Kevin Bresnahan Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 It goes without saying that you have to like Merchant's voice to even consider buying this CD, but I was always a big fan of the 10,000 Manics so I just had to get this. Man, I like this. Old-timey (not all are old) folk tunes done in a mostly acoustic environment with banjo, fiddle, acoustic & steel guitar... I am somewhat remined of John Mellencamp's "The Lonesome Jubilee". The lyrics are riveting with each song telling a story. Obviously this is nothing new for Merchant, who made a name for herself with socially relevent lyrics during her days with the Maniacs. You know what's weird? I never though folk music could also be bluesy, but this seems to be very "blue" to my ears. Blues-folk? A new genre? Whatever, I'd buy more if she makes more like this. I'm writing this in the hope that others who have heard/bought this CD know of other discs like this that I can look for. This is a style of music that has it's moments. Find some on-line samples and see if it's for you. I give it a thimbs up. Later, Kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster_Ties Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 Hey, that reminds me... I've always wondered whatever became of the other 9,999 other Manics?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 Didn't you hear? They turned into bottles of beer on the wall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tjazz Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 I'm writing this in the hope that others who have heard/bought this CD know of other discs like this that I can look for. This is a style of music that has it's moments. Find some on-line samples and see if it's for you. I give it a thimbs up. Later, Kevin Oh, I have all of her CDs and the 10,000 albums. I had high hopes for this CD, but it didn't stick with me at all. I wouldn't recommend this CD to anyone. Maybe I need to give it another try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Alfredson Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 You know what's weird? I never though folk music could also be bluesy, but this seems to be very "blue" to my ears. Blues-folk? A new genre? Whatever, I'd buy more if she makes more like this. I think it's called bluegrass. I can't stand Natalie Merchant so I'll reserve further comment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Bresnahan Posted January 7, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 (edited) I think it's called bluegrass. Nah, this ain't bluegrass. Bluegrass is more up tempo. A lot of the songs on this CD are very slow. Might be why some fans of Merchant's work aren't digging it. This is more like a blues album done with folk instrumentation. I don't know, I'd be the first to admit that I don't have a lot of this style of music in my collection. Maybe all folk singers sound like this? I've often wondered what it is about Natalie Merchant that seems to make everyone either like or hate her in an instant? Whenever I put on one of her CDs on with company over, within minutes I either hear, "Get this off!" or "Who is this?". I just loved the tune "Like the Weather" from "Blind Man's Zoo" and that got me hooked. I even like the unplugged CD. Later, Kevin Edited January 7, 2005 by Kevin Bresnahan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Alfredson Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 Nah, this ain't bluegrass. Bluegrass is more up tempo. Not necessarily. I've often wondered what it is about Natalie Merchant that seems to make everyone either like or hate her in an instant? Whenever I put on one of her CDs on with company over, within minutes I either hear, "Get this off!" or "Who is this?". Well, you asked, so I guess I'll answer. I will preface this with the obligatory and obvious caveat that this is just my opinion. The timbre of her voice is wretched. It sounds like she's singing through the roof of her mouth, with absolutely no space vertically. It's all horizontal. Those are vocal terms, I don't know if they make sense. She also ends every phrase by dropping off the pitch of the note. I call it the "Elton John" effect. She never sings the end of a phrase by holding the pitch. It always falls away. Drives me CRAZY. It would be akin to a trombonist ending every phrase by hitting the note and then whipping his slide all the way out. Pla ....a ......a .......a ........a ..........t. Like a limp noodle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 Agreed. But she shore is purty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzbo Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 And she went to the "Julia Louis-Dreyfus School of Dancing" ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Bresnahan Posted January 7, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 She also ends every phrase by dropping off the pitch of the note. I call it the "Elton John" effect. She never sings the end of a phrase by holding the pitch. It always falls away. Drives me CRAZY. It would be akin to a trombonist ending every phrase by hitting the note and then whipping his slide all the way out. Pla ....a ......a .......a ........a ..........t. Like a limp noodle. You must hate Booker Ervin!! I never analyzed her vocal style so I'll have to take your word on it. I just dig it. FWIW, another vocalist who seems to have this "love it" or "hate it" reaction is the Cranberries' Delores O'Riordin. I like her Irish lilt and play their stuff a lot when I'm in the mood to rock. My sister likens her voice to fingernails-on-chalkboard. BTW, if you don't like Merchant's voice that much, do not go listen to sound samples of this new CD... you'll go postal on someone. Her vocals are very up close in the mix to the point where you can hear the breath sounds. Later, Kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 if you don't like Merchant's voice that much, do not go listen to sound samples of this new CD... you'll go postal on someone. Her vocals are very up close in the mix to the point where you can hear the breath sounds. Natalie Merchant breathing in my ear would not bother me... Natalie Merchant singing in my ear, otoh... But hey, no such thing as a free lunch, I suppose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catesta Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 And she went to the "Julia Louis-Dreyfus School of Dancing" ! hehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 And she went to the "Julia Louis-Dreyfus School of Dancing" ! hehe I think Louis-Dreyfus went to the Merchant school - Natalie was doing this long before Seinfeld. Or did Louis-Dreyfus dance that way on SNL? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Alfredson Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 BTW, if you don't like Merchant's voice that much, do not go listen to sound samples of this new CD... you'll go postal on someone. Hadn't planned on it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzbo Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 I heard she danced that way at junior high dances! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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