Passing Stranger [Import]

Scott Matthews | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 17, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Universal/San Remo
• ASIN: B000FHYIHY
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #545,125 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Little Man Tabla Jam, Pt. 1

2. Dream Song

3. The Fool's Fooling Himself

4. Eyes Wider Than Before

5. Blue in the Face Again

6. Sweet Scented Figure

7. Passing Stranger

8. Prayers

9. Musical Interval

10. City Headache

11. Elusive

12. Earth to Calm

13. White Feathered Medicine

14. Little Man Tabla Jam, Pt. 2

15. Bruno's Finale

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A refreshing discovery, March 11, 2008

By 

D. Gilbert - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Passing Stranger (Audio CD)

As someone who has collected the litany of live and unreleased Jeff Buckley recordings to satisfy my appreciation for his music and personality, I often feel a hole in that genre of music in which he dwelled. Somewhere in the cracks of blues, alternative, and gospel often with an Indian tint.

This weekend I stumbled across Scott Matthews, who is likened to JB in nearly every review. After listening to his album, 'Passing Stranger', I understand why. The vocals are nothing compared to Jeff's (slim chance of finding that), but you can tell this guy has the same influences. Whether it's hints of Robert Johnson's guitar work or the mantric tablas present on half of the tracks, this appears to be an extension of Jeff's work. I'm not that into The Zep, but even my inexperienced ear can discern their taste in these songs. He's even opening for Robert Plant right now.

Admittedly, it's not a perfect album. Some songs reek of your local adult alternative radio station, and he seems to lack Buckley's edge. But I still found this album refreshing. Every few songs are spaced by a brief instrumental interlude, which doesn't break down the flow of the album at all, but rather acts to transition between the end of one idea and the beginning of another.

Just try listening to the main riff in 'City Headache' without your mind beginning to play 'So Real'.

Also, the album is streaming in its entirety at several websites for free (at the time of posting), so you should be able to get a good sample.

RIYL: Grace, Till the Sun Turns Black, Fight for Your Mind

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a nice debut!, November 1, 2007

By 

D. F. Wieczorek "Dee" (Fords, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Passing Stranger (Audio CD)

And, what a great CD from a new singer/songwriter!

My local "Triple AAA" public radio station has been playing "The Fool's Still Fooling Himself" for quite awhile, and Scott's voice just hooked me from the first time I heard it.

I also hear a lot of Jeff Buckley and Nick Drake going on here, but I'm also catching a lot of songwriting influences from early Richard Thompson and Mark Knopfler.

"Passing Stranger" has a very autumnal "grown-up" feel to it, which I think makes it a perfect companion to the recent releases by Mark Knopfler and Joni Mitchell.

It's an absolute pleasure to hear this level of songwriting and musicianship from someone so young.

As Mark would say, "Oh, yeah, the boy can play!"

Indeed, he can. He writes some damn good songs, too.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gotta have it, January 19, 2007

By 

Alvy Singer "Alvy Singer" (Alvy Singer) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Passing Stranger (Audio CD)

Surprised this hasn't caught on in the States yet. A great talent and excellent album. You won't be disappointed.