Customer Reviews

Cruel & Gentle Things

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Charlie Sexton is one of the most intriguing and accomplished artists working in music today. It is unfair to pigeonhole him with labels like "roots-rocker" or "Americana"; he is so much greater than that. Once he began collaborating with Tonio K on songs for the Arc Angels album, Charlie suddenly leaped into that rarified place occupied by the truly great: Bob Dylan, Ray Davies, The Band, U2. Yes, he's that good, and he's that important. His 1995 cd, "Under the Wishing Tree", is one of my all-time favorite albums: a sprawling, loose-yet-driving masterpiece that took blues, rock, country, Tex-Mex, jazz, and folk and turned it into a glorious roar.
It's now ten years later, and we finally have a new cd from Mr. Sexton. In between, he spent some time in Bob Dylan's band, made a tremendous album with Charlie Musselwhite (Sanctuary), and produced various artists like Lucinda Williams. But Cruel and Gentle Things was worth the wait. It opens with a stunning bare-bones lament for the modern world called "Gospel". Accompanied by only his 12-string acoustic, Charlie wearily sings how "Too much information might cripple your soul/The world is challenging your faith, more than you know".
After the understated beauty of "Gospel" comes the laid-back electric groove of "Burn". The melody and arrangement hark back to classic mid-70s Little Feat, but the lyrics are another thing altogether - bleak images of "dead steel towns", freezes, dirty rivers, "a white bird against a blackening haze" underscore the desperate longing of the singer for a lost love.
Other highlights include the title track, which begins softly with a piano-based melody and soon swells into an anthem about the dangerous nature of love; "Just Like Love", which is the kind of song Van Morrison should be writing; "Regular Grind", a clear-eyed and sympathetic ode to the lives of working class Americans; and "Dillingham Road", co-written with Steve Earle. Heck, every track is a highlight - there simply isn't a weak cut on the entire disc. I bought it the day it came out, and I have been compulsively listening to it ever since.
Charlie's vocals have never sounded better: relaxed, and expressive beyond his years. This is music for the ages - not pop radio - speaking of universal truths that all adults can relate to. Some discs never sound dated, regardless of when they were recorded; Cruel and Gentle Things will be just as vital 20 years on.

This album is very intense and yet goes down easy, approximating the apt title. Invites repeated listenings. Benefits from restrained production. Charlie is at the zenith of his artistry here and I believe he has more to come that will demonstrate his importance. I strongly recommend this CD. .

This album is timeless. Charlie is simply amazing. Every song is so well crafted that you'll find yourself listening to every song for hours on end. Do yourself a favor and put this one in the cart!

This is a great album. Absolutely the best of Charlie Sexton's solo albums. It's very straighforward and direct - avoiding the overproduction of his first albums. My favorite song is "Regular Grind", although there isn't a weak track on the disc.

I have been a fan of Charlie ever since Pictures For Pleasure and buy anything that has his name attached to it. He is a gifted muscian and songwriter and deserves to be in the A-League, but sadly, for some reason, he has never really captured a wide audience.

Hopefully this excellent record, and his new multi-album contract with Back Porch Records, should see him achieve his rightful place among rock royalty.

While ten songs is not a lot after a ten year absence, the fact that every track is beautifully written, performed and produced makes the wait very much worth it.

The standout track is 'Burn', which could easily be a widespread hit if it was backed appropriately.

This album is a welcome return from a great artist and I recommend it to anyone who loved Bruce Springsteen's latest and those who are fans of John Mayer et al.

Charlie Sexton seems to have an ability to pull you into an album and make you a part of the music, intellectually as well as emotionally. His latest release, Cruel And Gentle Things, is replete with interesting, reflective, emotional, and intriguing material that grabs hold of you from the first chords and doesn't let go until the end. It's a rollercoaster of emotion that gives truth to Charlie's reputation as being one of America's finest composer/musicians. The disc starts with the spartan elegance of "Gospel" before moving into the southwest/country-rock flavourings of "Burn". The rest of the album continues in the same way, with Charlie switching musical styles from track to track, each one puntuated by his distinctive smoky voice. A highlight for me is "Dillingham Lane" another lament-laden reflection on his youth in Austin that shows that in no way has Charlie forgotten where he came from. This is Charlie's best album to date, and I hope that I don't have to wait another ten years for his next one.

This is, simply, an amazing work. The songs are deeply personal, full of passion and emotion. Charlie Sexton is certainly one of the most under rated musicians of our day......

Charlie Sexton is a prolific song writer. His lyrics tell stories and he orchestrates his music around them. I'm a fan of his from the Arc Angel days. HIs solo efforts have never disappointed me. I'm a guitar guy, but I love Charlie's music. He plays guitar very well, but I think his concentration is on his lyrics and then building the music. If you like the Arc Angels and Doyle Bramhall II, you can't go wrong with Charlie Sexton.

I've been a Sexton fan ever since I was introduced to the ArcAngels over a decade ago. To me it felt as though Charlie fell off the music scene for several years as he worked under many other solid acts, but deep down, I, like many other listeners have been waiting for a return of this Texas gem. No one captures the thoughful rythyms of Southern soul/folk (yes I know how silly that sounds)the way that Charlie Sexton manages to. I truly wish that he would recieve the attention he deserves (though doesn't seem to want). Back Porch records has given him the opportunity and the freedom to explore a little further into the regions that went into "Under the Wishing Tree." I'm thankful and appreciative of the time that obviously went into this album, and would recommend it to anyone looking for a second, more bare-bones, dose of the sounds, tastes, and visions that went into the creation of "Under the Wishing Tree."

I'm not going to go through this album song by song. Simply the best and most complete album I've heard in a long time. "Gospel", to start the album and "Don't Take Long" to end it are the most emotive of all but they sandwich a collection of songs that have made all other music seem bland.
I hope that he continues exploring this vein for at least another album. Trust me, you will LOVE this one!