Customer Reviews

Recovered

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With the release of this great new collection of "Recovered" gems, Songwriter/Activist/Sailor/Ski Bum John Hall shows that he belongs amongst the elite of today's finest songsmiths. Along with the lyric talents of longtime wife/partner in song, Johanna, Hall brings sweet harmony and sky high melody to an almost perfect union. If you are a fan of Hall's 70's pop-rock hitmaking group, "Orleans"..remember, "Still The One" & "Dance With Me" ? you will be able to re-visit those old standards with a new appreciation. If You are a fan Hall's early 80's material, you will be amazed at the power that eminates from behind these not-quite-unplugged versions. This album has been in my cd player for days now. In a perfect world, these versions would have been the original releases. Thank's John & Johanna for letting your message of enpowerment & light grace my ears in such a wonderful manner. Buy this cd now...you won't be let down for even a moment!

Classic radio stations tend to play great songs to death: Mr. Tambourine Man and Turn, Turn ,Turn by the Byrds; Satisfaction by the Rolling Stones; Dance With Me and Still the One by John Hall and Orleans.

"Recovered" highlights these two songs and others in new semi-unplugged versions written by John and his wife Johanna and one written with country artist Steve Wariner. Johanna wrote the liner notes telling the history of the songs origins beginning with Half Moon in 1969 which was recorded first by Janis Joplin in 1970 and in 1973 by Orleans.

John's guitar playing both acoustic and electric is full of emotion and with an intimacy that helped me to better appreciate the original versions. He is backed by Tony Levin-bass, Ralph McDonald-percussion, Peter O'Brien-drums, and the incomparable Robbie Dupree-harmonica.

I must admit. I was interested in hearing this recording out of curiosity, since John Hall was running for Congress in my district and I become a volunteer on his campaign. A while back, at a campaign event, I got him to autograph my copy of this.

Having said that, I actually find myself really liking the music on this, even though I lean much more in the direction of indie/alternative rock. I remember the two big Orleans hits from my high school days, songs I always found likeable, but the versions here, which are kind of "unplugged," are really great. John sounds really passionate in his delivery of them, and his supporting musicians, including the great Tony Levin, do a fine job in backing him. In fact, I can't seem to stop listening to this version of Still the One; it's my song of the month this month.

Other songs here are quite nice, as well. Good Enough has a great rhythmic line and some good lyrics. The reggaeish Give One Heart is also a really nice song and a nice message. Half Moon sounds to me like it could be a Steve Winwood tune, with some really good singing by Mr. Hall. Two Faced World has a really nice funk sound. And the song Power is great, showing a deep social consiousness, one which was responsible for the No Nukes movement. Overall, this is a really decent record by a really really good guy. (And I rejoice that he won the election, and even got to sing a bit at his victory rally on election night.)