Customer Reviews

Keep Your Silver Shined

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

 

 

There are so few new talents out there that are really captivating. Devon Sproule is one of them. Her lyrics and phrasing are a lot of fun to listen to . There is depth, wisdom and sincerity. I like every song on this CD, no exceptions. My two favorites are "Virginia Block" and "Honey, let's go out", but they are all truly great. I also saw her perform these live in cville soon after the CD came out, it was a wonderful show. If you live in the area and you get the chance, go and see her.

I came to this album through Paul Curreri's album 'Songs for Devon Sproule' and I'm glad I did. This is an album full of heart-warming songs with influences varying from American folk, bluegrass, country and jazz. While their musical styles differ Devon's crystal clear voice is very reminiscent of Gillian Welchs', this is very evident on the last track `The Weeping Willow'. For me the title track, 'Keep Your Silver Shined', is the standout track on the album. Buy it and enjoy.

What a beautiful voice, but there is much more here. Devon plays a fine guitar, the rhythmic accompaniment is well thought out and tight. The lyrics are sweet, poetic, friendly, and kind! The chord progressions are complex and jazzy without being over the top.

This recording is difficult to match. I highly recommend it.

I have to admit that I happened to see Devon live before I purchased her CD. I'm sure that influences my appreciation of her music. Her live show (her husband Paul Curreri happened to perform with her that day) blew me away - a certain acoustic quality about the music, lyrics and their guitar playing. The first time I felt this way after seeing Peter Finger perform about 8 years ago.
It wouldn't make sense for me to write a review when many people (on this site and others) have done so already. Check this link out - http://www.devonsproule.com/reviews.html
I'm more of a musician and less of a songwriter, so I'm swayed more by the musical content of her work and her guitar playing. She definitely has her own distinct style and I'd say that if you like the 30 second samples provided here, you should go ahead and buy the whole album.

I saw this artist playing live on a TV show earlier this year and despite knowing nothing about her at all prior to this I was completely captivated by her performance and the songs she played. I ordered this CD the next day. Sometimes albums bought under such circumstances can be a disappointment but this certainly wasn't one of them, if anything it has surpassed my expectations.

Musically there are touches of Appalachian folk, jazz and blues but all done in a style that is very much her own. If I had to make comparisons I might say it reminds me of the first two Kate and Anna McGarrigle albums(but with sweeter melodies)with a touch of The Roches thrown in. The most interesting thing is that it doesn't fit easily into any particular genre or style but, in this case it may be an advantage, not a drawback, as I really do think this could appeal to almost any music fan with an open mind.

Lyrically the songs are richly descriptive and as evocative of time and place as you could ask for, all delivered in a relaxed, confident style that can range from sweetly sung, to almost conversational, in tone. If I had to name a favourite song it might be 'Stop by Anytime' or the title track or 'Let's Go Out' or... half a dozen others.

I don't know of anyone around doing anything that's quite like this and certainly no one doing it better. Highly recommended.

I always think that the best way to write a music review is to quote heavily from the lyrics. It doesn't give you a good sense of the music itself, but can any written review really do that? Hey, you're right here on Amazon -- if you want to know what the music sounds like, preview a few of the songs. So here's one of my most favorite bits from "Keep Your Silver Shined," just one of the beautiful love poems to life that appear on this beautiful album. If you like it, just know that the music is at least as good.

Back home I've got a couple friends
We drink together on the weekends
We keep our nails trimmed and fingers tough.

I've got a felt hat collection,
A dresser drawer to put my pants in.
What, oh, what more could a woman want?

I want an overhaul for my guitar,
A clawfoot tub and a shiny car.
Piles of fruit and a fully stocked bar.

Money for a flight out west,
I want cute shoes and a vintage dress,
New houses for all my relatives!

I want to land in a tugging hand:
A youthful band with a youthful plan.
I want to wait and take my time,
All my time, and keep my silver shined.