Customer Reviews

Crayon Angel: Tribute to the Music of Judee Sill

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I'm not a huge listener of indie rock, nor had I heard many Judee Sill's songs before picking up Crayon Angels, but I gotta say: I love this record. Basically Crayon Angels is like a great mixtape a friend with amazing taste in music would make for you of their favorite indie bands from the past year. Its also a great introduction to Judee Sill -- after a listen to the covers of her songs, you really, truly get the sense that she's the real deal "great lost talent". Its accessible stuff, melodic always, and her songs are not quite like any other artist's, at least that I can think of. The top of my list of highlights is Dan Rossen's (of Grizzly Bear and Dept. Of Eagles) take on Waterfall. I love, love, love Dan's work in both of his bands, but after hearing Waterfall on repeat a few times, I was certain that this is the best track he's ever worked on. Ron Sexmith, Final Fantasy and Beth Orton's tracks are all solid too, but some of my big faves are from artists that I'd never heard of, and have since checked out, (and all loved): The Shalants, Frida Hyvonen and Nocolai Dunger. Crayon Angels also made me seek out the rest of Sill's catalog, and all of its great, especially her live at the BBC collection. Basically, if you any interest in indie rock, or classic rock or folk-rock, do yourself a favor and pick up this record.

Judee Sill is one of the greatest singer-songwriters of the 20th century, but she made only two albums, then died, in 1979. Almost all of her recorded material was released several years ago on Rhino Records, on two CDs. They are a revelation. She's been a cult favorite for years, and this CD is an attempt by some moderately known singers to put together their personal interpretations of 15 of Sill's songs, including two not known until this release. Seven or eight of the tracks are very good, the rest are just plain intolerable, either because they fail to catch the spirit of the songs, or because the arrangements are just goofy. But this CD is worth the price if only for Frida Hyvonen's version of "Jesus Was A Crossmaker," Sill's most memorable and accessible song. This version lifts the song to new heights, even eclipsing the songwriter's own rendition. In fact, there may not be a better track released this year. I played it a dozen times in a row today. Buy the album, but not without also buying Judee's albums.

This is actually the perfect tribute album for me, because I've always loved Judee Sill's songs but occasionally felt like someone else might have performed them better. Here, a wide range of some of the best indie bands tackle her material and give it new life.

As with all compilation albums, some tracks are better than others, but most of this album is very solid, with some standout tracks that really shine. Waterfall, Bill Callahan's version of the unrecorded 'For A Rainbow,' and the awesome version of 'Jesus Was a Crossmaker' are all fantastic.

Obviously, if you're just getting started with Judee Sill, you should buy her albums as well, but don't be surprised if you end up liking some of these versions better...

I was really looking forward to this, but unfortunately it contains probably some of the worst covers I've ever heard.

Judee's music can be done well - Shawn Colvin's "There's A Rugged Road" on Cover Girl is excellent and introduced me to Judee's music. Canadian Lori Cullen does a very nice version of "Lopin'" on her Buttercup Bugle album, and Jane Siberry does a great version of "The Kiss" as well.

But here, the only decent cover is by Trembling Blue Stars - download this track only. At least they retain something resembling a song and can actually sing (I'm looking at you Nicolai Dunger!), which is pretty important if you're going to cover Judee because her music demands a sincere appreciation for her work, and not just a showcase your affected, faux-quirky, navel-gazing performance that would make Pitchfork drool.

I was extremely disappointed with Marissa Nadler, an artist who usually does interesting covers - here, "The Kiss" is stripped down and almost unrecognizable (in a bad way) combined with a relentless annyoing drum loop, with none of the gorgeous spine-tingling moments the original is filled with. Not only the worst track here, probably one of the worst covers I've ever heard. I pity those who hear this version first.

Meanwhile, the rest of the tracks are dull and uninspired (Beth Orton, Ron Sexsmith and I'm a big fan of his too) to downright bad (Nicolai Dunger, Bill Callahan).

Just pick up Judee's original albums in that wonderful Rhino double pack, and don't waste your time with this.