Dangerous Spirits

Ray Wylie Hubbard | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 5, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Philo / Umgd
• ASIN: B0000003WP
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #75,497 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

No Description Available.
Genre: Folk Music
Media Format: Compact Disk
Rating:
Release Date: 12-AUG-1997

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Texas treasure., August 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Dangerous Spirits (Audio CD)

This is one of those albums that cannot be experienced through the little sound bites listed above. You have to listen to the album, in its entirety, to really enjoy it and Ray for all they are worth.

If you don't know Ray Wylie Hubbard, you have no doubt heard at least one of his songs as recorded by some other artist. Though "Redneck Mother" has become his legacy, it is very far from representative of Hubbard's work. On the other hand, "Dangerous Spirits" is Ray at his best!

The craftsmanship that one can experience on this album is rare in this day and age. Hubbard weaves melody and story with a skill befitting a man who once lived in a place called "Poetry, TX." (He really did!) You will never witness better modern folk songwriting and perfomance than can be heard on "Dangerous Spirits."

The first track of the album grabs you and you are held under his spell all the way through to the last track. "If Heaven is Not a Place to Go," and "Without Love, " the next two tracks are very similar in feel and content.

The first time I ever heard "Last Younger Son," I knew that Ray had written a masterpiece in this album. It has the story telling abilties than one has come to expect, combined with a haunting blend of melody and voice. "Ballad of the Crimson Kings," the story of a Carolina folk band and life on the road, is a true gem, as well. And a hell of a song to cap this excellent album off with.

This is one album that every fan of modern folk music needs to have in their collection. Unlike other albums, you won't tire of this one with repeated listening, but will instead discover something new and exciting every time.

Excellent!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Broken Heroes, Wasted Lovers, and Vilified Gods", May 30, 2005

By 

Smallchief - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Dangerous Spirits (Audio CD)

"Dangerous Spirits" is perhaps Ray Wylie Hubbard's most spiritual CD. The racuous and rowdy side of Hubbard, as exemplified by "Redneck Mother," isn't much present here. The songs are mostly acoustic, thoughtful and several of them are just plain beautiful.

In addition to acoustic guitar, Ray plays a mean mandolin on a couple of cuts and a harmonica on the deep and dark spiritual "Resurrection;" a variety of girl singers, including Lucinda Williams, and top-notch guitar players like "Buffalo" Ware and Lloyd Maines contribute their talents. The sound is mostly folk rather than country or rock.

Several songs are really outstanding: "Last Train to Amsterdam and "The Last Younger Son" are what Hubbard would call "dark power ballads." "Ballad of the Crimson Kings" and "Crimson Dragon Tattoo" are exquisite up-tempo tunes with a great interplay among voices, mandolin, dobro, acoustic, and electric guitars. I could go on...and on. This CD will grow on you. The songs are quiet and unobtrusive at first listen, but you'll soon appreciate the craftmanship and quality in each of them.

Smallchief

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An unwavering look at life and its hard choices, June 9, 2006

By 

loce_the_wizard "loce_the_wizard" (Lilburn, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Dangerous Spirits (Audio CD)

Ray Wylie Hubbard never seems to take the easy way out. "Dangerous Spirits" sums up nicely the cast of characters he sings about in this album. Mr. Hubbard's voice may not be the strongest around, but his unwavering look at life and its hard choices, often in the face of temptation, makes for fascinating material. One character, for instance, faces the dilemma of acceding to a preacher's demands "to kneel and pray" versus his attraction to a blonde who "gets to him in a real bad way." Another hears of the latest misadventures of his ex with what seems to be pangs or remorse that ultimately are topped by glee. The curse of those who are "born to write" is explored in another track.

This recording, which is more country than rock but not dyed-in- the-wool country, sparkles with plenty of crisp playing, from multiple guitars, to catchy percussion and keyboards. The arrangements here are more open and flowing than the thick sound on "Growl" and "Delirium Tremolos."

Music about philosophy, reincarnation, spirituality, temptation, salvation, and religion never sounded as brisk and accessible as they do on this fine album.