Customer Reviews

Water From Another Time

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John McCutcheon's early work moves well in the folk tradition, intent on entertaining audiences through story and song. His music and lyrics combine to share his tales of love, loss, and innocence, embracing the traditions of rural America from a time gone by. Fresh in their musical approach because of his deft handling of the hammer dulcimer, they remain steeped in folk custom through his insightful lyrics. Water From Another Time, which includes a few previously unreleased songs interspersed among the highlights of ten earlier albums, represents the best of John's early work, showcasing his talent to not only write songs from the heart, but to do so with the wisdom of an observer in our changing times.

i had this cd before seeing him in concert with tom chapin in winfield, ks...now it has special meaning...
i couldn't live without the instrumentals of "water from another time" pouring from the car stereo system i bought specifically to play john's music...nothing beats pulling up to a stoplight next to a car booming hip-hop only to win the stereo wars by cranking up "step by step"...
the band director in the funky winkerbean comic strip said it best: "good music should always be played loud!"

This folk album is filled with beautiful melodic tunes. The inclusion of the dulcimer, violin, and other instruments add power and virtuosity. Mr. John's voice was simple yet pure. I was honored to have the privelige of seeing this exceptional folk artist perform at the Jonesboro Storytelling Festival several years back. Therefore, this CD is very special to me.

All the songs are memorable, and my favorites are as follows:

1. "The Great Storm is Over": A heartwarming and hopeful song about love's power to conquer: "The deaf shall have music, the blind have new eyes. The standards of Death taken down by surprise".

2. "Christmas in the Trenches": a beautiful retelling of the World War I truce between some English and German soldiers. "On each end of the rifle we're the same".

3. "Water from Another Time": a nostalgic piece about family. "It don't take much but you gotta have some. The old ways help the new ways come. Just leave a little extra for the next in line. We're gonna need a little water from another time".

4. "For Unto Us a Child is Born".

5. "Caught in the Crossfire": haunting and unforgettable; a song about the explosive effects of war.

6. "How Can I Keep from Singing".

7. "No Mas".

8. "Kindergarten Wall": If we all lived by this jaunty and memorable song, the world would be a better place. "Of all you learn here remember this the best. Don't hurt each other and clean up your mess. Take a nap everyday, wash before you eat. Hold hands, stick together, look before you cross the street. Remember the seed in the little paper cup. First the root goes down and then the plant grows up!"

9. "Step by Step": a memorable song about unity. "Step by step, the longest march can be one, can be one".

Please give this wonderful CD a chance. God bless you.

(Please look for my fantasy novel, Crimilia, which is now available for pre-order on this site. Thanks).