Customer Reviews

Lost John Dean

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

 

 

This recording is an example of one of those rare events -- a true collaboration of like-minded musicians, creating music that's really more than the sum of their individual highly skilled parts.

It's a follow-up to 2004's equally wonderful "You Can't Save Everybody". Where that recording was alternately delicate and robust, Lost John Dean has a tougher feel, with a live-from-the-floor ambience -- not surprising since it was recorded that way, no overdubs.

The instruments are the usual mix of acoustic guitars (occasionally electric), banjo, fiddle and button accordion. Arrangements are generally spare, often with driving rhythm. It's hard to categorize the music -- the CD will often be found in Country sections, maybe Americana, but it's firmly in the folk tradition, not remotely conventional Country. Welch is a southerner, Kane and Kaplin New Yorkers, but all are veteran musicians who have spent time in the Nashville trenches.

Kane and Welch are accomplished guitarists (Kane also plays a mean banjo) and the intensity and focus of their playing is a treat. Kaplin is a multi-instrumentalist who expertly fills out the sound with fiddle and accordion, and who adds special touches with electric guitar, pedal steel and oud.

Both Kane and Welch are fine songwriters, often covered by others. The majority of the pieces here are originals, with a few covers of other songwriters' work, and a traditional tune. The title tune is the traditional piece, with lead vocal taken by Kane, and it's real fine. Probably the initial big winner on the album is "Postcard from Mexico", where Kane and Welch trade lines, interweaving expertly over driving accompaniment. Welch's delivery of his ballad "Heaven Now" beautifully illuminates the theme of aging, acceptance of life's curves and understanding of what's important:

To those who love,
and those who care
I'll meet you
Down the road somewhere

A fine recording that deserves to make these guys rich. It won't, unfortunately, but we can try to make it happen. Buy it now.

The second studio album from this trio (following 2004's "You Can't Save Everybody") is derived more from the chemistry of their combined stage performances than their individual studio dates. Recorded live-to-tape (vocals included!), the sparse arrangements and driving rhythms echo the audience-enticing sounds they create at music festivals. The organic feel of the album derives from the trio's studio methods, forgoing charted, practiced arrangements for the jazz-like creation of talented musicians who've developed a shared. The trio of Oklahoma-born Welch and New York bred Kane and Kaplin, could loosely be categorized as Americana, with a rootsy country underpinning to their voices that's supported by a drumless, folk-styled presentation. The combination overwhelms you with the songs' power and the players' tasteful picking, rather than the volume or speed of the instrumentation. [©2006 hyperbolium dot com]

I brought this CD home from a local library's CD collection on pure speculation. I had never heard of these guys. Listening first with my hands in the kitchen sink, every song caught my attention and I am happy to report I had to wash the dishes again because this album wasn't made for multi-tasking.
Each song stands out, unique and individual. It's an album full of country blues "hits" that can each stand on it's own. That's awesome stuff, in this or any era of recorded music. Fans of Americana, country, blues, singer-songwriter buy this. Money well spent. Highly recommended.

This is an excellent set from Kieran Kane, Kevin Welch & Fats Kaplin. Of the tracks on this set, the one that has me reach for the repeat button is "Postcards from Mexico." The call & response vocals between Kieran & Kevin are addictive, "Hands up in the night, Go to court, lose the fight, Got no consideration, guilty by association." "Mr. Bones" achieves a different sound with Fats Kaplin's oud on a full band arrangement, "Take the sun in one hand, child; Full moon in the other, Let the stars above our head circle like a crown." Some tracks slow the pace like the contemplative "Heaven Now" and the faith statement "I Can't Wait." "Lost John Dean" is an excellent Americana set from a group of people who obviously love playing together. Bravo!

I've heard Kane, Welch, Kaplin called folk, americana, country... It all depends on who's doing the talking. But the one thing that all those folks agree on is that they are REALLY good. I have all three of their discs and think they're great. If I had to rate them I'd say Lost John Dean, Kane/Welch/Kaplin, then You Can't Save Everybody - but you just can't lose. While similar, they each have their own feel, and work as a set better than as part of a compilation - Please don't buy these guys "by the song". If you like this but lean a little more toward country/bluegrass, I'd also strongly recommend Dave Carter/Tracy Grammer.

I would call this Country Blues or Folk music. I give it my absolute recomendation. The musicianship is superb and the songwriting is very fine. Kiran Kane has a way with songs with loping country blues rythum. Kevin Welsh brings his compelling lyrics and stories. Fats Kaplin backs em up with the accordian. A must have for accoustic music fans!

This music is the best I've come across since discovering Daniel Lanois way back when....true musicianship, EXCELLENT writing/arrangements, impossible to pigeon hole....these guys are the real deal, what a treat!

An average album that, normally, would merit your average typical run-of-the-mill review and - perhaps - three stars. Nothing memorable to say about this album at all any track except one.
The Kane track, "I Can't Wait" is a straight copy/take of the famous song "Bright Blue Rose" by Ireland's revered singer-songwriter, Jimmy MacCarthy. Deduct one star for this stupidity. Time to get back to the drawing board, Mr Kane.