Banki
02-24-2009, 05:48 AM
Rodney Crowell - Sex and Gasoline (2008)
http://i34.tinypic.com/1pueyc.jpg
He’s done it again
Crowell has been around for more than 30 years and this is his 20th album, including stints with ‘The Cicada’s’ and ‘The Cherry Bombs’ and the inevitable compilations. I first stumbled across him with his self titled album back in 1981, which was in fact his third. The plugging guitar riff on ‘Stars on the Water’ got me and he’s never really let go. He obviously had the same effect on others as this song has been covered by many people including George Strait and Jimmy Buffett, plus a bluegrass version, but don’t let that put you off. That’s what Crowell is good at. His music can transcend musical boundaries. And he’s had hundreds of versions of his songs covered to prove it.
Crowell is primarily known as a lyricist; and a thoughtful one at that. He’s described as a singer songwriter, but I reckon he’s a songwriter first, and a singer second. He first came to prominence with Emmylou’s ‘Hot Band’ when he was a young hot guitar slinger.
During his career he’s had his ups and downs. The early promise didn’t really materialise, probably because Nashville stifled his work. But he’s released some exemplary albums in his time. The aforementioned ‘Rodney Crowell’, ‘Diamonds and Dirt’ and his last three albums including ‘The Houston Kid’. Most artists write autobiographical lyrics, but this album captured what he was about.
It’s interesting that critically Crowell’s last three albums are considered to be his best. Maybe that’s what age and experience gives you: a worldly wisdom that others can resonate with. ‘Sex and Gasoline’ is going to add to that tally of critique. It’s a fine album. The opening title track has been around for a while and Crowell has played it at shows going back as far as early 2006. It outlines how the world is run on sex and gasoline and you know what? He’s right. Without either of these where would we be?
Produced by Joe Henry (related by marriage to Madonna and a fine artist too – Henry not Madonna), this album oozes class. This is the first album not to be self produced, and Crowell also produced his ex wife Rosanne Cash albums when they were together.
Firing into life with the title track, the album builds and builds. He balances rocky up-tempo with the slower sensitive pieces. The languid ‘Moving Work of Art’ spells out his feelings for someone who used to be special in his life. “What we had was not enough……..her friends all say she’s looking good, I saw it coming from the start….. She’s so cool it breaks your heart, she’s a moving work of art.” I just wish I could write something half as good as this to capture and immortalise my feelings for Deb, my ex.
‘The Rise and Fall of Intelligent Design’ finalises Crowell’s manifesto of social commentary toward the noughties. ‘Truth Decay’ is a punchy and poignant reminder of how honesty is vital in a relationship. ‘I Want You #35’ introduces some fine pedal steel that compliments the driving acoustic guitar perfectly.
‘I’ve Done Everything I Can’ uses two narrators to tell the story of preparing his daughter for what life lays ahead whilst also being fearful of how she’ll deal with things when she gets hurt, whilst also finding it hard to let go and let her find her own way in the “fray”. “The way the world came at you, left you bitter and confused, the more I tried to guide your path, the more you just felt used. May the little voice that guides you, send a message through for me, reminding you you’re beautiful and will forever be. I wish that I could be there now to tell you it’s alright, it’s a dark and daunting razors edge you’re walking on tonight. You’ve heard me say a million times, my work is never done, for those who keep the wolves at bay there is no setting sun, to see you standing here pray child you’ve come so far, which proves that you can find your way, no matter where you are. I’ve done everything I can, and there’s nothing I can do”. A truly beautiful song.
As you’d expect Crowell surrounds himself with exemplary musicians. Doyle Bramhall, Greg Leisz, Patrick Warren, David Piltch and Jay Bellarose all make an appearance. There’s also a female backing vocal on a number of tracks but no credit was provided on the promo copy of the CD I received.
‘Who Do You Trust’ continues with some mighty fine electric funky guitar that Tony Joe White does so well, plus the plinky plonky piano adds a certain beer soaked bar room sound to it. ‘Funky and the Farm Boy’ takes me back to that chugging guitar riff that so encapsulated me back in the early 80’s.
