Customer Reviews

south of delia

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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)

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.

Having been a fan of Richard for quite a while, I hesitated to buy a CD of covers. He is such a good storyteller that I thought I might wait for his next original work. But after hearing some selections at a few live shows, I bought the CD. His ability to tell stories translates well to his ability to retell stories. He changes some of the songs (making deportee much less twangy, and sharpening the edge on Born in the USA) and leaves some untouched (Northbound 35.) But he makes all of them unique. The input from world class artists Richard Thompson (who in the liner notes apprears courtesy of himself), Eliza Gilkyson, Larry Campbell and Viktor Krauss makes this a stellar addition to his discography. Can't wait for the next CD that includes parasol ants.

I feel like a betrayer, because I too am such a big fan. This, at this time, will be the first and only non five star review. I have been longing for a covers album. I would always hear other songs sung by other artists and wonder "Wouldn't that song be awesome by Richard Shindell?"
And then here we are; he comes out with one. The problem is that I think only half of these songs really do showcase his talents. The other songs, though enjoyable enough, do not really hold melodies or attitudes that showcase his great talents of singing, and expressing a songs truer nature. This cd is awesome. And if you are a fan of Shindell you won't be dissapointed, and if you have never heard him before you'll like this album as well if you dig this kind of music, which I simply label Good Music. I just don't think that this album is going to have the same effect on poeple as his others did, his last excluded Vuelta, which I also thought was only a four star album. Before that Album though all of his albums are 100% five star albums. And this one is great as well. I love listening to this cd in my car. It's really soothing, and I have a new favorite song from the album each week. I'm definitely not dissapointed with this album, perhaps with some of the song selections; Sitting on Top of the World and Texas Rangers. Those two will never be my favorite on this album, and if those were replaced perhaps by Elvis Presley by Dave Carter, The Rose of The San Joaquin, and/or Blue Wing by Tom Russell, all songs I have dreamed about Richard Shindell singing then this would be a definite five star album.

It's refreshing to hear new versions of some great songs. Shindell brings something new and fresh to each cut. Born in the USA sounds like the lament that it was meant to be. Deportee is full of sadness and futility. I stumbled upon this cd, and had been totally unfamiliar with Shindell's music. I've now ordered three more cd's. He is is a talent to reckon with..

I like that brand of americana which veers more towards folk than country music. I chose this as my first Richard Shindell album because I was already familiar with some of the songs and song-writers represented. Also, because variety is often an important factor for me, I anticipated that a song selection such as this, would at least ensure a wide range of melodic and lyrical styles (which is very much the case, as it turns out).

RS has a distinctive voice - it has a slight nasal quality (but in a pleasant way, I should add); it has been compared to that of James Taylor, but I think it has a harder edge - closer to Gordon Lightfoot and, now and again, with shades of David Gray also. The subtle vocal harmonies are supplied by RS, Lucy Kaplansky, Sara Milonovich, Eliza Gilkyson and Mark Hallman, amongst others. Over 20 diferent instruments are played by no less than 15 musicians. The roster reads like a who's who of musician's musicians - these include : Richard Shindell (acoustic/electric guitars, bouzouki, electric slide, cajon peruano and more!), Larry Campbell (pedal steel), Viktor Krauss (acoustic bass), David Sancious (keyboards), Sara Milonovich (violin), and the irrepressible Richard Thompson (electric lead guitar).


The song selection is impeccable, there isn't a single bad song and there are truly several excellent ones, 10 by contemporary writers plus 2 'trad arrs.' - in addition to the ones shown below, there are songs by Bruce Springsteen, Peter Gabriel, A.P. Carter, Jeffrey Foucault, Harry Robertson and Leon Gieco. Some comments about a selection of the songs :

ACADIAN DRIFTWOOD (Robbie Robertson) - RS's vocals exude the feelings of bitterness and despair of the displaced families from Acadia - victims of 'ethnic cleansing' policies by British colonialists in the mid-18th. century. Instrumental accompaniment includes acoustic guitar, pedal steel, accordion and violin; harmonies are from Lucy Kaplansky and Sara Milonovich; absolutely stunning music.

SENOR (TALES OF YANKEE POWER) (Bob Dylan) - I'm not terribly sure what the lyrics are about, but they are very introspective and they convey a strong sense of disillusionment and alienation. The playing is highly sensuous - bouzouki and electric slide (very eerie and chilling) from RS, piano, acoustic bass, snare drum and Hammond; RS's vocals are quite excellent - another superb track.

TEXAS RANGERS (trad. arr. Shindell) - A rousing song which RS delivers with a jaunty lilt. With its insistent percussion (including tom-toms and bodhran) and Richard Thompson's electric guitar, a song that wouldn't sound too out of place on an early Fairport Convention album; stirring stuff.

DEPORTEE (PLANE WRECK AT LOS GATOS) (Woody Guthrie/Martin Hoffman) - The song is an indictment of the attitudes of certain sectors of the American public towards illegal immigrant labourers - i.e that they are somehow deemed expendable. Fine vocals from RS and super harmony vocals courtesy of Eliza Gilkyson and Mark Hallman.

LAWRENCE,KS (Josh Ritter) - This song is about a dryland farmer who manages to eke out a living; he's saddled with debts and this prevents him from changing his situation. The song and its rendition are absolutely gorgeous - all the more so, for the wistful accompaniment (pedal steel and violin) and delicate harmonies; the final line of each verse, 'and I can't leave this world behind', has a really strong hook.


There's no chance this CD will be gathering dust - it's an album that I'll definitely keep coming back to. If you like contemporary folk-americana, which is both accessible and 'uncorporatized', then you should listen to this album - otherwise, you may as well throw your ears in the bin.

An unqualified 5 stars (minimum).

Richard Shindell just keeps getting better. This cd is one of his best. I like every song and that hardly ever happens.

Another excellent compilation by Richard Shindell. If you enjoy his music, this CD will not disappoint.