Customer Reviews

These Four Walls

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Perhaps the lack of recognition given Shawn Colvin is due to her drawn out release schedule. With two albums in 11 years, she could give Boston a run for Tom Sholz's money. Maybe if she'd been a bit more prolific, she'd be recognized as the terrific artist she truly is. But then again, as each CD is a knock-out collection without filler tracks, maybe it's just as well. The appreciative audience of fans (like me) that snap up the CD's as they trickle out are always assured of only the finest quality music.

"These Four Walls" is no exception. Eleven new songs and two covers, there isn't a wasted note or overplayed stanza on the entire CD. Songs of lover's resignation (the beautiful title song) and bitter rants like "Tuff Kid" are interlaced with love songs like "Let It Slide" and her cover of the Bee Gees' "Words." Producer and co-writer John Leventhal does for Colvin what he has done over numerous times through the years: frames Colvin letter perfectly. It is the same kind of empathic touch he gave to Rosanne Cash on "Black Cadillac."

The show, however, belongs to Colvin. Her delivery of these songs is unflinchingly honest, and had this been the time of hits for the likes of her, Natalie Merchant and Suzanne Vega in the late 80's, the audience for this would be clamoring for "Summer Dress" and "Venetian Blue" on the radio or even VH1. But alas, Shawn Colvin's "These Four Walls" will suffer the commercial fate of more discriminatory buyers, like the folks who are probably reading this review. So what are you waiting for?

One of the best of 2006.

Five years was worth the wait. Shawn Colvin returns to form after the uneven "Whole New You." The reason, amazing songwriting. "Summer Dresses" is the highlight among a great collection of songs. The lyrics are subtle and moving--she doesn't strain to write poetically. The production is also more restrained than it was on her last effort, never overpowering the heartfelt, personal, and evocative vocal performance.

I have been a fan of Shawn's music since her break out hit Sunny Came Home. Although I really love that song, there are also some other songs that are even better than Sunny Came Home in my opinion. These Four Walls showcases Shawn's remarkable voice and songwriting ability. Tuching, poignant and bittersweet, this album has a song for every mood. The title track is beautifully sung, and the guitar is just haunting. Venetian Blue, The Bird, I'm Gone and Let It Slide are powerful emotional testaments to the power of Shawn's songwriting and John Leventhal's producing prowess. Shawn's cover of the BG's Words and Paul Westerberg's Even Here We Are showcase another side of Colvin's talents. She interprets covers like no other! My favorite tracks are Tough Kid, The Bird, Cinnamon Road, These Four Walls and Let It Slide. Patty Griffin and Marc Cohn's contributions to Cinnamon Road are amazing, and Teddy Thompson (son of singer/songwriter Richard Thompson) make Let It Slide wonderfully expressive. If you are a fan or just a newcomer, you won't be disapponted! I have listened to this album numerous times and find something different each time. Definitely worth the wait!

I bought this album with few expectations. Previously I liked Shawn Colvin in doses. I have an appreciation for a few cuts off "A Few Small Repairs." On days that call for hot chocolate, a pile of blankets, and a good book I could listen to "Shotgun Down the Avalanche" until the track wears out. Her cover of "Everything She Does is Magic" is a guilty pleasure.

With this album Colvin has risen to the occasion. It has seeped into the corners of my soul and moved me. It reflects a level of craftsmanship that is rare. Her lyrics are smart, self aware, and honest in a way that is all her own while being reminiscent of Joni Mitchell at her best. This is a must have especially for songs such as "These Four Walls", "Venetian Blue", I'm Gone", "Summer Dress", "So Good to See You", and "The Bird." It inspires me that Colvin has done justice to her talent and that we all get to enjoy the result.

The first song Shawn Colvin completed for "These Four Walls", her Nonesuch debut, was the wistful "Summer Dress", which opens with Colvin singing over the austere strum of a lone acoustic guitar, then builds into a lilting folk-rock arrangement.
Colvin maintains a delicate balance between confidence and vulnerability as she describes a dream-like venture out to 'face a wilderness'.
Like much of this deeply felt album, "Summer Dress" is about looking ahead, moving on, performed from the vantage point of someone who's had a chance to glance back somewhat ruefully at where she's been.

"Summer Dress" could be a veiled recounting of the picaresque route Colvin herself took to hard-earned solo stardom, from her South Dakota birthplace to the Southern Illinois college town where she was raised, to the bars and clubs of Boston and New York City, where she first attracted a following.
Then again, it might be an artfully composed fiction about escaping a small town or running after love, a postcard from a youthful time when freedom seemed like a mere bus ticket or car ride away.
Whatever its origins, the emotional and musical pull of "Summer Dress" along with the rest of "These Four Walls" is powerful.
Somehow we've all been there, too.

The posted Amazon editor review pretty much hits the mark in regard to Shawn Colvin's new CD "These Four Walls." It's been a long wait since "Whole New You" but this CD was worth the wait. Colvin remains an astute storyteller and her melodies and vocal delivery again shine (lyrics like "We never lived, we just survived" from "Summer Dress" show how she can hit you emotionally with simple words - - which is, to me, the hallmark of a really good songwriter). Every song here is strong with "Summer Dress" and "Venetian Blue" being standouts. If you enjoy "A Few Small Repairs" and "Whole New You" you will love this CD. John Leventhal again provides great production and musical prowess - - let's hope they always work together. Heart's Nancy Wilson recently said in an interview that she is "Colvin to the core." Listen to "These Four Walls" and you'll be to!

If you are a Shawn Colvin fan this is a must have CD. The first track, Fill Me Up, has a tempo reminicent of Sunny came home. I like the dark feel to the title track and Summer Dress. Cinnamon Road is another song that is well done.

Shawn's music just feels right to me. She has a folk rock style with a little edge. If you have Born in the USA stuck back in your collection somewhere pull it out and listen to My Hometown. Shawn's songs are like that. They are about life and the truth. She tells it like it is,(Let it slide, Tuff kid). The whole album takes me back to some of the good artists of the 70's. She does a good cover of the Bee Gees Words. Other songs remind me of artists like Carole King, James Taylor, and even Bob Seeger. If you like folk and want to sit back, have a beer, and listen to what a great artist has to say you wont be disappointed. If you like Brittney or Shania and want your music sugar coated keep looking...

As a fan of Shawn's music since I first listened to Sunny Came Home, I was hesitant to buy this one as I wasn't sure if it would live up to my expectations. Then I heard the title track "These Four Walls" and bought it immediately. Shawn delivers 11 original songs and two covers - "Words" picked up from the Bee Gees and "Even Here We Are" from Paul Westerberg. The album is low-key yet haunting and beautiful, and one you'll listen to a lot once you get into it.

I have enjoyed all of Shawn Colvin's work. This cd is special probably because of the change in label. The music is not so produced, less instruments, and therefore probably more personality. Shawn Colvin isn't someone that you can sit down and enjoy easily. It takes some listening to acquire a taste. Also her lyrics have an edge. Sometimes she takes that a bit too far. I am no puritan but do think the f word in the last three recordings is old. Perhaps she thinks it is a good luck charm. I would also object to the Bee Gees song. Shawn is a wonderful writer and she has no need to borrow songs that we have all heard too often. "Even Here We Are" is a wonderful song and in my opinion worth recording. Don't take so long the next time.

This is heartland Shawn Colvin, with all the emotional richness and musicality you've come to expect from her. I've been a fan since her first album, and this offering does not disappoint. I think of the Colvin trademark as being insightful lyrics, catchy acoustic guitar, and very cool arrangements. I have a preference for albums that have the John Leventhal touch on the production side, and here is one of those. This album is up there with the best.