Customer Reviews

Somewhere Near Paterson

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Richard Shindell gets better and better. His last album, "Reunion Hill," was spectacular, and I bought this album quite worried that he was going to be falling apart on it, as so few artists manage to follow up good albums well. Shindell managed to surprise me, though, in putting together what is without a doubt the best new album I have purchased in the past three years. The songs on this album have an amazing variety of mood and style, ranging from rock (Confession) to traditional folk (Calling the Moon) to a brief little Celtic piece (Spring). The lyrics are astounding, particularly in "Transit," the standout track on the album, and the one that the title image comes from. Shindell is, to my mind, the best male singer-songwriter out there today. If you are at all a fan of folk music, this album is an essential for your collection. Get it. Now.

It's hard to imagine that he could top 1997's Reunion Hill, but Shindell and producer Larry Campbell have done it, this time leaving behind the more Nashville-like aspects of that earlier album for a more mature and somewhat less radio-frienly feel on "Somewhere Near Paterson."

The lead off track (and first single) "Confession" is a dark journey through the spiritual and psychological impotence of a man living in the fast track. "Abuelita" tells the story of an Argentinian grandmother looking for her grandchild who was taken away and raised by the army captain who killed her parents. "Transit," a later song on the album, is a story of road rage that is at once humorous and then deeply spiritual.

Shindell takes complete ownership of the songs on this album, making the two covers seem like something he would have written himself, had they not already been done. The first, Buddy and Julie Miller's "My Love Will Follow You," is a love song where one of the parties is completely unsure about the love. Dar Williams' "Calling the Moon" is one of the more inscrutable songs on the album, but much like Shindell's earlier "On a Sea of Fleur-de-Lis" conjures questions that cannot really be answered.

This album also has Shindell's first instrumental, a moody piece well suited to both Shindell's guitar style and to Campbell's production.

The sound on this album is sumptuous, and bears close scrutiny, long hours spent listening on high quality headphones. This is one for the ages.

There's a tired old saying that goes, "I may not know a lot about art, but I know what I like." That holds true for me and folk music. I don't know a lot of it. I haven't heard that much. I never heard of Richard Shindell until I saw him with Cry Cry Cry in concert. But I picked this CD up at a Starbucks, and then listened to it for three days straight. I like this album.

Shindell's musical style is very personal, and his voice conveys his lyrics straight from the heart. The entire album is very listenable. It makes good laid back background music for driving or working, and it's equally enjoyable to focus on the songs themselves, hearing the stories he tells, listening to the man sing.

I don't think there's a weak song on the whole album, with the possible exception of the instrumental, which works much better in the capacity of background music, or viewed as simply a lead-in to the next song. Some songs are of course better than others. Shindell has a couple songs by other artists, including "My Love Will Follow You" which is a great song when RS does it, and Dar Williams's "Calling the Moon," which also appears on Dar's album, "The Green World" (which was released after Somewhere Near Paterson), and is maybe less great when RS does it. Speaking of Dar Williams, she and Lucy Kaplanski (also members of Cry Cry Cry with Shindell) both make appearances doing background vocals on this album, and their distinctive voices blend well with Shindell's.

Folk is not my personal favorite style of music, but this album is easy to get into. I'll have to check out Shindell's earlier albums and see if they're as good as this one is.

Folk-lovers needn't have worried that Richard Shindell was going to go south after his solo masterpiece, "Reunion Hill," or his work with Lucy Kaplansky and Dar Williams on "Cry,Cry,Cry." This CD is longer on instrumental work, but that's not a bad thing. Although Shindell's major appeal may well be as a craftsman of words, he's also growing as a guitarist, as anyone who has seen one of his recent live shows knows. Some of the music shows a lively Celtic influence, and some, like "Confession" is slightly harder-edged rock than usual from Shindell. I really like his version of Julie & Buddy Miller's "My Love Will Follow You" for its depth and simplicity. Shindell's narratives here are wonderful -- witness "Waiting for the Storm" and "Abuelita" and "The Grocer's Broom." In 2 words: Buy it!

Somewhere Near Paterson isn't just Richard Shindell's best album; it's one of the best albums of 2000 (and not just folk, either). When so much of today's music is deliberately adolescent and whining, it's good to hear music being made by *adults. Here are intelligent observations, wry humour, and an ability to get under the skin of the people Shindell's writing about. This is not 'easy listening'; Shindell has an unflinching eye (although compassion is never far away). 'Transit' -- like Godard's 'Weekend' if it was scripted by Don DeLilo -- may well be the most extraordinary song you'll hear all year. And Richard is, of course, an extraordinarily fine singer. And hey, let's hear it for Larry Campbell, both as producer and guitarist! I'm not one for uncritical raves, but Somewhere Near Paterson is damn near flawless -- the kind of record you'll play daily for months.

I can't believe there aren't more reviews for this album (I'd give it ten stars if I could). Isn't anyone buying it? It hasn't been out of my CD-player since it arrived from Amazon three weeks ago. Richard Shindell is one of the best singer-songwriters working today and this tops the hat-trick of his first three albums (all worth buying, by the way, along with "Cry, Cry, Cry"). The crystal-clear production, excellent playing and magnificent melodies make "Somewhere Near Paterson" really stand out. Shindell's songs are powerful and haunt you throughout the day. They're beautifully written, full of amazing images (especially "Transit" on this album). I can't imagine anyone coming out with anything better this year.

"Confessions" and "My Love Will Follow You" are the strongest tracks. There is also the poignant "You Stay Here," about survival and family, and "Transit." Shindell has a knack for crafting haunting and compelling stories and music. This is a very gifted singer/songwriter. "Lately I've been thinking, something has to give....I left the doors ajar, sitting here in this rocking chair waiting for the storm." Powerful. I cannot believe I'm just discovering his music now. I just received this CD and have been playing it over and over in the car, feeling more enriched after each listening experience. I've ordered his live CD "Courier" which I understand is even better! I look forward to seeing him in concert some day soon too.

The lyrics are very meaningful and not like the tripe we see in commercial music nowadays. The excellent music enhances the lyrics, taking them to another level. There is almost a blunt honesty in his music that shines through very graciously. As one reviewer said, this is "great music to listen to on a summer night in the car with the windows open." Congrats on an excellent recording Mr. Shindell :) Your music is a true treasure.

I actually bought this at Starbucks after reading reviews of, and listening to samples from, other RS discs. When, not more than two hours after reading/listening and opting for the known quantity of Shawn Colvin, I found this sitting on a rack by the cash register, and couldn't resist. I'm glad I didn't. Gorgeously evocative guitar, a voice that sounds a lot like Michael Stipe after a half-carton of cigarettes, and songs like "Abuelita," which still gives me chills, have me looking for more of Shindell.

I can't tell you how impressed I am with Mr. Shindell's latest album. Instead of drifting off into lyrical chaos or socio-political tonguewagging, Shindell keeps witing songs about HUMAN EXPERIENCE (and keeps getting better at doing it). This album "sings" with what it means to be human, particularly "Wisteria" and "Transit." One of the best of the year so far!

For Richard Shindell fans, this is probably his best solo effort to date. I love it. For those of you not yet acquainted with him, he has one of the strongest, most memorable voices in contemporary folk, and is a killer songwriter to boot. Also try the Cry,Cry,Cry CD which is one of the best folk CD I have purchased in the last year or so.