|
Blackjack David | 
| Artist: Dave Alvin
Label: Hightone Records
Category: Music
Buy New: $13.98
Rating:  24 reviews
Sales Rank: 62662
Format: Enhanced
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 8091
UPC: 012928809122
EAN: 0012928809122
ASIN: B000006NI1
Release Date: June 16, 1998
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 1 to 2 days
| |
| Tracks:
| • | Blackjack David - Dave Alvin, Traditional | | • | Abilene | | • | New Highway | | • | California Snow | | • | Evening Blues | | • | The Way You Say Goodbye | | • | Mary Brown | | • | Laurel Lynn | | • | 1968 | | • | From a Kitchen Table | | • | Tall Trees |
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Dave Alvin has become one of America's great unsung songwriting heroes. His unflinching portraits of modern romance-on-the rocks set the Blasters apart from their roots rocking peers in the early 1980s. In the 1990s, his solo work moved closer to contemporary folk, meaning that the same guys who once tried to steal his guitar licks are now trying to copy his lyric lines. They'll find plenty to plunder here, from the outstanding "Abilene" to "The Way You Say Good-Bye." Occasionally, as on "New Highway," Alvin starts to repeat himself, but he does it with such authority, with such a world-weary sigh, that it hardly matters. Steel guitar whiz and longtime Alvin compadre Greg Leisz offers tasteful, mostly acoustic production throughout. --Michael Ruby
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 19 more reviews...
Just "discovered" this album. May 7, 2008
California Dreamin' in Ohio (Boardman, Ohio)
I just recently heard some selections from this album online and decided I wished to hear them all. Terrific! I love the variety of the songs and how well they are performed. Just sorry I did not "discover" this artist sooner. A well done album that I would highly recommend.
My favorite CD February 25, 2007
Brandon Hale (Oklahoma City)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I own over 300 albums and this one is my favorite. I have listened to it at least 100 times and chills still run down my spine during certain songs. Dave Alvin has a gift for writing authentic songs about the common human experience, which is often tragic. I don't think Dave Alvin is technically a "good singer" but the inflection in his baritone voice conveys the perfect emotion to match the lyrics. For instance, "Mary Brown" is a masterpiece. As a criminal defense attorney, I recognize the "Charlie Thomas" in that song. He recognizes that his crime is objectively wrong but, at least in his clouded mind, subjectively right and "for the love of Mary Brown [he'd] do it all again." Dave Alvin's inflection one this one is melancholy, eerie, and at times sinister--almost snarling--and it makes the song perfect. "California Snow" is tragic, haunting, sublime, and it's the best song on the album (Dave, I believe, co-wrote this w/ Tom Russell, who also sings it on one of his albums, but not as well). I'm against illegal immigration but this song puts a human face to it that's hard to forget. "Abilene" and "From a Kitchen Table" convey the bleakness of everyday lives and the lyrics stick with you. "1968" is a memorable portrait of the undying bonds of male friendship/comraderie. There are some good bluesy rockers on this album too, but it's the ballads that makes it great. Dave Alvin's story songs on this album bring to my mind St Augustine's famous prayer: "Thou hast made us for Thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee." Do yourself a favor and add this album to your collection. You will savor it.
Solid 5 star effort January 15, 2007
johno53 (Omaha, NE United States)
Ordered this a couple of weeks ago and have been listening to it all the time. It has an alt-country flavor to it that is intensely satisfying. Truly a great album. Alvin is overlooked for some reason and I can't figure out exactly why. Is it simply because he can not be pigeon-holed into one narrow genre? I don't know. For those who love honest good music, pick up this disc. You won't be disappointed.
Compared To...... May 2, 2006
William Stephen Dalrymple (Denny, Scotland)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Dave Alvin's "Blackjack David" is better than any American record since Springsteen's "Nebraska" which makes it one of the greatest albums of all-time (in my humble opinion !).A true classic which no fan of this type (or indeed any type) of music should be without . The songs on here cut real deep and may take a while to get beneath your skin but once they do you'll be stuck with them forever. Beautiful music , superb record. PS regarding the "best since Nebraska" statement , i meant with the exception of Johnny Cash's "American Recordings" naturally !
Touches your soul February 23, 2006
Burford (Fort Smith, Arkansas United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Dave Alvin again demonstrates his singer-songwriter style with great words full of strong emotions. We saw Dave live in concert recently just after the release of Ashgrove. This album moves you. The title song "Blackjack David" reminds us of a traditional English folk tale, while the other songs run the gambit of love, revenge, and heartache. The album itself has a great feel that touches your soul.
|
|
|
 
| |
