Customer Reviews

Seductive Reasoning

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is contained on this brief breath of spring air. maggie Roche was writing songs that, had she sustained the power of this record and the first ROCHES record would have made her more of a legend than she is today. Combining puns with sharply etched detail, subtle psychological study and nerd humor, SEDUCTIVE REASONING breaks all the rules and comes out winning!

"West Virginia," a portrait of a suyicide in shorthand, tells a life-story in 3 or so minutes, and like life is unresolved, filled with gaps, and yet somehow COMPLETE. Terre Roche, on the last note of this song (the word "see" held out for an eternity)and everywhere she sings, was for one brief moment the most GORGEOUS singer of her generation. Only Sandy Denny, Tim Buckley, Aretha Franklin, Joni Mitchell, Otis Redding, Linda Thompson or one or two others have ever come close to her sparrow-flight singing on this record. What "West Virginia" does for a life at its end, "Down the Dream" does for two lives intertwined by love and racial bigotry.

Maggie's disturbingly deep voice packs a whallop of its own, whether on the (still) funny Paul Simon produced "If You Emptied Out All Your Pockets" or the poignant (and it really is poignant) "Jill of All Trades." "Malachy's," "Underneath the Moon" and "Telephone Bill" sound like mountain streams having a hot date.

If you were young in the 1970's and feel (like I do) a somewhat conflicted streak of nostalgia for that decade, then this is the album for you. One listen will bring memories back, of all the hitchhiking, the natural foods restaurants, the constant search for some kind of lost Arcadian dream--and the hangover from the 70's, the unfulfilled wishes and unrealized hopes.

This is the first Roche sisters effort (before Suzzy joined) and it was produced by Paul Simon. It has more of a beat and a bounce than the subsequent Roches' albums; it's loosey-goosey but it doesn't have the kind of vaudeville kitsch that the sisters put on many of their releases. Maggie and Terre sing these eclectic songs as if they'd lived them--and, given the times, they probably did.

The two Roches stretch out comfortably on these songs, and they both shine. Maggie uses the full range of her remarkable voice, and solos on one of her most poignant songs, "Jill of All Trades." Terre's soprano is featured on "West Virginia".

All of the songs are full of verve and humor, particularly "Wiggling Man", "Telephone Bill", "If You Emptied Out All Your Pockets..." There are many priceless bits of wisdom among the lyrics, and there is a "country rock" sound to the album that the Roches have never revisited.

So this is my advice: find this album somehow, and listen to it. Have a glass of wine, and if you want to read something, "Fast Lanes" by Jayne Anne Phillips would go sensationally well with this music. All together, that should quench your "jones for the 70's" very nicely.

Anyone who likes the Roches, female harmonizing, melodies that demand you sing along, or clever/poignant lyrics should make locating this record their life's mission. How good is it? It's the only music I've purchased as an LP, a cassette, and a CD. GET THIS BACK IN PRINT!

This recording still moves me, after 20 years. I first bought it as a album in the late 70s. "Down the Dream" and "If You Emptied Out All Your Pockets Honey You Could Not Make the Change" are my two favorite songs, but every song is a gem -- not a clinker among them. A must recording for every Roches fan!

Next to "The Roches" and "Keep on Doing," this gem by the two older Roche sisters is the finest Roche-achievement to date. The strength of the Roche sisters is their incredible songwriting ability, their tight non-linear harmonies, and their cutting humor. This album has it all. My personal favorites are: Wigglin' Man, If You Empty Out All Your Pockets You Could Not Make Change, Telephone Bill, and Mountain People. Why in the world is this CD out of print???

I was fortunate enough recently to find a used CD version of this unforgettable musical pearl. Like the other reviewers here, I cannot imagine why CBS/Sony/whoever has allowed this to slip out of print. My first listen to the reacquired copy (I owned the LP years ago) took me straight back to the years when it spun constantly on my turntable. Half-remembered images of the Blue Ridge Mountains, nameless Appalachian hollers and early-morning, woodsmoke-tinged roads... all evoked by these beautiful exercises in melody and harmony.

Anyone with an appreciation for fine music - almost no matter what your favorite genre is - will be enchanted by this forgotten masterpiece from two of the Roche sisters. My personal favorite songs here are "Malachy's", "West Virginia" and "The Burden of Proof"... but you really can't lose with any track.

In short, this album is worth the considerable effort and expense required to find it, and at the moment I can't think of another album about which I would say as much.

So much has already been captured by the other reviewers but I had to add to the count because the album is that good.

This effort preceded the formation of the Roches as a trio (before little-sis Suzzy joined her sibs) and was originally released in 1975. Paul Simon thought enough of the girls to produce one of the tracks, which includes backup singing by the Oakridge Boys. The album includes tales of love and love-related woe from young ladies traveling the country.

The songwriting is nothing short of masterful. All tunes are written by Maggie (except one that is co-written with Terre) and the album is a real showcase of her prodigious talent -- the clever lyrical wordplay, the beautiful melodies and harmonies, the chord structures -- all of it. It demonstrates why she is truly one of the best songwriters to have ever come along.

The wonderful musicianship of both of the sisters is also well represented. There is solid acoustic guitar work by both of them and, with Maggie's meaningful piano contributions, it easily provides all of the instrumentation needed. The vocal prowess of both ladies is in glorious display as each has many featured moments singing lead and the harmonizations and sheer beauty of their voices are, at times, stunning.

Those familiar with the work of The Roches (the trio) will actually find this album to be a bit different but no less fabulous. The music is honest, intimate and quite sophisticated yet somehow simple. By that, I mean that it is easy to listen to and easy to feel but the feeling grows the more one listens (much like with the music of The Roches). As familiarity with this material increases, so does the appreciation of its intricacy and depth. There are so many finer points to feast upon but it is not crowded or cumbersome because it all flows so smoothly and with such beauty.

As a creator, Maggie Roche is a genius. (This point deserves its own paragraph.)

As musicians and vocalists, both Maggie and Terre are consummate performers and seem to effortlessly execute with proficiency and grace.

This album is a must-have for Roches fans and would quickly become a favorite of anyone that likes fine acoustic instrumentals and utterly exquisite vocals -- fans of folk and country music would be well pleased but, really, anyone that appreciates good music would have plenty to enjoy. Good music is good music. Do yourself a favor and don't miss this great sampling.

Hard to believe, but Maggie and Terre's album is even better than the trio's debut album, "The Roches". I first bought this as an LP, and finally found it on CD.

There are already 11 other 5 star reviews on Amazon so no reason to go into the content - excpt to say the the highlight track here is the lengthy :if You Empty Out All Your Pockets You Could Not Make The Change" (great title, eh?) the sole track produced by Paul Simon (and featuring the Oak Ridge Boys on backing vocals). (Other tracks were produced by two different sets of producers.

BUT the big news is that the CD has been remastered and is being released in new digipak packaging with new liner notes (very short.. but with the lyrics.. by Maggie Roche) on January 23rd.

Amazon has a policy of grouping ALL versions of a CD together so be aware of the DATE of any reviews you read. Though most of the reviews discuss the content, not the actual package or sound, you should take this into acount.

The new CD SOUNDS great! Nice to have it back in print!

I hope you found this review both entertaining and helpful.

Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"

I first heard this when I was a college student and it really resonated. Then I spent $66 or so to get this since it was out of print and I'd lost my copy years ago. These girls are very talented but this CD is truly a college girl's CD. I'm still glad I got it, but I'd recommend the later works of the Roches if you're over 21.