A Friend Of A Friend

Dave Rawlings Machine | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: November 17, 2009
• Label: Acony Records
• Total Length: 41:37
• Genres:
  • Country > Alt-Country & Americana
  • Folk
• ASIN: B002X09TCA
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,214 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Any Fan Will Want This Album December 1, 2009

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.

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great music no matter who gets top billing November 17, 2009

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Pleasant Return December 7, 2009

By Daniel Mackay

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.