Customer Reviews

Coolin' Soup

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I couldn't wait to receive Michael Parks' new CD. I immediately played it and loved it. I have been a fan of Michael Parks since his Then Came Bronson series. I think I enjoyed his laid back way of singing as much as the show itself. I have 3 of his album releases (yeah, I do remember albums). His newest CD was a treat. A little different in that it has a definate jazz "flavor" to it, but no less entertaining and pleasing to the ears than his earlier works. I enjoyed the CD immensely. Now to my question...when will they be releasing Michael's earlier works on CD. I guess I'll have to get a CD "burner" to record my albums.

I had collected all his previous stuff on vinyl and wore out the grooves listening to them. I then searched the used record stores for copies in better condition and wore those out. I have been hoping they will re-release the stuff on CD. One day I decided to put his name in a google search and discovered this wonderful collection of jazz and blues. But the best part of the album is Michael's wonderful down home voice. It's good to have him back and I hope he continues to record.

If you liked Long Lonesome Highway you will enjoy Coolin' Soup. This is heartfelt music that makes you smile and cry at the same time. If you are looking for a slick production that sounds like it was engineered for the American Idol crowd, then this CD is NOT for you.

Michael's voice is not that of a young man, but his song selections match his vocal ability beautifully. If you want music with depth and humor, then buy this CD.

Some of us waited a long time for more songs from this man, and patience pays off--his maturity and life experience show through on these songs. There is a nice mix of blues, country (but not twangy), and old standards. I especially love the pretty, but sad, Moulin Rouge ("Where Is Your Heart?") and the last song "But Beautiful".

This also is not a CD that has been overly-engineered the way so many are today. The rises and falls of musical nuances are left in, and you know you are listening to real music, not some canned stuff where each cut has been mixed to sound like every other cut.

If it's possible to wear out a CD, I certainly will this one.

The title came from a comment once made to MP by "Thumbs" Carllile that he had a "good voice...for coolin' soup".

If you enjoyed the low-key charm of Parks' earlier albums, you will certainly like this one. These musicians have that subtle ESP swing thing going for them. Oklahoma Music Hall of Famer Byron Berline is the violinist on this date.

Highlights are "Rockin' Chair" by Hoagy Carmichael, "But Beautiful" by Van Heusen/Burke, Johnny Cash's "Big River", and a song written by MP himself, "Down New Orleans Way", which fits beautifully into the set.

I find myself playing this CD a lot...it's a bit like Chet Baker meets Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks.

This guy is great!!!!..Wonderful smooth soft voice with wisdom in each word. I want more!!!!

I'm glad he's still singing. While I still like his voice after all these years, I'm not much of a fan of these kind of songs. Too much of the instruments for my taste. I bought this only because it is Michael Parks, but while I absolutely LOVE his albums (I still have 5 of them, with some doubles), this CD is rather disappointing. The music is so brassy and loud on some of the tracks, he seems to be almost drowned out. I really don't like the horn section much. I like his old songs where the voice takes the lead as on his albums, not the musicians. I wish they'd release his albums on CD AS WELL AS putting "Then Came Bronson" on a DVD set. I'd pay a lot for that as well as CD's of his albums! Some of the old thow-away series that have come out on DVD have dismayed me, while a series like Bronson which was entertaining, thought-provoking, and showed gentleness and tolerance hasn't. Go figure.

But back to the CD. I'm glad I bought it even though most of the songs are too "old" for my tastes - I did like the softer ones as well as Down New Orleans Way.

Sit back with a cool drink in a quite room and let it wash over you. Anyone who has had a broken affair will understand.

BUYERS OF 'COOLIN SOUP' ARE PROBABLY ( TO MY MY MIND ) A SMALL NICHE GROUP OF FANS OF THE 1969 TV SERIES 'THEN CAME BRONSON.'AS I DOUBT ANYONE WOULD EVEN KNOW MICHAEL PARKS SINGS (OR TRYS TO)

IF YOU LIKED THE LONG LONESOME HIGHWAY ALBUM, LOST/FOUND, BLUE, AND CLOSIN THE GAP ALBUMS THAT PARKS MADE, YOU'LL LIKE COOLIN SOUP TOO ... JUST LOOSEN UP THOUGH AND DON'T EXPECT ANY MUSICAL REFERENCES TO JIM BRONSON, MOTORCYCLES, OR A REWORKED "GOING DOWN THAT LONG LONESOME HIGHWAY" CAUSE ITS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN .... MIKE'S VOICE HAS LOWERED AND AGED LIKE THE PROVERBIAL FINE WINE, AND THE SAME COMFORTABLE 'KICK YER SHOES OFF' FEELING I HAD LISTENING TO THE OLD 70'S ALBUMS CAME FLOODING BACK AS 'COOLIN' SOUP' PLAYED.

SPOOKY THOUGH,THERE'S A SADNESS ,.... AN ACTUAL FEELING OF HARD EFFORT IN HIS VOICE THAT SEEPS ALL THROUGH THESE SONGS.OR MAYBE IM JUST NUTS IS ALSO A POSSIBILITY.HE JUST SOUNDS LIKE THE 37 YEARS SINCE 'BRONSON' HAVE BEEN REALLY TOUGH. COULD JUST BE THAT THE SONGS SELECTED ARE BEST SUNG BY AN OLDER MORE MATURE MAN LIKE PARKS,AND THE LAST 37 YEARS HELPED ADD SINCERITY TO HIS VOICE. THIS SOUNDS LIKE AN OLDER,WISER,PARKS ... AS IT SHOULD BE I GUESS ... BUY IT,YOU WON'T BE DISAPOINTED.

Great songs from Michael...Now where can I find his "old" album Lonesome Highway on CD....