>>> Actually, so far "Real" is a contender for me, too. >>>I'm with Chad on that one; disappointing. Can't we all just get along? Here's a version of a review of Real that I wrote. It's in today's Austin Chronicle. Jim, smilin' Various Artists-Real-The Tom T Hall Project (Delmore-Sire) 4 stars The tribute album has had it
’s highs and lows in the past couple of years, equally dependent on who’s being feted and who doing the recognition. This one is one of the highs and for all the right reasons. The only real surprise here is that it’s taken anyone this long to recognize Tom T. Hall, one of America’s greatest songwriters. The artists appearing on Real The Tom T. Hall Project, range from the venerable, Johnny Cash and Ralph Stanley, to the cream of today’s alternative country, Whiskeytown, Kelly Willis and Iris DeMent, to some fine singer/songwriters in their own right, Freedy Johnston and Ron Sexsmith, to some names that most folks probably won’t recognize, R.B. Morris and Joel R.L. Phelps. The real strength of the collection is that despite the obvious penchant of each artist putting their own spin on Hall’s tunes, each song’s down to earth nature shines through. Hall has become known as "The Storyteller" and nearly every song he’s ever written is a brief vignette, a glimpse of everyday life that may have escaped our eyes, if he hadn’t been around to capture it with wit and stylish simplicity. The adaptability of his art is evident in such widely diverse readings as Cash’s reverent straightforward, solo acoustic reading of "I Washed My Face In The Morning Dew," Syd Straw & The Skeletons lyrical re-writing and high energy rock version of "Harper Valley P.T.A.," Calexico’s marichi influenced reading of "Tulsa Telephone Book" and Whiskeytown’s perfectly mournful country rock take of "I Hope It Rains At My Funeral." With such divergent styles, one might think that Real-The Tom T. Hall Project is difficult listen, when in fact it’s pleasure and that proves that tribute albums when done right are still alive and well. I should probably point out that Jon didn't like Rig Rock Deluxe, either. :-)
