The Album Review Club - Week #147 - (page 1942) - Blonde On Blonde - Bob Dylan

[RobMCFC]

Nope, sorry but so far it's not for me. I really wanted to like this but just found it all a bit dull, nothing grabbed me, all run of the mill stuff but then I'm no expert on this genre although I will listen to Sheryl Crowe (is that the same genre, I don't know?).

3/10

Off to listen to something faster and louder.

I'd say Sheryl Crow is more rock than country, although obviously there's a crossover. I have a few SC albums and saw her live at the arena in 1997.

I got into new country/alt country/ Rebel country or whatever it was called before becoming part of the Americana genre, by Bob Harris playing Steve Earle’s ‘Guitar Town’.Followed by bands like Uncle Tupelo,WhiskeyTown.

I knew BB was a Lucinda Williams fan from other threads and this is her
piece de resistance IMHO although the albums that followed this are excellent too.
As said previously I’m not a big fan of female singers but LW is one of the
exceptions.I love her sexy southern drawl, pity she doesn’t look like she sounds lol.
The songs on this album are superb, well written and well played plus the bonus of Steve Earle being on it ,a favour she’s returned on a number of his albums.

I bought the album shortly after it’s release and it’s that good I still play it
regularly.Songs like the Title track, ‘Right on time’ 2 Kool 2 be 4 -Gotten,can’t let go and Joy are amongst my favourite LW songs.

This albums so varied too with elements of country,rock and folk.



It’s a definite 9/10.

I've got a good feeling about this one - not listened yet, but as I said to Benny, I'm familiar with the title and reading the notes on the album, looking at the players and the instruments used, it should be right up my street.

Given this is one of m favourite genres, I can't think of a reason why I've not heard this before. No excuse really with Spotify.

 

[BlueHammer85]

Just put it in a comment on here and I'll pick it up.

Scores are out of 10.

Only been doing this for 5 years

 

[Mancitydoogle]

I'd say Sheryl Crow is more rock than country, although obviously there's a crossover. I have a few SC albums and saw her live at the arena in 1997.


I've got a good feeling about this one - not listened yet, but as I said to Benny, I'm familiar with the title and reading the notes on the album, looking at the players and the instruments used, it should be right up my street.

Given this is one of m favourite genres, I can't think of a reason why I've not heard this before. No excuse really with Spotify.

There‘s tons of really good Americana stuff out there that I’ve prob not heard either and I’ve been into it for years.
I think you’ll love this Rob as are tastes are quite similar.

 

[Big Joe Corrigan]

Not sure if already mentioned, but she’s playing the Ritz, 22nd January.

 

[Coatigan]

Nope, sorry but so far it's not for me. I really wanted to like this but just found it all a bit dull, nothing grabbed me, all run of the mill stuff but then I'm no expert on this genre although I will listen to Sheryl Crowe (is that the same genre, I don't know?).

3/10

Off to listen to something faster and louder.

Not that I'm anywhere ready to 'score' it, but first listen, this is where I am. I thought a sleepy Sheryl Crow before reading the post, the voice and singing is very similar. It is not the genre as such, nothing caught my attention.

2 more to go though, just first impression.

 

[Exeter Blue I am here]

Just put it in a comment on here and I'll pick it up.

Scores are out of 10.

9/10

 

[threespires]

9/10

No lemons on this, started typing out my favourite tracks and realised it was going to be most of the album. She can just deliver a song, case in point...I love the version of Can’t Let Go by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss but it sounds like they are singing a song, whereas Williams sounds like she’s in a bar telling you her personal story.

With this album and loads of others when you revisit them, it’s easy to forget what made it special when it came out. I’d been listening to a variety of country for maybe just over a decade when this came out and had her (sort of) debut album and sweet old world in my collection both of which I liked a lot. But you could tell this was going to be different, it had an edge but was still commercial. There were plenty of talented singer song writers knocking around in what could broadly be called country at the time, but if you wanted a more of ragged night out with a bit of an edge then Lucinda Williams was definitely your gal, it was clearly different from what most of them were producing. Probably a load of artists can thank her for having a career on the back of this album becoming mainstream. Even her near contemporaries, I think got a boost because of how well this was received.

The only other thing I’d say is though it’s her most critically acclaimed album she’s got loads of other great albums too. If you’re stuck for time, IMO go with 'Lucinda Williams'; 2010’s Blessed and the 2020 Good Souls Better Angels. The last of these has that Cash ‘American’, Tom Jones ‘Praise and Blame’ vibe of an artist wanting to get something off their chest as the sun sets; but I really hope that’s not the case with her, and we get some more.

Hugely underappreciated in my opinion, up there with the really big names including the one that’s a guest on this.

 

[threespires]

Stellar cast on this one.

Never seen this, it's so cool. Thank you!

 

[GornikDaze]

Not really heard of her before. Quite enjoyed listening to this in the car heading to a meeting. She’s got a great voice but I found it a bit samey as the album went on. Country and Western is not really a genre I’ve given much attention to in the past. I’d give it a solid 5/10 but I doubt I’ll listen again. On the way back from the meeting I played Pixies and Slipknot’s latest offferings… now we’re talking!!!

 

[Saddleworth2]

9/10

No lemons on this, started typing out my favourite tracks and realised it was going to be most of the album. She can just deliver a song, case in point...I love the version of Can’t Let Go by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss but it sounds like they are singing a song, whereas Williams sounds like she’s in a bar telling you her personal story.

With this album and loads of others when you revisit them, it’s easy to forget what made it special when it came out. I’d been listening to a variety of country for maybe just over a decade when this came out and had her (sort of) debut album and sweet old world in my collection both of which I liked a lot. But you could tell this was going to be different, it had an edge but was still commercial. There were plenty of talented singer song writers knocking around in what could broadly be called country at the time, but if you wanted a more of ragged night out with a bit of an edge then Lucinda Williams was definitely your gal, it was clearly different from what most of them were producing. Probably a load of artists can thank her for having a career on the back of this album becoming mainstream. Even her near contemporaries, I think got a boost because of how well this was received.

The only other thing I’d say is though it’s her most critically acclaimed album she’s got loads of other great albums too. If you’re stuck for time, IMO go with 'Lucinda Williams'; 2010’s Blessed and the 2020 Good Souls Better Angels. The last of these has that Cash ‘American’, Tom Jones ‘Praise and Blame’ vibe of an artist wanting to get something off their chest as the sun sets; but I really hope that’s not the case with her, and we get some more.

Hugely underappreciated in my opinion, up there with the really big names including the one that’s a guest on this.

I have had a listen to half the album so far and like her voice a great deal. In terms of the music I have to say I prefer Emmylou's Wrecking Ball/Red Dirt Girl phase but its well played for sure. Its a nice pick and I suspect I will enjoy the rest.