Customer Reviews

Ladies' Love Oracle

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Having been a Grant Lee Buffalo aficionado since I first heard them upon the wireless in Nineteen Ninety-Three it gave me great pleasure to happen upon that bands lead writer/singer/guitarist's; one Grant-Lee Phillips; first solo album.

It is always a hard task to disassociate a group leaders works from those works he or she produces as a solo entity, but, I think, it would also be an incredible disservice for a reviwer to have anything in mind other than that which he or she is reviewing. And so my task becomes that little more impossible.

So where does this leave me?

It must, and nearly always does, come down to the distinction of: I like this, or I didn't like this. And from the rating I have given; the humble reader knows that I have fallen for the 'I Like This' category.

Phillips has always, I believe, had an enchanting voice; and upon this recording it is shown to great effect. It is an intimate affair, just the singer, an acoustic guitar, a pump organ (and the odd other nik-nak) and the listener; and this only enhances his voice and the level of intimacy. It brings to mind the lying by a fire with your lover. Never before has Grant-Lee sounded so sincere.

Each of these nine songs is beautifully rendered and recorded and it is nigh impossible to pick a favorite. However, if I were to pick one, that was just that little bit more 'special' to me, then it would have to be "St. Expedite". Grant-Lee has a knack for putting great songs at the end of each of the albums he works upon.

Congratulations Grant-Lee you've created yet another masterpiece.

Grant Lee Phillips surely has the loveliest voice on the planet. And he seems incapable of writing anything that wouldn't be darn pleasing to read on the page. A complex, moving, funny record that'll have you singing along.

Grant Lee Phillips is truly amazing. This album is nothing short of a masterpiece. Out of 150 cds I own, this is in the top 3. Highly recommended. Words don't do justice in this case. Just buy it.

Being an Australian, this title isn't at all available in my country. So I had to rely on the positive reviews here. Reviewers JC31 and Jon Andrew are spot on. I made my purchase through Amazon and Ladies Love Oracle hasn't left the player.

If you can, try to imagine Grant Lee Phillips without his band (Grant Lee Buffalo). No drums. No bass. No electric guitar. That's right, it's just him, an acoustic, his vocals, maybe an organ, and/or a simple percussion. It's simply brilliant.

Go ahead. Take off all those layers and get down to the man behind Grant Lee Buffalo. You won't be disappointed.

This album is very much like the ones by the buffalo band before, though this one is bare of artificial sounds and full of charms. The greatest singer. I saw Grant-Lee Phillips live in Hamburg. Only a live album could be better than this.

Ever since I saw Grant-Lee live in a bar in my hometown, I've been addicted to his dramatic voice and beautiful lyrical melodies....this album is a great example of what the man can do with simply his voice and his incredible words. Definitely a cd that will be making the rotation in my player for years to come...

What a lovely album! Beautifully pure and lovely songwriting backed up by one of the most beutiful voices.

Close your eyes and imerse yourself in it.

Ladies Love Oracle was originally Grant's first solo debut previously only available at his live shows and through a handful of internet retailers. The critical and mild commercial success of Mobilize, the more slickly produced follow-up, prompted Rounder Records to pick this up, add a bonus track ("Snow Flakes"), and give this one a proper re-release so all the kids in the midwest could buy it at their local Best Buy. These 10 songs, recorded in Jon Brion's Los Angeles basement, are all written, produced, and performed by Grant-Lee. While Oracle is a truly fine recording, I think I would've preferred a live acoustic show if we were going the acoustic route. With a live show we'd get Grant's covers, comedy, and cuteness. Just acousticaly however, many of the songs tend to all sound a bit too similar. That's not to say that Oracle is without its gems: "You're A Pony," "Folding," and "St. Expedite." "Heavenly" is a sweet little number that has been a staple of his live shows for quite sometime now. "Lonesome Serenade" is probably my favorite track on here lyrically (of course Chris, it's always the sad songs, they say so much you know) with lines like "There's a peace that I've always found / In a lonesome serenade / Such a peace of mind overwhelms / As my every desire replays / In a lonesome serenade."

I don't know why: I ordered this but never received. I only know and heard it from MP3 files. But what I've heard it's beautifull. There is also his new album. And I'm gonna get it.

I haven't even got the Album yet but I Know it will be exellent just listening to the samples, I have all Grantlee Buffalo's Albums and am a great fan.Be rest asured I will be dashing straight out to get the CD as soon as possible.