Customer Reviews

Ripe for Distraction

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

 

 

This album is one of my favorites. Complex, intelligent (yes, smart is good!) lyrics and clever musical styles combined with memorable melodies (check out Three Monkeys) make this a winner. I've worn out two copies and given many to friends. Buy it, you won't be disappointed.

James Lee Stanely's 1990 album "Ripe Four Distraction" contains the best of his many strengths, sophisticated lyrics, strong folkish and jazzy instrumentation, and his own strong singing. James also had many of his friends sitting in for help on "Ripe," including Rita Coolidge, Stephen Bishop, and Timothy B Schmit, among others. If you subscribe to being known by the company you keep, then you can get a pretty good idea of where James comes from as a writer and singer.

If you are still puzzled, then perhaps you should listen to the vocal interplay of "Me and The Movie Queen" or the smooth instrumental title track. I have been long a fan of James' work, and though many CD's have entered and exited my disc collection over the decades, James Lee Stanely's have maintained permanent shelf space, and I have thought highly enough of them to give them as presents. Between "Simpatico" and "Ripe Four Distraction," these would be the two that I have gifted the most of. Give yourself a gift of music, and make it a ripe one....