Customer Reviews

Vermilion

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Wow, there's so much more to say than in my first "review". This group features members that were once in, or have played with the likes of, the dB's, the Cowsills (and here I'm supposed to say, yes, THOSE Cowsills), Bangles, Dream Syndicate, Lydia Lunch, REM, Hootie and the Blowfish, Tom Petty, Cyndi Lauper, Jolene, Steve Wynn and too many more to remember them all. That's an incredible pedigree. All of the songs on this album evoke memories or feelings that run the gamut, from heartbreak to joy to everything in between. Other than the ones I mentioned before, there's "Daddy Just Wants It To Rain", Peter Holsapple's wonderful family story that hits you square in the heart (every child of the 50's or 60's will see their own family in this song), Vicki Peterson's "Christopher Columbus Transcontinental Highway", a rollicking 'driving' song with seriously dark undertones, not to mention the longest title on this or any other album. "Anything", which harkens back to the classics of the folk rock 60's with its accoustic guitars, mandolin and great harmony vocals by Vicki and Peter, the wonderful "Drifters", the band's title song, led by Susan Cowsill's fabulous voice, and "Way of the World", featuring the melding of Vicki and Susan's voices in some of the best two-part harmony around. There's the rocking "Don't Do What I Did", Susan's "Spring Day in Ohio", "Darlin Darlin", and "Meet Me in the Middle", a great song to sing along with, once you get all the words down. I LOVE THIS BAND, they're great musicians/singers/songwriters (absurdly talented, one reviewer noted), and they're wonderful people. This group did not garner mountains of critical acclaim based solely on their past histories, it's simply that they are one of the most talented bands working today. More people should be hearing their music.

From beginning to end this album is simply PERFECT. One great original song after another, 14 in all, each filled with wonderful lyrics, exquisite harmonies, solid musicianship and unparalleled talent. While there is absolutely no filler on this disc, highlights include "Watermark", led by a wonderful mandolin; "I Want to Learn to Waltz with You", a lush beauty; the luminous "Heart Home", an incredible love song; the rocking "Who We Are, Where We Live", dark and moody, completely solid; and "The Rain Song", a fantastic song that would be at home on any Top-40 radio station. This is, quite simply, the best album I have ever heard.

The Continental Drifters are group of six family members who have been sharing same house and making music together since they were children. OK, that's not at all true, but Vermilion sounds like result of a twenty-year musical alliance: the band is granite-solid with each member playing off the nuances of the other.

It's not unusual that such an intimate group would pursue the subjects of romance and family, but most surprising is their ability to convincingly cover such a wide spectrum of popular music. The jingle-jangle guitar rhythms and vocal harmonies of `The Rain Song' sounds as though they came from a `Best Of Badfinger' album. The menacing `Don't Do What I Did' is a no-limits rocker. Listening to `Watermark,' I'm tempted to visit the Appalachian Mountains, drink moonshine from a jug, and do some serious clogging. When I close my eyes, I can imagine Keith Richards and Ron Wood trading blues riffs while Susan Cowsill and Vicki Peterson strut about the stage. Perhaps unintentional, `Heart, Home' pays tribute to Richard and Linda Thompson. With its lonesome lyrics ("This heart needs a home"), tender accordion melody and weeping guitar solo, the similarities are difficult to dismiss. Ordinarily, "classics" require a few decades to age; however, the Continental Drifters have composed a "brand new" Folk classic (Anything) hearkening back four-decades to the heyday of Peter, Paul and Mary.

The six members of the Continental Drifters share writing, vocals and instrumentals: Vermilion is not a Peter Holsapple Pop album. Although the CD rocks, the overall mood is breezy and relaxed. It's impossible to miss their "we're having fun" making music attitude. Vermilion - a spirited gem from 1999.

Can any more accolades be bestowed upon this wonderful band? Every rock n' roll fan who winces at Top 40 radio and the latest music charts needs to own this album. Blending stellar songwriting,a criminal amount of vocal prowess and musician ship, Vermilion is as complete a work as you're likely to find anywhere; every songs shines. Where does one start? Roaring, red-light district electric guitar, rain shower mandolin, Hammond organ churning like the Mississippi, a rhythm section that's one part '68 Chevy Nova, one part ex-lover's heartbeat and one part locomotive. Vocals and harmonies to leave the angels and devils smiling and shaking there heads. All of it blended like the finest gumbo. The opening cut "The Rain Song" is a plaintive and powerful, mid-tempo lament. "Way of the World", "Meet Me in the Middle" and "Christopher Columbus Transcontinental Highway" both speak and rock with hard-won experience and authority. The spectral "Who We Are, Where We Live" lingers long after the last chord has faded, as does the beautifully romantic "Anything", though in a different way. "Don't Do What I Did" rattles the walls. Featuring three vocalists, four songwriters and seven members the Drifters are a tribute to the power of sheer talent, dedication and a unified vision. If they come play ANYWHERE near you - GO. They are soul-leveling performers. Take a nap before the show, you'll need it. The Continental Drifters are more than a band, live or recorded, they are an experience. As a New Orleanian, I am torn between wanting to selfishly keep them here and wishing them the massive success they deserve.

