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Editorial Reviews
Review
HAIL TO THE BEST AMERICANA DEBUT OF THE YEAR
He's not been the same since Gillian Welch got him that Nudie suit. Having spent the past dozen years to the left of the spotlight, guesting with Mark Knopfler and Bright Eyes, producing Old Crow Medicine Show and playing distinctive guitar and singing harmonies with Welch, Rawlings confidently, compellingly takes centre stage. Of nine songs here, one is epic in length - Conor Oberst's Method Acting drifting into Neil Young's Cortez The Killer as if both slipped off the end of Time (The Revelator). Most are Rawlings originals, their moods ranging from Jimmie Rodgers (How's About You and old-time duet Sweet Tooth) to a backporchy cover of the song he co-wrote with Ryan Adams, To Be Young. His band has Bright Eyes and Old Crow members plus Heartbreaker Benmont Tench. --MOJO - February 2010
Recorded largely in Nashville's famed RCA Studio B, Dave Rawlings' solo bow is as rooted in old-timey verisimilitude as his work with Gillian Welch. His tenor and understated acoustic-guitar work carry songs like Ruby, which packs a Seventies Topanga Canyon vibe. The head-turners are the unplugged To Be Young (Is to Be Sad, Is to Be High), written with Ryan Adams, and Conor Oberst's Method Acting: songcraft as soul-baringly timeless as Twenties Delta blues. --Rolling Stone - November 2009
Dave Rawlings is best known as Gillian Welch's other half in the cultish American folk duo that confusingly bears only her name, so you can see how doing a solo album might have seemed a good way of finally getting a mention on the cover. But Welch isn't too far away, co-writing five of the nine tracks here and singing back-up on all but one. So what's the difference - does he just turn his mic up and hers down? Well, there is that, but Rawlings has various alt.country and bluegrass familiars at work here too, chiefly members of the Old Crow Medicine Show adding mountain fiddles and banjos. --Observer Music Monthly - November 2009
He's not been the same since Gillian Welch got him that Nudie suit. Having spent the past dozen years to the left of the spotlight, guesting with Mark Knopfler and Bright Eyes, producing Old Crow Medicine Show and playing distinctive guitar and singing harmonies with Welch, Rawlings confidently, compellingly takes centre stage. Of nine songs here, one is epic in length - Conor Oberst's Method Acting drifting into Neil Young's Cortez The Killer as if both slipped off the end of Time (The Revelator). Most are Rawlings originals, their moods ranging from Jimmie Rodgers (How's About You and old-time duet Sweet Tooth) to a backporchy cover of the song he co-wrote with Ryan Adams, To Be Young. His band has Bright Eyes and Old Crow members plus Heartbreaker Benmont Tench. --MOJO - February 2010
Recorded largely in Nashville's famed RCA Studio B, Dave Rawlings' solo bow is as rooted in old-timey verisimilitude as his work with Gillian Welch. His tenor and understated acoustic-guitar work carry songs like Ruby, which packs a Seventies Topanga Canyon vibe. The head-turners are the unplugged To Be Young (Is to Be Sad, Is to Be High), written with Ryan Adams, and Conor Oberst's Method Acting: songcraft as soul-baringly timeless as Twenties Delta blues. --Rolling Stone - November 2009
Dave Rawlings is best known as Gillian Welch's other half in the cultish American folk duo that confusingly bears only her name, so you can see how doing a solo album might have seemed a good way of finally getting a mention on the cover. But Welch isn't too far away, co-writing five of the nine tracks here and singing back-up on all but one. So what's the difference - does he just turn his mic up and hers down? Well, there is that, but Rawlings has various alt.country and bluegrass familiars at work here too, chiefly members of the Old Crow Medicine Show adding mountain fiddles and banjos. --Observer Music Monthly - November 2009
Product Description
A Friend of a Friend is the first record by Dave Rawlings, the guitarist, producer, singer, and songwriter best known for his work with Gillian Welch, Old Crow Medicine Show and Robyn Hitchcock. Ketch Secor, Willie Watson, Kevin Hayes and Morgan Jahnig of OCMS join Rawlings and Welch on this record beside newer friends Benmont Tench from the Heartbreakers and Nate Walcott of Bright Eyes.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 30 people found the following review helpful
By Jill
Format:Audio CD
Reasons this is a 5 star album---tracks 1, 4 and 9; great vocal harmonies (to be expected from Gillian and David); David's guitar playing (of course); and the overall Rawlings-style production that makes the music sound so effortless.
One thing that leaves me slightly disappointed is the limited new material (tracks 2 and 3 have been released on other albums and tracks 4 and 8 are covers). I've been told that one could also argue that track 5 is a semi-cover since the melody was taken from an old blues song, but since I was not familiar with that song, it was new to me. So out of 9 songs only 5 of them were "new". To be fair though, the Oberst/Young cover is so fantastic, it kind of has a life all its own. It's just been so long since their last album, I really wanted MORE.
