Customer Reviews

Soul's Core

5 star:		(79)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

Soul's Core may be the first album you've heard from singer/songwriter, Shawn Mullins, but it's not his first CD. I first heard Shawn play at Oxford Books in Atlanta in 1993. I was walking through the bookstore and found myself getting into the music, then I realized it was coming live from upstairs. When I finally found the source, I was amazed at the richness of his voice and the expression of his lyrics.

Over the past 5 years, I've seen Shawn grow as a guitar player, a singer, and a person. Many of his songs are autobiographical, relating directly to his life experiences or those of his friends. With each CD, Shawn opens up a little more. His sense of humor and keen observations about people result in highly visual lyrics that stay with you long after the music has stopped. He paints pictures with his words that are as vivid as anything I've ever seen on canvas.

It may sound corny, but Shawn is as much a poet and philosopher as he is a musician. Sure, he's introspective, but that's a nice change from the empty teen-aged angst we usually get on the radio. What we get in Soul's Core (and the other four CDs Shawn has released) is an evolving picture of an artist struggling to find happiness and meaning in his life just like the rest of us. A better name for Shawn's band would've been Soul's Core because that is exactly what he spends most of his time trying to find.

Don't let the purity of his voice or the parts where he speaks instead of sings sidetrack you - this man is a powerful performer. When you get a chance to see him in person, make sure you're near the front. Seeing him perform and hearing him talk about this songs will make you visit them over and over again. And he can entertain. One time I saw Shawn cause an audience to explode with excitement simply by humming a heartfelt rendition of the Jefferson's theme song.

It may be because I heard them this way first, but I like most of these songs with just Shawn and his guitar. I think it's sad that we can't get acoustic solo music on major radio stations without the singer being backed by a band. However, I'm always glad to hear David Patterson and his magical electric guitar (the one that even sounds like a banjo sometimes). David is an incredibly gifted, classically trained guitar player who deserves a Windham Hill album or two of his own. For now, I'm glad to see him playing with Shawn. They have just begun to show us what they can do. The band is solid on "Soul's Core," although some of you might find it a little mellow. They accent Shawn's voice without overpowering it, and add another level of richness to the songs. I saw them in concert at the Variety Playhouse when Columbia picked up "Soul's Core" and I can assure you that they can jam. After the band spends more time together, I expect they will collaboratively create some more band-oriented music.

Shawn Mullins never stays the same. With each album, I find Shawn challenging me to keep up with his growth as a musician. I didn't like it much when he added the occasional talking to his songs when I first heard him do it, but then I started listening to the words and how Shawn sings them even when he speaks them. I must respectfully disagree with the reviewer who said anyone could play a guitar and talk - that's an opinion of someone who doesn't understand that music is not always a continuous stream of noise. Shawn can play a guitar faster and more masterfully than anyone I've ever seen (except maybe David Patterson), but that's not his only instrument for making music. He uses his voice and even the quiet moments between notes to make music that will weave its way into your soul.

"Soul's Core" is the album that introduces Shawn to the rest of the world (outside of his coffee house gigs). He will surpass it in quality and complexity. Don't approach "Soul's Core" with so many preconceptions of what a band should be. What you will find is purity in the music; the essence of song - insightful lyrics, expressive instrumentation, and a rich voice that will stick inside your head long after the music stops playing.

If you're into Shawn Mullins, I also highly recommend "Big Blue Sky."

I kited this CD from my oldest brother while I was still in high school, traveled with it cross-country after graduation, dreamt about it while it was in storage during Basic Training, and savoured it once I got my paws on it again during AIT. After that, it found a permanent home in my car CD case, while another copy lives right next to my stereo in the house. It's a CD that has survived the test of time. From a brilliant cover of Kris Kristofferson's "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down", to everyone's standards of "Lullabye" and "Shimmer" (brilliant in it's own way), to my personal favourite, "Tannin Bed Song", this CD speaks of a life well lived thus far, and while slightly road weary, still has many miles, a few fixed tires and oil changes left.

