Customer Reviews

Waltz of the Wallflowers

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While the title song for this album is a Kerrville Songwriting Contest winner and absolutely awesome, one should not overlook the other great songs on this album. Waltz of the Wallflowers was written by Jacquie (half of this duet) and did take 1st at Kerrville, but 1000 Candles, 1000 Cranes was written by Rich (the other half of the duet) and came in second during the same competition. It says a lot that both halves of this duet beat all of the competition in the songwriters' competition at Kerrville. If you have money for only one new CD, make it this one.

I had the pleasure of hearing Small Potatoes perform with folk-singer great Tom Paxton. I immediately purchased this disc after the performance, because I was so struck with this duet's versatility, humor, and profundity. This particular disc has songs that range from diabolically humorous "Waltz of the Wallflowers" -- pay attention to the very small parts) to the moving and bittersweet "1000 Candles, 1000 Cranes." The latter song covers the bitterness of a U.S. mom who lost sons in World War II, and then melds into her eventually meeting a Japanese mom who lost a daughter to the atomic bomb. It is one of the most beautifully performed songs of reconciliation that I have heard in a long time!

The vocals are great here -- there's good down to earth folk singing, but some really inspired "do-owp-a-do" improvisation, and a rip-roaring rendition of Celtic gibberish that, while still gibberish, sounds just gorgeous. On stage, these performers had a lot of fun, in spite of their occasional serious songs, and it comes through on this disc. This is great listenting for those car drives through annoying traffic congestion -- just putting a whole new attitude in your mind. The recording quality here is very good, with clear sharp sounds (as in hearing the little slide on the guitar string after it has been plucked). I wish this couple all the best in their musical careers, there is nothing "small" about their music!

The Kerrville Folk festival has an annual songwriting contest. It's one of the better known and prestigious awards. Two of the songs on this album finished first and second in 1998. Small Potatoes, and this album in particular, is that good.

I first heard "1000 Candles, 1000 Cranes" when Rich and Jacquie sang it in my living room. They brought tears to my eyes. It's not exactly an anti-war song; it's a lament for the consequences of war, and offers a glimpse of reconciliation that is deeply moving. In just a few words, it acknolwedges and accepts some of the worst and best of what makes us human. The song took second place.

By contrast, the title track is an utterly charming waltz, sung in a kind of dysfunctional counterpoint that dances around itself. The painfully shy couple of the song (and on the cover) unknowingly reflect each other's thoughts until, against the odds, they are dancing in step. The lyrics are simply perfect. The song took first place.

Small Potatoes is a delightful live act, polished but still personal, and have an easy rapport with their audience. See them live if you can. And enjoy this album. Pop music doesn't have to be as vacuous or vicious as 90% of what's broadcast. Listen to this album and you'll see that I'm right.

I bought this CD after watching this couple perform in a church parish hall. They were wonderful. "Waltz of the Wallflowers" is a true-to-life rendition of the angst of adolescence. The performance itself is a waltz also as the two performers are each singing his/her own wallflower song. The results are amazing. Other songs on the CD are either quite touching or amusing.

Small Potatoes is (are?) fabulous. They are both incredibly talented. Jacquie's voice is a God-given gift and Rich is one of those rare musicians who can get emotion out of six guitar strings. If you listen to their CDs and especially if you seee them in person (DO IT!) you will probably need a tissue to wipe away the tears that come from the emotional impact they make on you or from laughing at some of their funny stuff. The rest of their music is merely incredibly wonderful.

Having met them, I can say they are incredibly good at making music, they're very entertaining and they are really nice people.

The CD, Waltz of the Wallflowers, is an exceptional collection of creative, mostly original songs performed with a beautiful harmony. We have been listening to the CD for several years and wanted to give it as a gift for Christmas...but, alas, it is no longer being produced. Several of the songs are powerful and evoke lots of emotion. Our highlights are...LIFE IS AN ACCIDENT, and also 1000 CANDLES, 1000 CRANES. If you can locate this CD, it will be worth the price.