Essential, The - Blind Willie McTell

Advantages: great variety of songs
Disadvantages: not their best

...Despite their reputation as garage rock revivalists, the White Stripes display an impressive range of styles on their second album, De Stijl, which is Dutch for "the style." Perhaps the album's diversity -- which incorporates elements of bubblegum, cabaret, blues, and classic rock -- shouldn't come as a surprise from a band that dedicates its album to bluesman Blind Willie McTell and Dutch artist Gerrit Rietveld. Nevertheless, it's refreshing to hear the band go from the Tommy James-style pop of "You're Pretty Good Looking" to the garagey stomp of "Hello Operator" in a one-two punch. It's even more impressive that the theatrical, piano-driven ballad "Apple Blossom" and a cover of Son House's "Death Letter" go so well together on the same album. Jack White's understated production work and versatile guitar playing and vocals also stand... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: For folkies everywhere
Disadvantages: Not for rockers

...and is gentle Americana with a weary vocal from Moock and guitar from The Mercy Brothers' Michael Dinallo. Cloudsplitter is played, and sung, in a mountain style. Moock is an excellent storyteller and this song, based on Russell Banks' novel of the same name, is one of the albums highlights. Roll On (Song For Anne Marie) brings up one of my 'hates'. Well, I say hates but really it's just a dislike. I'm not always a fan of 'Song For' songs as they tend to be a little too sentimental for me. Not this one though. It's as gentle as its predecessors but there is little sweetness in there. Kris Delmhorst adds his own vocal talent to this. Own Way To Heaven is old style folk/barroom with a Gospel feel, but just listen to the lyric. Delia is a tale of a gambling girl and highlights a storytelling talent again but Blind Willie McTell's this time - an epic... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Nearly 30 years of rock's seminal singer-songwriter
Disadvantages: None

...of us who had followed him since the 60s and had had to adopt an air of forgiveness for years of pretty dodgy product, this was a timely reminder of why we got into him in the first place. How do you pick highlights out from this lot? Almost impossible, but I'll go for the suureal, vitriolic "She's Your Lover Now", the powerful "Blind Willie McTell", and the lighthearted, early "Talkin'Bear Mountain Picnic Massacre Blues". Some of the songs may be familiar, but not these versions. Here you'll find an arguably superior version to the take on the "New Morning" LP of "If Not For You" with George Harrison on slide guitar, the original 1-minute, 1-verse waltz-tempo try-out of "Like A Rolling Stone", and at last an official release for "If You Gotta Go, Go Now", which you may remember as a Manfred Mann favourite - for some bizarre version... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful