Customer Reviews

Recent Future

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

 

 

I heard "Cold Missouri Waters" done by Cry Cry Cry and found out that Keelaghan wrote it. Original version is great.

Keelaghan is great! Now I'll agree he's no Gordon Lightfoot. But then who is? I've seen him in concert and found him to be a very entertaining and sincere musician. I listen to his music on a regular basis. Perhaps he's not the most profound or innovative folk singer but whoever is looking for that in folk music probably doesn't understand folkmusic!

Perhaps James use to beat-up on Mr. Himes on the playground....?

Now that would make a song I'd want to listen to over and over again!

I have yet to hear any of James' albums, and I plan to hear all of them. I came to Amazon.com to get some info and reviews.

I found it curious that the Amazon.com "reviewer" uses different names when reviewing two different Keelaghan albums. There is a "Jeffrey Himes" and a "Geoffey Himes"

The review of 'My Skies' is quite nice, while the review of 'A Recent Future' is quite biting.

Just thought other listeners should be aware...

Who said his songs have 'no content upon repeated listening'? I'm reading 'Young Men and Fire' because of Cold Missouri Waters. Perhaps Mr. Hines is a would be writer/singer who can't really do either, so he spends his time putting down someone who can most certainly do both.

James knows whereof he speaks, as a history major and teller of tales. He has a voice that brings you back repeatedly to hear the shades, as well as listen to the words.

Listen to this CD, and judge for yourself. And if you ever get the chance, GO SEE HIM LIVE.

While I think the Amazon reviewer has a point about the song "A Recent Future," the fact remains that when James Keelaghan is "on," he's absolutely amazing. And his voice is phenomenal. I especially love the tracks Sweetgrass Moon and Cold Missouri Waters. When he performed Sweetgrass Moon at the Kent State Folk Festival in 1998 asking the audience to provide harmony, everyone practically levitated cause the effect was so beautiful. Give his music a try and definitely see him live if you can!

There are singer/songwriters aplenty these days on the folk scene, but few put together the whole package like James Keelaghan. The tales he spins, not only on Recent Future, but on his other albums as well, are reminiscent of Stan Rogers' marvelous stories. After a year, this CD is still at the top of my playlist.

James Keelaghan writes songs that express in a few words, what others take a book to write. His song "Cold Missouri Waters", based on the book Men and Fire by Norman McClain, is one of the best story songs ever. Keelaghan's warm voice is always a welcome companion on my travels.