Reader, it is rare I am dazzled by new music. I am set in my ways now. I know who I like, and frankly we aren't hiring anyone new. The one phrase I just can't stand anymore is, "You gotta check out this new band." I don't care about your music, which is funny because music is my great passion. That being said, I hate to be the guy who tells you the same.
I first heard them in a buddy's car as background music and was totally smitten. The sound is a folk country kinda thing, but in a good way. You don't get fun much. You can get funny. I mean, there is the Weird Al punny kind of funny, and the Barenaked Ladies "aren't we witty" kind of funny. In fact, 'fun' is rarely an attribute I look for in music. This is the kinda fun that sounds like some dedicated music lovers playing on a porch together. At the risk of starting a cliché explosion, I have even a better description - organic! It is a beautiful and simple CD that has made me a better person.
As you might suspect, the name is an homage to Willie Nelson, and songs are primarily by a gentle country singing voice. When it is right, the gal pops in with amazing harmony. Which gal? Norah freaking Jones! Not just a great talent, but a ridiculously attractive woman. I wish I could tell you that didn't matter, or that I was above that being a bench mark, but let's just say Norah and Fergie have pillow fights in my dreams nightly.
The most beautiful song I may have ever heard is "Streets of Baltimore." It has anchored my Fall, and is in on more playlists than any other single song on the iPod. Here is an example of the impact this song has had: I used to think of Baltimore as a horrible, poor, and cold place. Not sure why, but Monopoly probably had a hand in it. Seriously, any property you can score for $45 is suspect. Somehow, this song makes Baltimore the most romantic place on earth.
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
"Norah and Fergie have pillow fights in my dreams nightly."
did they treat you kindly and furnish you with tape?
thanks for the mention
2 - JR
Guess you guys will be lining up to see My Blueberry Nights next year.
3 - Lono
Bicho,
you magnificent bastard. I thought I was totally over Fergie. All they did were commercials, then I heard she has a solo album. Seems pretentious and early to me for her solo album. However, have you seen the cover of Rolling Stone out now? To quote comic Jeff Ross
"read it? I ruined in!"
to bring this sad little perversion around to home, what hearing Norah Jones does is similar to what seeing Fergie does. She had me at 'Hello'.
JR - thanks a million for your honest feedback. I stand seriously corrected in not even knowing 'Streets of Baltimore' was a cover. Indeed I am a hack writer... the Thomas Kincaid of rock journalists.
To be fair, I am on a great deal of narcotics right now for knee surgery. It's not an excuse, just an explanation.
4 - Mat Brewster
That was excellent Sir Lono. Reminded me again that I have to buy this album. I keep seeing it and keep thinking I need to get it, then keep noticing the empty hole where my cash used to be. Maybe I'll sell myself for the twenty quid needed to buy it.
5 - Connie Phillips
This article has been placed at the Advance.net websites, a site affiliated with about 12 newspapers.
One such site is here.
6 - G
Could I agree with you more on your review? I don't think so. Don't know why once anybody even heard one song, they would not dash out and add it to their collection. It has been a family fave for us since we bought it. I can't say enough about it, but I'll stop here because I think you did the album proud. Now everyone else, go out and buy this record!!!
7 - DJRadiohead
Like Sir Brewster, I have been curious about this album and meaning to get it. I might have to break loose with the cash and score this tonight.
8 - Mark Saleski
totally worth it, in my opinion.
9 - DJRadiohead
I feel another nudge towards pulling the trigger on this. Best Buy stop on the way home...
10 - Mark Saleski
also, the Peter Malick Group w/Norah, if you don't have that already.
11 - DJRadiohead
I made good on my promise. Didn't go last night, though. I went at lunch today and got pissed on by a torrential downpour. Can't wait to pop this one in and listen to it.
12 - Lewis Brescoach
Nice review...but the Streets of Baltimore was written in 1966 (Words and Music by Tompall Glaser and Harlan Howard). Grahm Parsons and Emmylou did a kick-ass version together. But the Little Willies cover is awesome.