|
| |||||||||||||||
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or
view the MP3 Album.
Special Offers and Product Promotions
- Buy a CD or a vinyl record, get a $1 Amazon MP3 Credit. Limit one promotional credit per customer. Here's how (restrictions apply)
Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
Editorial Reviews
2011 release from the Lubbock, Texas-based singer/songwriter/fiddler. Amanda Shires is blessed with a singular, literate songwriting style and a crystalline, distinct voice that hints at her Lubbock roots. Much like Neko Case's Blacklisted and Lucinda Williams' Happy Woman Blues, Carrying Lightning is the work of an artist gaining control of her considerable talents and funneling them into a cohesive whole. From playing fiddle in the Texas Playboys at the precocious age of 15 to playing with Gwyneth Paltrow in Country Strong just this year, Shires displays the kind of talent that has garnered her praise from artists like Justin Townes Earle, DeVotchKa and Jason Isbell.
Customer Reviews
Share your thoughts with other customers
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I don't know quite how to classify this music of Amanda Shires. It sounds sort of country-like, but not the country pop that's out there these days. More like the old country music of Roy Acuff and Dolly Parton. It's a little bit like folk music. The lyrics are deep and require the time to reflect on them. Good thing the lyrics are included in the packaging of the CD. Something you'll miss out on with the download. I suppose the best word I've come upon to describe Amanda's music is "Americana", American roots music! Love the CD and the previous one, "West Cross Timbers".
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Like all truly original artists, Amanda Shires defies categorization. Her music has the moving lyrical power of Jewel, the hauntingly touching beauty of Alison Kraus, the steamy sultriness of Nora Jones, and the feminine playfulness of Sheryl Crow. But these are all poor attempts to describe her, for her style is all her own and, in the end, comparable to nothing that has gone before. It's folk; it's country (but, as other reviewers have said, in the spirit of old-fashioned country, not contemporary country pop); it's a little bit rockabilly. Listen to it: you won't be sorry, except for the fact that you won't be able to get it out of your head.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
I've always loved her fiddle playing, now I got to hear her sing her own words.
August 24, 2011
Format:Audio CD
I only knew of Amanda Shires from her fabulous fiddle work playing with Justin Townes Earle out on tour. I had the pleasure of seeing her just four days ago (along with Justin and bassist Brin Davies) at the Philadelphia Folk Festival. So when I put on this new CD from Shires, I wasn't ready to hear that all but one (the last) track were vocals. And all the songs (except one) are penned by her.
After two plays, I'm impressed! (It takes at least two plays as the lyrics aren't quite as obvious the first time around. And, luckily, they are all printed on the inside of the digipak.
Shires vocals are quiet and soothing and she is accompanied by near a dozen Nashville-based musicians (including songwriter Will Kimbrough and album producer Rod Picott). Shires, herself, plays ukulele, "strings", and some whistling, as well as the violin.
I'm reminded a bit of Lucinda Williams on a few tracks and there are hints of other young singer/songwriters here too. I know it's probably asking too much but I'd love it if she'd add more instrumentals to the mix. She's such a great player that her instrumental talent gets lost in the "mix". But then she'd have to give up some of her songs (with words) I guess.
Anyway, I'm glad I got to hear her songwriting talents as well as watching her play on stage.
Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"
After two plays, I'm impressed! (It takes at least two plays as the lyrics aren't quite as obvious the first time around. And, luckily, they are all printed on the inside of the digipak.
Shires vocals are quiet and soothing and she is accompanied by near a dozen Nashville-based musicians (including songwriter Will Kimbrough and album producer Rod Picott). Shires, herself, plays ukulele, "strings", and some whistling, as well as the violin.
I'm reminded a bit of Lucinda Williams on a few tracks and there are hints of other young singer/songwriters here too. I know it's probably asking too much but I'd love it if she'd add more instrumentals to the mix. She's such a great player that her instrumental talent gets lost in the "mix". But then she'd have to give up some of her songs (with words) I guess.
Anyway, I'm glad I got to hear her songwriting talents as well as watching her play on stage.
Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best thing to come out of Texas since Santa Anna
West Cross Timbers thrust Amanda into the debate regarding the best American songwriters; Carrying Lightening forces her to the front of that conversation. Read more
Published 13 months ago by D. Thomas
4.0 out of 5 stars
Look forward to more.
Good album all around and Amanda Shires would be a house hold name if it were not for the corporate filtering of American radio. Read more
Published 19 months ago by pic'ngrin
5.0 out of 5 stars
The New Queen Of Americana?
Like other reviewers, I find Amanda Shires' music impossible to pigeon-hole. In one moment, she is delivering a perfect old-time country heartbreak song like "When You Need A... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Randy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not to be Missed.
Amanda Shires is a wonderful talent and it shows in every song. Her voice is refreshing and alluring and her lyrics are loaded with lines you will be sharing with your friends. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Sky Cop
Listmania!
|
|
