Customer Reviews

Runnin' From the Devil

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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.

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.

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.

O'Keefe returns after an extended recording hiatus with what may well be the strongest record of his career. This disc is full of subtle charms - finely crafted turns of phrase, evocative imagery, subtle construction, memorable storytelling, carefully structed arrangments that support the songs without ever getting in there way.
The cumulative effect of O'Keefe's craftsmanship is an album that will remind you of the strongest efforts of the singer/songwriter tradtion of the '70s, focused by the sensibilities of a mature writer. As such, regret, rememberance, and revere are reoccurring themes.
O'Keefe's prior recordings have varied wildly, his tunes oscillating between the brilliant and the pedestrian. Don't let that track record discourage you from picking up on this one. The tunes on RFTD range from the remarkable to memorable, without a weak cut in sight. This is the real deal.

For my money, Danny O'Keefe has long been one of the most neglected and underappreciated of singer-songwriters. Not by his peers - they've always had the good taste to cover his tunes, and no less than Bob Dylan shares a cowriting credit on this new album. But only one of O'Keefe's early albums is currently available on U.S. CD, and while other second-rate contemporaries rate the box-set treatment, the body of his work remains criminally unavailable. Hopefully that will change with "Runnin' From the Devil." Here all of Danny O'Keefe's strengths are amply evident - intelligent lyrics, beautiful melodies, heartfelt vocals and fine guitar playing - but there is also a warmth that was sorely lacking from his last record "The Day to Day", whose excellent songs were undermined by a techno-pop sheen. "Runnin' From the Devil" is a treasure-trove from a mature artist at the top of his game, and all the hordes of younger singer-songwriters should take this one to the 'shed. Welcome back, Dan. May this one be the charm.

The new CD "Runnin From the Devil" by Danny O'Keefe is a welcome treat from one of the most talented yet least recognized singer/songwriters in modern music. On this CD Danny hits us squarely in the heart with songs such as "Sheila", "Souvenirs" and "Hard Words". These songs express love and regret with a clarity that is rare and touching. It is my opinion that "Pieces of the Rain" is one of the most engaging ballads I have ever heard. "Well, Well, Well" (co-written with Bob Dylan) is a warning about the environment and the dangerous course of self destruction we may find ourselves facing if we continue. "Never Got of the Ground" describes the dreams that all of us have which life refuses to grant. I think "Outlaw" is also a rather telling song about being in and out of love and fame, I suspect. The lyrics on this CD are poetry, plain and simple. Danny O'Keefe has the ability to draw us into his life and his experience and we are better for it. I treasure every cut this man has ever done. Welcome back Danny.....we have missed you.

What a pleasure to once again be able to listen to mature, intelligent music from my favorite poet/singer/songwriter. Danny's new CD, Runnin' From the Devil, is everything I hoped for and then some. His emotional range is on display for all to hear. Life is the theme of this great musical journey. Love and regret ring true in cuts like "Sheila" (my personal favorite), "Souvenirs" and "Hard Words". "Never Got Off the Ground" is an anthem to dreams that life refuses to grant. "Well, Well, Well", co-written with Bob Dylan, is a clear warning that if we continue to ignore environmental issues we ultimately harm only ourselves. Every cut is important and fulfilling in its own way. It's not just the words, but also the voice of experience that really make this a special work.

It is safe to say that Danny O'Keefe's "Runnin' From the Devil" will quench the thirst of all of those hungering to rise above the mediocrity that we are forced to hear on today's music scene. Welcome Back Danny, we have missed you. Please don't stay away so long next time.

I first heard of Danny back when I was in college in 1970. He had an album out then I wore out that had shooting Star and Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues on there. I liked some of the songs, but not all. In the early years I think his songs were hit and miss some being great and others very forgetable. The album out that is titled Danny O'Keefe is frankly not very good except for Good Time Charlie. It isn't the same as the one I had and has different songs on it.
That has all changed and Danny O'Keefe has grown up and matured into an outstanding musician. Runnin' With the Devil is one of my all time favorite albums from all artists. I've been playing it often for the last two years and never grow tired of it. Every tune on there has very well written lyrics that truly have deep meaning and some my generation has to come to grips with like, " You Can't Out Run The Years." His voice is one of a kind and the music is magical. I love every song on this album and there aren't any fillers. This is a classic album so don't miss it. Danny O'keefe is at the top of his game here and I so hope he will do more like this one. Thanks Danny for a cd I truly enjoy and treasure. If you haven't discovered Danny O'Keefe, start here with the best!

Danny O'Keefe offers a collection of songs that keep the overall tone one of sober reflection and occasional melancholy. At first glance it might seem a difficult album to enjoy, especially all in one sitting. To the contrary, O'Keefe is as much a storyteller as he is a musician and lyricist. The stories are enthralling as well as moving. It is this exquisite balance and the finely crafted melodies that allow the songs to rise above their subject matter, letting the listener nod in sympathy without being overwhelmed by the poignancy.

This CD is a typical wonderful Danny O'Keefe collection. What I am extremely disappointed is the condition that the case arrived in. It was broken and I had to sacrifice another case from a CD to get this one corrected. I left feedback to the shipper and they, of course, didn't bother to contact me.