Cripple Crow

Cripple Crow

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Devendra Banhart's fourth album is his most pretty and accessible. It's lush, warm, and inviting. It's likely to make the uber-talented singer-songwriter new fans; unfortunately, it's just as likely to cost him a few old ones. The man is clearly a complex individual capable of visionary music that causes the listener to question many things, including whether or not the artist is putting him or her "on." As the moment-defining, awesome, and potentially self-parodic cover image implies, Mr. Banhart went to great lengths to enshroud himself with some of his most talented friends: Adam Forkner of White Rainbow, Andy Cabic of Vetiver, the free-folk band Feathers, and producer Thom Monahan among them. But this is no freak-fest; the album is subdued, and very much on an early ‘70s tip. Recorded at Bearsville near Woodstock, NY, there are touches of Gilberto Gil,! George Harrison, Donovan, T. Rex, Randy Newman and Bobby Charles.

The only thing missing is Devendra himself, to be perfectly honest. The man's a fabulous mimic, as is amply demonstrated throughout this expensive retro exercise. But Devendra's trilled and affected vocal delivery, gorgeously minimalist accompaniment and eccentric recording methods have all been toned down, or jettisoned entirely. As anyone who's seen him live is full aware, the man's capable of much more than his albums reveal, including Afro-funk jams. The finest songs on the sprawling Cripple-which is a fine album, to be sure--are the most simple and direct; "Hey Mama Wolf," for instance, is gorgeous, as are all the songs sung in Spanish. More than one song here is explicitly anti-war, making more than musical connections to the Vietnam era, as well as the present, of course: "I heard somebody say that the war ended today/ It's simple, we don't want to kill."Amen to that. -- James Conde

Product Description
This is his fourth studio album and first in the US through XL Recordings. Devendra exploded on the international music scene three years ago, quickly accumulating devoted fans as well as an unusually hefty amount of critical kudos with his debut and subsequent releases. "There's something about Banhart's muse that defies words and logic, something to these songs that hints at a deeper connection to the cosmos than most of us share. Jeff Buckley might have had that gift; John Lennon and Van Morrison certainly did. Add to that list Devendra Banhart, an astonishing talent whose future work promises to bring us to exciting new places" - Harp Magazine. "...it's Banhart's gift for melody that ultimately carries the day, littering the album with slyly entrancing tunes that recall the pleasure of old campfire songs. It's enough to cure even a hardened cynic" - Blender.

Tracks:

Now That I Know
Santa Maria De Feira
Heard Somebody Say
Long Haired Child
Lazy Butterfly
Quedate Luna
Queen Bee
I Feel Just Like A Child
Some People Ride The Wave
The Beatles
Dragonflies
When They Come
Inaniel
Hey Mama Wolf
How's About Tellin' A Story
Chinese Children
Sawkill River
I Love That Man
Luna De Margarita
Korean Dogwood
Little Boys
Anchor

Amazon.com

Devendra Banhart's fourth album is his most pretty and accessible. It's lush, warm, and inviting. It's likely to make the uber-talented singer-songwriter new fans; unfortunately, it's just as likely to cost him a few old ones. The man is clearly a complex individual capable of visionary music that causes the listener to question many things, including whether or not the artist is putting him or her "on." As the moment-defining, awesome, and potentially self-parodic cover image implies, Mr. Banhart went to great lengths to enshroud himself with some of his most talented friends: Adam Forkner of White Rainbow, Andy Cabic of Vetiver, the free-folk band Feathers, and producer Thom Monahan among them. But this is no freak-fest; the album is subdued, and very much on an early `70s tip. Recorded at Bearsville near Woodstock, NY, there are touches of Gilberto Gil,! George Harrison, Donovan, T. Rex, Randy Newman and Bobby Charles.

Album Description

This is his fourth studio album and first in the US through XL Recordings. Devendra exploded on the international music scene three years ago, quickly accumulating devoted fans as well as an unusually hefty amount of critical kudos with his debut and subsequent releases. "There's something about Banhart's muse that defies words and logic, something to these songs that hints at a deeper connection to the cosmos than most of us share. Jeff Buckley might have had that gift; John Lennon and Van Morrison certainly did. Add to that list Devendra Banhart, an astonishing talent whose future work promises to bring us to exciting new places" - Harp Magazine. "...it's Banhart's gift for melody that ultimately carries the day, littering the album with slyly entrancing tunes that recall the pleasure of old campfire songs. It's enough to cure even a hardened cynic" - Blender.

