Exploration

Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 8, 2005)
• Original Release Date: March 8, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: New West Records
• ASIN: B00078GIAG
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #15,407 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Harmonies highlight this studio debut by Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion, the wife-and-husband duo who previously released albums of their own. As the daughter of Arlo Guthrie and granddaughter of Woody, Sarah Lee has deep bloodlines in the folk tradition, while Johnny was a Carolina indie-rocker with Dillon Fence. With coproduction and guitar by the Jayhawks' Gary Louris and musicianship that draws from that band and Son Volt, the album matches organic arrangements to material that shows a social conscience while celebrating domestic bliss. Highlights range from a performance of Pete Seeger's previously unreleased "Dr. King" to the poppier propulsion of Guthrie's "Holdin' Back," which could pass as a Stevie Nicks/Fleetwood Mac outtake. Eric Heywood's steel guitar brings a lilt to Irion's album-opening "In Lieu of Flowers," and Dave Boquist's banjo drives "Gotta Prove" into a footstomping finale. In between, much of the music has the easy feel of a front-porch rocking chair. --Don McLeese

Product Description
"Authentic." "Timeless." "Harmonious." "Exhilarating." Any or all of these adjectives could describe the folk-rock sound created by Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion. The musical richness and psychological depth of their initial collaboration, the fittingly titled Exploration, is irrefutable proof that the disarming granddaughter of Woody/daughter of Arlo and the prodigious South Carolinian quite naturally bring out the best in each other.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Classic Americana., May 21, 2005

By	D. Bencuya - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Wow! , what a discovery.
This wonderful album sounds like a cross between seventies era Fleetwood Mac and "tommorow the green grass" jayhawks period. Sarah lee sounds like a combination of stevie nicks and bobbie gentry.
The album was produced by jayhawks genius gary louris and the musicians are Alt-country fan's heaven. You hear louris touch in every aspect of this album , the production is open and airy and the harmonies are just wonderful (think Gram/Emmylou), The songs are all excellent, songwriting of the highest order.
If your'e a fan of high quality music similiar in the spirit to the jayhawks than you owe yourself this album.
Simply wonderful.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Complete Album, October 18, 2005

By	N. Burt "nikkles" (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I can be a bit of a track jumper when I don't feel a whole album is on the same musical level, but this album is just so well crafted that I can put down my finger and listen to the whole thing. It is inventive and interesting with some of the best vocals I've heard in any genre lately. This album is interesting enough that you don't need to a roots music lover or a folk lover just a lover of good lyrics and strong vocals. This album is just so well crafted and fun it is worth the money to take a chance on it!

4.0 out of 5 stars Kick Back and Enjoy!, October 31, 2006

By	handyman - See all my reviews

I know what I like and I liked this album the first time I heard it. The duet thing hasn't been done better than this, and I just took George Jones-Tammy Wynette out of the player.
I will say that I enjoy the laid back, easy going songs and sounds from these two (In Lieu of Flowers, Kindness, Swing of Things) the most but, sample sample sample and prepare to be impressed.
I borrowed another SLG CD and threw it back. "Exploration" is a keeper. Highly recommended.