Borders

Cliff Eberhardt

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 23, 1999)
• Original Release Date: March 23, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Red House
• ASIN: B00000I9D6
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #293,097 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The scratchy Dobro riff that kicks off "Why Is the Road So Long" pretty much sums up Eberhardt's stripped-down, passionate, blues-inflected folk music. It's an approach that worked wonders on his critically lauded Red House Records debut, 12 Songs of Good and Evil, and, if anything, it works even better this time out. It's a concept album of sorts, and every song examines the borders that divide and keep people from those they love and the things they desire. It's a vague enough idea and one that allows Eberhardt plenty of space to exercise his impressive songwriting skills. From the easy-groove-driven "Fix Your Blues" to the ominous voodoo blues of "Everybody Knows" (in which he conjures up the ghost of Chicago blues great Otis Rush), Eberhardt covers a fair amount of musical ground. When the journey is over, you'll probably wish the road had been a bit longer. --Percy Keegan

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Folk Veteran finds his way back from The Long Road, October 8, 1999

By A Customer

Those familair with Cliff Eberhardt's recorded and live performances will not find the quality of songwriting and arrangements suprising on "Borders". They will be extremely happy that this veteran of Contemporary Folk has taken the reigns in hand and produced his finest disk in years. Cliff's strong, expressive vocal, combined with a raw, slimmed down mix of mostly acoustic instruments (many played by Cliff himself)allows songs that on other disks could have been lost in another producers hands. On "Borders", the vision is clear - clean, simple mix with complex, uniquely delivered emotionally charged lyrics. The "Border" theme runs throughout leaving you waiting for the next songs tie-in. Long-time fans, saddned that they can no longer buy Cliff's first critically acclaimed disk "The Long Road" will be pleased to find a true-to-form re-do of Eberhardt's "Your Face". Lovers of Folk and Acoustic music or just those who dig a great songs...don't let this one go.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cliff's best yet!, March 11, 1999

By A Customer

Borders is about many things, but it's neatly tied together by the many lines and borders that affect us all. If you like great melodies, thought provoking lyrics and a voice that effectively tells a story like few people can, then this compelling collection should be on your musical shopping list.

Unlike his last CD, Borders offers a fuller sound, yet it remains clear and uncluttered. Self-produced in first rate style, Cliff gets help from Liz Queler on backup vocals, Seth Farber on keyboard, Doug Plavin on drums and Carol Sharer on violin to help make this the best of Cliff's five CD's.

The Land of the Free is a song about borders, both real and theoretical, while The Long Goodbye tells about love gone awry in a brief, but unique package. The Wrong Side of the Line and Anna Lee will take you back in time, as one talks about the tragedy of the Civil War, and the other the tragedy of love. The bluesy tune Lines will get your mind working, then Everybody Knows will get your feet working with a very catchy beat. Also included is Your Face, previously on his now unavailable The Long Road CD, and the end result is another life for this great song. Borders showcases Cliff's fabulous voice, guitar playing, writing and style all wrapped up in a great package. If you're already a fan this is a must buy, if you aren't, this is definately the place to start.