Mission of the Crossroad Palms

Steve Forbert

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 28, 1995)
• Original Release Date: March 28, 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Giant Records / Wea
• ASIN: B000002L3D
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #172,639 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
In 1976, Steve Forbert came to New York from Jimmie Rodgers's hometown of Meridian, Mississippi, with a harmonica, an acoustic guitar and a guitar case of terrific songs. His debut album, "Alive on Arrival," was released in '78, and Forbert has been trying to live up to its tremendous promise ever since. He finally fulfilled his talent with Mission of the Crossroad Palms," the best album of his career. His first recording in three years (and only his third in 13), it preserves the breezy charm of his early work while stripping it of all its callow glibness. Instead of puffing up the importance of his subject matter, Forbert is more likely to deflate it. Forbert, once tagged "the new Dylan," now more closely resembles John Prine in these bouncy country folk tunes and in such down-to-earth aphorisms as "It Is What It Is (And That's All)."

Forbert works best in folk rock arrangements which sketch out the harmonies and rhythms with a minimalism which matches his wispy voice. E Street Band alumnus Garry Tallent--who also produced Forbert's second-best album, 1988's "Streets of This Town"--gives the singer just the lean support he needs. But mostly the album works because it harvests Forbert's best-ever crop of songs: the ironic reflections of a retired railroad worker, "It Sure Was Better Back Then"; a hooky shuffle about relighting an old flame, "Lay Down Your Weary Tune Again"; and the Gothic imagery of the apology ballad, "Oh, To Be Back with You." --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars IT'S GOOD TO FEEL GOOD AGAIN!, March 15, 2001

By	Patrick Earley (Edmond, Oklahoma USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is one of my favorite records by Forbert. Having bought this one after his great album "The American In Me", I was expecting more of that same rock and roll feel. But this is a quieter record. After giving it a couple listens though, the songs just reached out and grabbed me. The album opens with it's rockinest tune, "It Was Better Back Then". But from there things calm down with one of Forbert's best and most introspective songs "It Is What It Is". With lyrics like "pondering the future you worry, listen somehow you'll get through, then you'll look backwards and long for the things that you'll find it's too late to do. Being a middle aged person, I can relate. But Forbert picks me right up with "So Good To Feel Good Again", where he sings about getting away from his troubles, freeing himself of that ball and chain, and just hitting the highway where he can get back on track again. This is my favorite on here, and like the rest of Crossroad Palms, it's great music to listen to while cruisin in the car on a lazy Sunday afternoon. This is a memorable Steve Forbert album, with some great sing along songs, and it comes highly recommended.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars IT IS WHAT IT IS, November 26, 2000

By	Reed (New Castle, PA) - See all my reviews

With this 1995 release, Forbert again proves that musical genius is not always rewarded with airplay and record sales. He delivers 12 topnotch songs of warmth, humor, a strong dose of reality, and more than a little romance. Listen to "Is It Any Wonder" and "The Last Rays of Sunlight" with simple yet touching lyrics. Tap your feet to the bouncy, up-tempo tunes "It Sure Was Better Back Then" and "Real Live Love."

Most of all, listen to "It Is What It Is (And That's All)", the best song on a disc full of good songs. With lyrics like, "Life is so brief you may think time is a thief, Better live for whatever it gives," you'll realize that Forbert is not just singing to you, he's singing ABOUT you.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ANOTHER WINNER.........., February 5, 2000

By	"craig_paul" (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews

.....by a great songwriter. Forbert scores big here across the board with "Mission."

This recording hooks you from the start with Forbert at his rocking best, as the weary ex-railroad laborer recalling a more simple time on "It Sure Was Better Back Then," and never stops. With each song, the listener is drawn closer to the story teller.

"Oh, To Be Back With You" is as touching a ballad as you will ever hear. "So Good To Feel Good Again" is trademark Forbert - 'I'm standing here broke but I don't think bent, and it's so good to feel good again' - the guy who's been through rough times and tells us things aren't as bad as we may think.

Forberts lyrics are outstanding, his phrasing perfect. This guy makes it look easy, and that's the beauty of his songs. We can relate to the situations and the characters because they are things we've all experienced and they are people we know.

Long-time Forbert fans will rank this among their favorites. Those hearing Steve for the first time will be hooked.