Customer Reviews

When October Goes Autumn Love Songs

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First heard a cut from this album a couple years ago on WDET, publicradio in Detroit. It happened to BE autumn and I was away from wife and family working for an ad agency north of the city. Fell instantly in love with the lyrics from "When Fall Comes to New England." I had to get the album just for that song. Cheryl Wheeler's version is as clear and sharp and fine as a perfect Indian Summer day in the Berkshires. Having lived in Newtown, CT, I have an affinity to that rugged part of America and all it's history. After listening to all the cuts, I soon realized what a great compilation this really is. "Are You Happy Now" by Richard Shindell will make you laugh AND cry. When the title tune by Megan McDonough comes on, I swear I can smell the leaf smoke of my mid-west childhood. "When I Need You Most Of All" by David Buskin will put a lump in your throat and bring back lost loves. A great addition to your record collection, OK to drop in your CD player anytime. Highly recommended. AAA+++ END

This CD speaks to the gentleness in my soul. I like to play this when I'm having a stressful day. The songs are far away from the ruggedness and turmoil that exists in the world. The songs speak to the peace and tranquility that exists in our hearts. The CD makes a beautiful statement, that there is a lot of hope in the music of the human heart.

Jeffrey McAndrew
author of "Our Brown-Eyed Boy"

The gorgeous symbolism on this album moves me as well as any piece of Italian opera or classic literature. The lyrics are so poignant, and focus on a fact of life: we get older. I have played this album while doing artwork, and it plays to my soul. This album is for persons of fine vintage, and not for those who are unaware of symbolism.

It would be well to remove (or repost not as a first review) that first review that appears for this album as it is misleading and may deter those who may love this album from buying it. God knows we need to support our artists. The man may be speaking what he considers truth, but he clearly doesn't understand the depth of these lyrics. The album is profound for us baby boomers who can accept that we are a little older, and look at it face on.

This is a great album! I am truly moved by these artists and what they have to say.

There are some great cuts on this CD, and some great artists. The entire CD is worth it though, for me, for "The Long Road" by Cliff Eberhardt and Richie Havens. There is so much passion in this piece, and I never tire of it. The rest of the album is full of songs that you can listen to by a warm fire with a few friends in the cool of autumn.

From the title "When October Goes: Autumn Love Songs," one might expect an album with songs celebrating autumn, love or both. Not so here. This collection is mostly filled with songs of love lost, many of which have no connection whatsoever to autumn other than to create an overcast mood. Many of the songs, although pretty in a "self-indulgent pity" way, are entirely forgettable even after repeated listenings.

That said, there are some outstanding cuts on this album, and no bad ones. The opening track, "When Fall Comes to New England" (Cheryl Wheeler), is a lovely upbeat celebration of the joys of the season. "... the northbound geese fly south instead, and leaves are Irish-setter red." "Will You Come Home?" (Susie Burke) beckons the former lover (and the listener) to come home into such open arms as one might expect for a family Thanksgiving dinner. "Getting Used To Leaving" by Christine Lavin, who assembled this collection, is a perceptive self-examination by one who has not yet found the love or the home of her life. I also recommend the title track performed by Megon McDonough, who delivers it with the bluesy confidence of an over-qualified chanteuse singing to the patrons in a smokey piano bar.

Oddly, one of the most up-tempo tunes on the album is also the most relentlessly bitter. "Are You Happy Now?" (Richard Shindell) almost drips with the jilted singer's disdain for a lover who has departed suddenly on a Halloween night, absconding with the toaster, the spices from the rack, and even the Halloween candy for the Trick or Treaters. As such, the song effectively captures the raw side of being jilted -- anger, loneliness, sadness, and the attempt to pretend that it doesn't matter.

"Although it's hard to tell,
I hope that what's-his-name treats you well.
I still maintain that he's a bum,
but it's your money, have some fun."

Overall, this album creates a mood of serenity for the listener, particularly a listener who seeks the comfort of knowing that others have loved and lost. Importantly, the songs do not wallowing in dispair -- although winter approaches, there is a promise of spring on the other side.

Nigh fifteen years ago, Barbara and I married. This album played a role in the marriage of the "impossible couple." Get it and savor.

This CD, When October Goes, has been a classic favorite of ours for the past 5 or so years. We can't wait until the fall of the year to bring it out again. We just ordered 4 more to give away as Christmas gifts this year. The songs cover the whole range of emotions... from light-hearted silliness to nostalgic sadness. A wonderful eclectic collection of songs.

Someone gave us this CD as a gift years ago and it remains an absolute favorite. I've given it as a gift at least a half a dozen times since then because I know everyone will love it--in fact, I try to keep extras around in case I need a last minute present! The last song, "Coming of the Snow," is my absolute favorite, but there isn't a single song on it that I don't like. It has also served to introduce me to new artists whom I have come to love (e.g. Richard Shindell). Although I make a point of listening to it in the autumn--very evocative of fall feelings--I love it at any time of the year.

I bought this on a whim years ago and it has become one of my top ten all time favorite CDs. This CD has artists I had never previously heard of, like John Gorka and Cliff Eberhardt, but whose music I now happily own. I can't wait for autumn every year so I can break this music out again. Five stars!

So glad to see this CD is still in print. This is one excellent compilation. Cheryl Wheeler's "When Fall Comes to New England" is a simple, straight-forward introduction to the album -- Cheryl captures the essense of the season. But wait! This album is great for *all* seasons. I'm listening on a hot, hot summer day and I almost feel a crisp, refreshing autumn breeze. "Are You Happy Now" is the ever-elusive Richard Shindell's best song of all. Cliff Eberhardt/Richie Havens' "The Long Road": also one of the best.