Customer Reviews

Fate's Right Hand

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In Rodney's marvelous song "Earthbound," he sings, "Fallen angels are talking to you," which is actually a wonderful metaphor for this creatively reenergized artist. From its distinctive twangy guitar opening, "Earthbound" is my favorite song on this set of consistently excellent songs. "With each new day that passes I'm in need of thicker glasses," Rodney sings on this incredibly catchy tune. Another tune that has me hit "repeat" is "The Man In Me" with Marcia Ramirez's angelic harmonies counterpointing the urgency of a disquieted mind, "There's a man in me, and he's so full of hate; he's so misdirected, he thinks it's too late, pours salt on the wounds only time wants to heal; he's dying inside and don't want to feel." The lovely "Ridin' Out the Storm" is also one of Rodney's best. The title track is excellent. Rodney creates a genre of country-punk with a shotgun lyric spiced with stinging electric lead, "Red rum, dot com, dim sum, smart bombs, double cappuccino and a heart like a tom tom." The images come fast and furious like brush strokes from an impressionist painter, each image triggering the next, "Hard rain, fish seine, hurricane Jane, don't forget about Carla when you talkin' about poon tang, slow song on the bone, rec hall dance, double date Debbie with a pole in my pants." "Time to Go Inward" seems to be the spiritual antidote for the burning rage. "The Houston Kid" followed by "Fate's Right Hand" shows Rodney is on a creative roll. Rolling with Rodney is a great thrill ride on this excellent set. Enjoy!

"Earthbound"-what a life-affirming, smile-inducing song that is! These songs are all about Mr. Crowell facing middle-age, and all the good and bad things (mostly bad) he's done. These songs really strike a chord in me-"Still Learning To Fly," "Time To Go Inward," and "The Man In Me" are introspective, and he's not always flattering himself, either. The word honest comes to mind. There's a few songs about not really understanding the world today, "It's A Different World Now" and "Fate's Right Hand," which has my favorite darkly comic verse to ever appear in song "Trot-line Freddy's got his dogs in the trunk," and the song is filled with lines where you ask yourself "What did he just say?" Another favorite is "Preachin' to the Choir" an almost gospel rave-up, where he is making fun of himself and all his ranting and raving. I like all the rest of the songs, too. Great guitar work throughout, especially by Will Kimbrough, and a really beautiful harmony vocal by Kim Richey on "Ridin' Out the Storm." Her voice blends in so perfectly, you can barely hear her--that's the way GREAT harmony should be sung. I highly recommend this cd-use your coffee money, beer money, even raid your kids' piggy bank if you have to! A real MUST HAVE!

First off, I remember seeing his videos on CMT years back, but when I was that young, I hadn't quite developed a taste for fine songwriting. Now that I'm well into my twenties, my tastes have become a little bit more refined and I just happen to stumble across "Fate's Right Hand".

Something about this one really struck a chord with me. It wasn't just the great melodies and choruses, it was the overall quality in the writing that made the lyrics sink in so deep. The honesty of it all. Rodney Crowell, if anything, is totally unashamed to say what's on his mind and if you need proof of that just listen to the bluntness in the title-track.

Now I know that with "Fate's Right Hand", I'm barely scratching the surface. I'm off to pick up "The Houston Kid" and I can't wait to see where that takes me. This one has defintely made a fan out of me.

The video of "Earthbound" made me purchase this CD, and I'm happy to say that this song is just one of many gems on Rodney's latest contribution to the world of music. Each track of this collection lends itself to the overall theme...self reflection, evaluation, and a striving to right the wrong choices of yesterday...or at least make peace with them. The pictures that will flash through your mind as you listen to his descriptive lyrics...like those of "Ridin' Out the Storm" or the title song...will be fresh and thought provoking. "Time To Go Inward" and "Still Learning How to Fly" are other favorites of mine. But it's not really fair to point out a few...they are all worthy of many listens. The song arrangements are clever and catchy and the musicianship is tight. His vocals are inspired, and the lyrics (he wrote them all) by this talented writer/performer will put to shame some of the sillier tunes that you hear so frequently today on "country" radio. This music, however, spans a few genres..as all quality music usually does. Rodney has put together a worthy collection here, and I hope it finds the recognition and sales it deserves. To be honest, I purchased my only other Crowell album a few years back, and though I liked a few of the songs, a lot of them them didn't connect with me. But this CD is a keeper from top to bottom. Men and women can both relate to his ideas here...particularly if you are a "baby boomer". His words are blunt sometimes...but honest and real. You'll find yourself pondering his conclusions and saying to yourself, "Yeah...he's right!". I also liked the CD packaging and those photos of Rodney on the beach! Good job, Mr. Crowell.

I had sort of lost track of Rodney Crowell... then I heard Riding Out the Storm on late night radio somewhere. I didn't even know who it was by, but did some looking and there it was. So far I've bought four copies because I keep giving them away to people who NEED them. His voice is perfect for the thoughtful songs and they would be just as good (almost) as poetry without the music. I can't pick a favorite, but they are always moving and frequently on replay in my CD player. It defies genre; not really country, not really folk, just music and thought intertwined. And not incidentally, easy to sing along to while back on the long roads.

This is the best complete CD I've heard since Lucinda Williams' "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road". This along with The Houston Kid just flows perfectly in my opinion. Not for the lighthearted though. Rodney is a master wordsmith that if left alone to produce the music that comes to his heart, like his last 2 CD's is the definition of true art. Keep it up Rodney.

Rodney's latest CD is one of his midlife best. I've been a fan of Rodney Crowell since "Stars on the Water" fame. Much like "The Houston Kid" in that it goes deep, but instead of his childhood and growing up years, we get his adult perspective. If Rodney didn't write these songs, they all sure sound like his own. There isn't a bad song in the entire CD. "Riding out the storm" speaks to the down and out man, "Adam's Song" speaks of a lifetime broken heart, both favorites of mine on this CD. Rodney picks up where Johnny Cash left off; singing about the underdogs in life, as well as the honesty of error in his soul. "The Man in me" is admission of faults that the man doesn't like about himself. If you liked "Houston Kid" then this is an extension that in the same vein. I love them both, and Rodney is my favorite singer; Rosanne Cash my favorite female singer. I only wish Rodney would do a video with his music.

I was just recently turned on to Rodney Crowell on a car trip with a friend. "Fate's Right Hand" is one of the most poetically well written CD's I have ever heard. I am a fan! I have let friends that are sworn hard rockers listen to the CD and I am afraid they will not give it back. They all love it too.

This is simply the best CD I have listened to in years. The lyrics are easy to understand, yet complex. I can relate to every song on this CD. Especially "The Man in Me" and "Ridin' Out The Storm"
Buy this CD if you are a person that likes to listen to every word of a song. If you don't, buy it anyway. It will grab you and make you listen.
Rodney, please keep writing. {He wrote every song on this CD} you are fantastic. Not just to people of your generation either. My 21 yr old son loves this CD and he is not a "Country Fan" He says, and I agree, that every song on this CD should make a person think...

Fate's Right Hand is a stunner. Songs for those who are aching for a more thoughtfull, and mature approach to the country-folk-rock genre. This record looks inward examining issues we baby boomers are now confronting in our middle age. Clever lyrics and solid arangements with no extended Albert Lee style telecaster antics. It is a hopeful, positive album. I absolutly love it and I haven't said that about a record in years.
Darius Javaher

P.S Kudos to the Epic/DMZ for putting it out.