Customer Reviews

Rich From the Journey

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

 

 

"Rich from the Journey" needs time to be absorbed. At first listen, expecting something like "West Texas Heaven" I was a bit stunned to find it was nothing like it.

However, the tunes are really catchy, (I found myself humming them inadvertently after no time) and the songs are intelligent and uplifting. If you want sad songs, don't listen to this CD.

This CD is rather more "pop" than her previous recordings, but very beautiful, if you are prepared to open your hearts and souls to the songs.

My favorite tracks are "Shine All Your Light" (a positively scintillating song) and the beautiful duet Kimmie performs with Gillian Welch on "God's Acre"

There isn't a bad song on the whole CD, it's all fabulous.

And of course Kimmie's exquisite voice is really shown to advantage in this little jewel box of a CD.

I'm lucky, I didn't have any preconceived notions of Kimmie Rhodes. I have fairly broad tastes in music, as well. My tastes run from harp, folk, classic country, English folk, and classical, to punk, heavy metal, British Invasion, and especially alt.country. I wasn't stuck in some shallow Nashville rut and unable to grow with a gifted artist like Kimmie Rhodes. It would be an over-simplification to think of Rich From The Journey as a cross between Nanci Griffith, early Amy Grant, and Enya. Kimmie has far more folk and country. Kimmie's lyrics have far more to offer than the hackneyed lines of Enya's lyricist, Roma Ryan, too. I think the gentle and lovely synthesizer washes are off-putting for those who prefer tired old recycled guitar riffs, steel guitar, and the stale pop/country formula. Those synthesizer washes, in several songs, provide an almost heavenly ambience that is appropriate and gorgeous for those songs. This collection is full of life-affirming positive tunes that never fail to brighten and soothe me. This is one of my most played cds and I selected the title track to be on my own compilation of favorite female vocalists. The duet with Gillian Welch is a delight, there's a Tex-Mex sounding tune, several life-affirming songs with spiritual references, a country/folk train song (This Ol' Train?), and more. This is a modern record by a real ARTIST who has rich and diverse influences, including folk and country. It is uplifting, rewarding, and satisfying. The lyrics are thoughtful, intelligent, and moving. The melodies are distinctive. The instruments are played well and it is well-produced with good sound. Kimmie's gentle but expressive voice is in fine form. This record is suitable for all ages and many tastes. Kimmie Rhodes is a beautiful person who has the courage to follow her muse on several songs that owe little to traditional country. This was my first Kimmie Rhodes record and I have 2 more already. I even found her exceptional website where I can get any of her cds autographed. I noticed she has a new record of duets with Willie Nelson. Those of you who can't stand any synthesizer sounds can always wait for the Dixie Chicks to do some screechy-voiced cover versions of these wonderful songs. I'm lucky. I believe there is music for every mood. This record is perfect for a certain peaceful mood or getting into that mood.

with this album. I had never heard of her before, until one day my husband brought home this CD. The tunes in this collection are melodic, uplifting, and relaxing at the same time. Great to listen to when feeling stressed. It is one of our favorites. I especially enjoy the title track, Rich From the Journey, Espiritu Santo Bay, and I'm So Amazed.

It's important to let go of any cynicism you might have to appreciate this album fully.

I am a fan of Kimmie's previous albums and at first missed the "gutsy rootsiness" present in that earlier work, as this album is musically lighter (though impeccably produced and crafted by Kimmie's son Gabe).

Lyrically though, it is highly advanced and together the songs form a kind of concept album of meditations on life and death, this world and the next.

The sheer positivity of the lyrics form a great recipe for living life and to see the world as Kimmie does in these songs is, in my opinion, truly a way to deep personal happiness.

Kimmie is obviously not a person to be pinned down or categorised into one type of music. I look forward to discovering whatever she comes up with next and shall certainly be using this album as one of my aids to my own personal growth and happiness.

Apparently this 2000 offering was substantially different from Kimmie's earlier efforts. However, since this is my introduction to a delightful singer/songwriter, I have no preconceptions to be dashed. Instead, I find a woman singing about spirituality in a very personal and entrancing way. From the cover & insert photos of Kimmie walking in the water with her guitar, there is a sense of freedom & connection with the beauty of nature. On the high profile track, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings join Kimmie to sing the sweet "God's Acre." Its sweet simple melody & loping beat give an old-timey gospel feel that would be at home on Iris DeMent's "Lifeline" CD, "There is a pathway straight & narrow leading to the golden streams, There is a mansion ready for me in the valley fair & sweet." Produced by her son Gabe Rhodes, "Rich from the Journey" achieves a laid-back feel that harkens as much to San Luis Obispo as it does Kimmie's native Lubbock, Texas. "The Wonderful Sound" has a slow gorgeous melody, "Let your faith resound, make a joyful sound, one wish for peace is all we need to turn our world around today." The set concludes with the chugging "Bells of Joy" that'll set your toe tapping as you throw your arms skyward in praise. My favorite track is "Shine All Your Light" that marries a slow dreamy melody, Kimmie's trembling vocals and an exquisitely uplifting lyric, "Here under Heaven's eyes, down under Paradise, sometimes it seems like we're so small, Here on the shores that reach into infinity, how could we matter much at all? Would it be enough if each of us would give our love?" "I'm So Amazed" is a spiritually fragrant midtempo lighthearted romp that makes me hit the repeat button. "Rich from the Journey" is a satisfying set that deepens the more it saturates the sonic soul. Enjoy!

I had never heard of Kimmie until I found this CD and I LOVE it. She has a gorgeous voice and the music is soft and relaxing. I love every song on it and the addition of Gillian Welch only makes it better. Both are different and not run of the mill artists.

After "West Texa Heaven" I was looking forward to Kimmie Rhodes' next album. Once "Rich From the Journey" was released, I waited for sample audio cuts to appear. They never materalized so I eventually took a chance. That was a mistake.

I think this album was appropriatly described by a previous reviewer (Wick Smith). It is devoid of melody and nearly unlistenable. It's a big disappointment for me.

About $15 poorer.

I was shocked that a CD so well received by others here, and associated in some way with Stacey Earle and Gillian Welch, could be so disappointing. This is one of the few CDs that actually made me angry as I listened to it. The lyrics are vapid "flower child" rhymes, matched perfectly to the liner visuals which are also fuzzy and incoherent. Arrangements are syrupy sweet.

Musically, there is also little of interest here. It is sort of ultra-mellow folk country new age etherial wallpaper. And I have a high wisp threshold. I can happily listen to Enya or Maire Brennan, or Sarah McClaughlin. But this is even less edgy than those. Kimmie has a whispering lower register and very restricted range: something I seldom notice unless it is extreme. My verdict: this is Disney elevator dentist waiting room BGM.

I'm going to read those other glowing listener comments one more time and see if I can reconcile any of it with what I heard.

Having so brilliantly captured the essences of West Texas on her previous LP, this effort is a huge disappointment. Rhodes abandons her edgy country sound for soft, meandering instrumentation and melodies that often go nowhere, much like new age music. The lyrical content is filled with treacly '70s spiritualism, and Rhodes often reduces her delicate voice to an overweening whisper.

Those who were attracted to Rhodes' "West Texas Heaven" by the keenness of her poetic observations and the rootsy sound with which they were presented will find little to like here. Unless, of course, you also happen to like mellow, somewhat saccharine, idealism.

If you expect anything like Kimmie's earlier work (that I love), then
do not buy this before giving it a listen. I bought it unheard and gave it away after. This is more new age and if you like that, then this may be for you, but it did nothing for me.