Customer Reviews

Geronimo

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For me, this was a solid and entertaining piece of work. The song writing, vocals, arrangements and production are all very good indeed. Shannon McNally has a wonderful voice; it's open, warm, communicative, exciting, and strong, with just enough rawness in the right places. At times, the vocals were reminiscent of Joan Osborne, and that can hardly be a bad thing. The overall sound seems to be based on roots, rock, country, or folk, with different contributions depending on the song. If you like Tift Merritt then I see no reason at all why you won't like this. To my mind, this CD is perhaps slightly better than Tambourine, but that's just a opinion. I guess Geronimo isn't going to change my life, but it does provide a solid slice of entertainment and I recommend you buy it.

Shannon's latest album comes three and a half years after her original big-label release on Capitol Records, Jukebox Sparrows. That album, while packed with excellent songs and performances, was a real struggle to complete due to the resistance of the record company against Shannon's own very solid vision of the record and the songs, and Shannon's resistance to the way they wanted to "package" her.

Geronimo, by contrast, was completed and released relatively quickly, and many of the songs on it she has "lived with," peformed and transformed since the Capitol days. She has said that it is a much truer achievement of her vision, which on this current tour she is calling "North American Ghost Music" as a phrase attempting to catch the broad set of influences in her songwriting and singing (and what a voice!): blues, pop, country, folk, jazz, literature, American mythology, Dylan, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Ry Cooder and on and on...I even hear a lot of Pink Floyd in the track "Sweet Forgiveness". Buying this album (and her others) is a great way to support a true independent, both in terms of corporate affiliations and in her creative thinking. There is really nothing she can't do if she has a loyal, growing fan base to encourage her.

I saw her live show last night in L.A., and she continues to improve as a performer (she even took an electric guitar solo on Sweet Forgiveness!). The band is funky, cool and LOUD, and her live performances illustrate that she is no studio creation and is really guiding her own destiny now. Her live shows indicate that she can really pump some rock-n-roll energy into what one of the other reviews called "mid-tempo" numbers. My only complaint about the show as it was too short!

BTW, in the interest of full disclosure, Shannon is a friend I have known for 9 years, but don't doubt that this gal is the genuine article.

This is definitely one of those albums that you can play over and over again and discover something new and brilliant each time. The lyrics are brilliant, the melodies are beautiful and the music is simply enchanting. Shannon McNally has really found her stride with this album. Personal favs include "Pale Moon" "The Hard Way" and her cover of Taj's "Lovin' In My Baby's Eyes."

I once heard Shannon McNally on a radio station while in New Orleans. Since then I bought one of her independent albums "Run for Cover" and loved it. This album is better. She has a solid New Orleans sound, but also does well in other avenues. I plan to see her live this month because I have read great reviews of her live performances. This album has a little bit of every genre. Highly recommended!

I am not a huge fan of pop country music, but this album has a sweet, gentle alt flavor that touches the pop without relying on it (leaning a little too hard on the legend of Lucinda Williams, but not to the point of offending). With folky albums, I am always hoping for the music to conjure strong images, memories, and emotions through the inspired layering of twangy instrumentals and bold lyricism. I would definitely say this album delivers. The first song "The Worst Part of a Broken Heart" is anthemic for the little broken-hearted country girl in all of us. "She looked up at her sister and said I don't hear the bells," she sings, and then in soft, aching disappointment she follows with "Aren't they supposed to ring?...Aren't they supposed to sound?" This song, like some of the others, delivered a sort of confessional wit that suprised me.

There are some real gems, I would consider "Beautiful and Strange" and "In the Name of Us, Honey" worth several repeated listens. They're written with willful melodic ascension in mind, something that I look for in a great song. On that note, skip track two - not so great. Overall, a nice album.

I was fortunate enough to catch Ms. McNally (opening up for Son Volt) at the Music Farm in Charleston and was blown away. It was just Shannon with her acoustic guitar and a gifted keyboardist, but they were captivating. She possesses a gorgeous voice that truly reflects past journeys of hope, hardship, lost love, and vulnerable soul searching. She is ripe to break out and certainly deserves to be heard by the massess. If you have a chance to see her live I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it. I can guarantee that you won't ever regret it.

Geronimo has been many years in coming. Shannon has been playing many of these songs live and they really sound good. Miricle Mile is the standout cut, but she really covers Taj Mahal's Lovin in my Baby's Eyes great. The production is excellent and we wish her great success.

Shannon McNally
Geronimo
Back Porch

Shannon McNally grew up in Long Island but moved around the country, lived in California, and is now living in New Orleans. She released her first solo record, Jukebox Sparrows, a few years ago. The songs are whiskey stained with slide guitars running wild. Her soulful songs blend rock and country into a new stew. Shannon has a dynamic voice and a sexy presence. Now she is back with a new album on a new label. She is getting better as a songwriter. With Geronimo she proves that her first album was no fluke. This time she works with Charlie Sexton. The results are a pretty cool album. You should check it out.

I actually went on Amazon to buy Brandi Carlisle's new CD, and this was recommended. I ended up liking it even better than the one I intended to buy. She's like a mix between Sarah Mclahclan and good country singer, like Martina McBride or Gretchen Wilson. One of my favorite CD's now.

Shannon has done it. No sophomore slump here---excellent CD.

I will see her live this week, and I am looking forward to it---