Customer Reviews

Watching the River Run

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

 

 

"Watching the River Run" is not only a song title, it also describles this flowing journey through musical time. Jim takes us back through his career starting with Buffalo Springfield, through Poco, Loggins and Messina, and finally his solo career. Listening to this CD reminds me of the impact he had on music in the 60's and 70's. Please don't think that this is an oldies collection. The reworking of these familiar tunes has a relaxing southwest flair. While you may be reminded of the past, you are clearly in the present. Jim's solo work remains my favorite and this may be the only place to find a couple of his best. "Follow Your Dreams", a dad's advice to his child, is superb and "Mexican Minutes" will rival any Jimmy Buffet song for tropical relaxation. Jim, keep the music coming.

Rather than remastering the masters of his old hits from his long career Jim rewards us with a very simple studio album of them redone in a very basic combo format without bells and whistles and he pulls it off remarkably. His voice never sounded so relaxed and his guitar playing seems effortless. The versions of "Kind Woman" and "Your Momma don't dance" are so straightforward for a change that they sound like new songs. Every time I put this cd on I'm surprised by what I hear because it just doesn't seem like it should be as good as it is. Get one while you can because it was never out there in wide release and it's bound to become harder and harder to find. I just hope Jimmy's found the "peace of mind" he always sought. If this cd is any indication, he certainly did.

This was not, as another reviewer wrote, Jim Messina's only solo album, but, instead, the LAST of Jim's 4 solo albums to date. Jim Messina has been making music since Buffalo Springfield and one would hope, will be around doing the same for a long time to come.
Jim has always had a style that can not be reproduced, and, as a producer, his production values are only matched, IMHO, by Alan Parsons.
Jim's guitar playing is hardly matched by anyone.
If you don't believe that, give any of his albums, either with Poco if you like that style, or with Kenny Loggins, if you like a somewhat less country sound, or just his own solo albums a listen, and, if you want to hear an example of some his best live stuff, give the old Poco "DeLIVErin'", or the Loggins & Messina "On Stage" albums a listen and you'll hear what a "real" lead guitar player sounds like.
Jim Messina is a true icon in the musical world, and one which I personally hope gives us a whole lot more music. ...I hope he gives us another album soon... It's been a long time since 1996 Jim, your fans are still here and waiting for it. :)

Jim Messina's solo album was recorded and released in 1996, and it's about time he provided us with another one. "Watching the River Run" is a masterpiece which I never get tired of. The album has very nice raw live sound to it, some excellent guitar work and a wide variety of styles... country, folk-rock, blues - you name it.

Jim Messina revives some of the standards he did with Poco or Kenny Loggins but also comes up with some brilliant new stuff. The title track is a memorable, highly melodic piece of laid-back music, and the nine-minute version of "Angry Eyes" is the best recording I've ever heard of that bitter song.

Sadly, "Watching the River Run" was only published on a small label, so make sure you get your copy while it's still up for grabs.

THis is beautiful music. A friend gave me a copy of this to tape back in 96 when it came out and my tape is now gone from overplaying (luckily, I have a cd burner and was able to burn a copy). This is a must have cd. Unbelievable that great music like this has a short shelf life and then can only be bought as an import. This is one import worth the money. This collection is a sample of remakes from Loggins and Messina and Poco songs that flow like a smooth river past a country cabin in the cool fall. The songs are sung loose and free, the music is pure professional, and the production is clean. The material is grade A. Country-rock at its finest. Others have tried to perfect this genre, but this is the new standard to judge other attempts. Get this cd.

This is a great collection of Jim's tunes. I've been a fan of Jim and crept back in his past and found a Jim Messina and The Jesters with his early surf guitar sound a la Dick Dale. But Jim really doesn't need to copy anyone with some beautiful renditions of some old classics. His blend of country and rock really hits the spot and shows his influence on bands such as Buffalo Springfield, Poco and Loggins and Messina. His brilliance is sorely missed. But if you like any of those bands, you will love this disk. Grab it while it is still available.

I HAVE ALWAYS ADMIRED JIM MESSINA, BECAUSE AS A PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN MYSELF, I APPRECIATE HOW HE IS CAPABLE OF WRITING IN DIFFERENT GENRES AND FEATURES OTHER MUSICIANS BESIDES HIMSELF. HIS COMPOSITIONS ARE ALWAYS CATCHY AND THIS CD, A SELECTION OF HIS DAYS WITH KENNY LOGGINS IS NO EXCEPTION. ON THIS CD HE SHOWS A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT SIDE OF THE SONGS. RAY PONCIN

Great CD from Jim Messina. Different variations of a few Loggins & Messina songs. A must for any Jim Messina fan.