Dog Eared Dream [Extra tracks]

Willy Porter | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 1, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks
• Label: Private Music
• ASIN: B0000000M0
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #290,739 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Angry Words

2. Rita

3. Jesus On The Grille

4. Boab Tree

5. Watercolor

6. Cool Water

7. Be Here Now

8. Flying

9. Glow

10. Cold Wind

11. Out Of The Blue

Editorial Reviews

In 1994 singer-songwriter/guitar phenomenon Willy Porter, self released his second CD, Dog-Eared Dream. Through consistent touring and an amazing live show Willy built a national following and achieved a modest hit with "Angry Words." at the then nascent Triple A radio format. This led to a deal with Private Music, who re-released Dog Eared Dream in 1995. Willy soon embarked on numerous opening slots for such diverse artists as, the Cranberries, Rickie Lee Jones, Vonda Shepard, and Tori Amos, who handpicked Porter from a mountain of contenders. After finding a new home at Six Degrees Records, Porter has continued to release some of the best adult- rock/ singer songwriter albums of recent years while his following has grown steadily.

Dog Eared Dream remains a favorite of Willy’s fans and many of his signature live songs are drawn from this seminal release. Six Degrees Records is excited to make this previously out of print classic available for both old and new fans of this fascinating artist. The new edition includes a previously unreleased live version of one of Porter’s classic tracks, "Moonbeam". --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dog Eared Dream reveals a polished facet of Willy Porter, December 15, 1999

By 

Lucky Eddie (KY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dog Eared Dream (Audio CD)

Dog Eared Dream, Willy's second album, puts forth a facet of his music that is a highly polished gem. Despite the production, the groovy life-blood of Willy's style can be heard moving through the veins of this album. Of special note are such songs as the popluar Angry Words, the beautifull Watercolor, and the funky Be here now. This album reflects the more band-oriented side of Willy's music, while retaining his thoughtfull lyrics, and most of his funk. If you have heard him perform live and loved it, this album may not be what you're looking for. On the other hand, if you are a fan looking to explore Willy Porter more fully, this is the evolutionary step that got him out on the major touring circut and made him a standard name among true music afficianados and midwest radio. A solid and excellent bit of work. http://www.willyporter.com

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Willy's 1st major label effort, September 28, 2004

By 

P. Smith (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dog Eared Dream (Audio CD)

"Dog Eared Dream" is Willy Porter's 2nd album, the follow-up to his first record, "The Trees Have Soul." I believe it was his first album released by a major record label, however. It is a mixed bag of brilliant songs and forgettable duds.

This CD has quite a different feel from his first album. The all-out guitar virtuosity has been toned down significantly, only present in parts of a few songs. It is more produced and of a much higher recording quality, and it seems that Willy is turning more into a pop singer/songwriter than a fingerstylist with vocals, a shift that is sure to please some while irking others.

The first song on the CD, "Angry Words," is easily the best, and is perhaps the defining song of Willy's career. If that song had been what I like to call "Vertical Horizoned" (if you listen to the evolution of Vertical Horizon from their acoustic-based "Running On Ice" to their later albums, you'll understand what I mean), it would have easily been on the radio. Still, in its current state, it's a great song for the background of a party or while driving. It's also pretty cool that he uses two capos to play that song, but I digress. The next two songs, "Rita" and "Jesus on the Grille" show off Willy's country side. The former is a stronger song, driven by a sing-along-able chorus. The latter might be more fun live; it doesn't seem to be a very good studio track. "Boab Tree" is pleasant enough if played in the background, but another standout track, "Watercolor," follows it and is one of Willy's best (certainly his best love song). "Cool Water," which appeared on his first album, comes next. It is a bit more upbeat (has real drums) and sounds like it could have been pulled off of a Dave Matthews Band album, but it still sounds a bit empty in spots and could have used more production assistance (not likely, since that would mean it would have to make a third appearance on a subsequent album). The next song is definitely the album's weakest: "Be Here Now." Willy's spoken word vocals don't come across as musical. He also tried spoken word on the previous album with the song "Lines of Age," but that song was saved by a soaring chorus that this song lacks. The four tracks that round out the CD are nice but forgettable, though "Flying" would satisfy the guitar jocks looking for some of the fingerstyle playing of the first album.

Overall, "Dog Eared Dream" is a decent album with a few great tracks and a few others that could have used more work. I've given it 4 stars because most of the tracks are at least listenable ("Be Here Now" being the exception), there are a few outstanding songs, and Willy took some chances and tried to evolve from his first album. Fans of light acoustic rock and adult contemporary would enjoy this CD.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A credible snapshot of Porter's work, August 2, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Ocean Springs,MS) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dog Eared Dream (Audio CD)

For me, listening to "Dog Eared Dream" is a little like seeing the movie version of a favorite novel. You know you are not going to be entirely satisfied because your experience with the material is so much broader than the more popular vehicle could possibly present.

I had the great pleasure of performing with Willy in the early '90's, so I have an intimate knowledge of his superior virtuosity, pristine voice and artistic integrity. "Dog Eared Dream" delivers beautifully on material I was familliar with ("Watercolor", "Cool Water"), provides fresh new gems ("Angry Words", "Boab Tree") and tosses in something for no discernable reason("Be Here Now"), rather like a good screenplay adaptation of a classic book.

On balance without prejudice, this is a strong offering that should expose many more people to the talent that is Willy Porter.