Customer Reviews

B. Sides & Confessions, Vol. I

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Jeff Black is yet another songwriter whose career was sidetracked by record-company foolishness. After Arista released his superb debut, "Birmingham Road," in 1998 (with help from some of the guys in Wilco), the label dropped him, leaving his followup disc orphaned (it's due for release later this year, finally).

In the meantime, he's released "B-Sides and Confessions Volume One," an intimate, soulful and thoughtful collection of stripped-down music.

As noted, the title is only half right. These are confessions, but they are not B sides. Black is a rarity, a poet who produces quietly compelling sing-alongs that, upon closer reflection, challenge you to think. No wonder artists as diverse as Ellis Paul and Vance Gilbert, who recorded his "What Do I Want" for their latest disc, and country stars Blackhawk, who made his "That's Just About Right"a number one hit, have covered his songs.

But none of them have Black's most appealing asset: his soulful, experienced voice with enough of Tom Waits' grit to establish credibility. That voice and his songs combine to make this a disc that demands you hit "repeat all" on the player when loading.

Black has a knack for choosing just the right instrument to frame his words. His breathy count off and acoustic strumming open "Same Old River," a song that finds Black imagining himself as, variously, an indian, a pirate, slave and an outlaw. "I'd rob a trian bound for glory, baby, if I thought I needed a ride." he sings in outlaw mode.

"Sunday Best," a heartbreakingly beautiful song about loss, opens with Black at the piano. "To Be with You," a mature, honest love song, marries Jody Nardone's piano and Craig Wright's shuffle. "Down in my evening chair, I've got you there to pilot me straight through to show me what it means to be with you," Black sings. "Gold Heart Locket" surprises with a banjo for its backbone (think something out of the Mark Knopfler catalog). And "Bless My Soul" returns to fingerpicking to highlight Black's ruminations.

With "B Sides and Confessions, Volume One," Black has created one of the most affecting -- and best -- singer/songwriter albums of 2003 or any other year in recent memory. It's filled with rare treasures that linger long after the music stops.

If you can, pick up "Honey and Salt" from his website. It features several more stunning songs, including "One Last Day to Live" and the title track.

This album is simply awesome and is definitely one of my ten 'desert island' records. Jeff's voice is so soulful and naturally amazing and his songwriting is some of the best I've ever heard! 'Sunday Best' still makes me weepy, 'Holy Roller' is so groovy and moody, 'Gold Heart Locket' is such a touching story with a cool quirky sound (love the banjo!), 'To Be With You' is a gorgeous love song so tenderly sung, I could go on and on; there isn't a bad song on this whole album! It flows so well and seamlessly that when it's done I wish there were ten more of Jeff's songs right behind it. Luckily I ordered 'Honey & Salt' from Blue Rose Records in Germany, so there are more superbly executed and well-crafted tunes to put in the player right after B-Sides.
The talent in this town is astounding and Jeff is at the top of the list. If you have the opportunity to see him live, DO IT without hesitation!! The inevitable Tom Waits comparison comes to mind as you see him over the piano with a cocktail and a smoke, telling tales in his deep, soothing voice. Purchase this album with confidence, your money is well invested here.

I stumbled upon Jeff Black one day at Borders(sorry, Amazon) and was immediately drawn to a description of Black as a cross between Springsteen and Townes Van Zandt. There's a little Neil Young in there, too, with the terrific closer, Higher Ground. This is an excellent record that is always top-of-mind when selecting rotations for my home CD player.

Though this is certainly taking the easy road via cliche, I have to say that if Jeff Black's new album is truly comprised of B-sides and Confessions, then I am going to love an album of "A-sides" because this is some of the best songwriting I have heard in years.

"Slip" begins by inadvertently reminding the listener of "All My Loving," not, in any other case, an auspicious beginning. But the triumph of the song is that the listener immediately forgets about the Beatles and instead pays attention to Jeff Black and his Joe Cocker voice. The Cocker comparison lessens on the next song, "Same Old River," while the singing mixes with the guitar to bring out the yearning.

Michael Webb's heavy bass punctuates "Holy Roller" and makes it groove. If your head hasn't been bobbing before now, it will start now. Add that to the visual of "Farrakhan and Jerry Falwell were playing tic tac toe" and you come out with a classic song. Black's voice is similar to Randy Newman here, which fits the irreverent mood. It seems incomplete, as it ends abruptly, but it's still the best song on the album.

"Sunday Best" doesn't really do it for me, but "To Be with You" more than makes up for it, evoking Glen Campbell at his best. Joey Nardone's piano, Craig Wright's brushing drum, and Black's understated guitar all blend into a "traveling" sound that adds another layer, as if he is already on his way.

Banjo surprises pleasantly on "Gold Heart Locket." Black knows how to pick the right instrument for his songs. It makes a sad song more tolerable; it's hard to be down when you're hearing that happy plunking sound. Plaintive piano marks the beginning of "Cakewalk," then the fingers move to the left for a deeper sound and "Bless My Soul's" thrumming guitar reaches down inside you to pull out a little bit of Leonard Cohen. "Bastard" is a weaker "high-concept" tune, but "Higher Ground" ends the album beautifully. Harmonica, bass, drums, and guitar are layered into a true foot-tapper.

I didn't like the ones that featured the piano, coincidentally, but this is a minor complaint because the bulk of Jeff Black's B-sides and Confessions: Volume One leaves the listener feeling as satisfied as after a really good meal.

