Customer Reviews

Crazy As Me

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Robert Lee Castleman is truly a great find for anyone wanting to hear a different sound. He is backed by some of the best musicians alive. Great songs and great production. I hope we can hear more from this talented artist.

Robert Lee Castleman may have previously been known for penning "Forget About It," which appears as the title track of Alison Krauss's 1999 album (incidentally, the song also appeared on the less popular -- but also very good -- SIMPATICO by Suzy Boguss and Chet Atkins). This album, however, should change that.

I was fortunate enough to see Alison Krauss in early 2000 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville; Robert Lee Castleman opened for her, and his set contained several of these songs. Their power live was undeniable, and it is not diminished on the album. If anything, they're stronger, more refined, and even more polished.

What's stunning is the quality and depth of these songs, both lyrically and musically. And not only the songs I had heard before -- this is an album crammed full of great songs. Songs that make the hair on the back of your neck stand up the first time you hear them or songs that make you smile -- and sometimes, songs that do both.

My only criticism -- and it's a small one -- is that I wish at least one of these songs were like he performed at the Ryman, and like Alison Krauss describes her first experience hearing him -- just him, playing a guitar and singing, with nobody else around. He's elemental that way, a force of nature. Not that these tracks are overproduced ... far from it. But Castleman's a good guitarist, too, though it doesn't always show on the album. One or two tracks of basically "un-produced" songs would have been a plus.

Still, Rounder does it again. An amazing record. Give us more like this one. Highly recommended.

just when i thought there was nothing else to be said in the singer-songwriter genre, along comes robert lee castleman. his rich voice, his rich melodies and subtle harmonic inventions set him apart. the quality of this recording was so great that i literally didn't know wither to laugh or cry [for joy] as it played. it's a shame only the allison krause crowd will hear this, cause i think fans of both gordon lightfoot AND bruce springsteen would find merit here. i wouldn't trade any one song here for john mellencamp's entire output.

What a great song writer! I love listening to the words of these songs, and while the grumble of a singing isn't technically stellar, it brings the songs to life - in the tradition of Johnny Cash. I thoroughly enjoy this record.

Robert has written hundreds of songs all life long. He writes for Chet Akins, A. Krauss and now has his own CD, Crazy As Me. Brian Mansfield, in USA Today opinned, "Crazy As Me is an ambitiously evocative debut that recalls, at times, the work of Mickey Newbury. Castleman's carefully wrought observations are stunning in their simplicity...and his melodies seem to sneak in from the shadows."

It hits you like an 18 wheeler flying down the highway in the dead of night. This mans talent is so unbelievable, you can't believe you thought there was music before. The CD is great, but seeing Cattleman in person will blow you away. One of the most important singer/songwriters and guitarists ever. One hopes he might pursue his recent success on the new A. Krauss CD with more public concerts and media exposer; Hello Oprah Show? Letterman? Thank God I lived to hear this music.

Castleman's music is somewhere between country and folk, and his voice at times is strangely similar to Elvis Costello's. An older Elvis Costello. His songs are interesting, and he sings them for all they are worth, which is quite a bit. The topics are mostly his feeling and experiences, pretty well standard country fare, but he makes it all sound real and true and interesting. By the end of the CD, you feel as though you have been introduced to someone with an interesting life, although you don't really know many of the details, but you can just tell from the little that you have heard that there is a lot going on. Very interesting... Castleman is backed by a small ensemble, including Alison Krauss on background vocal and her brother Viktor on bass: it's a crack outfit.

The sound quality is clean and punchy, maybe a little too punchy on the bottom end (meaning it will probably sound great on the typical small system, at least until the woofer overloads), but certainly commendable overall. Country music fans who despair of the slickness of many new releases really ought to give Mr. Castleman an audition.

This is an amazing debut album by one of America's best, and most unappreciated songwriters. Where has this guy been? I was lucky enough to hear him play live, and couldn't wait to hear the album. Castleman's lyrics are often beautiful and will make you smile (check out "Like Red on a Rose"). He also has a sense of humor like in "I Can't Believe You Unless You Lie". His guitar playing is simply amazing. All the musicians on this album are great, and the production is refreshing. I especially like the piano player. Also, Jerry Douglas does some nice lap steel work on this album. I found the album in the "Pop/Rock" section at the record store, but make no mistake about it, this album is for good old Country fans and lovers of the Blues. Hell, the guy is from West Virginia! I hear Alan Jackson did a version of Castleman's "Stay Here" on his latest album. Check it out!

Having worked with various artists, Robert Lee Castleman has finally stepped out on his own. Comebining subtle folk music with his weary and rugged vocals gives the effort an air of truth and authenticity that is impossible to fake or mistake. "Crazy As Me" presents a picture of a man who has seen the world and understands it - the good and the bad - conveying the sense of an indomitable, if humble, spirit.

ROBERT LEE CASTLEMAN IS TRUELY A MUSICAL GENIUS. I SAW HIM PERFORM OVER 30 YEARS AGO AND HE WAS FABULOUS THEN , MUST BE PHENOMENAL NOW ! GOOD LUCK ROBERT LEE, ALTHOUGH YOU WON'T NEED IT . THE CD IS NUMDER "1" WE PLAY IT DAY AND NIGHT.. WE WANT TV AND CONCERTS!! LOVE TO YOU-- ELAINE AND SCOTT (P.S. GREASE!!!!)