Customer Reviews:

I heard somebody say that the war ended today.......2007-02-01

I am astounded by people who say that "Cripple Crow" sounds 'too slick' for them. This mulligan's stew of music is so unslick that I often get distracted by the disparity. Twenty-two songs with six in Spanish and lo-fi recording that sounds like it was recorded in the woods somewhere...slick is not the word. Mystical, intimate and enthralling would be my adjectives of choice, though. Devendra Banhart has crafted a delightfully trippy excursion into his strange little world of freak-folk, a rich world inter-woven with imagistic lyrics and a decidedly anti-war bent.

You'll hear echoes of everything from Bob Dylan, Solo Beatles Lennon, Harrison and McCartney and even a touch or two of Frank Zappa. Banhart is really fearless, musically. There isn't a genre inside his worldview that doesn't deserve trying out at least once, and if you miss listening to music that probably sounds better under a black light and something ingested (ok, I am over 40 and I admit it), "Cripple Crow" will suck you right into ecstasy. It's a total package, from the sitars and flutes inhabiting the songs to the homage to the 60's cover art. It's enough to give you faith in the underground music scene.

My sole problem with this CD is that I feel it could benefit from some pruning. There's just too many ingredients in the stewpot to make a coherent disc, and the constant use of "child" or "womb" as a lyrical fall-back gets tedious over the duration of the disc. (As does Banhart's singing, like when he tires to go for soulfulness or when he screeches the final note of "Some People Ride The Wave.") There are songs that are downright goofy ("Long Haired Child" and "Chinese Children") and simple songs of great beauty ("I Heard Somebody Say" and "Inaneil"). It is easy to get hypnotized by the atmosphere of "Cripple Crow," and Banhart is an eccentric with talent to burn. But for my money, any CD in 2005 willing to say "I heard somebody say that the war ended today...It's simple, we don't want to kill" is all right in my book.

Witchy Manfolk.......2007-01-20

Don't get it. Not only do none of these songs do anything for me, but I resent the Gil and Veloso comparisons. This dude, first of all, takes his Jesus look very seriously. Secondly, his voice is horrible. Every time there is a chance to be soulful, important in American Roots music, Banhart wimps out and instead sings from some drugged-out self indulgent caldron. Thirdly, there are to many "womb" references for my comfort and they are all weird. He has nothing to say, no real ideas in the music. The "sound" doesn't explore any new territory and just comes off cramped and trite.

Not his best, but a great place to start.......2007-01-07

Devendra Banhart is among the artists who were tagged as being part of the neo-folk revival that was all over the independent music press a few years ago. Thankfully, "freak folk" is much less of a buzz word right now, so anyone finding this music for the first time is most likely curious because they have a genuine interest, rather than because of some external pressure.

That having been said, Cripple Crow is a great album by a great artist and I would strongly recommend it to anyone new to Devendra Banhart. There's more emphasis on fun, catchy tunes and an easy-going hippie aesthetic here than on some of his earlier albums (tropicalia is a big influence) - more variety, too. In some ways, that detracts from the music's ability to draw the listener in, but it also makes Cripple Crow a joy to hear over and over again. In fact, I've enjoyed this album more and more on successive listens, a phenomenon that I don't often experience.

And the songs are really wonderful - I tend to listen to Cripple Crow for individual songs rather than as a cohesive whole. "Now that I Know", "Santa Maria de la Feira", "Heard Somebody Say", "Quedate Luna", "I Feel Just like A Child", "Dragonflies", "Cripple Crow", "Hey Mama Wolf", "Little Boys", and "Anchor" are all highlights. Buy it, try it, give it a chance.

just amazing.......2006-09-20

devendra is just simply amazing. nothing more, nothing less.

do yourself a favor and get this cd. you wont regret it if you know anything about good music.

