Customer Reviews

Two Wolves

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

 

 

Playing Time - 49:54

Who They Are: John Flynn is a self-professed introspective contemporary folksinger and activist whose songs come from the heart.

Little Known Facts: John earned a 1980 degree from Temple University in political science

The Songs: Potent messages and efficacious imagery are presented in his ten self-penned songs. "There's No Them There," embellished with nicely-tailored harmonies, calls for a "a brand new way of seeing, a brand new way of freeing our fellow human beings by simply being kind." "No More War" declares "Violence has left its stain, Its drug is in our veins, It screams slay or be slain, It is a liar." A song for the fallen, "Dover" asks the big airplane to bring `em down easy out of the Delaware sky. Only 12-years-old, "Azizullah" is the sad tale of another casualty of war. Guitar, cello and oboe complement the reflective "Blink" with Flynn's observation "We blink and somehow time just flies." Kathy Mattea harmonizes on "My Father's Chapel," a call for understanding with "My father's chapel has many benches, Pews where the stranger may rest his feet." A radiant song of love remembered is "Sunflower" that exclaims "I would not trade the sunflower I held for a whole garden of flowers." Covers come from Phil Ochs ("Pleasures of the Harbor") and Kris Kristofferson ("Hall of Angels").

The Musicians: "Two Wolves" has some impressive talent with Kris Kristofferson, Kathy Mattea, and splendid instrumentalists like guitarists Duke Levine (Mary Chapin Carpenter, Bill Morrissey) and Larry Campbell (Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Dar Williams), drummer Denny McDermott (Roseanne Cash, Donald Fagen), and singer Jane Kelly Williams. Producer Ben Wisch (Marc Cohn, Patty Larkin) has had a long and successful association with John Flynn.

Of Special Note: Flynn's harmonica provides some sweet conversational fill.

The Bottomline: An affable troubadour with strong messages that encourage peace, fairness, compassion, tolerance and optimism

Reviewed By: Joe Ross (staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

Playing Time - 49:54

Who They Are: John Flynn is a self-professed introspective contemporary folksinger and activist whose songs come from the heart.

Little Known Facts: John earned a 1980 degree from Temple University in political science

The Songs: Potent messages and efficacious imagery are presented in his ten self-penned songs. "There's No Them There," embellished with nicely-tailored harmonies, calls for a "a brand new way of seeing, a brand new way of freeing our fellow human beings by simply being kind." "No More War" declares "Violence has left its stain, Its drug is in our veins, It screams slay or be slain, It is a liar." A song for the fallen, "Dover" asks the big airplane to bring `em down easy out of the Delaware sky. Only 12-years-old, "Azizullah" is the sad tale of another casualty of war. Guitar, cello and oboe complement the reflective "Blink" with Flynn's observation "We blink and somehow time just flies." Kathy Mattea harmonizes on "My Father's Chapel," a call for understanding with "My father's chapel has many benches, Pews where the stranger may rest his feet." A radiant song of love remembered is "Sunflower" that exclaims "I would not trade the sunflower I held for a whole garden of flowers." Covers come from Phil Ochs ("Pleasures of the Harbor") and Kris Kristofferson ("Hall of Angels").

The Musicians: "Two Wolves" has some impressive talent with Kris Kristofferson, Kathy Mattea, and splendid instrumentalists like guitarists Duke Levine (Mary Chapin Carpenter, Bill Morrissey) and Larry Campbell (Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Dar Williams), drummer Denny McDermott (Roseanne Cash, Donald Fagen), and singer Jane Kelly Williams. Producer Ben Wisch (Marc Cohn, Patty Larkin) has had a long and successful association with John Flynn.

Of Special Note: Flynn's harmonica provides some sweet conversational fill.

The Bottomline: An affable troubadour with strong messages that encourage peace, fairness, compassion, tolerance and optimism

Reviewed By: Joe Ross

Two Wolves by John Flynn is the most inspirational album I have heard in a long time. Each one of these songs has a very clear, important message. While each of these messages is different, they are each equally powerful. His music grabs hold of you and gives you something to think about as well as lifting your spirit. "Two Wolves", "Dover", "Blink", and his version of "Hall of Angels" are beautifully performed. I highly recommend this CD to everyone.

In an age when mainstream music (and mainstream media) are surprisingly quiet about the troubling realities of the world we live in, John Flynn is a voice for compassion and awareness. This is a great album, beautifully produced and easy to listen to. The songs cover a wide range of topics and emotions, but the most memorable songs return to the central theme of the CD: We need to open our eyes to what's going on in the world--what's being done in our names--and stand up for peace and justice. It's tough to write songs like that without crossing the line into preaching, but John does a great job here. Plus, unlike early Dylan, where the production was minimal and you listened mostly for the words, these songs are beautifully arranged and played by pros (including John, of course!) Kris Kristofferson's presence, in the form of vocals on the rousing second track, and the song "Halls of Angels," adds a nice touch.
This is a terrifc piece of work by an artist who deserves to be heard by a much wider audience.

John Flynn / Two Wolves: Beautifully written and performed set of songs that call for peace and compassion. All songs written by Flynn with the exception of Phil Ochs' "Pleasures of the Harbor" and Kris Kristofferson's "Hall of Angels".
This is a Five Star album

Some of my favorite singers have been Harry Chapin, Phil Ochs, Jim Croce, and Phil Ochs. I never thought I'd have the opportunity to listen to a living singer touch me like those men did. John Flynn is like all four rolled into one, yet remains an individual artist. This recording is great!

You have no idea what it's like to drive by Dover Air Force Base at 6:00AM...see the run-way lights, see the C-5's in the distance, and then, with un-canny, awesome precision...to hear John's voice come over the radio. It's all very surreal and ominous. I've witnessed first-hand the unloading of flag-draped caskets at this very base...I've escorted fallen soldiers from DAFB to their final resting place with the Patriot Guard Riders...and I have a 19 yr-old son currently serving in Iraq...who I never want to see come down in the Delaware sky.

Kudos, John...for putting it all in words!