Rating:
Genre:
Folk
Release Date: 02/12/2002
Richard Shindell has been hailed as an imaginative storyteller whose knack for simple melodies and stark ambiance has bestowed him with a healthy worldwide fan base. Cutting out a career for himself as a literary minded tunesmith, the former seminarian has released five albums since he arrived on the
folk scene in 1992 with
Sparrow's Point on
Shanachie.
Shindell reaches into his arsenal of songs and pulls out some of the best for his first live album,
Courier, released on the
Signature Sounds label.
Shindell's songs are delivered in his dark and winding baritone, capturing an array of characters -- most of them victims -- and achieving a perfect mix of melancholy, descriptiveness, and spirituality. The inclusion of
Lowell George's
"Willin'," which becomes part of a trio of trucker songs performed in the set, and a near-holy reading of
Bruce Springsteen's
"Fourth of July, Asbury Park," shows
Shindell's appreciation of other great songwriters' work as well. He also appreciates good musicians and
Courier features a top-notch band including
Lincoln Schleifer on bass,
Denny MacDermott on drums, and
John Putnam on electric guitar. Guests include
Bob Dylan band member
Larry Campbell and frequent
Shindell collaborator
Lucy Kapalansky on backup vocals. All contribute to passionate performances of
Shindell's lyrically rich songs that include
"Fishing," "On a Sea of Fleur de Lis," and
"Transit." Shindell is not your average
singer/songwriter, and
Courier is much more than a live collection of greatest hits. It's a testament to the power of song, in its entire well-crafted splendor.
~Jeff Schwachter, All Music Guide
;)
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