[.ca] Broke Down

From Amazon.com:
On his second Philo release, singer-songwriter Slaid Cleaves builds a bridge between New England, where he grew up, and Texas, where he now lives. Cleaves's voice often affects a yearning quality reminiscent of traditional Irish music, and his songs are populated by the sort of tragic characters familiar to old folk ballads. In "Cold and Lonely," a poor farmer grieves for his dead wife and children, while the narrative "Breakfast in Hell" is a Canadian logger's answer to "John Henry." The suffering takes a more personal turn in "One Good Year," where Cleaves laments, "It's a bitter wind, in your face every day / It's the little sins, that wear your soul away." But just when the downcast mood begins to grow oppressive, Cleaves comes back with the defiant "Bring It On" and the redemptive "This Morning I Am Born Again," featuring Woody Guthrie's amazing lyrics set to new music. Austin-based producer Gurf Morlix , known for his long association with Lucinda Williams, contributes spare and evocative instrumental textures. --Rick Mitchell

Would be songwriter in search of a melody...none found.:
At first I thought the lyrics were promising, then realized they only seem much better than they are because of the god-awful, mindless, endlessly repetitive naryl,naryl,naryl,nothingness of anything resembling a memorable musical phrase. How this collection got wasted onto perfectly good plastic boggles the mind. Whatever happened to the kind of music that Webb Pierce, Hank Williams,Johny Cash,etc. produced? I'll have to send these bowl floaters back to Rounder for a refund.

One of the best around:
This album is astonshingly good. The more I listen to it the more I am blown away.

One of The Best CD's You've Never Heard.:
I was lured to a Slaid Cleaves show by a friend here in Philly and walked away with three CD's. He was that impressive. In the best folk tradition, he weaves tales of the down trodden with tales of hope in a rich voice that never comes across as preachy or weak-kneed. Like John Prine or maybe Steve Earle, Slaid knows how to sing about real people and places ("Horse Shoe Lounge" and "Lydia") and of the larger than life tales that make such myths worth hearing again and again ("Breakfast In Hell"). I saw him again this summer at the Newport Folk Festival and he was darn near the best player on the side stage. His reworking of Woody Guthrie's "This Morning I was Born Again" puts most of the "alt-country" crowd to shame. He also understands musical economics. Ten selections, and not one of them a filler. (Are you listening Ryan Adams?) I have played "One Good Year" several times when I feel down, and it never fails to give me a surge of willpower. I can't recommend Slaid Cleaves and "Broke Down" enough, and especially if he's playing near enough to your town to get into a show.

McCabe's #6 - Slaid Cleaves 05-23-2004:
This is a review of Slaid's concert at McCabe's in Santa Monica on Sunday 05-23-2004. He was simply incredible, playing his signature blend of Folk-rock & Alt/Country with his touring band (His fellow guitarist Michael O'Conner ROCKED!) He played most of this album along with songs from his latest album "Wishbone". My favorites of the night were the title track (Lots of airplay on Sirius Disorder // 24 satellite channel) and 'Bring It On' - also a staple of Sirius' and NPR radio. The encore brought Slaid alone with his guitar, playing a unplugged piece from his new album called 'New Year's Day'. After the concert - he signed my copy of "Broke Down" with his inscription "For Joe, Slaid Cleaves 2004". I told him he was the first artist that I heard over Sirius Satellite Radio, and he was happy to hear that. He told me he was 'thinking' of satellite radio, I told him to go "Sirius". He said he would look into it. Thanks Slaid!! JG

Just go out and buy it!:
This guy is a great songwriter, and a wonderful singer and performer. Buy this album, check out his website, and by all means go see him live if you get the chance. He puts on a terrific show, despite the fact that he must have sung all of his songs about a million times. Gurf Morlix, Lucinda Williams' ex-guitarist, produced this CD and plays a lot of additional instruments on it. It is the perfect production, and highlights the songs without overwhelming them. I am not easily impressed, but this album's a keeper.

• Broke Down
• One Good Year
• Horseshoe Lounge
• Cold and Lonely
• Breakfast in Hell
• Bring It On
• Lydia
• This Morning I Am Born Again
• Key Chain
• I Feel the Blues Moving In