Southside Sessions [EP]

Charlie Sexton

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 1, 2006)
• Original Release Date: August 1, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: EP
• Label: Back Porch
• ASIN: B000GEU6GS
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #35,490 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This acoustic one-off from Back Porch labelmates Charlie Sexton and Shannon McNally was conceived after a short joint tour where they shared the stage for part of the set. Their label's name is an ideal description of this casual meeting of the minds--it seems like microphones were set up in a country yard on a gray Sunday morning as the two musicians discarded their stage personas and modest star trappings to revel in the love of making music. The songs are a mix of originals from each artist, along with a few similarly themed covers from others such as Townes Van Zandt ("No Place to Fall") and Jesse Winchester ("Biloxi" works as a perfect post-Katrina lament from ex-New Orleans resident McNally). Echoes of Gram Parsons's classic work with Emmylou Harris abound, but the Southside Sessions sound is more somber, sorrowful, and folksy, with touches of gospel-styled passion. The peaceful yet emotionally charged vibe is aided by solemn piano and barely-there percussion to help flesh out these naked performances. Sexton's flinty voice meshes surprisingly well with McNally's more classic husky country twang to produce a short but bittersweet half-hour of songs that linger long after the last note fades. --Hal Horowitz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Shades of D&B, October 3, 2006

By	M. Gaines (Alabama, United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Charlie Sexton and Shannon McNally have created one of the most soulful and charming pieces of music to see the light of day in 2006. Throughout the album one is reminded of the trail that Bonnie and Delaney blazed upon with "Motel Shot" and "Homecoming" in the late 60's.
Enjoyable, heart inflected music for those who seek solace in homestyle soul and real music for unreal times.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Snuck up and GOT me, August 15, 2006

By	Lee Watkins "From the Land of Pleasant Living" (Severna Park, Maryland USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is one of those recordings that's low-key, quiet at first but builds up a tidal wave of emotion eventually sweeping over you and demanding your attention. But fear not, you'll be smiling and tapping your foot rather than gasping for air! It's definitely a Charlie Sexton production since he plays most of the instruments and his vocals are prominent in several of the songs. It's somewhat more straight-ahead Americana than Shannon's usual funky, bluesy/rootsy stuff. I sure hope they tour together as a followup to this CD, because it would be a beautiful thing.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good, September 25, 2006

By	alexander laurence (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

I have been a fan of the music of Charlie Sexton and also Shannon McNally. It was odd to see them hook up and work on an album together. Sexton had been touring with Bob Dylan for a while. He released a album last year himself. They were on the same label and they toured together. So some new collaboration was bound to happen. Here it is. In a year with a bunch of musical crossed stars, with Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, here is another quality album. It's short. Only seven songs. "Nothing Mysterious" is an old Sexton song where they both sing together. McNally sings solo on "Old Cypress Tree." They do a cover of a song by Townes Van Zandt. This is a very good record. I look forward to more from these artists.