Customer Reviews

Essential Shawn Mullins

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

 

 

This is a solid collection from a tremendous artist worth the purchase simply for the collaboration with Elton John on Border Song. The remastered sound is exceptional - especially on Border Song and Anchored In You from his classic CD - Souls Core. The obvious omission is "Twin Rocks Oregon" from Souls Core and the absence of any of his Eggshells CD songs including Joshua and the well-done acoustic version of Shimmer. (Shimmer has been recorded at least three times) -the version included in this package is the "alternative" version - quite frankly not his best - not even as good as the powerful Souls Core take. That stated, the essential Shawn Mullins encompasses his early recordings all the way through Beneath the Velvet Sun - listen to "I Know". The true highlights are the new releases including the masterful piece with Elton John and the Atlanta Symphony followed by the acoustic Lullaby. True Shawn Mullins fans MUST own those two recordings.

If you want a single album of Shawn Mullins greatest compositions, look no further. Even if you already have "The First Ten Years", this album is still highly recommended. Most of this collection focuses on his two most recent albums "Soul's Core" and "Beneath The Velvet Sun". Not surprisingly, his most popular hit "Lullaby" starts off the disc; an acoustic version thereof recorded two years later closes it. "Lonesome, I Know You Too Well" was recorded live in Switzerland in 1999. "Border Song" (one of two tracks previously unissued in the U.S.) recorded in 2000 is a great duet with the song's original composer Elton John with The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Finally, three tracks from "The First Ten Years" are included.

No matter how many Shawn Mullins albums you have this album is not to be missed. So far, it's the only collection of it's kind.
If you're just getting familiar with him you found an excellent place to start.

I recently discovered Shawn Mullins on Amazon.com, and I am so glad I did. I first fell in love with his voice, and then his music. After purchasing Soul's Core and loving it, I decided to get The Essential Shawn Mullins.
This is a nice, varied collection of Shawn's music. There are songs that make you want to get up and dance, such as "Shimmer" and "Everywhere I Go", and then there are the beautiful, reflective songs, such as "Joy Terrell Brown" and "Lonesome, I know you too well". Having just lost a very good friend to cancer, "Joy" really resonated with me.
I was thrilled to hear the collaboration with Elton John, "Border Song," on this CD. I think the two of them sound great together.
I highly recommend this CD for Shawn Mullins fans, both old and new. I also feel if you have never heard him before, this is a great way to begin.

To be fair, I am new to Shawn Mullins and some of his work. Of course I was aware of his bigger hits that made some air play in my local neck of the woods, and well I just liked them. I'm from the Classic Rock time frame, and I am so glad that I did not get stuck back in the '60's! So many of my peers are still listening to just CCR and Cream etc. et al... yes still. I fortunately was able to move on and to enjoy many different types and decades of music. I keep all of my Classic Rock at hand on my server, just in case I need a 'fix.' But I've learned to enjoy the music from then, to now. Which brings me back to Shawn Mullins. I find him a refreshing voice, yet familiar in many ways. He lends a nice voice to the soundtrack of his time, and thankfully that includes me. This is the only Shawn Mullins compact disc I own, well at this time. I'm going through this disc and listening for what I hope is the tip of the artistic iceberg. I am always on the look out for new to me music.

I am very pleased with this disc, and time will tell if I will branch out into his other work. As a new listener, three stars is all I am good for here, at this time. Perhaps the day will come when he will lead my player rotation? Perhaps. I'll give it a good try, and several listens. An excellent collection of tracks, as best I can tell. For the most part from his newer work. I have enjoyed what I have heard... If you are a fan, well you already know your likes and dislikes. If you are a bit old school like me, then you might want to give Shawn a try. A most pleasant experience thus far. I'd have to go so far as to recommend this disc to others. Having said that, I will have to bump my rating to 3 1/2 stars. If you are new to his music, this is a good place to start your Shawn Mullins experience. Enjoy!

Shawn Mullins is definitely essential in my music collection. He exudes a perfect blend from melancholy to mild mania with his wonderful wit and easy flowing tunes. One of the best around. This cd was yet another perfect purchase.

Outstanding collection of songs by an artist who deserves a lot more attention than he's received. There's a mixture of blues, folk, earthy tones along with good old fashioned rock and roll. Get this album........it will become a favorite in short time!

Mullins is best known for his huge hit single "Lullaby" from the late 90's. That was pretty much the only thing I knew of him until I saw him open for the Indigo Girls a few years ago. I was impressed enough with his show to go out and pick up this compilation album. I don't own any of his studio albums, so I don't know how representative this is, but it seems to be a decent compilation. Mullins is a singer / songwriter who seem to specialize in acoustic oriented songs in the tradition of many who have come before him. His lyrics don't blow me away, but are decent enough. Overall the album is a pleasant listen and Mullins is an enjoyable writer. The album contains two versions of his bit hit Lullaby, the original single along with an acoustic version. There is also a cool duet of Border Song with Elton John.

But I preferred Soul's Core to The Essential Shawn Mullins. I guess it depends on your musical taste as he really showcases some of his other abilities with this one but I prefer the more soulful, rocky vibe to Soul's Core.

This is a great CD. There are at least 7 or 8 really good songs on this one and the rest are still pretty good.

From the OBJECTIVE reviewer...a solid collection even if it is missing some tracks I would call essential.