Customer Reviews

One To The Heart, One To The Head

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This collaboration between two gifted songwriters started with Russell's prescient notion that Peters, one of Nashville's most successful writers, should reconnect artistically with the West where she grew up. What they've created together, in a CD comprised largely of other people's songs, is a remarkable achievement - at once stunningly beautiful and emotionally deeply satisfying.

To begin with, this is not a predictable retread of Western themes, nor does it inhabit a consistent landscape of time and place. Rather, the West evoked here is a place of loss and longing, of myth and legend, and of memories faded by time. It's a complex vision, brought to life by an inspired selection of songs.

It's no great surprise that songwriters of Russell's and Peters' caliber would pick interesting songs; what's less predictable is how completely they inhabit their selections, making each song their own, and - even when familiar - providing interpretations that are fresh and unexpected, as with Townes Van Zandt's "Snowin' on Raton," and Dylan's "Billy 4" from the "Pat Garrett" soundtrack.

The real revelations however are in the less familiar songs. Mary McCaslin's gorgeous "Prairie in the Sky" which opens the set, and Jennifer Warnes' haunting "Prairie Melancholy" which closes it, stake out the emotional territory that will be explored. Tom Dundee's "Cowboys Born Out of Their Time" is another high point - a lament for a way of life now passed, but as with a number of these songs, also an unexpected perspective on a familiar topic. And Stephanie Davis's "Wolves" is simply chilling.

Other than Barry Walsh's opening instrumental and the traditional "Old Paint," the one song here that's not a cover is a new song of Russell's, "Guadalupe," which is sung - beautifully - by Peters. Though set in Mexico rather than the American West, this in many ways acts as the cornerstone of the CD, addressing the diminished options that come with age, and the unbeliever's desire for faith - or least for some sort of redemption.

The sound throughout is as raw and uncluttered as the Western landscapes it evokes. Barry Walsh's sepia-toned keyboards provide a perfect foil for Peters' warm soprano, suggesting a saloon bar piano of long ago. The other consistent musical texture is provided by Joel Guzman's accordion, weaving melancholy reminders that - emotionally at least - the Mexican border country is never very far from the West described in these songs.

This CD is at once a love song to the American West and a meditation on some of life's tougher challenges - one to the heart and one to the head indeed.

I purchased this CD as soon as it was released because I am a big fan of Tom Russell and Gretchen Peters. I was not disappointed. Such beautiful music, such wonderful voices and harmony. I have done a lot of driving over the past week and I listened to these songs over and over and I can't get enough of them. "Snowing on Raton" "Wolves" "Guadalupe" "Prairie Melancholy" "My Last Go Round" "Blue Mountains of Mexico' are all fantastic. Barry Walsh' keyboard work is just the right touch to a CD I will NEVER grow tired of.

Oddly, I read about this CD in Western Horseman Magazine, not a place I expected to discover a great music performance, and decided to order it from Amazon based on the review. I have loved this CD from the first listen. Admittedly, I am a life-long folky and also a cowboy afficionado. But this CD has qualities that transcend my interests in horses and cowboys and flattop guitars. This is great songwriting, great music, great arrangements. "Guadalupe", written by Russell, is one of the most plantively beautiful and introspective songs I have listened to in a while - I really like it. My favorite is probably "Prairie Melancholy" (Jennifer Warnes & Nancy Bacal) - it's another beautiful ballad with great songwriting craftsmanship.

All of the songs chosen for the CD are great choices

I have been playing this CD every day for a couple of months, I've gone on to collect other records by these two artists, neither of whom I had listened to much before this, and I haven't worn out my infatuation yet. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes beautifully written, beautifully sung folk music with a Western flavor.

I picked up this CD because I'm a big Tom Russell fan. Although he only has vocals in a few of the songs, I was not dissapointed. I really dig the western theme of the songs on this album. Blue Mountains of Mexico, Wolves, and If I Had a Gun are particulary good.

Kept this Cd in my cart for some time. Finally pulled the trigger on it. No regrets at all. One of the best cds I've listened to in a while.Probably wind checking out some more of her cds.

This is a lovely CD but the first one by Gretchen Peters that I've not given a five-star rating. Still, if you love Gretchen like I do, you will enjoy it.

Two great singers and a bunch of great songs. What could possibly go wrong? Nothing. Naturally.

I am a big fan of Tom Russell so perhaps I am not completely objective here. On the other hand, who is? Gretchen Peters is a more recent acquaintance but a good one. Luckily, as this in the end sounds a bit more a Gretchen Peters album than Tom Russell's. A truly enjoyable experience anyhow.

The best individual song would in my opinion be Bob Dylan's Billy 4. This version by Tom & Gretchen is the best one I've ever heard. I can never listen to it without pushing the repeat button and increasing the volume; buttons to south-east. The song is so strong and sooo sad. And listen carefully to the sound of thunder, the thunder from the barrel of Pat Garret's gun. Ten points to arranger for that idea.

Peters and Russell evoke ethereal visions of the beauty of the west - intermingled with its sometimes stark realities. The song selection works almost perfectly to provide the thematic content. And the music, many of the lyrics, and Gretchen Peters' voice create a presence and tone of exquisite, sublime and sometimes painful beauty. Deeply engaging at first listen, this album grows with repeated listens, seeping its way into your soul.
Barry Walsh's opening "North Platte" utilizes his subtle piano playing to create visions of the great spaces of the West. Peter's beautiful version of Mary McCaslin's "Prairie in the Sky" delivers a whimsical but deeply sincere vision of a cowgirl and her horse gliding over the prairie grasses seeking that prairie in the sky. "Prairie Melancholy" closes the album in a similar vein.
Hard realities are here, too: Bob Dylan's "Billy 4," Stephanie Davis' "Wolves," Rosalie Sorrels' "My Last Go Round," and "If I Had a Gun" by four women writers all confront us with bitter truths.
Tom Russell's "Guadalupe" provides a spiritual picture of a non-believer experiencing the deep sincerity of pilgrims visiting the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico. This song is a masterpiece on Russell's 2009 BLOOD AND CANDLE SMOKE. Peters' version is equally powerful with the added beauty of her voice. For those who want to know more about this song, read Tom Russell's blog. Find it through his web site.
Tom Russel states that ONE TO THE HEART, ONE TO THE HEAD "sounds like the West I long for...ancient, whispering, parched, desolate, bushwhacked, half-drunk, windswept and crazy...crazy with memorable ghosts." It may be desolate, parched and windswept, but Peters and Russell enveloped all that in a mood and tone that also captures the mystical, spiritual beauty of the West.

This has some great songs and great singing.I'm a long-time fan of both,and in this case, two musicians blend their talents and make it more than the sum of the parts.