Riverside Battle Songs

Ollabelle, Ollabelle | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 1, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Verve Forecast
• ASIN: B000G8NXFU
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,704 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

With the musical maturity of this sophomore release, Ollabelle extend their accomplishment of forging a singular style bridging folk and art songs from the talents of five singer-songwriters. While Amy Helm, daughter of the Band's Levon, boasts the highest-profile lineage, the two-woman, three-man band has the balance of a democratic collective, combining deep roots with soaring, sophisticated harmonies. "Troubles of the World," an elegiac reading of the traditional "Riverside," the call-and-response of "Gone Today," and the closing "Last Lullaby" reflect the spiritual underpinnings of the quintet's signature sound, but the stylistic range extends from the Caribbean lilt of the opening "See Line Woman" and the stately country waltz of "Heaven's Pearls" to the delta blues of "Fall Back" and the Celtic balladry of "Dream the Fall." Except for the lovesick "Blue Northern Lights" and the bittersweet delicacy of "Everything Is Broken," it's difficult to distinguish the band's arrangements of traditional material from the original songwriting that dominates. Larry Campbell, formerly of Bob Dylan's band, provides superb production and multi-instrumental support. --Don McLeese

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tremendous Sophomore Release!!!!, August 22, 2006

By 

Anna Louis "Annamusica" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Riverside Battle Songs (Audio CD)

Ollabelle has done it again. I truly enjoyed their first record because of its honesty and respect for the past but this record takes the band to a whole different level. Although very eclectic in nature, this quality works for, and not against the record as a whole. So many well crafted tunes on this one. Everything from the subtle anti-war protest sentiments of "Riverside" and "Dream the Fall" to the heartbroken "Blue Northern Lights and Northern Star" resonate with a beauty and restraint that is rare in modern record making. I can't recommend this one enough. Very happy that real music is still alive.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Getting Better, October 20, 2006

By 

Jeff Muller "musician and music lover" (Severna Park, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Riverside Battle Songs (Audio CD)

Each year, only a handful of new records really resonate deeply with me. Two years ago, one of those was Ollabelle's debut release. I'm happy to say that "Riverside Battle Songs" has now become one of those rarified records for '06. Everything about this band has improved as they have spent more time together: their songwriting, their harmonies, and their singing. This time around, Tony and Byron step up to the mic, and it's a welcome appearance. And Glenn's singing has become much stronger (he was good before) - in fact, on the closer he bears some resemblance to veteran New Orleans singer John Boutte, with whom he had worked in the past. And Amy and Fiona continue to strike a beautiful balance between sweetness and soul. Overall, this is a record that will bear years of listening... and I look forward to those years!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ollabelle and their Harmonies, September 14, 2006

By 

Charlotte A. Glassman "glassmac" (Troutman, NC USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Riverside Battle Songs (Audio CD)

I just discovered this group on XM Radio's The Bob Edwards Show. Does anyone hear a resemblance to Crosby, Stills and Nash with respect to some of the harmonies? Initially I struggled to figure out what I was reminded of in Ollabelle's style. The formal review posted on Amazon gave me the answer: Delaney and Bonnie. I have a vinyl recording of Motel Shots with Delaney and Bonnie along with Leon Russell that makes me want to compare the two bands. This is a Two Thumbs Up album that I will purchase.