Customer Reviews

Tender Mercies

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

 

 

This record has been a long time coming. If anyone ran a band like the early in the decade Oakland A's it was Patrick Winningham. To think of the people that were cherry picked from his band. It is mind numbing. Just like Oakland had been getting pilfered for years, Patrick Winninghams various sidemen alumni include Jeff Trott, Chuck Prophet (that's me by the way), half of the Counting Crows. And Chuck Prophet's better half Stephanie Finch. Here's where various Crows climb on Patricks back in an attempt re create the magic. Who says you can't go back? Bob Dylan? Bob said, "Of course you can". In fact, I say you have to. And you know what? This is the record the Crows wish they could pull off. It's loose, it's tight. It's serious and lighthearted all at once. It's not bad at all.

i heard about these guys through a friend. i love the whole mix!! i hope the gals at work like it as much as i do because i might have to replay it a few more times. love it, love it!!

It's rare these days to come across any contemporary music that actually feels honest. Tender Mercies proves to be the exception to this axiom.
This project sounds like it was made by folks who do it for the right reasons and not because it's the quickest way to join the ranks of the "1 per-centers."
Each track takes the concept of "Americana" to the next level. The D-I-Y recording approach allows the arrangements and lyrics to breathe as if you've uncorked a ten year old bottle of Merlot. There is a nice flow throughout which makes this a good CD to listen to start to finish (a lost art in itself considering we live in the "give me instant gratification, now I'm bored" era of disposable consumerism). Simply put, it's music made by discerning musicians for people with discerning musical tastes. Highly recommended!!!

I have been a long time fan of Patrick Winningham and have been waiting for years for an official release by the guy. If you love Rod Stewart era The Faces, Bob Dylan and/or The Counting Crows than do yourself a favor and pick up this cd. Dan's singing and guitar playing on the album gives his "day job" with The Counting Crows" a run for it's money. For years I have heard The Counting Crows play Mercy, Wiseblood and Four White Stallions and thought what amazing songs they were, well give a listen to the "original" versions played by the songwriters and you will NOT be disappointed. I buy/get a lot of cds a year (being a record store) and this release easily sailed into my Top 10 for best albums of the year.

I ordered this CD when a friend suggested I give it a listen and have not been disappointed. The disk has an overall feeling of reflection of times gone by and lessons learned about what is truly important in life. I especially enjoy the guitar work on
Heaven Knows. The soulful song, Scarecrow has great lyrics and electric guitar. My very favorite song on the disk: Mercy, a great song of what I would describe as hopeful melancholy. Very nice altogether.

So, full disclosure here - I have been working with these guys off and on for 6-7 years and I count the drummer, Jim Bogios (Counting Crows) as one of my friends. That said, I have been a music fan for years. I used to infuriate my friends when we would go out because I didn't want to hang out and talk - I wanted the music! So inspite of my relationship with the band, I think I can provide a pretty fair review.

Well, Tender Mercies is, and has been for some time, one of my favorite bands. Patrick Winningham (Patrick will get mad, but if you ever saw St. Elmo's Fire - that's Patrick in the band at the bar) and Dan Vickrey (also with Counting Crows) provide great lead vocals and the band can sing - really sing. The music fits in with the great country music from San Francisco of the 60's and 70's - Like Gram Parsons - smart lyrics, well crafted songs, beautiful harmonies, great guitar playing and a rythym section that is nearly impossible to beat. But it isn't quite country, and not quite rock - it has that Wilco, Son Volt, Rolling Stones, Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle Americana vibe - but it really doesn't fit in a catagory unless there is a general GOOD, and I mean REALLY GOOD, category. Add in the Wurlitzer and B-3 stylings of Bay Area stalwart Danny Eisenberg and what you get is an hour of pure bliss.

While I don't agree with Chuck P., who I love and respect, about Counting Crows ability to get things on record (I think they are a great - great band), I sort of get what he was saying. This record was recorded in a very live, very raw way. From what I hear - straight from the source - is that it was mostly recorded in Dan's living room in San Francisco with open mics and everyone in the same room. It has that raw quality that gives you the impression that every note and every lyric is personally important to each and every band member. It has high production values - don't get me wrong - but it really feels like an album recorded at an earlier time, maybe even the mid 60's, and the emotion cuts through in a way that highly produced records tend to miss. I have seen Tender Mercies live a number of times and I am lucky enough to have been the promoter at a few of those shows, and I am so glad that this wonderful music is finally accessable to those who don't happen to be in the Bay Area and free on one of those rare occassions that the band played out. If you don't buy another CD this year - buy this one. I have been wearing it out in my CD player and the copy on my iPhone is right at the top of my most played - which is saying something given I have a music library that takes up well over 500GB of hard drive space.... Oh, and Patrick - if you read this - your tuner is still in my truck.. maybe I will see you at Glider on December 23 at Cafe Du Nord!

This album is amazing! The guitar and vocals are beautiful and nostalgic. I love listening to this album when I am home alone and can really give it all my attention. It always puts me in the best mood! Can't wait to see these guys live!