I'm going to keep this short and sweet--I LOVE this cd because of the raw energy. It is barely produced-it sounds like they just plugged in, picked up the microphone, turned it up to 10, and hit record, in someone's basement! Great songs, rough, ragged playing, voices that seem to appear out of nowhere, it feels like you're in the room with them. Long live Americana, long live the Continental Drifters. Highly recommended!

This is great album, great fun. I was skeptical at first because I always associated Susan Cowsill with "I Love the Flower Girl" but this album is great rock and roll record. I loved the duets with Vicki Peterson and Susan: Way of the World and Where we Live. Watermark and Chris Columbus shows just why Vicki Peterson was the Bangles' best songwriter (though not vocalist) and if that band had any success it was due to Vicki's edgy, rock and roll sensibilities. Since Vicki does not have a strong voice the combos with Sue Cowsill are well advise. The Rain Song is a bit trite lyrically but the harmonies save it from boredom. Drifters tells the story of the band with a somewhat philosophical and pessimistic note "We are born alone/we're alone when we go/ so while we may as well just sing a long." Also philosopical is Way of the World with its a++ kicking middle "What were you're expecting/ it's not what you had planned!"Meet me in the Middle is also fun with its advice "don't go to extremes..."The album doesn't break any new ground musically; it's basically traditional rock and roll. Weak cuts: Heart, Home. Silly lyrics about flying angels. Vicki's voice sounds weak and thin here too though she sounds great on Watermark.Despite its shortcoming this is a great record, great fun, diverse, smart and celebratory. Too bad they'll never be this good, now that this lineup has disbanded.

As a fan of Peter Holsapple's dB's, I had followed his later career with equal measures of interest and disappointment. It's great to see his songwriting as strong as ever with the Continental Drifters. It's also great to see a talent like Susan Cowsill still writing excellent songs. Prior to the Drifters, my main memory of her was from the Cowsills' milk commercials from my younger days -- yeek. What a voice she has -- the character of Sheryl Crow's, but with an incredible clarity. "Vermilion" tends more toward rock & roll than the Drifters' eponymous debut, but Vicky Peterson's countrified offerings offset the harder moments. The Drifters are an excellent mix of musical talent, and this album shows it. Highly recommended for anyone who likes good pop-oriented rock with a country flavor.

My wife told me about this band having heard the song 'Watermark' on the radio and making herself late for an appointment to hear who the artist was. On her recommendation I bought the disc and what a knock out it is! The songwriting is exquisite, and the harmonies and playing superb. My personal favorite among the writers is Vicki Peterson, but that is to take nothing away from the rest of them . . . especially Peter Holsapple's song about his family . . . what a moving piece of work. There are fourteen songs on this album and fourteen of them are winners. Keep up the good work Drifters . . . run don't drift to this one.

Vermillion is an interesting progression over the Continental Drifters' first CD which is now out of print. The band has broadened it's musical stretch with the addition of Vicky Peterson. I miss the couple of covers from the first album like Michael Nesmith's "Some of Shelly's Blues," but the band-penned material is all solid. Where the first album would have more emphasis on folk, I labeled this a "rock/folk" album because they do rock out with just enough acoustic touches to keep their musical integrity and rise above the mainstream. I highly recommend this CD!

Since I last reviewed this CD, Vermilion has been named best album of the year by Gambit Magazine of New Orleans and best album of the year by Offbeat Magazine's 2000 reader's poll. There have also been numerous excellent reviews, including: The Associated Press: "Vermilion is not only a great album, it's the kind of rock album rarely made anymore, the product of a collective vision - a real band - rather than the mind of one singer-songwriter.....The Continental Drifters are a very special band and 'Vermilion' just might be the best album of the year." Modern Drummer Magazine--Linda Pitmon: "The earthy grooves and ghost notes of drummer Russ Broussard round off the edges of songs that could have become plodding in the hands of a lesser player. Like The Faces before them, The Drifters understand how star players can let their personalities loose without overpowering the brilliance of the songs." This CD is not to be missed! Buy it before it becomes a national hit!