Customer Reviews

Learning To Bend

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(0)
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This album represents a triumph in every respect. Very solid song writing in the pop song tradition: lovely melodies, well-written lyrics sweetly sung. However, what distinguishes this album from most everything else being written and recorded by young musicians these days are the arrangements and tempos. With Ben's background in classical music one naturally finds songs written in different tempos, such as the waltz, and use of other string instruments besides a guitar and Ben's cello. Yet, Ben can still throw in fiddle, Bela Fleck's banjo, jaw harp, drums, harps, saxophones and even a vibraphone when called for. And that's the point, Ben uses these varied instruments when called for, not just to show off. To top things off, this is a stunningly well recorded album, no compression here, which plays well on an audiophile system.
I came to Ben, through the music of Abigail Washburn, who's family and mine have been friends for years. So while I owe it to Abby's family to say nice things about her, not hard at all, I owe nothing to Ben. I have become a fan of his simply by listening to him play with Abby, for several years now, and getting to know him a bit at pre-concert gatherings. This is a tremendously talented young man. His album will stand-up quite well against anything else released this year (I'm talking about artists like Elvis Costello and Van Morrison both of whom released strong albums this year) and will repay re-listening for years to come. Isn't that the real test of a great album?

This album is simply amazing. Especially in times like these, the optimistic and hopeful view Ben Sollee has on the world is refreshing. His vocals and cello work are distinctive and captivating. "A Few Honest Words," "How To See the Sun Rise," and an adaptation of Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come" are a few of the highlights. However, make sure you listen from beginning to end- it will not disappoint.

I just had the pleasure of seeing Ben's performance in Knoxville this past weekend. I encourage you to not only buy this album for the fresh and upbeat style he brings to the music world, but also to treat yourself to a live performance. I have purchased several copies as gifts, and look forward to more delightful recordings in the future from this true talent.

I came across Ben Sollee accidentally when searching for music by Ben Lee. I almost searched again, but something drew me to the "Listen to All" and took a sample. Then I got the CD.

This is one of the most incredible records I've ever heard. Love Ben's voice, the variety of instruments which are used, the minimization of music, which I believe when pulled off, really shows the skill of the artist. Every song is unique, yet the album is a coherent story. Incredible.

It's friday, it's raining outside, 40 degrees, gray, and I'm sitting at a desk programming, waiting for 4pm so I can go home. I've listened to this CD 3 times, and in the middle of the 4th listening. I just can't get enough.

I just received my copy of Ben Sollee's LEARNING TO BEND and I don't know what I love the most:
1. Hearing a cello morph from genre to genre while being alternately bowed, plucked, and fiddled.
2. Singer/songwriter Sollee's exquisite marriage of melodies and lyrics through a wide variety of songs on a CD that is beyond placement in any category.
3. Sollee's unique voice-peaceful and passionate, somehow at the same time.

Then there's the guest artistry of Abigail Washburn and Bela Fleck, in addition to the musical support of the other talented musicians. Truth be told, I've never heard music quite like this and I have hundreds of CDs spanning almost all genres for 40 years.

I was privileged to meet Sollee recently at a dinner discussion of "Arts and Activism". At first I had no idea he was involved in music, much less music of this caliber, but was totally impressed by his passion for both Arts and Activism, especially preserving the mountains of Eastern Kentucky. When I discovered he is also a musician, I HAD to hear some of his stuff. There is NOTHING to compare it to-it's as unique and passionate and amazing as Sollee.

Wow!!!!!! i first met and heard Ben Sollee at a mutual friends Wedding in Barrie, Ontario where he played for hours and hours. he has the voice of an Angel and i know this has been said before but it is haunting and so beautiful. Listening to him felt like i was being cleansed from above. Ben is such an artist and talent and will become a legend. i cant wait to attend his NCY concert on July 31.

I first heard Ben play on public television and was immediately intrigued by his abilities. I highly recommend you check him out for yourself.

I saw a short clip with Ben Sollee on YouTube where he handled his cello as a guitar and I was fascinated by the sound and the tune. The way to get his CD was via Amazon, it's still not released in Sweden. Anyway, it came fast enough and has since been running at least once every evening after work. Brilliant record

I had heard Ben Sollee play locally and was surprised to find out that he had an album out. I purchased this album and find it one of the ones I listen to most often. Friends visiting who hear it often end up buying a copy. Ben was rated as one of NPR's top 10 unknown artists for 2007. If you enjoy real music you will thoroughly like "Learning to Bend"

Some musicians are merely entertainers. Ben Sollee is one of the few who is truly an artist. "Learning to Bend" is melodic sculpture, something forged of tone and tempo that transcends the prevailing belief of the recording industry that music is simply a product. This album is not a commodity. These songs, instead, are Ben's gift.

On "Learning to Bend", Ben's solid and soulful vocals (occasionally joined by Abigail Washburn) endow earnest songcraft with stunning emotional potency. His innovative cocktail of finger-plucked and bowed cello form the backbone of the recordings, but a veritable menagerie of instrumentalists (including but not limited to: a string quartet, harp, vibraphone, saxophone, the occasional drum, and a cameo by banjo maestro Bela Fleck on the playful and poignant "It's Not Impossible") contribute true magnitude to "Learning to Bend".

Lyrics with something more to impart than a mere story populate this album. There are lessons residing here, disguised as song. Prepare yourself to be taught how to allow music to move you again, how to let it build you up and break you, incite then quiet you.

I have come to the conclusion that Ben Sollee does not keep his heart under the loose board in the floor as stated in the gorgeously scored lullaby "Copper and Malachite" that puts this album to bed. Ben Sollee's heart is in his music.