100 Miles From Memphis

Sheryl Crow | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 20, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: A&M
• ASIN: B003NWS5FO
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (102 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,773 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

For Sheryl Crow, the title of her seventh album isn't just a location; it's a state of mind. So for the Kennett, Missouri native, calling the disc 100 Miles From Memphis is a statement of purpose, both musical and emotional. It also marks a long-awaited return by the nine-time Grammy winner to the sounds that first drew her to making music. The results evoke a time when soul and passion filled the radio waves, when the sweat and joy of a recording session could be captured forever on wax. Sometimes the musical references--Al Green, Sly and the Family Stone, Stevie Wonder--are made apparent, but the album's 11 songs are characterized more by capturing a classic spirit than by imitating any specific style. Features guest appearances from Keith Richards, Justin Timberlake and Citizen Cope.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 36 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars 100 Miles from Memphis but not an inch off target July 24, 2010

By Mr Freeze

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is not likely the Sheryl Crow that you know, and to be honest, with the first two tracks I was wishing that it was. But by the end of the disc I was wishing that it was twice as long. I'm amazed at how authentic it sounds. It's as if Marvin Gaye himself was sitting behind the board dictating the production. This set has a few covers (which are undeniably great) but this disc is mostly SC-penned tunes--displaying another facet of her brilliant writing (except when she's overtly political--I'm not really into all of that. And there are tinges of this here but I have to make her that allowance since Soul and R&B, which she deftly re-creates, has always had socio-political elements. See MG's "What's Goin' On" for an example). But I was really shocked by her performance. I know that she can write and I know that really good writers can cross genre lines successfully but I wasn't prepared to her her sound so soulful. Think cool-Joss Stone minus vocal acrobatics. I'm now hoping that SC will do a live disc of about 20 such songs. I love her "standard" fare but this is "a happy surprise." And as far as the first two tracks, it's not that they're not good, it's simply that I wasn't ready--or willing--to hear 100 Miles until she delivered her take on Terence Trent D'Arby's "Sign Your Name." Simply incredible and satisfying. The rest... well, if you like the groove of Soul, believe me, Crow has your number.

Bottom line: If you like late-60s-Early 70s Soul and R&B, and you can set aside what you think Sheryl Crow is or can do, then you can love this album (yes, album because it belongs to that era). Other artists may do soul songs but SC DOES soul. Hearing is believing.

36 of 41 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The Lighter Side of Sheryl Crow July 20, 2010

By Rudy Palma

Format:Audio CD

She has a lock on it if a special award is handed out for least interesting cover art (listing the tracks on it is a nifty retro look, though), but Sheryl Crow has produced the most interesting, if not the best, music of her career with "100 Miles From Memphis."

For one thing, not a single moody ballad is among the tracks. There are no fist-pumping, politically-themed-rise-to-action anthems, either. Lightheartedness and peace accent even the album most serious moment, the standout "Stop," a plea for safety and normalcy in a reliably imperfect world.

The no-frills cover of the Jackson 5's "I Want You Back" epitomizes the album's cool, laid-back vibe. Her vocals are uncannily - and delightfully - similar to Michael Jackson's.

No song among the dozen really stands out. This is not an album that will produce hits. Casual fans will long for something sweeter and catchier. However, others will be drawn in by the celebratory mood, sublimely pitch-perfect backing vocal harmonies and airtight musicianship that make songs like the well-oiled, beautifully arranged "Summer Day" and the airy, colorful title track absolutely and perfectly render Crow's artistic vision a reality.

"Roses and Moonlight" rides an infectious, soulful groove with one of the album's few noticeable choruses. "Say What You Want" has one of the album's simplest lyrics, with Crow putting all pretense aside, resulting in one of the album's cheeriest, most uplifting moments. Even the gloomy subject of matter of "Our Love Is Fading" does not detract from the optimistic atmosphere.

For an album so casual and folksy, its edges remain smooth and professional where it counts.

It is a pleasure to hear Crow cast her worries to the wind and let her confidence as a musician and songwriter lead the way. Her joy, sincerity and inner peace radiate through the songs, often making them sound more remarkable than they may actually be.

"100 Miles From Memphis" manages to acknowledge the unfortunate era in which it was recorded and yet remain willfully light, engaging and fun - a love letter to a time when music was more "live," organic, fresh and unaffected than it is today. It is not Crow's best, but it does demonstrate her great versatility and sense of adventure. She is, simply put, a hell of an artist.

39 of 46 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars let's be honest July 29, 2010

By masque

Format:Audio CD

i am a big fan....but like many of her fans I like the more "rock" side of sheryl. songs like "if it makes you happy" and "steve mcqueen" are the ones I like best.

with this album you find very little rock...it's pretty laid back, soulful and peaceful. it does not in any way mean that it's bad. like many artists sheryl is evolving and experimenting.....for me as a fan I like her earlier stuff best but this album is far from bad. i can recognize that the songs are good songs but just not what i prefer most of the time.

so if you buy it expecting it to sound like her older stuff you will not get it....if you buy it with the understanding that she is experimenting a bit and the songs are a bit more laid back then you will have a good chance of enjoying it.