Richard Shindell - South Of Delia '2007

Tracks list

Tracklist

01. Acadian Driftwood
02. Senor (Tales Of Yankee Power)
03. The Humpback Whale
04. Born In The U.S.A.
05. Mercy Street
06. The Storms Are On The Ocean
07. Northbound 35
08. Sitting On Top Of The World
09. Texas Rangers
10. Deportee (Plane Wreck At Los Gatos)
11. Solo le Pido a Dios
12. Lawrence, KS

Ever since Elton John and Bernie Taupin released Tumbleweed Connection a variety
of artists have dipped into that old west quasi-country world, a place somewhere
between Triple A and country radio, but not really part of either. "Acadian
Driftwood" is a strong opening track, pedal steel, accordion and violin all
played with a grasp of what the methodical and understated artist has in mind.
Understated in a good way, mind you, as the Bob Dylan cover "Señor (Tales of
Yankee Power)" blends a Gordon Lightfoot type of melancholy with superb ethereal
electric slide guitar. "The Humpback Whale," on the other hand, is a perfect
theme to Sena Jeter Naslund's novel Ahab's Wife, Richard Shindell moving to
different imaginary settings, old west to the high seas. His rendition of Bruce
Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A." is definitive -- you can actually understand
the lyrics while the arrangement, production and execution are all superior to
Springsteen's bark. This artist performs the cover as if he wrote it and puts
real love into the rendition. Quite a revelation as well as a statement on
Shindell's contributions which have not been fully recognized at the time of
this release. "Sitting on Top of the World" is another example of taking
well-worked material and making it a cohesive part of this collection, putting
his signature on music that in lesser hands would just come off stale. Whether
it's the elegant harmonies on "Mercy Street" or the subtle guitar strums of "The
Storms Are on the Ocean," the intent is effectively projected on this highly
listenable excursion to different lands and different times. "Northbound 35"
perfect for a sequel to Brokeback Mountain, that pensive mood with reflective
lyrics - "what's beautiful is broken" to "I never even kissed you on the
mouth/And he said goodbye" - territory Lou Reed covered on his Berlin album
though here it is more sad than dark. The 12 tracks combine to draw out an
eloquent dialogue, the music a delicate and perfect counterpoint to the ideas
Richard Shindell expresses to the listener on this superior release.



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