Indie Country Music

2 1/2

More like a fan ep then one for the casual listener, this dubious short length nonetheless can still introduce those irresistable qualities prevelent in this songwriter's quirky depression. Featuring two editions of their catchy, but rockin as hell "happy man" only proceed if you have checked out other full lenghts of the fractured pop rock.

First of all, it borders on the absurd to compare this to "Good Morning Spider", which is such a brilliant album that just about anything will pale in comparison to it. And second of all, this is a much better EP than James from SoCal might have you think. Thing is, these aren't really "new" songs, most of them have been around in one form or another for awhile now, existing mostly as b-sides. "Waiting For Nothing", a track that dates back to the "Vivadixie.." era, is utterly sublime and a favorite of many of the Sparklehorse fans I know. "My Yoke Is Heavy" is another Daniel Johnston cover that gleefully oscillates between quite balladry and crashing guitar rock. And I happen to love the live version of "Gasoline Horseys" here, it's an interesting departure from the LP cut which incorporates some wonderful sound samples. Don't be deterred, if you like Mark's other work, you'll more likely than not enjoy this EP immensely.

i'd never heard Sparklehorse before i picked this up. i hadn't so much as seen anything about them aside from Mark in a Vox Amplifier ad. i got this because it was the cheapest Sparklehorse thing the store had. when i first listened to it, 'Happy Man' completely and totally blew me away; it is easily one of the best songs that i've ever heard, and the raw live version is even better. the other songs are just as good, though a little slower ... the slower songs are a good balance with the spacy rockingness of 'Happy Man'. the other Sparklehorse albums will be in my posession shortly.

Ray Condo & His Richochets are a Vancouver based five-piece combining elements of rockabilly, western swing, honky-tonk, cabaret-style jazz and blues to create the most exciting musical hybrid I've ever had the good fortune to witness. They've put in some long hours on the road the last few years, and I have got to tell you, don't pass on a chance to see them live! Ray's manic energy and eclectic vocal, sax, and rhythm guitar stylings are a joy to behold. Backed by one helluva' rhythm section, Jimmie Roy (steel, 2nd lead) and Steve Nikleva ("take-off" guitar), fly one moment and compliment Ray's vocal delivery the next. Steve N., especially, has a style all his own that is indicative of his background in the jazz genre. How does all of this transfer to disc? Better than I ever would have believed had I not heard it on "High and Wild," Ray's third for the Joaquin label. Each release has been a steady ascent toward greatness, I'm pleased to report. On this outing, songs like "I Flipped," "Fort Worth Stomp," and "Parchment Farm," left me amazed that they were able to top their excellent 1997 release, "Door To Door Maniac." When Ray "channels" Maurie Chevalier (you think I'm kiddin' don't you?) on "What is This Thing Called Love?," I was sold on the fact that Ray rules! Don't miss this one, folks- this music is far and away Canada's greatest single export!

Was a pretty big fan of Big Country. I like a lot of so called Nashville country. Dont mind some celtic stuff. But this work takes the most forgettable aspects from each of these areas and combines them into an awfully dismissable paste which seems to sound alarmingly similar from the start of the first song clear through the ending cackles of cut thirteen. If ya' desire some good 'Big Country' esque stuff, check out 'the icicle works' greatest hits. if your after some nashville stuff, or what nashville would've sounded like were it not for the corruption of Big Music, check out Slobberbone or the guy whose gonna rock a lot of peoples worlds and/or blow peoples minds, Ryan Adams. Cant reccomend anything celctic-wise, sorry. I found it kind of err actually rather sad/upsetting that in the liner notes Stuart Adamson dedicated this album to his wife and children and family. That would of been a sweet gesture had he not done what he did in the end. I wish I would have liked it more, 'cause they do have a dandy name.

When I found out that Stuart Adamson had committed suicide, I went back and listened to Big Country's "The Crossing" for the first time in years. I was shocked by how well it held up. Power, grace, depth, and remarkable originality. So I got interested in finding out where Adamson's career had gone.

The short version of that story is that it all led to the Raphaels, a band that was really a singing and songwriting partnership between Adamson and Nashville hit-writing machine Marcus Hummon. Adamson spent his last 5 years in Nashville, and a whole lot of it sunk into him without coming anywhere near to washing away his Scottish flavor.