"B-Sides & Confessions" is a gorgeous CD. It harkens back to the 70s when Jackson Browne & Carole King were the hottest acts around. Black's earlier "Birmingham Road" was a gorgeous outing. This one slows the pace a bit, but with the songs maintaining an individuality. The craft in the writing is exceptional. "Slip" starts out like you're going to hear the Beatles' "All My Loving" and quickly moves into other territory with Jeff's pounding piano like emotional bullets, "I've seen spirits in the wild wood; I've seen cause go spilling out; I've drank more than I've needed to just to find my heart." "Same Old River" is a pretty tune that communicates strength through adversity. "Holy Roller" has a blues tinge while "Sunday Best" is utterly beautiful with its wistful reflectiveness. "To Be With You" has me reaching for the repeat button with its soft melody like a Jimmy Buffett samba. "Gold Heart Locket" with its plunky banjo backing is a sweet melody. "Bless My Soul" is my instant favorite with its haunting guitar, "I'm on a roll & I begin to see the light." The CD concludes with two more strong tunes, "Bastard" & "Higher Ground." On this CD Jeff creates an exquisite set that traverses a deep emotional landscape. While I might enjoy couple more belting toe tappers, Black moves from strength to strength on this best of the year quality gem! Enjoy!

Jeff Black has created a timeless, beautiful collection of American folk tales. "B Sides..." contains some haunting stories of the road, home, loners, losers and dreamers. His voice is particularly tender on "Bastard" and "Higher Ground". These are two highlights of an overall terrific group of songs. "Two Be With You" is beautiful, with the most graceful piano playing by Floating Men regular, Jody Nardone. Stronger than the earlier, "Birmingham Road", Black has matured into a truly masterful songwriter and singer. Let this cd play a few times and it will seep into your being. This is one of the standouts in this years early crop of new music. If you are ready for some mature, touching melodies, you will not be disappointed. Bravo, Jeff Black

I love this album.

I saw Jeff at Eddie's Attic in Atlanta (plug) opening for Beth Wood. He had my fifteen bucks before the set was over. Well produced acoustic tracks, featuring Jeff's gravelly voice. Reminiscent of the best Harry Chapin, but with a decidedly 90's bent.

The album's finally getting national distribution, and it's well worth the dough. If you like it, his other album, Birmingham Road, is just as good.

"B Sides and Confessions" is a very appropriate title for Jeff Black's latest album, for depite being a collection of new material, it has the bare, stripped down feel more often associated with demo recordings. That doesn't mean, however, that it isn't any good. In fact, Black may well be one of the best artists walking the singer-songwriter beat these days. The accoustic sound suits his voice and his style very well.

The highlights on the album include the sweet "To Be With You," the catchy "Gold Heart Lockett," the angry rant "Bastard" and the lengthy closer "Higher Ground." The album is short only an additional catchy hook or two of being in true five star territory. Otherwise, it ranks with Patty Griffin's "1000 Kisses" as one of the best singer-songwriter albums of this past year.

OUTSTANDING ALBUM FROM THIS UNDERRATED ARTIST. I FIRST BOUGHT JEFF'S BIRMINGHAM ROAD ALBUM SIMPLY BECAUSE KEN COOMER (UNCLE TUPELO, WILCO, ETC) WAS PLAYING ON IT. LITTLE DID I KNOW THAT I WAS FINDING A HAUNTTING VOICE THAT MADE EVERYTHING ELSE DISAPPEAR. I THEN RECIEVED B-SIDES ART A SHOW IN WINSTON-SALEM N.C. WHERE HE WAS DOING A SHOW ON HALLOWEEN 2001.WHEN I FOUND OUT HE WAS PLAYING I DROVE 3 HOURS UNSURE IF I WOULD EVEN GET A TICKET, SURE THAT HE WOULD BE SOLD OUT. WHILE I WAS LOOKING FOR THE BAR (ZIGGYS) I PULLED ALONG SIDE A COUPLE OF GUYS STANDDING ON THE SIDE WALK TO ASK DIRECTIONS, FOUND OUT I WAS IN FRONT OF THE CLUB, AND ASKED 2 SIMPLE QUESTIONS IS JEFF STILL PLAYING AND IS IT SOLD OUT. THE GUY ON THE RIGHT TURNED HIS AND SAID " ARE YOU STILL PLAYING TONIGHT, AND DO YOU THINK THERE IS ROOM FOR ONE MORE?" LITTLE DID I KNOW THAT ONLY 20 TICKETS WERE SOLD.
B-SIDES IS A STRIPPED DOWN, NO FRILLS ALBUM THAT WILL TOUCH YOUR HEARRT AND MAKE YOU CRY. JEFF TELLS A STORY OF A SIMPLE LIFE AND TRIALS THAT EVREYONE GOES THROUGH. IN AN AGE WHERE MANY SO CALLED ARTISTS ENHANCE THEIR VOICES OR ARE TO BUSY TRYING TO MAKE THEIR CROSS OVER HIT JEFF'S VOICE IS MORE POWERFULL LIVE THEN ON DISC. I JUST WISH THAT HE WOULD RELEASE MORE ON VINYL. BUY THIS ALBUM NOW AND BUY BIRMINGHAM ROAD. YOU WILL HAVE TO BUY BIRMINGHAM RD. USED BECAUSE ARISTA DUMPPED HIM AND DESTROYED THE MASTERS.HE ALSO HAS A NEW ALBUM CALLED HONEY AND SALT ON BLUE ROSE RECORDS OUT OF GERMANY. I HIGHLY RECOMMED THIS ONE AS WELL. KEEP PLAYING JEFF.

We bought this CD directly from Jeff at a house concert. Intimate venue and we got a chance to chat with Jeff, who seems very sweet. We love this CD. It's in our 6 CD changer in the car and it's been a couple of years I think, and we've never taking it out. The other CD's get rotated out, but we love listening to this one over and over again. We absolutely love Gold Heart Locket - a.k.a. - the banjo song; Track 6 gets played twice every time we play the CD. What a haunting and beautiful song!