Customer Reviews

Miles From the Lightning

5 star:		(4)
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I discovered Jeffrey Foucault through a friend about a year ago, and ever since, his CDs (including his Redbird collaboration with equally talented performers Kris Delmhorst and Peter Mulvey) have been in pretty much constant rotation in my car. He's an immensely talented and versatile musician, and in my opinion, he's the best lyricist out there right now. His songs are poetic and thought-provoking, sad and sweet and sweeping, with flashes of humor and fun for a perfect counterbalance. They're songs of exploration and loss and discovery, of wide open spaces and the hidden corners of the human heart. This is one of those CDs where I find myself suddenly obsessed with different songs at different times, but "I'm Alright" (a wry and uplifting look at the life of a struggling musician, with lyrics that never fail to make me smile: "Then my friends began to own things / And make 35 a year / They got jobs with health insurance / They got cars with second gear"), "Ballad of Copper Junction," and "Thistledown Tears" are a few constant favorites. I would give all of Foucault's work my very highest recommendation. He also tours periodically, and gives a fantastic live show, if you have the opportunity to catch him.

Jeffrey Foucault is a breath of fresh air when it comes to original music. His words speak with love lost, and memories of growing up as a child. His voice draws you into his world and tells you stories beyond what the lyrics are saying. Jeff has a very original take on his acoustic music that in my opinion overshadows many top 40 songs you hear today. If you want to listen to a great cd, this is it! AAAA++++

I bought this album after wearing out Jeff's newer album, Ghost Repeater, and I was looking for some "Deep cuts." I was not disappointed. The songs are thoughtful, powerful, with an excellent turn of phrase. When I listened to this album for the first time, I was strongly reminded of the early Judy Collins sound. The slide guitar is outstanding, and the sparse arrangements and ambient sounds (the popping of the fireplace in "Buckshot Moon" reminds me of boy scout campfire songs). If you want an antidote to vanilla pop or vacuous lyrics, if you want storytelling in your songs that leaves you wanting to know more about what happened, this is the album you want.

Dove and Waterlines gave me such a unique feeling. I had to go and learn it immediately on my Martin Guitar. The whole CD is like visiting the south and listening to an incredibly interesting poet. Foucault is deep..there is no question about it.