First, Supernatural sounds amazing. Finding a group with two singers as good as Hummon and Adamson is rare. They both sing with great competence and deeply-felt emotion. And their voices blend beautifully, complementary but different. The musicianship, by those two and a cast of Nashville pros, is impeccable.

And the songs, as another reviewer has said, just continue grow on you with each listen. There are no low points. Supernatural (the song) should have been a hit, and Stand Up, too. But listen a few times and songs like Learning to Row, My Only Crime, and Life is a Church seem like classics.

And of course, the CD gets the emotional boost of having been the final work by a very talented, very sad man. When Adamson reaches the vocal highs at the end of My Only Crime, it's just devastating.

It's sad that so few people will probably ever hear this CD. It's clearly going to be a forgotten masterpiece.

This album is, in a word, exceptional. After he left Big Country, singer/songwriter released this remarkable album in 2001. On many levels, it can be seen almost as a last will and testament. "Learning To Row" is beyond exceptional and show where his writing may have taken us, while "My Only Crime" is a heartbreaking goodbye. If you are a Big Country fan, or just someone who appreciates thoughtful, well-written music with lots of heart, this just may be for you. An unforgetable record from an unforgetable songwriter.

Simply stated this one super recording... it's great for Big Country fans and for Country fans who like a little twist. The music is just great I put 5 stars because it just seems to grow on you. I'm just sorry that the music can't grow because the seed of something really good is there. I haven't stopped playing it since it arrived yesterday.. enjoy it because it'll be music you can enjoy for a long long time.

wow...what a wondeful CD. Stuart made such a natural step towards the countryesque sound that emanates from this record. there is an unmistakable, familiar Scottish/Celtic feel to this piece of work, and the fact that it was written in and recorded in Nashville, Tn. just makes it all come together. One must admit that Big Country music does have somewhat of a country feel to it...albeit, a scottich/country/rock feel, but there are definitely some country aspects to the Big Country sound. i simply fell in love with this one and only album from The Raphaels. So sad that this would be the last album from Stuart...the music world lost one of its' true musicians/songwriters when Stuart passed on...
album highlights: Simple Man, Private Battlefield, and Old Country, Country....i am someone who absolutely HATES country music, but this album, although it does have some country feel to it, is simply incredible....thank you Stuart, thank you Marcus! Stuart, you are dearly missed and always will be....

Saw Tory Voodoo in a psuedo-pub in Deltona,Fla., in '95. Outstanding show!! Never heard them before and can't forget them since. Met them after the show and bought their CD. This duet can take you all the way across the pond and spiral you back in history. If you enjoy Celtic Folk or similar music, this is worth having and listening to repeatedly. It may soon become your favorite CD.

When i heard Eddy do these songs for the first time it was on old german extended play singles.What a great singer he was.
I found out these was recorded in stereo in late 50s.
Lucky for me and other peoples,Bear family Records started releasing this kind of music on cd in mid 80s.I sent a letter to Richard Weize,chief of Bear family records.
About 4 years later these recordings was released on cd in great supersound.The sound is so great because it is from the original sessiontapes,whitout any modern soundreduction systems.It got that warm fat sound from the early stereoage.Buy it now,listen and enjoy Eddy at his best.

I bought this CD for the "There by Hangs a Tale" album because my LP is no longer playable. It also comes with Cattle Call, but I only like 2 of the songs on that album. If you like the smooth voice of Eddie Arnold and you like old country folks songs, you can't wrong buying this CD.

This is a good down to earth country western at it's best ,if you like the good old western music . It may not be for the younger, but any growing up in the 50's this is one of the best that Eddy Arnold Recorded.There are other top recordings that topped the charts in early 50's that might be checked out.

A man that kept the WESTERN in Country and Western and helped retain the traditional WESTERN music and added a few songs that blended right in with WESTERN music! A GREAT classic in its own right! Don't miss this CD!!!!!!

Love it! in this day of changing music there is nothing better than revisiting the classic cowboy tunes. Great sing-a-long.

This album is entertaining. Sure it is not the regular run-of-the mill album, but that is why it deserves an objective listen. The songs are thoughtful and inspired, and not-in-the least pretentious. They remind me a bit of the Felice Brothers' Tonight at the Arizona There is nice musicianship and depth to these songs, yet you don't get bogged-down or burdened by listening to it. It is just good music-- a nice addition to any music library.