Customer Reviews

Home Again

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

 

 

I agree with Tim that David Wilcox' previous album, "How Did You Find me Here," is the best Wilcox on the market. Of course, it is also true that the best Wilcox there IS is live -- whether he is indoors at the tiny Iron Horse in Northampton, MA, or in the open air at the North Atlantic Folk Festival, both places I have seen Wilcox over the years. This is no recommendation for his live album, by any means, as the songs there are chosen for diversity and thus do not recreate the consistent sense of place Wilcox brings to any show; it is instead to suggest that the produced music of Wilcox can be -- and, in albums like "Home Again," IS -- powerful, poignant, humorous, and deep storytelling from a master singer-songwriter without necessarily even being his "best."

But the five stars are clearly deserved here. From the short, sweet love poem of "Burgundy Heart-Shaped Medalion" as it turns into a simple Bach solo on the guitar, to the heart-wrenching "Chet Baker's Swan Song" complete with sweet soaring solo trumpet, this album is a tour-de-force. Alternately funny (Advertising Man), distant (Across the mighty ocean) and raw (Covert War), Wilcox presents a smooth journey with no bumps and yet highs all the way through.

Of course, although an impressive representative of both sides of the singer-songwriter split, what I admire most about Wilcox is ability to pick the perfect song to cover in his albums. He brought us a MUCH better cover of Buddy Mondock's "The Kid" than the dirge Cry Cry Cry brought us on his previous, best album; after this album he goes on to cover "Missing You" in such a way that it turned out to be a much better song than Richard Marx would have had us believe. Here, too, he does not disappoint, presenting the 2 minute short piece of Gorka's "Let Them In," based on a poem found in an army hospital better than any song of loss ever made. If he can do that in 2 minutes, imagine what he can do in 5 (see "Chet Baker's Swan Song for an answer!).

It took a while for this album to grow on me. After listening to Dave's first A&M release, "How Did You Find Me Here," I expected something just as completely brilliant and profound. At first listen, I was disappointed with many of the songs. They just didn't seem to catch the imagination the same way.

Still, the album made it to my iPod and over time I'd catch myself really enjoying a tune I wasn't familiar with. Each time I'd check I'd find the song was from this album. Finally, I turned off the all the distractions and just listened to the album and found myself caught up in the beautiful "ordinariness" of the lyrics on a few of the songs. I smirked my way through "Advertisizing Man", I was deeply moved by "Let Them In" and I smiled knowingly while listening to "Wildberry Pie". In fact, I think some of the lyrics in Wildberry Pie (probably a bit R-rated for an Amazon.com review) have to be some of the most poetic I've ever heard. Each time I hear Dave sing them, I'm taken back...and that's the point of good songwriting, I suppose.

Anyway, this is a great album about mostly ordinary stuff. Dave takes it and lifts it to a bit of a higher plane.

"Home Again" is second only to "How Did You Find Me Here". Here David continues his meaningful lyrics that tell great stories. In particular, "Burgundy Heart", "Let Them In," and "Covert War" are wonderful songs that stick with you. Wilcox deviates slightly from his tried-and-true guitar on a few tracks, but the listener benefits from David's experimenting.

I love every single song on this album. Just listen to the sample cuts. Brilliant! The best album from a true musical genius.

This was my first exposure to David's work and I was immediately captivated. The music is mellow and powerful and the lyrics just get better the more often you listen to them. The man has a gift for painting powerful images with his lyrics and for telling wonderfully human stories.

If you haven't added Wilcox to your collection, start here first. Wilcox provides a insightful look at the world with songs that make you think, laugh and even get a little piloerection. As of 7/97 this is still his best (sorry David; like them all, buy them all; but START HERE FIRST.

Excellent CD. Shows David's mellow voice and excellent guitar work. This CD is a dramatic change from his first work, Nightshift Watchman, with a new emphasis on open tunings that allow him to get great melodies from his guitar. If you like artists like James Taylor or the Indigo Girls, you will love this CD.