With "Sunday Morning in Saturday's Shoes," Richard Julian firmly establishes himself as folk-country's greatest songwriter. Song after song resonates with exquisite structure, impeccable and passionate guitar playing, and some of the finest rhymes this side of Paul Simon.
This time around, though, there is a fascinating edge to the material. "Slow New York" was a deeply personal set; songs like "Don't Wait Up" felt like a heartfelt 3 AM confession, and when he turned away an old friend on "On Your Own," we felt his pain and guilt. But here, Julian takes on the role of storyteller, of ironic philosopher. The results are beyond intriguing - "Can't Go Back," "God III," "Man in the Hole" all feel like genuine lessons, like screeds from a man who really understands us. And he's a fine satirist, as always - "Syndicated" is a blast, full of wordplay and sweet rhymes, and "Spring is Just Around the Corner" successfully walks the line between hokum and irony (a line Randy Newman could never quite find). But of all his fine, fine albums, "Sunday Morning" is the one least likely to allow us to understand him. While there is surely some personal pain and growth behind these songs, the wall between us and him is a little thicker this time.
Musically, though, he is in a whole new world. Many songs in this set are built on the blues, but his inversions and twists keep us guessing - you can listen a dozen times and not know what's coming next. And his playing, which has always been excellent, soars into the stratosphere on songs like "Brooklyn in the Morning" and "Man in the Hole." His voice is in fine form as well - his smoky baritone is an excellent instrument, even if too many tracks harness it into a double-track. The whole CD is produced in a charmingly low-key fashion, making it sound like Richard and his modest combo are right there in our living room, singing a private concert.
For us fans, "Sunday Morning in Saturday's Shoes" is an absolute must, a folk-bluesy riff on New York mornings, America, relationships, and even the Almighty. The neophytes will dig it, but they'll love it even more if they wet their whistles on earlier gems like "Slow New York," "Good Life" and "Smash Palace" first. Then they'll understand why Julian's fans are so loyal, and why this album feels like a gift.