After spending years listening to the widest of music genres, I continue to fall back to this album as my favorite amongst them all. I had the chance to meet Shawn when he played at Summerfest in Milwaukee years ago, and he is the most down-to-earth musician I have met, local or national. That made me want to dive deeper into this album, and I was not disappointed.
Shawn creates a musical landscape of our country, taking you through trials and travels with a sincere tone and engaging vignettes. San Francisco, Seattle, Twin Rocks, Kansas, Lousiana, trains, trailers, transcontinental car rides- you wonder where he hasn't been. And yet, it's basically one man and his guitar singing his heart out to you, telling stories that bleed with tangibility and emotion. He's ridden the trains, done the casual drugs, drank his share, and took the time to look back and retell the tales.
As for the music specifically, 'Lullabye' and 'Shimmer' are the better-known tracks, but the magic lies in the other tracks as well. 'Soul Child' overflows with heart and sincerity; 'Patrick's Song' translates tears and loneliness into chords and lyrics convincingly and completely; 'You Mean Everything To Me' makes time stand still with its directness and gentle affection; 'Twin Rocks, Oregon' puts you right on the train with them to look back, laugh, feel sentimental and chuckle at 'ain't life funny'.
I never grow tired of this album because it never fails to sweep me up and take me with it. Commercialism and intangible elements deny that power to other recordings of his, but this one is truly special.

Man, I was taken by surprise when I first heard this CD. I was familiar with "Lullaby", and definitely thought it was original, but wouldn't have bought the CD on that song alone. A buddy sat me down one day and played the first 5 or 6 tunes for me one day on a good stereo, and I've been hooked since. This is an excellent collection of music, one that my collection will never be without. The first time I heard "Twin Rocks, Oregon", I got cold chills! When he kicks it in vocally at the end, it is special to say the least. I got the chance to see him live at the 9:30 Club in D.C. right as "Lullably" was hitting it big-time. He was sick that night, and still brought the house down! There are very few performers out there who are talented enough to actually be considered a true "One-Man Show", and Shawn Mullins is one of these people. He is every bit as entertaining with just a Mic and a guitar, as with a full band. I've since bought his entire collection, and HIGHLY recommend most of them, including "Big Blue Sky", and "Eggshells".

And I'd be willing to wager that those that panned this CD have a Vanilla Ice or CD (or something of the sort) floating around their collections, because no true music lover can deny that there is some very good work on this CD.

I heard LULLABY on the radio and was sure that it was my friend John Trudell, Native-American rap-poet. Same nasal coyote-mischief in the voice, sardonic brushstrokes ("kinda like Nashville...with a tan.")

When I learned that it was a guy named Mullins, I sought out the CD and found it to be wholly original and wonderful material. TWIN ROCKS, OREGON best exemplifies Mullins' gift as storyteller, at times a Kerouac with a guitar.

This guy sculpts his work from the real clay and it rings true on a visceral level.

But I would be remiss not to recommend John Trudell's GRAFFITI MAN if the listener likes music-poetry in this style, but with a more defiant edge.

I just opened Soul's Core today and am on my third listen. Shawn Mullins voice is peaceful and moving and as I purchased this CD for Lullaby and Shimmer, I was very pleased to find the balance of the music excellent. To find a recording that is enjoyable all the way through is a rare thing and the fact that the artist thanked the positive commentary on this site shows how much class this man actually has. This one is a must for your collection!

What does it mean when a CD's reviews are a mess of 5 star and 1 star ratings? I think it means that you are listening to art, and some folks don't want art. They want cookie cutter music. This ain't that. Shawn's lyrics read like poetry - incredibly well constructed and intelligent poetry. Take a closer listen, and then listen as carefully to all of the other "songwriters" on the radio. No hiding the lyrics behind a wall of overly-produced instrumentation on this album. Shawn uses very few "near" rhymes and a healthy dose of internal rhymes, often even writing in an AABBA pattern - a form which can be awfully difficult to construct without sounding forced. And what a storyteller! My favorite track? The Tanning Bed Song. Listen to the way he plays with that "weather" image throughout the story. Do you find yourself caring about Maria? The kids? I do! This CD sounds like nothing else I own, and it rarely leaves my car player.

Being from Mississippi, I was raised listening to similar music...acoustic guitars and a soulful voice have always been things I've found beautiful. Soul's Core encompasses all of the feelings for music and life that I've known...Lullaby and Shimmer pulled me in, but they're not the only songs worth playing repeatedly :-) Buy it. You'll listen to it constantly...

Shawn is a master of the story telling song, and a great guitar player! This CD spends a lot of time in my player!

As I'm sitting here listening to this cd once again of so many many times I wanted to let you know that this is one fantastic piece of work. I had bought this cd for just the song Lullaby and was very pleasantly surprised to find that the whole thing is well worth listening to...I truly love every single song. This has got to be one of my favorite cd's in a long time and it is well worth the money!