14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Too long gone!, April 5, 2000
This review is from: Runnin' From the Devil (Audio CD)
When Allison Krause recently covered "Never Got Off the Ground" on her latest superb album, it sparked the question, "Is this an old, recently resurrected song or is Danny O'Keefe alive and writing"? (I had heard rumor that he was dead.) This disk proves that Mr. O'Keefe is indeed alive and still writing with attention to the inner workings of human heart that he brought to the songs on "Breezy Stories", "American Roulette" and "Song Long Harry Truman". This trio of masterworks stands out among the recorded works of any of O'Keefe's contemporaries, and "Runnin' From the Devil" is a worthwhile addition to the canon. These songs brim with insight and humanity. And then there's that voice which captures melancholy as effectively as any singer ever has. Order this CD now and join the cadre of fans who relish the works of this master musician and songwriter.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
O'KEEFE IS AN AMERICAN TREASURE, February 19, 2000
This review is from: Runnin' From the Devil (Audio CD)
This long-awaited album (his first since the mid-80's) is his most powerful and moving work. All of O'Keefe's albums are more than "song collections." Each has the scope and depth of a great novel or film. I was especially taken with the title track, his collaboration with Dylan (a song called "Well Well Well") and a ballad called "Pieces of the Rain," one of the greatest (and saddest) songs ever written.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Keep On Writing and Performing, May 26, 2001
This review is from: Runnin' From the Devil (Audio CD)
I've been a Danny O'Keefe fan for about 30 years. His disappearance in recent years is well noted by his other fans in the reviews below. Besides having a very fine voice, he's an unusually talented lyricist. A number of his songs are truly memorable, such as: "Magdalena", "The Road", "Louie the Hook", "All My Friends", "Angel Spread Your Wings", "Mad Ruth/The Babe", "Good Time Charlie", etc., etc. He's a truly gifted songwriter and singer.
When I first heard this CD I sort of thought, "Well this is nice, but the old guy is slowing down a bit. The voice is cracking just a little. Not the biting irony/sarcasm of his youth." All of which is somewhat true, but the more I listened to this CD the more I realized how good it really is. Lots of wisdom and hard won truths in the songs. And the renditions are very beautiful. I think he's showing his wear with age--like many of us. But there can be great beauty and understanding with wear and age. All of his albums are very good. But I like this album as much as any of them. I would put it put there with "Breezy Stories".
There's not a bad song on the CD. "Sheila" is a lovely heartbreak song. "Pieces of the Rain" and "Can't Outrun the Years" are fine songs as well. "Outlaw" might be my favorite song on the CD. I suspect it's one of Danny's favorites. It applies not only to aging male musicians but all "players" of both sexes. Great writing and a fine performance.
I hope Danny keeps producing lyrics and music until the end of his days. If I'm still around, I'll be listening.
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