Song of the Blackbird

William Elliott Whitmore | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 29, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Southern Records
• ASIN: B000GCF908
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,466 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The organic musical progression of this young, rural Iowan continues to impress. Though he has yet to reach 30, his gravelly voice; themes of mortality, loss, and redemption; and spare accompaniment on banjo and guitar evoke an era before electricity and indoor plumbing. Yet there's a melodic warmth and spirit of renewal here that was nowhere to be heard on Whitmore's two previous albums. As the song cycle proceeds from drought to flood, the musical narrator even proclaims himself a "happy feller" at one point, though happiness remains barely a glimmer throughout much of his music. Both the stunning "The Chariot" (which puts a darker spin on "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and "Will the Circle Be Unbroken") and "Red Buds" benefit from the backing of keyboardist Dave Zollo and drummer John Crawford, while the thematically pivotal instrumental, "And Then the Rains Came," adds electronic atmospherics and sound effects over a repetitive guitar drone. From the elegy for a dying breed of "Rest His Soul" to the closing meditation on loss and memory in "Everyday," Whitmore continues to craft a remarkable body of work. --Don McLeese

Product Description

Vinyl version includes an amazing 32 page book of Will's lyrics from all 3 of his Southern albums. --This text refers to the Vinyl edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Release Yet, August 31, 2006

By 

S. Stone (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Song of the Blackbird (Audio CD)

On his third release, William Elliott Whitmore continues to earn his reputation as one of the best voices in American music. This album expands his sound, adding more instrumentation, and at the same time sticks to its roots. Even "And Then The Rains Came", on which Will decides to rest his voice, evokes a feeling that makes it clear the song belongs on the record. The optimism seen in small doses on previous records shines through in songs like "Dry", "Take It On The Chin", and "Lee County Flood"; while Will's bluesy roots are evident in "One Man's Shame".

This is, overall, a mighty fine record. Buy it. And if you have the opportunity, see him perform these songs live. His shows are even better.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Our best selling record of 2006!!!, April 23, 2007

By 

Record Collector (Iowa City, Iowa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Song of the Blackbird (Audio CD)

Whitmore released 2 records this year, "Song of the Blackbird" and "Hallways of Always". They are were our top 2 sellers of 2006, for a reason.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy his record and watch him live!, October 20, 2006

By 

Hyrum Thompson "The Concubine" (SLC, UT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Song of the Blackbird (Audio CD)

This guy has a wonderful voice. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend watching him live!