south of delia

Richard Shindell | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 8, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Richard Shindell Recordings
• ASIN: B000PLXFJW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #39,630 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Though folksinger Richard Shindell writes most of his own material, here he puts his conceptual and interpretive stamp on a wide range of songs by others. His rendition of "Señor (Tales of Yankee Power)" transforms that Dylan obscurity into one of the better Dylan covers, highlighted by Shindell's otherworldly slide guitar. That song finds a thematic partner in "Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos)," by Dylan's earliest major influence, Woody Guthrie. From Robbie Robertson's "Acadian Driftwood" and A.P. Carter's "The Storms Are on the Ocean" to a mandolin-driven rendition of Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A." and Peter Gabriel's "Mercy Street" (the only cover that doesn't really work, as it strains the upper register of Shindell's craggy baritone), the material has a strong sense of place and displacement. (As the artist suggests in his brief notes, every one of these songs has a narrator who may be quite distinct from the songwriter.) Among those providing superb support are guitarist Richard Thompson (on two cuts), bassist Viktor Krauss, former Dylan sideman Larry Campbell (on electric and steel guitars), and Lucy Kaplansky and Eliza Gilkyson on harmonies. --Don McLeese

Product Description

This stunning new album from Richard Shindell - his seventh - finds this artist inhabiting the words and music of his favorite songwriters. But this is more than just a collection of covers. This is a Richard Shindell record. Familiar classics are transformed, and new songs receive a definitive reading. Spurred on by first-rate musicians - Richard Thompson, Eliza Gilkyson, Larry Campbell, Viktor Krauss, Tony Trischka, and Lucy Kaplansky to name a few - every song on South of Delia is meticulously crafted. American roots music doesn't get any better.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Richard in his element, May 12, 2007

By 

Eric A. Politzer (San Francisco) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: south of delia (Audio CD)

Having hear RS in concert a number of times over the years, it always has been a wonderful experience to hear him re-interpret his own songs. So it is an easy bridge to hearing his covers of some of the songs he likes best/has been influenced by most. As far as production and musical maturity, this project is miles ahead of the "Cry, Cry, Cry" CD, however enjoyable that was in places. RS clearly feels a close bond with these songs, and his approach is to cherish them and explore them as narratives. Arrangements are typically simple and unobtrusive, but playing throughout is exemplary. RS' voice continues to develop depth and richness, and this is a fine example of a top notch song writer pouring his heart into honoring those that helped pave the way for him.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Discovery on the Trail of Great Music, August 10, 2007

By 

applewood (everywhere and nowhere) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: south of delia (Audio CD)

This was my first intro to Shindell, having been led here following the trail of Richard Thompson's guest appearance... and I can't get enough! The song selection is great and the covers good to great, with production and muscial accompaniment top notch. Shindell has a reputation as a skilled songwriter but here he interprets other's songs (for the most part not adding much variation in the covering, just honest and personal feeling).

I love em all, but my favorites are Acadian Driftwood, The Humpback Whale, Born In the USA, Northbound 35, Sittin on Top of the World, Texas Rangers and Lawrence KS.

This last song has quickly become one of my top 10 favorites of all time, sounding like an old classic, but instead being a newish song from the young Josh Ritter, who I have now discovered...(Northbound 35 is another great song that led me to discover Jeffrey Foucault, who's own recordings are great)...and the trail goes on, Thanks Richard (s)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars His Best Work to Date, May 23, 2007

By 

Jimmy Dodson (Beaufort, South Carolina) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: south of delia (Audio CD)

This is an extremely accomplished work of covers and I can't seem to get enough of this CD. It is a staple CD in my car and I listen to it on my commute to and from work. I never tire of it. This CD is thoroughly enjoyable and the musicanship, vocals, and choice of songs here is truely its strong points. I am fairly new to Richard's music, but I traveled 5 hours to Asheville, NC a short while back to see him in concert. I was not disappointed. I have since purchased "Vuelta" and "Paterson" and the "Cry Cry Cry" disc. All those are excellent as well and highly recommended. This I think is his best CD to date and you just can't go wrong with it.