Eleven Eleven

Dave Alvin | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 21, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Yep Roc Records
• ASIN: B004PZI9X6
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,119 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Dave Alvin turns it up. The intensity, the focus, the volume. On Alvin's new album Eleven Eleven, the man who many credit with pioneering what has come to be known as 'roots rock,' revisits the burning, guitar-centered blues rock that initially defined his career along with his band The Blasters in the late 1970s. After The Blasters, Alvin explored the path of American folk music, a road that led to classic albums and Grammy wins (for his album Public Domain: Songs from the Wild Land), establishing him as one of America's most distinguished songwriters and California's de facto roots music ambassador. Fast forward to Eleven Eleven and Dave is ready to raise the stakes again, calling on some Blasters including his brother Phil, with whom he duets for the first time ever on record. The inaugurals continue with Dave writing all the songs while on the road touring, a first for the seasoned performer. The new method clearly sparked new ideas for Alvin, with the blistering guitar runs and Bo Diddley beat of ''Run Conejo Run'' sidling up alongside the gentle finger-picking of the tremolo-soaked ''No Worries Mija.'' Eleven Eleven also features ''Harlan County Line,'' the song featured, along with an Alvin cameo as himself, in FX original series Justified and Alvin's highest and fastest-selling digital single ever.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Dave Alvin Writes A Great Album While Touring In 2010!", June 21, 2011

By 

M. Mariba "the teacher" (pretoria, south africa) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Eleven Eleven (Audio CD)

It's 2011, 11 tracks & 11th album for the legendary 'roots' rock pioneer Dave Alvin. This great CD 'Eleven Eleven' was written during his 2010 touring 'down time'. It's a well balanced rock album (mainly bluesy rock tracks, countryish track in "Manzanita" & jazzy in "Two Lucky Bums"). Dave Alvin has services of musicians from the Blasters including his brother Phil Alvin (duet for the first time on record in "What's Up With Your Brother") in this CD. His varied baritone-velvety voice is as enjoyable as ever. Stands-outs/gems/solid tracks include "Black Rose Of Texas" (an incredible slow track with magnificent guitar, melody & his enjoyable baritone voice somewhere between those of Greg Brown & Mark Knopfler), "No Worries Mija" (wonderful slow track, beautiful guitar finger pick-ups, accordion & melody), "Manzanita" (excellent countryish guitar sound, melody & vocals. A wonderful duet featuring Christy McWilson on vocals & piano) & "Two Lucky Bums" (jazzy track with incredible harmonies, melody & accordion. A duet featuring Chris Gaffney on vocals & accordion). Great tracks include "Harlan County Line" (bluesy rock track featured in TV series FX in which Dave Alvin also had a cameo role), "Johnny Ace Is Dead", "Run Conejo Run" (mid-tempo track, 'some rapping' vocals, great guitar solo & melody), "What's Up With Your Brother" (bluesy rock track, great guitar/harmonica & duet with his brother Phil) & "Dirty Nightgown" (a rock track with great vocals & melody). Okay tracks are "Gary, Indiana 1952" & "Murrietta's Head". The purchase of this CD entitles you to Free bonus material not included on the album to download. On overall, Dave Alvin does not disappoint in his 11th CD release 'Eleven Eleven', a highly recommended CD listening.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of his best!, June 23, 2011

By 

RF - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eleven Eleven (Audio CD)

I bought Eleven Eleven just before seeing Dave live in a small club in Northampton, MA. I knew it would be cheaper at Amazon, but I had to have it then. It's his best CD since King of California. But none of his recordings match his live performances and lately he's better than ever, with his strongest band yet. Rolling Stone just called him "one of the great unrecognized guitar heros". So true! Buy his music and go to his shows!!!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best In Years !, June 28, 2011

By 

Bob Jagendorf (manalapan, nj USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Eleven Eleven (Audio CD)

I just had the opportunity to see Dave and his band in Freehold NJ at a very intimate venue. He was great, the band was terrific and they played a combination of old and new songs. I bought Eleven Eleven days before the concert to become familiar with the songs and I was blown away. I have been a fan of Daves since the first Blasters LP. I have listened to his music since then, solo outings, original material, public domain covers, The Knitters, The Pleasure Barons, the "Guilty" cds, Sony Burgess, etc. I have to say that this is my favorite CD in many years. Even though I enjoyed the Guilty CD's I found them lacking something and I could never put my finger on it. Now hearing Eleven I know what I was missing, it was the bluesy, rootsy, pure sound. The duets, the additional instrumentation was not what I was looking for. I love the well produce but rawer sound of this CD, great guitars, excellent bass and strong drums coupled with Dave's voice and of course terrific songs make this a great CD my favorite since King of California. Johnny Ace is Dead is a Dave classic, Black Rose of Texas is heartbreaking and What's Up With Your Brother is fun. There is not a dud or filler on the whole CD. Highly recommended by a long time fan -- Bob