Through a Glass Darkly

David Olney | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: January 26, 1999
• Label: Philo
• Genres: Folk/Contemporary Folk, Folk/Traditional Folk, Pop/Singer-Songwriters
• ASIN: B0010VWR4K
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #619,591 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OLNEY'S BEST -- IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, May 31, 2001

By 

Larry L. Looney (Austin, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Through a Glass Darkly (Audio CD)

I haven't listened to David Olney for very long -- I only discovered his music when this album was released, but I went back and obtained everything I could after hearing it. I was so impressed by this release that I knew I had opened a treasure chest of fine songwriting. This man is a storytelling master.

After listening to several of his other releases, and finding a lot of work there to admire (especially the album 'Deeper well'), I found myself returning to this cd again and again. None of the others seem to hold together as a whole like this one does. Not a concept album in the strictest sense, the songs are still linked together by the fact that they all concern events that happened in the first 30 years or so of this century.

'1917' begins the album, telling the story of the horrors of WWI, from the point of view of a Paris prostitute entertaining a young soldier, whom she sees as doomed -- all related with incredible understatement and sensitivity. 'Dillinger' takes the much-told myth of John Dillinger as 'Robin Hood' and explodes it before out eyes (or ears), exposing him for the callous, hardened animal that he was. 'Avery County' contains chilling echoes from the classic 50s Robert Mitchum film 'Night of the hunter' -- 'JT's escape' follows right behind, with some much-needed (at this point) humor. 'Little bit of poison' is a great look at the nature of love, life and relationships -- taking the bitter with the sweet. (Denice Franke does a nice cover of this on her new cd, 'Comfort')

David Olney was a friend and admirer of the late Townes Van Zandt -- and he pays tribute to him here in two ways: 'The suicide kid', an Olney original, looks at the self-destructive tendencies that have taken Townes and too many other great artists from us; and David follows it with a wonderful version of one of Townes' best-loved songs, 'Snowin' on Raton'.

The cd ends with two incredible songs. 'Barabbas' looks at the story of the Crucifixion through the eyes of the thief who was spared by the wishes of the crowd -- and speaks eloquently of the burden he must have borne. (For another well-written take on the life of Christ, check out 'Jerusalem tomorrow' on David's 'Deeper well' cd.) 'Dogwoods', the closer, is simply one of the most beautifully-written songs I've ever heard.

The musicianship is stellar throughout -- but the listener never gets the idea that the players were having anything but a good time. This is just about as perfect a collection of songs as I can imagine -- right down to the programming order. As a result of hearing this cd, I'll give anything David Olney puts out a listen -- but it's going to be hard to top this one!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another great album by David Olney, June 30, 2000

By 

Jan-Maarten van Sonsbeek (Rotterdam, Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Through a Glass Darkly (Audio CD)

This is more like a project, containing songs about the USA in the first half of this century. More country influences than usual on David Olney's albums. The first 2 songs are my favorites, 1917 about the 'relationship' between a prostitute and her 'customer'. And the second about John Dillinger, who in this song is not much of a hero, but a heartless criminal. Both are examples of the superb story-telling talent of David Olney. And by the way, this album also contains a cover of one of the greatest Townes van Zandt-songs, Snowin' on raton.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not a Place to start on Olney, September 19, 2006

By 

R. J MOSS (Alice Springs, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Through a Glass Darkly (Audio CD)

The title aptly reflects my response to this CD. Having tasted Olney on the fullsome, 'Wheel' I wasn't prepared for the uneveness of the writing or performances herein. There are some upbeat gems, but too few, and all towards the latter third of the disc from,'That's All I need To Know' through to,'Dogwoods' The storytelling aspect on this album is somewhat dislocated from the musical settings, and prioritised. Apart from my irritation at his rattling off so many names and States from track to track, disorientating in itself, these appellations are employed as if their mere annunciation earns some special pleading for our attention. Crucially, Olney doesn't sound too convinced. There's decidedly more of a countrified feel to this than,'Wheel' but it comes over as a poor man's, John Prine minus the humour, or a John Stewart which is a sad report when Olney, clearly has better material in him.