Customer Reviews

Mission of the Crossroad Palms

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4 star:		(1)
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This is one of my favorite records by Forbert. Having bought this one after his great album "The American In Me", I was expecting more of that same rock and roll feel. But this is a quieter record. After giving it a couple listens though, the songs just reached out and grabbed me. The album opens with it's rockinest tune, "It Was Better Back Then". But from there things calm down with one of Forbert's best and most introspective songs "It Is What It Is". With lyrics like "pondering the future you worry, listen somehow you'll get through, then you'll look backwards and long for the things that you'll find it's too late to do. Being a middle aged person, I can relate. But Forbert picks me right up with "So Good To Feel Good Again", where he sings about getting away from his troubles, freeing himself of that ball and chain, and just hitting the highway where he can get back on track again. This is my favorite on here, and like the rest of Crossroad Palms, it's great music to listen to while cruisin in the car on a lazy Sunday afternoon. This is a memorable Steve Forbert album, with some great sing along songs, and it comes highly recommended.

With this 1995 release, Forbert again proves that musical genius is not always rewarded with airplay and record sales. He delivers 12 topnotch songs of warmth, humor, a strong dose of reality, and more than a little romance. Listen to "Is It Any Wonder" and "The Last Rays of Sunlight" with simple yet touching lyrics. Tap your feet to the bouncy, up-tempo tunes "It Sure Was Better Back Then" and "Real Live Love."

Most of all, listen to "It Is What It Is (And That's All)", the best song on a disc full of good songs. With lyrics like, "Life is so brief you may think time is a thief, Better live for whatever it gives," you'll realize that Forbert is not just singing to you, he's singing ABOUT you.

.....by a great songwriter. Forbert scores big here across the board with "Mission."

This recording hooks you from the start with Forbert at his rocking best, as the weary ex-railroad laborer recalling a more simple time on "It Sure Was Better Back Then," and never stops. With each song, the listener is drawn closer to the story teller.

"Oh, To Be Back With You" is as touching a ballad as you will ever hear. "So Good To Feel Good Again" is trademark Forbert - 'I'm standing here broke but I don't think bent, and it's so good to feel good again' - the guy who's been through rough times and tells us things aren't as bad as we may think.

Forberts lyrics are outstanding, his phrasing perfect. This guy makes it look easy, and that's the beauty of his songs. We can relate to the situations and the characters because they are things we've all experienced and they are people we know.

Long-time Forbert fans will rank this among their favorites. Those hearing Steve for the first time will be hooked.

This excellent piece of work only adds to the paradox and mystery of how such a great artist like Steve Forbert still remains somewhat unknown and out of the spotlights. This CD is one of his very best works since "Alive on Arrival", his first album. Steve Forbert manages to combine humor, rock, and bittersweet ballads all on the same CD. The musicians on this CD are top-notch, including the pianist from Springsteen's "E" Street Band. My favorite song has to be the title cut for the CD. The words will simply tug at your soul, and describe the hearfelt pain of a love lost long ago.

This 1995 set of songs is a full and mature effort by the estimable Steve Forbert. The raw voice intertwines with lovely, delicate music on some songs-- exotic Spanish-style guitar on the softly moving "The Last Rays of Sunlight"-- and a more raucous arrangements on others. And the lyrics! There's a lot of optimism, but also some forays into loss and regret... "It Is What It Is and That's All" is a standout for music and words: "...you'll look backwards an' long for/ the things/ That you'll find it's then too late to do"; but while he can bring you up short with such a masterful turn of phrase, Forbert will always offer perspective and solace, as exemplified by this song's title. The only downturn for me is "Don't Talk to Me"-- too raunchy, seems misplaced here.

'Mission of the Crossroad Palms' is another terrific contribution from one of Americas most under appreciated talents.
Love his style, his lyrics, his humor, his heart.

I first heard Steve Forbert on this album,
and i was struck by his beautiful lyricism and the ability he had to take you away to the times and places that he sung of in his songs like small pictures and movies
they made me feel pain,regret,longing and so much about love that it haunted me.
One thing that Steve Forbert has is the turn of lyric that can break your heart and make you think about life and the lives of others.
I found out more about Steve and the Dylan comment,
it did not mean a great deal to me,though it must have hung heavy on Steve.
He is definitely himself and should be listened to as such.
A great memory hit me when i was in my formative years romantically.
I kept hearing this golden oldie about Southern Kisses but never caught the title,
It made the love for my girlfriend and our time apart so much more difficult but the anticipation of seeing her so much more full of the romance of waiting and needing someone so badly it hurt,and let me know how special she was to me.
I asked a few years on about the singer and found out it was Steve Forbert's Romeo's Tune,no real suprise in many ways.
His singing style talks to you intimately in songs like this and that is what Steve Forbert means to me,
all of the above and how to see more clearly and bring more love and romance into your life.
I have noticed that as i was looking at Steve's reviews how much people thought of him and how highly he was and still is rated.
I cannot imagine Steve playing to such small crowds and not working for a label,
but maybe that is just the way he likes it,intimate and unhassled by the company to produce what they would like.
And if he doesn't then the major labels etc,are missing out on one of the most gifted and brilliant singer-songwriter's in a long time,that it is a huge regret that will hurt like one of his aching love songs.
Steve,keep doing what you do so well,you are a lyrical genius and a gift to music.
Ian.

Steve manages (as always) to take everyday emotions and thoughts and turn them into songs that make you sit back and say "that's just how I feel". And he says it all so succinctly. I remember the first time I saw him play in Austin, Tx over 11 years ago. He manages to stay true to his music and his new material is alway fresh and yet so "Steve" A must to add to your Steve collection.

As close to a perfect album as I can think of - well-written songs with a humble, down-to-earth recording make this a classic. It has received little fan-fair that we know of, but song-for-song this album captures the relaxed, seasoned depth to Forbert's music that affirms his well-earned position as an elite songwriter of Folk Rock. The production is respectful of the songs' strength, with a clean, untarnished and pure sound. Forbert's voice is distinctly his own, a whisper gravel, and with relaxed poise and confidence. A Must Own if you like Contemporary Folk or Folk Rock. GENRES: Mellow Rock, Contemporary Folk, Folk Rock.

BUY IF YOU LIKE: Steve Earle, John Hiatt.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: "Lay Down Your weary Tune Again," "So Good To Feel Good Again," "The Trouble With Angels," "It Is What It Is (And That's All)," "Is It Any Wonder."

Steve Forbert's "Mission of the Crossroad Palms" is the CD that is always in my CD player...I could not say enough good things about this album... The song writing is great, the music is great, and it has the distinct ability to mellow you out after a stressful day...Very good CD.