>>> 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. :-)
