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Review by Metralla July 13, 2003 (2 of 2 found this review helpful)
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Performance:  Sonics: |
I was looking for a couple of new SACDs, and was thinking of one of the Nickel Creek albums, but I have the CDs. I saw the cover of "Big Mouth" and it looked interesting, so I took a chance and picked it up. Wow - I'm so glad I did.
I buy SACDs of many different genres, and in most cases they are sonically very satisfying, but sometimes the music is a little far from my roots in folk, rock and blues. I'm happy to say that this one is right up my alley.
You can read Colin's discography on allmusic.com, so I won't bore you by repeating what you can read there. This particular album has not been reviewed there, however, and I've not seen anyone here refer to the SACD. So a few words ...
Colin wrote all the songs except for track 15, "Hard Time Killing Floor Blues". Colin plays a very mean slide guitar as well a great acoustic guitar. His voice reminds me of The Band (he was on two of their post-Robbie records), and he has quite a high range that seems pretty easy for him.
His lyrics are really excellent. For example, on track 8, "Just Believe", he sings with Jonell Mosser:
"Fortune passes by
Beauty fades from sight
There's no reason to grieve
Just believe.
A simple act of faith is sometimes all it takes
To lift you up and set your spirit free
Just believe"
Gospel, folky blues. He sounds a bit like Bruce Cockburn - no surprise there (they are friends), and Bruce joins him "Blind River Bound" playing a 12-string. He also reminds me of Keb' Mo', though his style is not quite as sparse; and Keb' comes in on track 6 playing slide and harmonica. Lucinda Williams joins Colin on "Don't Tell Me" singing a very nice duet with him (and having a good laugh at the end of the song) and Lee Roy Parnell does a duet on track 10 - "Away Too Long". These are all great songs.
The rest of the band comprises drums, bass, piano, organ (on track 14 - very smooth), upright bass. The atmosphere is acoustic with a lovely depth, controlled but extended bass, and an open, sweet treble. It is in surround sound but I can't comment on how that works. The album was mixed by John Whynot and mastered by Greg Calbi. It sounds divine.
There is a mistake in the lyric sheets, wherein the pages have been assembled out of order, and you'll probably find yourself reading the lyrics; I certainly did. And there's this in "Spirit of the Golden Tone":
"Hey Rick Danko wherever you are
I can hear your voice from beyond the stars"
Good one, Colin. So can I mate.
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