Customer Reviews

Notes from Elsewhere

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

 

 

Peter has re-captured the magic of 10,000 mornings and then some. This recording is the closest thing to hearing him live in concert, which was one of the best performances I have ever seen. I first encountered him at the Johnstown Folk Festival in 2003 and it was one of the most memorable concerts I have heard. He played a Bob Dylan tune alone that appeared on the 10,000 mornings CD which I couldn't get out of my head on the drive home to DuBois., PA. Listening to this CD transports me back in time to the live venue and I just can't get enough of it!

I am a huge Peter Mulvey fan, and over years, I have gotten to know him a little bit as a person, mostly through talking to him after the many shows I have been to. This album is like a live album without the bother of an audience. Peter's best shows are when it's just him and his guitar, but most of his albums involve more accompaniment than that, so the versions he plays at concerts sound a little different. That's why this album is so great. For me, there's not much better than seeing Peter play live, but seeing as he only comes to my home state once or twice a year, this is a good substitute. The other great thing about this album for me as a longtime fan is to see the evolution of his songs. He plays songs on this album like "Black Rabbit", a beautiful instrumental song and "The Dreams" and "Rapture" that were first recorded over 10 years ago, and over the years, they have changed. Some lyrics have changed, some rhythms have changed, and it's wonderful to see that progression.

peter mulvey is a great guitar player, song writer, and a great wordsmith. all his albums are good, but this one showcases him in a solo setting, which is the way he plays live most often. i would compare his songwriting to paul simon's in terms of mood, though the actual technique is very different. not much else to say, except this music will not startle you at first but it has depth and will reward you if you give it a chance. viva la mulvey!
Notes from Elsewhere

I've heard Mulvey live many times, and this CD captures the sound of his solo show from the very first beautiful guitar notes. Mulvey is an outrageous guitarist, a wonderful singer and a smart, thoughtful songwriter; he offers some of his best work on Notes. A mix of older tunes and new, you'll hear a different take on some songs, just as he often updates a familiar song in concert: who wants to play and sing the same notes every night?

Sorry, this disc also was a bit slow and drawn out for me.
I much prefer his tunes that kind of get a groove on.

This album is a collection of Peter Mulvey's songs, each one recorded simply, just him and his guitar. That bare bones approach is lets you hear the "pared down", "raw" experience.

Of couse with Peter Mulvey, pared down and raw, just means w/out accompaniment. Using "Rapture" as an example, he can get a lot of varied sound out of his guitar.

The recording quality is top notch as well. This isn't some two-track-tascam-in-the-bedroom or a live-show-recorded-of-the-board affair.

I wish more modern folk artists would take this approach. This straightforward sound is how folk music started, and how it continues in the coffee houses and bars around the world -- a lone singer / songwriter and his guitar pouring out his soul.