Customer Reviews

Shadows on a Dime

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I think it was Billboard magazine that once referred to Ferron as a "female Bob Dylan", for her singing style as much as for her lyrics. I found her to be somewhat comparable to folksinger Bill Morrissey, at least in delivery. These are easy parallels to make, although Ferron really defies being categorized.

"Shadows On A Dime" is a cipher -- there are multiple layers of storytelling here, tales of daring, heartbreak and redemption just beyond reach. Her writing is greatly compelling, deeply personal and often cryptic. Her vocal style is challenging - either you're open to it or you're not.

The title track is one of my all-time favorite songs, a great story accentuated by superb instrumentation. A deeply personal writer, Ferron is also an outstanding guitarist. What is missing from her recordings is her sense of humor, something that is readily apparent in her live performances.

This ablum accompanied me through college and stands as one of the true treasures of my music collection. It is thoughtful, thought-provoking and good company on rainy nights in November.

...But then, her fans all know this. Shadows on a Dime, one of her early works, contains several songs which still make me wonder how someone so young (at the time she recorded this) could also be so wise. Ferron's lyrics are poetry, art, plain and simple (but oh, how complex). Here, her youthful voice reveals a myriad of emotions which are just as relevant to today's listener as they were when this beautiful, soulful, sometimes poignant album first came out.
...When Ferron tours, she brings with her lots of out-of-print or hard-to-find CDs, so go catch her live if you can. However, until you do, buy this and any other Ferron CD you can find (especially "Impressionistic Ferron," a compilation of her greatest hits, so to speak, though the ones left off of that CD are also gems)-- particularly if you like deep, sometimes heartbreakingly honest folk songs.

Ferron's acclaimed 2nd Release established her as a great singer-songwriter. Includes the classics "Dreaming Back", "Snowin in Brooklyn", "I Never Was To Africa", "The Return", "Shadows On A Dime", "It Won't Take Long", etc. Categorizing rarely applies with the best music. If this release was to be, "Folk Rock" would do it justice. To a point. The songwriting, so fresh and unique, simply shines. A classic.

Shadows on a Dime is a classic and deserves listing in the National Recording Registry for its artistic, cultural, and historical significance. The Registry committee accepts public suggestions by email; search out their website and write them if you, too, believe that the artists who created and championed the significant genre we call "women's music" should be recognized, and their accomplished works preserved for the future.

I saw Ferron live in Seattle around 1985. I had never heard of her but a friend convinced me to go. This was by far one of the best shows I ever attended by anyone and this album is just fantastic.

This and Testimony are my favorite Ferron albums. Great songwriting, exquisite arrangements (folk with jazz and chamber music overtones)and arresting vocals. Even if you think you don't/won't like 'lesbian music', buy this! A good love song is a good love song! In no way is this music 'strident' or 'in your face'. Highest recommendation.

This is an old classic cd. Just awesome. Strong womyns theme sounds
beautiful.

I used to volunteer at KPFT 90.1 in Houston during the late 80's and early 90's. As such I had contact with many of the programmers and assisted many shows (including co-hosting a blues show on sundays) and got a very broad exposure to so-called "women's" music.

While much of the music could be interesting and intriguing, this particular artist puzzled me, as hers was neither. But according to the players of women's music at the station, this lady could walk on water. I just didn't get it. Her songwriting skills were fair, perhaps one can call her a poet, but she could not sing, and most of the songs just weren't that good. On top of that, her monotone voice and wierd hyper-articulation of the lyrics make it all very irritating in short order.

A very dear friend of mine (who is bi, not that there's anything wrong with that!) said it well: "I like women. I like music. But I don't like women's music." Definitely applies to this.

I remember buying a copy of this particular album on vinyl over 15 years ago (WHAT was I thinking?!?!?! Peer pressure no doubt!!) I recently came across it in a stack of vinyl records, while cleaning out a storage space. I dumped it at a resale shop, along with a whole batch of other "women's music" albums. Good riddance!!