Customer Reviews

A Friend of a Friend

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Reasons this is a 5 star album---tracks 1, 4 and 9; great vocal harmonies (to be expected from Gillian and David); David's guitar playing (of course); and the overall Rawlings-style production that makes the music sound so effortless.

One thing that leaves me slightly disappointed is the limited new material (tracks 2 and 3 have been released on other albums and tracks 4 and 8 are covers). I've been told that one could also argue that track 5 is a semi-cover since the melody was taken from an old blues song, but since I was not familiar with that song, it was new to me. So out of 9 songs only 5 of them were "new". To be fair though, the Oberst/Young cover is so fantastic, it kind of has a life all its own. It's just been so long since their last album, I really wanted MORE.

The main thing that I am not crazy about is the heavy-handed Old Crow Medicine Show bleed into the Gillian and David sound. I know this is simply a matter of taste--I like OCMS and own a couple of their albums--but I would prefer that their influence be more subtle. Tracks 6-8 could easily appear on an Old Crow album with guest vocalists David and Gillian. I'm not a purist who despises the idea of them straying from their usual two guitar/two vocals routine. I just don't love the idea of Gillian and David sounding like guests on their own album.

But if you're a fan, you're going to buy this album and you're going to like it. It's nice to see David Rawlings get the accolades he deserves and I'm excited to add this to my collection.

The first from Dave Rawlings Machine is also the latest from him and his long time partner in sweet harmony, Gillian Welch. Dave and Gillian coauthored most of the tunes and it's nice to hear their music from a new angle. It's still simple and sublime. Dave, as any who have been to their live performances already know, can really sing as well as pick and he carries the lead very nicely thank you. But, come on Gillian, let's have a new one from you as well.

This is a damned fine effort so go and buy it folks.

I cannot add anything to Lara Chetkovich's review. I give it five stars on the merits of "Ruby" alone and out of gratitude for Rawlings and Welch returning with another album. I found Chetkovich's criticisms to be appropriate and support them, but I could not find it within myself to give this anything lower than five stars.

Dave and Gillian have a sound that cries for vinyl, but as far as I know, they have released only on CD. There are many of us who would rejoice in a vinyl release.

Personally... David Rawlings music and persona seems to fall seamlessly (if seamlessly is the right word) and easily into the historic timeline of american roots music. He seems intimately connected to the best of what american music is all about and in the most sincere way. It doesn't exactly feel well planned, complete or meticulously produced... More importantly, it feels authentic. A true piece of americana. I can't wait for more.

I'll keep it short and sweet. If you like fantastic acoustic guitars, harmonies, and the feeling that the artists are smiling the whole time they're making this music than you should get this album. This album is friendly. Like bumping into someone you haven't seen in while that you really did want to see. It's very smooth and not to overloaded with production. I've been having fun with this one in the CD mix. If you get a chance to see any of the artists that were on this album live definately do so. Good stuff and I hope for more.

A stellar first effort by the wonderful team of Dave Rawlings and Gillian Welch, along with an amazing lineup of "friends", this album is a strong contender for best new talent.

Whether it's Gil or Dave taking the lead, the results are sure to be excellent and from the first strains of Ruby, to the final refrains of Bells of Harlem, we are taken on a journey that is both moody and mirthful.

Having been fortunate to have seen many of his live shows while they were testing out this material, this album is a revelation and a delight to the senses. Tasteful arrangements and great melodies will keep this on repeat for a long time.

Well Done Dave!

I grew up on CSN&Y, Stones etc..., and therefore take an immediate liking to this music of Dave Rawlings Machine (DRM). It displays roots in country, folk, blues, bluegrass and jazz. Just what I like. I can imagine the Stones picking up on the exquisite opening track (Ruby) and doing something strange and wonderful with it. I am saying this not to detract from DRM, but to emphasise the stature of their songwriting. I love also the range of emotions the songs take one through, from sad and pensive (Ruby, Cortez the Killer, Bells of Harlem) to light-hearted and funny (Sweet Tooth). After all, music should be entertaining too! The songs are very finely crafted, something which could easily be overlooked if one listened only superficially to them. And this reveals what is best about them: they are so wholesome and HONEST. The simplicity is beguiling, because real artistic prowess makes what is actually very difficult seem so simple. I am delighted to have discovered this music, and surely recommend it to anyone who claims to have decent taste.

Imagine an acoustic/folky, Appalachian-flavored Ryan Adams - hell, he even covers an Adams tune, "To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High." Turns out I'm an idiot - Rawlings not only co-wrote the song but appears on that recording as well as the entire Ryan Adams recording Heartbreaker. The songs here are infectious, alternating between serious folk tunes and Appalachian folk songs, and Gillian Welch's support on harmonies is outstanding. "Method Acting / Cortez The Killer" is mesmerizing - LOVE the Neil Young cover, and Rawlings channels the spirit of The Band in "Ruby." Finally, the cover of "Monkey and the Engineer" is reminiscent of The Dead's version on Reckoning. Looking forward to more from Rawlings.

GENRES: Contemporary Folk, Mellow Rock.

BUY IF YOU LIKE: The Band, Poco, The Jayhawks, Ryan Adams.

MUST HEAR TRACKS: "Ruby," "I Hear Them All," "Method Acting / Cortez The Killer," "Sweet Tooth," Bells of Harlem."

First off, it's a great clever idea by adding "Machine" to the end of a folk musician's name. Dave Rawlings Machine is one of my favorite albums in recent memory. I liked it so much that halfway through it, I had to email my friend and tell him to pick it up.

Granted, it's not like this album explores broad new horizons of music. It is beautiful in that it's something as simple as folk/ singer-songwriter-with-a-guitar, but it's executed so perfectly. It's a perfect mix of good guitar-work, good song choices, and a good voice/delivery by Dave. Some nice appearances too by Old Crow Medicine Show too, which makes me want to immediately go back and re-listen to their stuff. Also, I absolutely loved the "Cortez the Killer" cover of Neil Young's original classic.

If you're a fan of Americana/ roots rock/ alt-country/ folky singer-songwriters, you really need to pick this one up. Granted, it is only 9 songs long (a minor complaint), but they're all solid, no throwaways. Definitely recommended good stuff. I can't wait to pick up whatever the "Machine" does next.