Customer Reviews

Red Dog Tracks

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This may be the best cd of the year. Chip Taylor seems to be able to write really great, moving, uber-romantic, unusual and original songs in his sleep. I don't know how he does it, but I suspect this partnership with Carrie is fueling the creative fires. I can't even begin to do justice with my words to the marvels of this record. Not one less than fine song and mostly magnificent ones. So, a few quick comments.

Chip has mastered the conversational song and the harmony song. On many numbers here, Chip and Carrie alternate verses as if having a conversation and then sing together on the choruses. This works beautifully--most notably on "Private Thoughts" and and "Red Dog Tracks" (the quality of the latter increased by its mysterious, "Ode to Billie Joe," storyline). When singing in harmony, no duo does it better. They must read each others' thoughts--as many of the song lyrics describe--to achieve such sympathetic vocals. This odd coupling--a beautiful young Texas fiddler with a lovely, expressive voice and a twang as thick as molasses and a much, much older world weary scribe who talks his words as often as he sings them--has evolved to some sort of perfection--almost as if lovers (again, read the lyrics) or at least musical lovers.

Chip's (and sometimes Carrie's) amazing way with words is obvious everywhere. For example,

(her) I'M A SOFT PINK ROSE -- CLINGING TO THE VINE
WAITIN' FOR YOU TO -- PICK ME OFF
(him) I AM THOSE RED DROPS ON YOUR HAND -- THAT LITTLE SPILL OF WINE
COME ON -- JUST KISS ME OFF (from "Big Moon Shinin')

HERE WE ARE TOGETHER -- NO MORE PRIVATE THOUGHTS ... MMM
THERE'S A HOLE IN THE WEATHER
THE SUMMER BREEZE REPLACED THE FROST (from "Private Thoughts")

I WONDER IF YOU STILL SEE ME -- WHEN YOUR EYES HAVE LEFT MY FACE
I WONDER DO YOU STILL HOLD ME --WHEN YOUR HANDS HAVE LEFT MY WAIST (from "The Wonder of You")

The funny, orginal Chip view of religion is amply displayed in the quite wonderful, "Son of Man:" WHEN THE LORD AIN'T LOOKIN' -- JUST SNEAK ON IN

There are a few other key players who contribute to the magnificence of this new recording: Bill Frisell's sensitive electric guitar, Richie Stearns' banjo, Carrie's fiddle, and Chip's harmonica are like four other singers here--so expressive is their playing. In a few places they jam fabulously: "My Bucket's Got a Hole in It," the instrumental "Elzick's Farewell (arranged by Carrie), and the "Jenny" reprise. In other places, the arrangements and sounds underlie one of the best studio recordings I've ever heard. Whether studio recorded (LET'S LEAVE THIS TOWN and THE TROUBLE WITH HUMANS) or live (most of the cuts on the ANGEL OF THE MORNING EP), they are simply infectious and true originals. If all this isn't enough, there's a killer version of Hank Williams' "I Can't Help it (if I'm Still in Love with You)"--slow, sexy and beautiful.

This is the most original CD I've encountered this year. Chip Taylor is a seasoned songwriter, guitar and harmonica player, and a singer of sorts. Carrie Rodriguez is young and plays violin and sings. She bears comparison with Allison Krauss but they differ. Allison has a heavenly voice and violin, but Carrie has a nasal twang and edgy violin style.

Chip and Carrie are excellent in unison and they have created a CD with a sound all its own, about 50 percent folk and 50 percent bluegrass/country -- if it must be fitted into a genre. The oddest song on the album is an instrumental, "Elzick's Farewell," which sounds a bit like Ravi Shankar playing acid grass. My favorite tune is "Keep your Hat on Jennie." It's a toe-tapper -- and they reprise it with some fancy guitar, harmonica, and fiddle playing. Eccentricity goes a little overboard on the Hank Williams tune, "I Can't Help It" which has a scratchy background in imitation of early-day vinyl recordings. I could do without the scratch, though it's a good song.

Chip sings lead on most songs and carries the rhythm with his quick acoustic guitar and harmonica. Carrie chimes in with her stronger and more distinctive voice and a strong violin. The result is unpredictable music that fools you with its quick twists and turns and powerful harmonies. Some tracks feature banjo and electric guitar. All combine to make this a most agreeable, interesting, and downright exciting CD. I can hardly wait to buy their other CDs.

Smallchief

Last weekend I had the pleasure of seeing Chip and Carrie once again at the Old Town School of Folk Music. When I first saw them about two years ago I was startled at how well they sang together. Listening now to them sing "Once Again, One Day...Will You Be Mine' is an unbelievable experience. Jaw-dropping and shiver-inducing. I only wish they were the headliners so they could've had more time. (I stayed for the second show too.) The story that Chip tells about how he saw Carrie for the first time just playing fiddle and when he asked her if she could sing she said 'No' just seems unreal when she starts singing on stage. This is truly some of the prettiest and sexiest music I've ever heard. Wow.

If you've heard the hype about Chip and Carrie, it's basically for real. This new album, Red Dog Tracks, at it's best, is downright erotic, but the covers are unnecessary as are the instrumental and reprise of Keep Your Hat On Jenny at the end.

It seems a little slicker than the last one too, maybe because they're on a major label now.

So, there are about 7 or 8 great new songs that make the purchase worth it, but if you're like me, you'll be programming around some of the filler.

Buy it, but just know that their second CD, The Trouble With Humans, had no filler and better songs, so pick that one up too!

If you're reading this review, you're probably the sort of listener who appreciates Chip and Carrie's kind of music (folk-country-bluegrass?), so stop your dithering and buy the darned album. While you're at it, in fact, buy the whole catalogue (Angel of the Morning, Let's Leave This Town, The Trouble With Humans)-- then you won't have to buy them one by one as I did and wait several days in between each purchase. These CD's have barely left my stereo since I heard Chip and Carrie featured on NPR a few months ago. Their beautiful harmonizing and laid-back singing will captivate you. Many of the songs are painfully, heart-breakingly lovely. Chip's soulful, well-worn voice blends exquisitely with Carrie's sweet Texas twang. You won't regret buying this or any other Chip and Carrie album.

This was my first introduction to Chip Taylor and Carrie Rodruquez and it is a CD that I listen to over and over again. I must confess that my favorite track is Big Moon Shinin' and just find it a very incredibly great song for slow dancing, sitting with your lover, whatever. I've since gone on to purchase almost the entire collection by this duo and haven't been disappointed by any of them. I hope to be able to see them in concert sometime.

In an age of cookie cutter music of all genres, it is a pleasure to listen to the unconstrained.
Carrie Rodriguez has the voice of an angel; which should provide great listening for decades.
Red Dog Tracks is a very good product; if you like John Prine, Iris Dement, Jerry Jeff Walker and Loretta Lynn give this some consideration.

Lots of great tracks, and a few truly unforgettable ones (e.g., Red Dog Tracks, Keep your Hat on Jenny). Taylor is a great songwriter, and Rodriguez's vocals and fiddle playing are superb. This album is full of soul; you won't be dissapointed. Every bit as good as "The Trouble with Humans".

BEST OF THE BEST - WITH HONORS!!
Definitely my kind of music! Without a doubt on a par with AKUS, Lonesome River Band, Dave Para & Cathy Barton, Roland White,
Del McCoury and Willie Nelson!! Would recommend these artist's music to any Bluegrass/American Folk music fan!!

Tom Norris, Sr.
Iowa City, IA

I liked this CD so much I ordered one for a friend and one for my son. The voices blend beautifully and it was just great listening!