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Editorial Reviews
"Audika's reissue program is an act of devoted, some might say obsessive, scholarship and curatorship that deserves every bit of acclaim it's received." -- Pitchfork
Hailed by a two generations of listeners as one of the most important (and overlooked) songwriters of the last 25 years, Arthur Russell's music remains as contemporary today as when it was first recorded. Over the last four years, Audika Records has diligently mined Russell's vast archive of previously unreleased music with the critically lauded albums Calling Out of Context, Springfield, World of Echo, and First Thought Best Thought. Now, the label completes the oeuvre, showing Russell's singer-songwriter side. Love Is Overtaking Me collects the best of the previously unreleased folk, pop, and country stylings from Arthur Russell's archive. Compiled from over eight hours of material and three years in the making, the album includes some of Russell's earliest '70s compositions through to his very last at-home recordings in 1991. Several of these tracks are featured prominently in Matt Wolf 's film Wild Combination: A Portrait of Arthur Russell, including "Close My Eyes," "Eli," The Letter," and "Love Is Overtaking Me." The album is compiled from several sources, including the legendary demos made for John Hammond Sr., a demo of a country song written for Randy Travis, and the late '80s collaboration with Steven Hall recording as Bright & Early. Extensive liner notes from Russell's longtime companion Tom Lee provide perspective into the intimate nature of Arthur's process and songwriting.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By Gideon
Format:Audio CD
When listening to Arthur Russell, you should always expect the unexpected. The Iowan angel had such talent for music that in his short life he managed to contribute in a major way to many genres, from minimalist/classical composition to disco anthems via funk, country and cello-driven chamber pop.
This latest instalment from his huge legacy (one thousand tapes, reportedly) focuses on his songwriting ability. The beautiful cover image, though, is a little misleading; you think this is a country/folk album and the first songs do mine this direction, but soon the tracklist nimbly veers towards '70s rock-soul, disco-pop and funk-wave, not forgetting the odd voice/cello track. Like we said: expect the unexpected.
What remains the same, however, is the quality. With twenty-one tracks spanning two decades (1973 - 1990), LOVE IS OVERTAKING ME is full of gems ready to trap you in their golden, sinuous charm. The sound is sparse and often in demo form, but such is Mr Russell's ability as a songwriter and singer (that crisp, melancholic voice!) that you cannot help wondering why some of these songs did not become hits. The title track, HABIT OF YOU, THE LETTER or YOUR MOTION SAYS should have graced the airwaves in the '80s. It is a pity that they were never released. Luckily we can now make up for the lost time, and even marvel at Mr Russel's way with words: his haiku-deep lyrics exude great warmth and tenderness, working as a perfect cure for these hard, ruthless times.
So love comes back. Sometimes. Who would have thought it?
This latest instalment from his huge legacy (one thousand tapes, reportedly) focuses on his songwriting ability. The beautiful cover image, though, is a little misleading; you think this is a country/folk album and the first songs do mine this direction, but soon the tracklist nimbly veers towards '70s rock-soul, disco-pop and funk-wave, not forgetting the odd voice/cello track. Like we said: expect the unexpected.
What remains the same, however, is the quality. With twenty-one tracks spanning two decades (1973 - 1990), LOVE IS OVERTAKING ME is full of gems ready to trap you in their golden, sinuous charm. The sound is sparse and often in demo form, but such is Mr Russell's ability as a songwriter and singer (that crisp, melancholic voice!) that you cannot help wondering why some of these songs did not become hits. The title track, HABIT OF YOU, THE LETTER or YOUR MOTION SAYS should have graced the airwaves in the '80s. It is a pity that they were never released. Luckily we can now make up for the lost time, and even marvel at Mr Russel's way with words: his haiku-deep lyrics exude great warmth and tenderness, working as a perfect cure for these hard, ruthless times.
So love comes back. Sometimes. Who would have thought it?
By katie austin
Format:Vinyl|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am enamored of this album. It's delicate, beautiful, gritty. When you hear Arthur Russell, it feels simultaneously brand new and completely familiar. I imagine this is because so many contemporary artists have been influenced by him that his sound was popularized before many people had even heard his own music.
If you're looking for the folky, poppy, strong-on-lyrical-song writing album, this is the one. The others tend to be a bit more experimental and electronic. Still, this album doesn't lack for originality, and AR's experimental side is evident throughout.
buy it, for sure.
If you're looking for the folky, poppy, strong-on-lyrical-song writing album, this is the one. The others tend to be a bit more experimental and electronic. Still, this album doesn't lack for originality, and AR's experimental side is evident throughout.
buy it, for sure.
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