Customer Reviews

Friend of Mine

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

 

 

Being a Greg Brown fan, I bought this album when it was first released, even though I had no idea who Bill Morrissey was, and I'm usually not interested in albums full of covers. This collection, though, has provided me with hours of listening pleasure. It's something like having two friends with deep, resonant voices come over and serenade you with old favorites and a few songs you might not have heard before. The mood is reflective, as the two artists seem to be singing songs which affect them, sometimes with humor, other times with poignancy. It can come off as a bit maudlin, owing to the number of bluesey songs. Some of the cuts really stick with you, particularly "Ain't Life a Brook" and "He Was a Friend of Mine," and I still laughingly tell people "he's been on the job too long," referring to the tragic characters in "Duncan and Brady."

Greg Brown is one of my favorites singers; I've followed his work for years. Brown's and Morrissey's collaboration is great; like sitting in at a late-night living-room session of two musician friends--completely unassuming, beautifully musical, and a memory to take with you forever.

This is a wonderful collaboration of two of my favorite folkies. I especially enjoy their renditions of Ferron's "Ain't Life a Brook" and the traditional "He Was a Friend of Mine". "Fishin With Bill" just makes me smile.

I would rarely recommend that you purchase an album for one song - but if for no other reason, you should acquire this CD for the brilliant version of The Rolling Stones' "You can't always get what you want". There are many other great covers but this is the absolute standout. Only Travis Tritt's version of "Honky Tonk Woman" is a better Stones cover - and trust me, I've heard plenty.

Greg Brown is a great songwriter / artist in his own right but I have used this song to introduce many people to his style.