Customer Reviews

When I Go

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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".

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.

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.

WHEN I GO is one of the very rare CDs that became a favorite the first time I listened; nearly a year later, that has not changed. The sound is in the country/old-timey area within the broad field that is now called folk, but anybody who thinks that "country" and "intelligent" are opposing terms will have to think again here. From the hauntingly lovely "shamanic hymn" of the title cut, through the bouncy love ballad "The River Where She Sleeps" and the Arthurian-legend-as-cowboy-song "Lancelot", to the fast-paced truckers' tall tale "Little Liza Jane", every song is literate and beautiful.

Lyrics are always my primary interest, but the music here caught my attention as well: Carter and Grammer's voices, especially in the harmonies of a love song like "Kate and the Ghost of Lost Love"; banjo and guitar accompaniment, and a violin that can hurry the tale along or bring me to tears or simply soar to the skies...This is a truly outstanding album.

Dave and Tracy are hard to classify: a little bit country, a little bit Celtic, a little bit Native American--but every part good.

"When I go" a life-affirming eulogy, which could be used for Carter himself, is the star of this very eclectic collection. It's serious, moving, and amazing. Just when you think you've got that pinned down, Dave comes up with "Little Liza Jane" an anthem from a trucker to his truck.

There are only 3 Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer CDs in print, because Carter died 2 years ago at 49 of a stroke. He'll definitely be missed in the music business. Do not miss the opportunity to buy this CD.

An absolutely stunning debut CD, far superior to what followed and I rate those as some of the best I own. The lyrics and sparse raw musicianship shines. Pretty darn good for being done in Tracey's kitchen. The title track is especially effective considering that it was just a few short years and Dave would go. Way too soon, way too soon.

Sweet Dave Carter passed away on July 19, 2002 of a massive, sudden heart attack. Listen to the lyrics of "When I Go" and "Kate & The Ghost of Lost Love" and grieve the loss of this important writer-musician. May he live forever through his songs.

This CD is a rare and unique "too good to miss" find beyond the commercial borders of "Young Country". If I were to try to synthesize the songwriting elixir of Dave Carter, I might add a part each of country western (with the emphasis on western), folk and bluegrass, stir in a little Dylan, Townes Van Zandt and Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and add a dash of Cervantes' or Gabriel Garcia Marques' "magical realism". Then blend in the distilled storytelling spirits of a truckdriver, troubadour, poet, preacher, cowboy and medicine man. Of course it wouldn't come out right - Dave has his own unique songwriting voice. The highly literate lyrics strike a true and consistent tone throughout, and range from brilliantly inventive to touching to deep. (I love the line, "I'll send a message down the wire and hope that someone wise is listening when I go".) The music provides a perfect organic fit to the lyrics, and soars where appropriate (as in "Kate and the Ghost of Lost Love"). The musicianship of Dave and Tracy is absolutely first rate, and I love the spare and lovely arrangements. There is no studio fakery on this CD. Dave and Tracy sound just like they sound live in concert (actually, they are even better live, if you are fortunate enough to catch them. Tracy's vocal harmonies are outstanding. And I have witnessed Dave play some dazzlingly pyrotechnic banjo and guitar, while Tracy is not to be outdone playing a mean fiddle.) If you, like me, always read the song lyrics on a new CD, and are always looking for something above and beyond mainstream commercial radio fare, give this CD a try!

The best folk out there. This is what got me turned on to folk music. The melodies are so beautiful that it makes u just sit back in awe, the lyrics so stunning that they could (and have) be compared to Dylan. If you dont like folk don't buy it. If you do... this is what u need. get all their albums, there isn't one bad song. Kate and the Ghost of lost love from when i go has the most amazing harmony that you will ever hear. Cat-eyed willie has lyrics that just flow so well, and 236-6132 of off Drum Hat Buddah is just so happy. The tunes will stay with you all day. There probly isn't a song they have that i don't know at least the chorus to. And their apeal is for all ages, i'm 16 and LOVE them my sister loves them my parents my grandma its just that good

Dave Carter is one of a rare breed, that is, a musician who still cares. His songs weave together the voices of the disposessed, the weary, the searching. Carter then channels them into haunting melodies with heartfelt lyrics--you can lose yourself for weeks listnening to his songs. Call him a Christian troubadour, a poet, a picker--you'll wind up calling him a genuis. Sui generis.

I also recommend his first CD (availaible at his Web site (songs.com/davecarter). It's even better than "When I Go."