Customer Reviews

Ambition

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After having been available to the general public for almost a year, David Mallett's "Ambition" seems to have stood the test of time. Few albums have the staying power in any field, contemporary folk included. Not so with this release.

"Ambition" follows up David's live recording of "Parallel Lives", his first collection since returning to his native Maine after ten years of Nashville, Tennessee residency. The newest recording finds him back in the studio with understated production and some of the best songs Mallett has written. Although a little darker in tone than what most might expect from Mallett ("Whiskey Talkin'", "Walkin'" and the title song), old fans will take to the more upbeat material that caused them to be attracted to him in the first place. The remembrances of growing up forty years ago ("Wild In The Sixties"), the changing attitudes of a teenager growing into young adulthood ("Sportin' Days"), and the wisdom and experience that only time brings ("Turn It Over To Love") are also showcased.

This is a good place to start if you're unfamiliar with Mallett's work. And if he comes anywhere close to where you live to perform, make plans to go see him. He's definitely worth the drive!

This CD is one of the best and most introspective albums to come out this year. Dave writing is touching, thoughtful and simplistic. The almost all-acoustic set is flawless. I only wish Nashville would take a listen and understand how intelligent writing can make for beautiful music. Thanks Dave.

Being a fan of David Mallett for more than tewnty years and
being lucky enough to live in Maine and having had the pleasure
of seeing David perform live up close and personal, I feel
somewhat qualified to offer my opinion on his most recent work
and the artist himself. "Ambition" is filled with Davids trademark mastery of the language. Few writers can consistanly
produce the turn of phrase and cleverness of wording that so freely flows from this artist. Mallett relies on simple truth, feeling, and a poets heart to stir the listener. Desperation,
things lost, and things that might have been, in concert with,
hope, and a belief that better things are possible, have run through his work from the beginning. Mallett is on a real roll
with "Ambition" and his last studio CD "In the falling Dark"
and in the words of the man himself "the next one will be
even better" I do not doubt it.

At first listen I wasn't sure if this CD measured up to some of his earlier work. But upon subsequent listens, it's all great stuff. This artist is an undiscovered treasure. Buy his CD's and if he's in your area go see him perform! His songs will move you.