her upper register floats over an organ bedrock and vocal chorus that are pure Southern church. Even when other cuts sound like they could have been preserved in a '70s time capsule--the generic country-rock of "Diamond Shoes" and the very Stonesy "Neighborhood"--her vocals have a seductive intimacy that freshens the familiar. The lead guitar of producer Ethan Johns and the keyboards of Benmont Tench (on loan from Tom Petty's Heartbreakers) augment Merritt's band on arrangements that give the material plenty of room to breathe. As a writer, Merritt has some room to grow, but as a singer, she already sounds like one of the greats. Read more

Reviews (52)

good songs, bad production
Tift's voice is undeniable lovely, but the production of this cd hinders the beauty of these songs from really coming to life. the acoustic guitar is buried so deeply in the mix that it resembles a static-y strum in the background. and it's a shame, because tracks like "I Know Him Too", "Virginia, No One Can Warn You" and the achingly gorgeous title track are all excellent songs that could have been so much more appealing to the ear, given a better, richer production job. some of the songs on this cd fall too close to Sheryl Crow territory for me to personally enjoy, but the traditional blue-eyed country sound of most of these selections are nice.

Blew me away!
I discovered this CD back in 2002 and I haven't stopped listening to it. I feel sorry for her in a way, this is such a benchmark debut album, that it will be hard to follow up. I'm certain she can make another great album like this one though! Tift Merritt's sound is a cross between Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams and Dusty Springfield, as another viewer pointed out, and the songs here really work. It's an enjoyable listen start to finish, and I find myself loving more with each listen. Merritt's lyrical perspective speaks of the often-unfortunate twists and turns of fate, but without bitterness or spite, and she can jump from the wistful sway of "Virginia, No One Can Warn You" to the R&B-influenced bite of "Neighborhood" and back to the classic weeper style of the title cut without missing a step or ever sounding less than committed or convincing. Highlights include "I Know Him Too", "Diamond Shoes", "When I Cross Over", "Sunday" and "Trouble Over Me", though there is not one weak track on this fine album.

The Best Debute
Tift Merritt's Bramble Rose is the most complex female country music album since Trish Yearwood's Real Live Woman. This is not a teenaged girl falling in and out of crushes like so many so-called strong women of the day. This is a woman who happens across men, considers the possibility of a relationship with them, then feels her way through the rest of life. "You're not my boyfriend/I don't want a boyfriend" she asserts in the first line of "Trouble Over Me," "I don't want you for life/but don't we get along fine." The rest of her album explores life and love in much this same way.