Customer Reviews

Hello Love [Vinyl]

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

 

 

The Be Good Tanyas are a triple threat, combining breathtaking harmonies, well crafted songwriting, and superb acoustic musicianship. My favorite thing about this band is the underproduction of their albums. There is very little overdubbing or polishing of the sound: you can hear them breathing into the mike, the sound of rain the background, etc.; this lends an intimacy to the songs that is both heartbreaking and gorgeous. Lyrically, the strongest song is "Song for R.", about loving others despite their flaws or addictions. Another high point is their cover of the Sean Hayes' tune, "A Thousand Tiny Pieces". The harmonies on this song and on the song "Human Thing" should stop traffic. In my opinion, the only weakness of the album is their affinity for traditional songs that one finds in dusty Smithsonian archives. When they perform traditional songs, they sound too confined and uninspired. Their rendition of "Out of the Wilderness" makes them sound like a chain gang auditioning for a cameo in "O Brother, Where Art Thou?". They are talented lyricists, as evidenced by some great songs on the album (Human Thing, Ootischenia, Hello Love, Song for R.). The hidden track of Prince's "When Doves Cry" is the only real disappointment on the album. I was looking forward to some amazing vocal pyrotechnics from all three members on this song, and I cannot understand why Frazey Ford performs this as a solo when the other two members are phenomenally talented at harmony vocals. Overall, this is a really lovely album that I have listened to nonstop lately, and each time I find something new to enjoy.

What a treat it is to find a band like this. I'm the type of guy who will search for good bands on the internet, through reading reviews and such and I do believe I have found a great band here.

The first song, Human Thing, will not leave my head. What a great song! Simple, direct and beautiful. The Be Good Tanyas also do a blazing and sultry version of Prince's "When Doves Cry". It's an amazing interpretation that changes the entire feel of the song but delivers it with the same urgency that Prince did. Prince no longer is the principal owner and I think he would be fine with that given what a great job The Be Good Tanyas have done. The album works from beginning to end and that's something to love.
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Update: Now that I have lived with this album for a long time, I can reaffirm my big love for this album. Simply one of the best albums I have heard in a long long time. Put it this way, I am waiting for when these gals will hit a town near me....cause I will travel without hesitation to see this band.....they are that good. I love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love it when I run into a band like this. This band is the real and true deal.

I've had the new album "Hello Love" on repeat since I got it in the mail a few days ago. It's wonderfully atmospheric, lonesome and gorgeous. I think it stands up well to the previous albums, lending a bit more mature aspect to the alchemy. The only thing I am disappointed about is that their website hasn't been updated yet!

These beautiful women write such amazing songs!
I've been lucky enough to catch their shows a few times in the U.S and Canada and they just quietly blow me away each time. If you love their rootsy folkin' sound, check out Po' Girl and The Old Crow Medicine Show's CDs, fellow friends on the scene.
The pluck a mean fiddle and strum a sweet guitar and their voices soothe what ails ya...
I hope they continue on and on into purpetuity with all their sweet little children at their sides...telling tall tales and spinning yarns, people from far and wide leaning in to hear their voices mingling, giving us a glimpse of heaven right here on Earth.

I bought this album after hearing "For the Turnstiles," the cover of the Neil Young song. The other highlights are the innovative cover of Prince's "When Doves Cry" and the upbeat "Ootishenia." I find we listen to The Be Good Tanyas first album, "Blue Train" more, but this is a very good album.

The Be Good Tanyas have a rougher edge than other "girl-bands" with great harmony, like the Wailing Jennys, and the Weepies. The Be Good Tanyas don't worry about sounding sweet. The waver in the voices make the music more raw and emotional. My friends and I argue whether the band is folk or bluegrass. The banjo, the harmonica, and tempo in the earlier CDs suggest bluegrass, but "Ootishenia" on "Hello Love" is a folk hit waiting to happen.

I missed the live shows when The Be Good Tanyas opened for Blue Rodeo a few years back so I've never seen them live. Last week I picked up a copy of their latest record, "Hello Love". Not being familiar with Frazey Ford's somewhat garbled vocal delivery, I kind of wondered what I'd just bought. After repeated listens though, Frazey's voice grows on me and I definitely like their laid back but tightly sprung blue grass/new grass style. They do a nice cover of Neil Young's "For the Turnstiles" and the hidden track at the end of the record is an interesting bluegrass version of Prince's "When Doves Cry" that actually gives Prince a run for the money. Now if they'd only done a cover of The Beatles' "Don't Pass Me By", I would have been in blue grass heaven or at least I would have gotten my rockin' shoes on! Some of the traditional numbers work and others are so-so, but the instrumentation is solid throughout this disc.

Trish Klein's electric guitar flourishes add a nice warm texture to otherwise fairly stark bluegrass and old mountain tunes. These ladies do not veer too far into Cowboy Junkies territory, as they only do one blues based tune ("Out of the Wilderness") which could be good or bad depending on how much you like the Cowboy Junkies. Actually, this 'Wilderness' song sounds (to me anyway) more influenced by Kurt Cobain's tortured rendition of "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" on the great 1994 record, "Nirvana MTV Unplugged in New York". And "Out of the Wilderness" eerily and poignantly segues into a tune about a relative who is also a recovering addict ("Song for R.").

All in all, this is a solid record and on this warm July night, I am chilling out and warming up to these tunes by some very talented Canadian ladies. Two thumbs up!

this is my absolute favorite CD right now. i fell in love with the tanyas on this CD, and their others are great, but this is my fav. Their cover of "for the turnstiles" is great, but i wish they did more of their own songs, because those are wonderful. the tanyas have kindled my love for folk music!

The Tanya's now have three great albums.It makes you want them to get back in the studio and get to work on the fourth. Their range is bluegrass, cajun, country, rock, and gospel. Their sound is unique and never tiring. A great album from a great group.

This is a great group of excellent musicians. Their quality of performance gives the listener an unforgettably and enjoyable time. Hello Love