On finale ‘Closer to Heaven’, Crowell states how good his life has been and outlines what’s been good and bad during his journey on this earth as he starts to prepare to meet his maker. With albums as good as this let’s hope he’s going to be around making fine music for another 30 years. 8/10 ~americana uk~
http://rapidshare.com/files/155085690/2008_Sex_And_Gasoline.zip
http://i34.tinypic.com/1pueyc.jpg
He’s done it again
Crowell has been around for more than 30 years and this is his 20th album, including stints with ‘The Cicada’s’ and ‘The Cherry Bombs’ and the inevitable compilations. I first stumbled across him with his self titled album back in 1981, which was in fact his third. The plugging guitar riff on ‘Stars on the Water’ got me and he’s never really let go. He obviously had the same effect on others as this song has been covered by many people including George Strait and Jimmy Buffett, plus a bluegrass version, but don’t let that put you off. That’s what Crowell is good at. His music can transcend musical boundaries. And he’s had hundreds of versions of his songs covered to prove it.
Crowell is primarily known as a lyricist; and a thoughtful one at that. He’s described as a singer songwriter, but I reckon he’s a songwriter first, and a singer second. He first came to prominence with Emmylou’s ‘Hot Band’ when he was a young hot guitar slinger.
During his career he’s had his ups and downs. The early promise didn’t really materialise, probably because Nashville stifled his work. But he’s released some exemplary albums in his time. The aforementioned ‘Rodney Crowell’, ‘Diamonds and Dirt’ and his last three albums including ‘The Houston Kid’. Most artists write autobiographical lyrics, but this album captured what he was about.
It’s interesting that critically Crowell’s last three albums are considered to be his best. Maybe that’s what age and experience gives you: a worldly wisdom that others can resonate with. ‘Sex and Gasoline’ is going to add to that tally of critique. It’s a fine album. The opening title track has been around for a while and Crowell has played it at shows going back as far as early 2006. It outlines how the world is run on sex and gasoline and you know what? He’s right. Without either of these where would we be?
Produced by Joe Henry (related by marriage to Madonna and a fine artist too – Henry not Madonna), this album oozes class. This is the first album not to be self produced, and Crowell also produced his ex wife Rosanne Cash albums when they were together.
Firing into life with the title track, the album builds and builds. He balances rocky up-tempo with the slower sensitive pieces. The languid ‘Moving Work of Art’ spells out his feelings for someone who used to be special in his life. “What we had was not enough……..her friends all say she’s looking good, I saw it coming from the start….. She’s so cool it breaks your heart, she’s a moving work of art.” I just wish I could write something half as good as this to capture and immortalise my feelings for Deb, my ex.
‘The Rise and Fall of Intelligent Design’ finalises Crowell’s manifesto of social commentary toward the noughties. ‘Truth Decay’ is a punchy and poignant reminder of how honesty is vital in a relationship. ‘I Want You #35’ introduces some fine pedal steel that compliments the driving acoustic guitar perfectly.
‘I’ve Done Everything I Can’ uses two narrators to tell the story of preparing his daughter for what life lays ahead whilst also being fearful of how she’ll deal with things when she gets hurt, whilst also finding it hard to let go and let her find her own way in the “fray”. “The way the world came at you, left you bitter and confused, the more I tried to guide your path, the more you just felt used. May the little voice that guides you, send a message through for me, reminding you you’re beautiful and will forever be. I wish that I could be there now to tell you it’s alright, it’s a dark and daunting razors edge you’re walking on tonight. You’ve heard me say a million times, my work is never done, for those who keep the wolves at bay there is no setting sun, to see you standing here pray child you’ve come so far, which proves that you can find your way, no matter where you are. I’ve done everything I can, and there’s nothing I can do”. A truly beautiful song.
As you’d expect Crowell surrounds himself with exemplary musicians. Doyle Bramhall, Greg Leisz, Patrick Warren, David Piltch and Jay Bellarose all make an appearance. There’s also a female backing vocal on a number of tracks but no credit was provided on the promo copy of the CD I received.
‘Who Do You Trust’ continues with some mighty fine electric funky guitar that Tony Joe White does so well, plus the plinky plonky piano adds a certain beer soaked bar room sound to it. ‘Funky and the Farm Boy’ takes me back to that chugging guitar riff that so encapsulated me back in the early 80’s.
On finale ‘Closer to Heaven’, Crowell states how good his life has been and outlines what’s been good and bad during his journey on this earth as he starts to prepare to meet his maker. With albums as good as this let’s hope he’s going to be around making fine music for another 30 years. 8/10 ~americana uk~
http://rapidshare.com/files/155085690/2008_Sex_And_Gasoline.zip