Customer Reviews

Harpo's Ghost

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

 

 

Wow, what a talent. If there is a musician that deserves noteriety in the States, Theas' got to be the one. It's a shame to see stars of a lesser caliber getting more airplay. Her lyrics are absolute poetry and musically each song is a gem. As with all her releases repeated listens reveal nuances missed before. Highlights are "Every Bodys Numb", "We Built a Monster" and "Cheap Tricks". Highly recommended.

Thea Gilmore is undoubtedly an artist who should get far more credit than she has been getting. Her musical compositions and lyrics are clearly at the level of the major poets and composers of folk and rock and roll. So far all of her albums are musically compelling and Harpo's Ghost is no exception. She is an astute observer of human nature and her lyrics are at times rebellious and edgy. "So the city flickers on like a reeperbahn night; Hissing like a wildcat just about to fight; And it mutters that we rule by ladders of degree; We built a monster." Lyrically she is more consistently poetic and observant of human nature and events than almost any rock musician playing today. She has a strong clear voice and certainly does not mumble her words. On Harpo's Ghost she is supported by competent musicians and the band can rock. Perhaps more instrumental work coming to the fore, coupled with some edgy guitar playing would enhance her compositions on this album. I liked the arrangements on "Everybody's numb," which at times relies heavily on drums and bass. Her voice soars on this song as it does on "Cheap Trick," which rocks. "Cheap Trick" should have been the opening track. "Slow Journey II", which is a folk song with a cello backing, is somewhat reminiscent of the violin in Dylan's "Desire". "The List" is in the folk idiom and has an eerie quality to it - again reminding me somewhat of Dylan's music. In this song she sings "And some folks are drawn to the fire; And some just want to hide; But the lonely are the prettiest of all; They burn from the inside...." There is also a hidden track at the end, "Play until the bottle's gone." This album is more laid back than some of her previous albums and sometimes finds Thea in a wistful mood. As such it pressures one to listen closely to her lyrics. With repeated listening I appreciated the album more than I initially did. This album does not quite match up to "Avalanche" or "Songs from the Gutter" but it does not detract from her considerable musical talents. You would not be amiss buying this album and, indeed, her whole catalogue.

Some things are just criminal. Like the continued lack of recognition for Thea Gilmore in the United States. The woman obviously wants nothing to do with whatever constitutes the music business these days. But c'mon, with lyrics that cover the personal and political with a scalpel-like precision, music that gives nods to the Stones, Dylan, british sixties folk, electronica, Emmylou Harris circa "Wrecking Ball", and a voice that's equal parts Sandy Denny and Chrissie Hynde, she should be lot bigger than she is. This album is sonically thicker than her others, and the lyrics, while still angry and observant, have opened up and matured. Her melodies are simply gorgeous, from light to heavy, from dark to sunny, she covers it all. A truly wonderful record. Start here and you'll be buying all of them, guaranteed.

With an enchanting voice that can turn a single word into a line of lilting notes, and a talent for lyrics and music thats better than many, and as good as others, I'm surprised Thea Gilmore isn't better received here in the U.S.
Harpo's Ghost is a strong recording that loses none of its appeal with repeated playing. While there are certain songs I enjoy more than others,( The Gambler, Call Me Your Darling, Contessa, Cheap Tricks), I hesitate to say any tracks are weak. All have there own merits, and are well crafted, and I have no doubt these other tracks will end up on some other listeners list of favorites. This is a great recording for those unfamilier with Thea Gilmore.
( fantastic hidden track after Slow Journey 2)

I love Thea Gilmore's songwriting and playing. Great stuff with a real edge. The material and playing is first rate and back in the "Avalanche" vein.

Unfortunately this recording suffers the fate of many pop recordings these days. In an inexplicable urge to sound "loud" the album was recorded at a level of constant clipping and just has a nasty, distorted edge to it. I don't know all the reasons behind this trend but it sure kept me from giving this album a fifth star. Just kinda sad.

Once in a great while an artist emerges who transends any attempt to catagorize or pigeon-hole or package into a commodity where unit sales to empty-headed consumers are used as a barometer of success. Even more rare is the artist who possesses a talent so self-assured and so profound and so refreshingly unique that comparisions to the likes of Dylan, Springsteen, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen and Neil Young elevate the celebrated status of all concerned. Thea Gilmore is such a talent and Harpo's Ghost is another important step forward in her rapidly expanding and impressive body of work.

Much like her previous work, Harpo's Ghost will require more than one spin to fully appreciate. Here again she runs the gamut of musical styles where she effortlessly moves from uptempo rockers, to political and social commentary and soft, introspective ballads. Each selection offers a glimpse into the heart, mind and soul of an astonishingly gifted songsmith, a writer and singer with substance to spare.

For anyone new to the Thea bandwagon, welcome aboard. Congratulations on having discovered perhaps the most literate and provacative singer-songwriter to appear on the music scene in decades. For the rest of us acolytes, well you've already been baptized and we all knew that Thea would not disappoint. She has not. What she has done is given us a finely crafted and cohesive masterpiece. For that we should all be grateful.