Pirate's Gospel

Alela Diane | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 24, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Holocene Music
• ASIN: B000I2JTAW
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #65,244 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stellar New Talent., December 2, 2007

By 

William J. Walker "Billyjay" (England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pirate's Gospel (Audio CD)

Alela Diane Menig, whose father Tom produces and also appears on this album, hails from Nevada City, and only started to write and play in 2003. `The Pirate's Gospel' was originally recorded in her father's home studio and self released in 2004. Apparently she came to the attention fellow Nevada City native Joanna Newsom, who arranged her first live show. The album got a bit of a polish and an `official' release in 2006.

I've seen this artist compared to Gillian Welch, Jolie Holland, and Josephine Foster. I am most strongly reminded of The Be Good Tanyas and would add them to the list. Which isn't to say she sounds, that much, like any of the former, but that like those other performers, she seems to have reached far into the past for her musical inspiration, before giving it a twist of her own. In the process she has created a sound that, while rooted firmly in earlier times, is fresh, vibrant and ultimately timeless.

I guess this is a folk album(that's how most reviewers have categorised it)but all the songs are self-penned, and musically, it has a blend of styles that would place it outside of any specific folk tradition. As well as folk I hear a touch of blues, gospel and with all the piratical references, there is a nautical flavour too. Forget all that though, because the thing that makes this album so good is the quality of the songs.

The album opens strongly with `Tired Feet' a deceptively simple tune that you may find lodged in your head for days, thereafter the record never flags, sure some of the songs are stronger than others(the title track, `Clickity Clack' and `Oh My Mama' are just three of my favourites)but all the songs hang together to create a perfectly gorgeous album. Considering this was essentially a `home recording' you would never know it, as all the performances are of the highest standard. I realise I haven't mentioned her richly soulful voice, which matches the quality of the material beautifully.

Incidentally there are three(!)different versions of this CD around at the moment.The American release with the(pirate?)ship on the cover which, perhaps, has the nicest packaging(gatefold cardboard sleeve and better photo on the insert)but only has 11 tracks. The UK edition(rather unflattering portrait of Alela on the cover)has the original 11 track album and 2 bonus tracks `Heavy Walls' and `Gypsy Eyes' which are well worth having(strangely though they are not listed on the Amazon product page or anywhere on the CD case). Finally there is an Australian import available(in both ship and portrait!)which also has 2 bonus tracks (but `Pink Roses' Substitutes for `Gypsy Eyes')the same gatefold sleeve as the American release(but with a slightly different insert)and features an `enhanced' section containing a video for `Pieces Of String'. How do I know? Yes I did buy all three(starting with the US version)so I could get all the tracks. Trust me she is THAT good.

There seems to be a lot of solo-female artists around at the moment but don't let this one get lost in the crowd. Alela Diane is a fabulous talent. Don't miss out.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hauntingly beautiful, December 21, 2006

By 

jerseygirl_librarian (central NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pirate's Gospel (Audio CD)

The moment I heard Alela Diane's voice I was hooked... obsessed is more like it! She is a wonderous storyteller with her voice, tambre, and words. Campfire gospel folk is perfect to describe this CD. She is a gifted, self taught artist who's career has only begun. Highly recommend anyone who is looking to relax, imagine and try something new.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous Album., December 2, 2007

By 

William J. Walker "Billyjay" (England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Pirate's Gospel (Audio CD)

Alela Diane(Menig)hails from Nevada City and only started to write and play in 2003. `The Pirate's Gospel' was originally recorded in her father's home studio(Tom Menig produces and appears on the album)and self released in 2004. Apparently she came to the attention fellow Nevada City native Joanna Newsom, who arranged her first live show. The album got a bit of a polish and an `official' release in 2006.

I've seen this artist compared to Gillian Welch, Jolie Holland, and Josephine Foster. I'm most strongly reminded of The Be Good Tanyas and would add them to the list. Which isn't to say she sounds, that much, like any of the former, but that, in common with those performers, she seems to have reached far into the past for her inspiration before adding a twist of her own. In the process she has created music that, while rooted firmly in earlier times, is fresh, vibrant and ultimately timeless.

I guess this is a folk album(that's how most reviewers have categorised it)but all the songs are self-penned, and musically, it has a blend of styles that would place it outside of any specific folk tradition. As well as folk I hear a touch of blues, gospel and with all the piratical references there is a nautical flavour too. Forget all that though, because the thing that makes this album so good is the quality of the songs.

The album opens strongly with `Tired Feet' a deceptively simple song that you may find lodged in your head for days, thereafter the record never flags, sure some of the songs are stronger than others(the title track, `Clickity Clack' and `Oh My Mama' are just three of my favourites)but all the songs hang together to create a perfectly gorgeous album. Considering this was essentially a `home recording' you would never know it, as all the performances are of the highest standard. I haven't mentioned her wonderful voice which matches the quality of the material beautifully.

Incidentally there are three(!)different versions of this CD around at the moment. This uk edition(featuring a not particularly flattering photo of Alela)has the original 11 track album and 2 bonus tracks `Heavy Walls' and `Gypsy Eyes' which are well worth having(strangely though they are not listed anywhere on the CD case). The U.S. edition(with a painted sail ship on the cover)which, perhaps has the nicest packaging(gatefold cardboard sleeve and better photo on the insert)but only has the 11 tracks. Finally there is an Australian import(same cover as U.S. edition but different insert)available which has 2 bonus tracks (but `Pink Roses' Substitutes for `Gypsy Eyes')and features an `enhanced' section containing a video for `Pieces Of String'.

There seems to be a lot of solo-female artists around at the moment but don't let this one get lost in the crowd. Alela Diane is a fabulous talent. Don't miss out.