Customer Reviews

Paradox of Grace

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

 

 

Don Conoscenti is an amazing performer, an outstanding songwriter, and an important voice to be heard right now. His message, which is repeated throughout this album, is simple: let your spirit guide you to where you need to be. But caveat emptor: he passes this message along without coming across as 'new age-y,' or too un-ironic, or too elfin in purpose. There is deep spirit within these songs. "The Other Side" gives us healing, "Paradox of Grace" gives us truth, "All in Time" give us patience, and "Vigilante Man" gives us a sense of the past. Joined by Ellis Paul (soon to be a household name all over again) for many backing vocals, their voices mixing in a marvelous harmony, Don Con plays something like at least fifteen instruments on the album (I say at least because the credits at times us plurals and words like 'various' that tend to throw off an actual count). This is music to dance with and to, music to muse by, music to sing with, and music that will grab your knees and reach inside spiralling up to your shoulders, enwrapping your heart and brain, meshing everything together for a five-speed experience. Listen. Learn. Be still.

I'm sure I would have liked this CD, but after quite a bit of time had passed, the bookseller notified me that the CD was not in good shape and he/she wasn't sending it. Although I appreciate the truthfulness about the condition of the CD, the communication was too slow

I actually bought this for the song "The Other Side", and have not listened to the entire CD, so really cannot review it due to this fact.

Don Conoscenti is an incredible artist and an important voice in modern folk. He plays something like 18 different instruments, has a unique, expressive voice that is very pleasant to listen to and in terms of style and substance is possibly one of the best songwriters out there. For me, Paradox of Grace is one of Don's weaker studio albums. High points include "Molly" and "Beautiful Valley" which rank up there with Don's Best Of. Everything in between is quite good as well, yet none seem to hit the mark for me as many of the songs found on earlier albums. What is great about Don is that he can write about so many different subjects, yet there is a consistency in style and quality of song found across all his albums that never become redundant or sound the same. Gentle yet emphatic, Don is "easy listening" without being lazy and there is intelligence without pretense and thoughtful compassion all over his albums. If you are new to Don I'd start with Mysterious Light or Brilliant Masterpiece which are equally masterful. Next, Boxes of Bones then Beneath Your Moon - then Paradox of Grace. I never found his live albums to offer much other than different versions of songs that were already finely honed on his studio albums and while I own both of them (One for the Road and Extremely Live at Eddie's Attic) I don't listen to them much. All this being said, any of his albums are far better than most anything else out there. Treat yourself to some Don. You will appreciate the intelligence of this songwriter and find "Love and Understanding" in his unique perspective.

There is amazing depth and soul in every song on this recording. "The Other Side," is comforting. "Texas Moon" is kinda sexy! "Only The Truth" (my favourite) is like a warm hug. His songs are glimpses of real life. Buy this recording and listen. Dance if you like (I did). There is a beautiful energy here.