The main thing that I am not crazy about is the heavy-handed Old Crow Medicine Show bleed into the Gillian and David sound. I know this is simply a matter of taste--I like OCMS and own a couple of their albums--but I would prefer that their influence be more subtle. Tracks 6-8 could easily appear on an Old Crow album with guest vocalists David and Gillian. I'm not a purist who despises the idea of them straying from their usual two guitar/two vocals routine. I just don't love the idea of Gillian and David sounding like guests on their own album.
But if you're a fan, you're going to buy this album and you're going to like it. It's nice to see David Rawlings get the accolades he deserves and I'm excited to add this to my collection.
One thing that leaves me slightly disappointed is the limited new material (tracks 2 and 3 have been released on other albums and tracks 4 and 8 are covers). I've been told that one could also argue that track 5 is a semi-cover since the melody was taken from an old blues song, but since I was not familiar with that song, it was new to me. So out of 9 songs only 5 of them were "new". To be fair though, the Oberst/Young cover is so fantastic, it kind of has a life all its own. It's just been so long since their last album, I really wanted MORE.
The main thing that I am not crazy about is the heavy-handed Old Crow Medicine Show bleed into the Gillian and David sound. I know this is simply a matter of taste--I like OCMS and own a couple of their albums--but I would prefer that their influence be more subtle. Tracks 6-8 could easily appear on an Old Crow album with guest vocalists David and Gillian. I'm not a purist who despises the idea of them straying from their usual two guitar/two vocals routine. I just don't love the idea of Gillian and David sounding like guests on their own album.
But if you're a fan, you're going to buy this album and you're going to like it. It's nice to see David Rawlings get the accolades he deserves and I'm excited to add this to my collection.
25 of 28 people found the following review helpful
By R. Robbins
Format:Audio CD
The first from Dave Rawlings Machine is also the latest from him and his long time partner in sweet harmony, Gillian Welch. Dave and Gillian coauthored most of the tunes and it's nice to hear their music from a new angle. It's still simple and sublime. Dave, as any who have been to their live performances already know, can really sing as well as pick and he carries the lead very nicely thank you. But, come on Gillian, let's have a new one from you as well.
This is a damned fine effort so go and buy it folks.
This is a damned fine effort so go and buy it folks.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I cannot add anything to Lara Chetkovich's review. I give it five stars on the merits of "Ruby" alone and out of gratitude for Rawlings and Welch returning with another album. I found Chetkovich's criticisms to be appropriate and support them, but I could not find it within myself to give this anything lower than five stars.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gift
I bought this as a gift and assume recipient was pleased with it since it was on their wish list.
Published 2 months ago by Needles
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's Too Easy.... to love this album!
Just getting into bluegrass and based on Amazon's recommendations, I ordered this album. I'm loving it! Read more
Published 18 months ago by Claudia Y Inez Bachman
4.0 out of 5 stars
The name speaks a certain truth
Dave Rawlings has been siding along the Americana and Roots music scene for over a decade, primarily with singer/songwriter Gillian Welch. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Tim Brough
4.0 out of 5 stars
Another great album by an awesome duo
This is another great album by Dave and Gillian. If you like what Gillian has been putting out for all these years you will like this album. Be sure to check out "Ruby".
Published 21 months ago by Amber
4.0 out of 5 stars
Warm and Wooden
I happened to hear this album in its entirety without knowing what it was. I was instantly intrigued and decided I would buy it by the time it played all the way through. Read more
Published on October 11, 2010 by Steven C. Seachrist
5.0 out of 5 stars
Something old, something new
I grew up on CSN&Y, Stones etc..., and therefore take an immediate liking to this music of Dave Rawlings Machine (DRM). Read more
Published on October 5, 2010 by Dr GB Dennill
5.0 out of 5 stars
yee-haw
Love the slap-back echo which all the latest and greatest--see Jim James, Neko Case--use. And I love the sense of fun. Read more
Published on September 25, 2010 by jude
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Listen
Saw the Machine with Gillian Welsh locally with the Prairie Home Companion broadcast - really enjoyed the music and the show.
Published on August 10, 2010 by Wanda Evans
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely Fantastic!
The harmonies on this record are absolutely fantastic and among the best you will ever hear!
Published on August 2, 2010 by Jed Luhmann
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great sound, see them live if you can
Saw DRM at the Ryman with Prairie Home Companion and they were fantastic! I just got their album and while nothing beats a live sound, this album is also magnificent. Read more
Published on April 14, 2010 by C. Hill
