When I Go

Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 7, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Signature Sounds Recording Company
• ASIN: B000065C6S
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,941 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #97 in Music > Indie Music > Folk > General

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning Peek at the Magic to Come, October 22, 2003

By 

Woodsprite "thewoodsprite" (MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When I Go (Audio CD)

This is the first and sparest of all Dave and Tracy's work together, which was purposely crafted in the kitchen of Tracy's apartment in order to capture the "live" sound of their performances together. But from the moment I heard my first Dave and Tracy song, the title track to this album, I was utterly hooked. My spine tingled as the stunning, sad beauty of the melody washed over me. I found myself haunted by the vivid, lushly poetic lyrics ("...I will crumble down, uncountable, in showers of crimson rubies when I go..." or "And should you glimpse my wandering form out on the borderline/Between death and resurrection and the council of the pines/Do not worry for my comfort, do not sorrow for me so/All your diamond tears will rise up/And adorn the sky beside me When I Go), and was compelled to find the album and buy it immediately. Once I got it, I wept at the exquisite intricacy of this devastatingly beautiful song. It is at once joyous and tragic and I have simply never heard another song like it (and doubt I ever will).

No other song on this first album is quite like When I Go, a singular anthem to the journey that awaits us all, but there are true gems. It's almost unbelievable to those familiar with subsequent works that Tracy's voice is brought to the fore only on "Kate and the Ghost of Lost Love" except for backing Dave, who fronted the rest of the album. Perhaps it was because this was their first musical pairing and therefore only a "toe in the water", but there is much evidence of the magic to come on their next two LPs. In this work, Dave's extraordinary storytelling style is gently revealed on a bed of fine guitar work and buoyed by Tracy's supportive, resonant violin and sweet vocal accompaniment. Overall, this album has an intimate vulnerability to it that tends to bring out a protective quality in myself and other ardent Dave and Tracy fans. It's almost like the baby of the family of their work together-a tiny herald of the immensely impressive musical force yet to come. Even though this has its own special place in my personal all-time favorites and is every bit worthy of a 5-star rating and even despite the jaw-dropping mastery of the title song, this may not be the best album for those looking for a first introduction to the world of Dave and Tracy. I would actually recommend to the newcomer to work backwards through the three albums-starting with "Drum Hat Buddha" and "Tanglewood Tree", and after you've been thoroughly enchanted by the spellbinding body of their work, sit down and listen to this sweet little acorn of an album. It isn't until you know their later work that you can appreciate the raw appeal of this first offering.

Aside from the aforementioned "When I Go" and "Kate and the Ghost of Lost Love" (you don't have to be a musical theorist to appreciate the craftsmanship and brilliance of this seemingly simple song of loss and being lost--but you will find yourself singing it to yourself later), the following tracks also stand out after a listen or two: "Annie's Lover", "The River, Where She Sleeps", "Lancelot", "Frank to Valentino" and "Elvis Presley".

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The song "When I Go" is simply one of the best ever written, February 13, 2003

By 

Mark Coleman (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When I Go (Audio CD)

There's a lot to love about this album, but the first song is worth the price alone. "When I Go" has to be one of the most beautiful and haunting pieces of music ever written. Like many people I didn't discover Dave Carter until after he died, so I will never be blessed with his voice in concert. I hear however that his wife and musical partner Tracy Grammer is going to tour this year. I'm prepared to drive a long way to see her sing, and I can tell you it's been a long time since I felt that strongly about a band or musician.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BUY IT!, October 10, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: When I Go (Audio CD)

This is the most wonderful and original CD I have bought in years. The lyrics are the best poetry I have heard in ages. The moods vary from ballads to the rollicking ride of the Eliza Jane. I was so sorry to hear Dave Carter died. I never heard of him a month ago, but now I feel like I have lost a friend.