Customer Reviews

Blue Divide

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

 

 

Using his unparalleled storytelling ability, Richard Shildell has done it again. With an unforgettable voice and style, Shindell has created a masterpiece of contemporary folk music. The Blue Divide; Fishing, A Tune for Nowhere and A Summer Wind, A Cotton Dress are destined to be legendary works. I cannot say enough about the quality of this album. In comparison to his first album, Shindell encorporates more instruments to this album, and also expands his musical style.

I could not recommend this album highly enough.

Reunion Hill or Somewhere Near Patterson, while very good, cannot be compared with Schindell's masterpiece, Blue Divide. Blue Divide's Summer Wind is chilling and Mary Madelene and Fishing puts Schindell up there with Homer as far as lucid and ironic storytelling is concerned. If you want an introduction to Richard Schindell and don't know which CD of his to buy, you can stop looking further.

Several years after purchasing the album, it remains easy onthe ears. Perhaps 4 or so times a year, I'll get an urge to hear that combination of clearness of message and voice. Excellent long term value from an album, I'd say.

Knowing that his Sparrows Point was the best cd ever, bar NONE, I wasn't sure I'd like the next one. I have never been disappointed. A few years later and its still a favorite. Richard Shindell is such a talented songwriter and performer. This cd should be added to everyone's library. NOW!

It was reassuring, I suppose, to find that someone besides me didn't think that the "Blue Divide" CD was the penultimate Shindell collection. See the review of "knopfler720." I too agree that the album was overproduced. But I would travel even farther by way of criticism. For me, the beauty and power of Richard's music come from his evocative lyrics, his rich and ever-expressive baritone voice, and his stellar acoustic guitar work. But in "BD" his acoustical virtuosity was pawned for a pass to the folk-rock stage, and his voice on at least two songs ventured into an upper register where, dare I say it, Shindell sounded a little thin. I would never call any of Richard Shindell's lyrics sub-standard, even though some of his songs might move me less than others. Again, the problem with "BD" is not the lyrics.

In a list of my favorite male singer-songwriters that includes James Taylor, Bill Morrissey, John Gorka, Tom Rush, Garnet Rogers, and Richard Thompson, RICHARD SHINDELL is at the top. But I contend that the production values on "BD," compared to his other releases, are at the bottom. (Note: The production values here compare well to those of other folk-rock artists. But compared to Shindell's acoustical albums, "BD" has too many electric instruments, the drums are over-stated, and the overall tone is just too loud.) Perhaps I may have missed something, but have any of his later releases surpassed "BD" in being more "folk-rock" or in having his voice strain at the upper register? If you agree that the answer is "no," then you might seriously consider, along with me, the possibility that Richard Shindell himself feels more comfortable in the "folk" genre than the "folk-rock" genre. Of course, it is also possible that "BD" was released to broaden his fan base, to introduce serious folk-rock enthusiasts to a master FOLK musician. If the latter is the case, congratulations go to his production and marketing people. Hey, I'm GLAD more people are appreciating his great music!

To date, he has released eight solo albums, plus "Cry Cry Cry." Only one of those albums, "Blue Divide," was folk-rock. Some of the other reviewers consider "BD" to be his best, and the one that YOU should get. If you like folk-rock more than folk, and if you are willing to spend money on something that a master FOLK musician has only made one of, go ahead and spend it on "Blue Divide." If, however, your preference is FOLK, then try any of his other eight albums, or pick through the MP3 offerings here in Amazon.

For those readers who really NEED a list of somebody else's favorites, here's another: "Are You Happy Now?"; "The Courier"; "Sparrows Point"; "Reunion Hill"; "Beyond the Iron Gate"; "The Weather"; "You Stay Here"; "My Love Will Follow You"; "Spring"; "Wisteria"; "Waiting for the Storm"; "Acadian Driftwood"; "The Storms Are on the Ocean"; "Northbound 35."

Blue Divide could be as close to a perfect contemporary folk rock album as you can get. Shindell is a truly gifted songwriter, and on his worst day the quality of his songs and lyrics are exceptional. In fact, Blue Divide does not have even a mediocre song on it. Production is rich and smooth, and with a mostly full-band arrangement Shindell shies away from the "coffeehouse" folk sound more into the realm of Folk Rock/Mellow Rock. And his stories.... Shindell is simply brilliant, and Blue Divide could be my favorite of his. It is a Must Hear.

GENRES: Contemporary Folk, Mellow Rock.

BUY IF YOU LIKE: Bill Morrissey, James McMurtry, John Gorka, Steve Forbert.

MUST HEAR TRACKS: "Summer Wind, A Cotton Dress," "Fishing," "The Ballad of Mary Magdalene," "Arrowhead."

Richrd Shindell's Blue Divide is a great collection of fresh folk songs. This collection is a comparable with David Wilcox's "How did you find me here?" Pick it up and you won't be disappointed!

Richard Shindell never disappoints with this CD! His music is captivating and every song is wonderful. I still have this in my favorites after 2 years of listening.

I have been a fan of Richard Shindell since I was 17, the summer between high school and college when I was living in Vermont. I took a shot in the dark one evening and went to the Burlington Coffee House to see any out of town musician and this guy Richard Shindell happened to be playing. I was immediately sucked into a beautiful vortex of song craft from a master singersongerwriter I hadn't heard of. He had two albums out, Sparrows Point and Blue Divide. I was and still am wowed by his music. One of my personal favorites. My college years went on to be serenaded by his albums and many powerful performances. Blue Divide isn't my favorite of his (I feel it was a little overproduced) but I still throw it in my stereo and honor his work through lyrics, voice and guitar. Bravo!!!