Customer Reviews

Still Falling

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

 

 

I saw Virgil Shaw live at SxSW and I was absolutely stunned by his performance. His style is singular and if you buy this cd you WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. The music weaves dynamically through marvelous open spaces and it is evident that the band members listen to one another by the way they all play off each other and respect the silences that subtend the melodies. And lyrically he is in tune with philosophical themes that characterize our existence. He uses metaphors such as the idea of painting a picture, then getting lost inside it, and then having to walk away from it to expose the fraility of our own "painted" (created) lives. So this album is the extremely rare combination of new, new, different, melodies and arrangements that draw you in with both energy and pleasure AND lyrics that provoke thought in an indirect yet compelling way. Needless to say I bought two cds that night, and plan to keep watching Virgil's career for a long, long time.

I didn't like this cd at first, but I also purchased Quad Cities, so I popped that on in and was amazed I hadn't heard of this guy before. I didn't take it out of my cd player for weeks. Seriously. So I then gave Still Falling another shot and realized it was indeed different than their first cd, but equally amazing. I strongly recommend buying Quad Cities before this one....but won't be long before you're cravin some more Virgil. And seeing how this is your only other option, haha... I guess you could go ahead and buy them both together. Plus it'll save ya from payin S&H twice. Trust me, ya won't regret it.

I think this is a fantastic album...I've owned it for quite a while and when I dig it out it usually stays in the player for weeks and weeks...I think that the reviewer who gave it 0 stars needs to listen again...I've also seen Virgil play live several times and can't wait to see him play again...and I'm gonna be dragging a bunch of friends with me. He's a terrific songwriter and one of the most compelling performers I've seen (and I see a LOT).

An ex-employer played this album a bit, and I bought it on the strength of "Imaginary Guitars" ...

Initial listens ... definitely disappointed, but I loved that one song anyway. Over time, realized I loved that other song, and that other song ...

Glad I happened to get enough listens in to finally appreciate this masterpiece.

I like the other review on here that mentions he's a "singular artist". I think that nails it.

If only I could find the trash can into which one reviewer placed said copy of Virgil Shaw's CD, I would rescue the CD and turn the can into a flower pot. That Virgil's CD had once occupied that space would ensure flowers of everlasting beauty.

I was lucky enough to tour on the same bill with Virgil for about a month. To watch him play those tunes every night was one of the high points of my life. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Once again, I can't abide a person leaving reviews of "0" stars. That's just unfair, and hostile! In fact, in this case, it really couldn't be further from the truth. This album is full of dynamic range and intelligent, complex lyrics. I don't know why this artist is still unknown, to tell you the truth. I think he is talented and riveting.

If it was possible to rate this album with zero stars, I would. Horrible! I actually threw it in the trash.