Customer Reviews

Sugar Tree

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

 

 

A strong follow-up to Middlescene on which Amy shows a lot of range. From the "begging-to-be-a-single" BALLS to the wry CYNICALLY YOURS, she has maintained her trademark ability to observe the trials of love ruthlessly while still making you laugh. Neat trick, that. Check out her web-only release "Keep It To Yourself"...

Beginning w/ the Shams and working her way through 3 solo cds, Amy Rigby's songs have glittered wittily amongst the debris which comprises the typical "singer/songer" (male or female)oeuvre over the last couple of decades. Her latest, The Sugar Tree, stands out, even compared to the high standards set by Mod Housewife, in both the consistency of the song quality conjoined w/ the wide variety of styles. And the ace in the hole which makes the cd especially fine is the wonderful backing band led by superb guitarist Will Kimbrough whose empathetic support provides just the right touches all the way through..From hints of the Who on the openening "Wait till I get you home," to quoting the Troggs! on "Balls", on to shades of VU on the lovely closing ballad "Sleeping with the Moon" and touching gracefully on classic roots from Woodstock to Nashville en route on the songs in between, everthing works..My 17 year old son appropriated my first copy to take back to school; a 48 year old woman friend whom i gave a copy to recently said the cd made her week; now i'm back at ..., buying a couple more copies, both for myself and to give away...btw "Wait till i get you home" NEEDS to be on the radio, country, adult, wherever..... Maybe buying a copy to give away along with one's own can break this cd properly???? (added parenthetical suggestion)

Three CDs on in her haphazard solo career, Amy Rigby seems as unlikely to make a bad record as she does to make a successful one. Her roots rock anchors whatever makeshift band she's fronting, but it's her basic honesty as a woman and a writer that limits her commercial scope. Just this much cheese on The Sugar Tree and she'd write a hit for herself or more likely another shallower singer (Mary Chapin Carpenter, anyone?). Rigby must be dairy intolerant, `cause cheese ain't nowhere to be found in her tough, funny, achingly honest songs of the struggles of lower-middle-class single mothers, their man troubles, and their brief, bittersweet respites. The Diary of a Mod Housewife is first and freshest, Middlescence more desperate about the cash crunch, but it's The Sugar Tree that's her finest moment so far. Though money troubles and age are her great subjects, I wish her success enough to stop shopping at Goodwill. I mean, look, she's still going to get older!

This is almost a perfect album. It was so close I had to give it 5 stars. As other reviewers have written, there is no one to compare Amy Rigby to, but like everyone else I'll try. I would describe her as 60% Lucinda Williams for her Alt-Country sound and 40% Jill Sobule for her witty and poinant lyrics. I enjoyed every song on this album from the first song "Wait Till I Get You Home" which was upbeat and just made me smile, to the last song "Sleeping with the Moon" a beautiful lush song that felt too short. You wished it would go on a little longer, like the relationship in the song. Every song painted a picture. Some people say this album is as good as her first album "Diary of a Mod Housewife", but I think it's better. The songs on this album seems more "developed", and more confident. It has the feeling of someone who is at ease with who they are and their music. Her first album, although strong, felt like she tried too hard. The only reason why I described this album as "almost" perfect is because of the fourth track "Let me in a Little Bit". This song seemed weaker than the other songs, but even this song was pretty good. I know this review is very general and not very helpful in determining whether to spend your hard earned money on it or not; all I can say is "buy the album, you won't be disappointed."

Okay, you know the image presented by some famous female C&W artists. Overproduced tracks, hair extensions, photo sessions in tie-dyed panties, on-stage theatrics that eclipse any genuine talent, and cowboy hats in colors and styles that Resistol and Stetson wouldn't touch with a 10-foot pole. If none of this sounds appealing to you, then welcome to THE SUGAR TREE, Amy Rigby's third CD release.

Amy shows a surprising mixture of vulnerability and tough-as-nails attitude on this compilation, which mixes mainstream country with folk, rock, and blues influences. Romantic tracks such as MAGICIANS and WAIT TILL I GET YOU HOME sitting right beside anthems of frustration like BALLS and RODE HARD, which a lot of middle-aged female country fans can probably relate to very well. Do not pass up CYNICALLY YOURS under any circumstances; you'll love this quirky ode to love and cynicism.

This artist deserves some serious radio airplay. Until that happens, buy this CD. It wouldn't hurt to give it to your wife or girlfriend. She'll probably love you for it - and she might even let you borrow it from time to time.

Amy Rigby captures the feelings of many people in their 30's and 40's. The romance is there but tempered by experience. Still looking for love and trying to define what we want. The occasional look over our shoulder to see lost loves and wondering what might have been if things had worked out a bit differently. Pat Benatar may have sung that "love is a battlefield", but Amy has the scars to prove it.

If you are in your 20's, get this disc and save it until you are in your 30's..................