From Amazon.com
Just "discovered" this album.
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: 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
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: 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
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: 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......
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: 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
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: 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.
Purchases
1 Blackjack David
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