Dont like this really? Get over yourself and old geriatric hippies. 25stars!.......2006-06-25

Another reviewer praised a song on this record for McCartneyesque-whatever. Its 2006, D.B is a star now, and Paul McCartney doesn't really have new output thats interesting for anyone outside of the VFW bluehaired crowd. Cripple Crow, believe me I know, is brilliant in every conceivable way, even in making reviewers who dont like it realize what sad pathetic lives they have sitting around listening to 70 year olds who had their glory in 1960 and retired and old 28Special vinyls or whoever that is. Cripple Crow isnt for the fans of has beens but rather fresh and really truly more genuinally psychedelic than any crap from some retired old guy sir mccartsaschmuck could ever make even in his prime, who was a beatle...and Banhart doesnt need Beetles or wings or some kinda concept hogwash "band". When the whole "band is the guys name...thats like when the band isn't the star but the guy whose name provides the name of said band...like really great this is like great. Believe me i know. Its nothing like paul whateverhisname is, or some worn out old crap, or the geriatric stones who everyone goes around saying "ooooo, the new one rocks!!!" Like yeah, rocks like mullet and bic lighter concert crowd "wow ma, kickass. can i get a mullet too like your loser alcoholic boyfriend?!!!"-rocks. No, this really rocks, and doesn't smell like "some old guy shoulda retired and invested money in a restaurant chain" mildew(i.e: not fresh) But rocks like ?"yeah im fresh and was born in the last decade or three." -rocks.
Not to rip on ""Paul-ese" McCart that awful sounding rubbish outta here" - Ney"" but theres no basis for comparison.
If a movie was made that needded the good stuff we'de want this, not the easy rider soundtrack, like its silly. This is good and was recorded by someone young and fresh with new ideas. Dont listen to fools just buy it. Trust me im good and listen to music thats really good. Im from L.A. too and still dont say "ooooo it reminded me of the melodious solo wrok of Paul mccart-who? or worse yet Brian wilson. Plllllleeeease. So darn good.

John Langstaff Sings Archival Folk Collection

Average customer rating:

John Langstaff Sings Archival Folk Collection

Manufacturer: Revels Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00068CUQS
Release Date: 2004-11-02

Tracks:

O Waly, Waly/The Water Is Wide, I Cannot Get O'er
Carrion Crow
All 'Round My Had I Will Wear a Green Willow
Cruel Mother
Farmer's Curst Wife
Riddle Song/I Will Give My Love an Apple
Lord Rendal
Billy Boy
Croodin' Doo
John Barleycorn
Lover's Tasks
Green Wedding
She's Like the Swallow
John Riley

Tracks:

Bonnie Wee Thing
Pretty Sally
Two Brothers
Teh Deaf Woman's Courtship
At the Foot of Yonders Mountain
Rich Old Lady
There Was a Man in Our Town
Baby Bunting
When I Was a Little Boy
Rosey Boy, Posey Boy
Frog Went Courtin'
Dn Lover
Jockie to the Fair
Pretty Sally

Tracks:

False Knight Upon the Road
Little Turtle Dove
Seventeen Come Sunday
Sir Patrick Spens
Blow Away the Morning Dew
Trees They Do Grow High
Crawfish Man's Street City
She Moved Through the Fair
Golden Vanity
Rich Old Lady
Nottamun Town
John Barleycorn
Jolly Ploughboy
St. James Hospital
Brisk Young Widow
Six Dukes Went A-Fishing

Tracks:

Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair
Bingo
I Wish I Was a Child Again
Hares on the Mountain
Two Magicians
Trees They Do Grow High
Lady Maisry
Edward
As I Walked Through the Meadows
Lark in the Morn
Gypsy Laddie
Go and Tell Aunt Nancy
Soldier, Soldier, Won't You Marry Me?
Cripple Creek Girls
Tottenham Toad
Frog in the Well
Dance to Your Daddy
As I Was Going to Banbury
Swapping Song
Dashing Away With the Smoothing Iron
O My Love, Will You Wear Red?
Frog and the Mouse
Cocky Robin
What'll We Do With the Baby?
Mocking Bird (Hush Up, Baby)
Bye, Bye Baby
Tiny Man
Weekdays and Sundays
Oh Jacky, Stand Still
Turn Round, Turn Round
Basket Full of Nuts
Our Baby Prince
All the Ducks
Polly Perkin
Follow the Leader
Poor Doggie
Baby's Song

Album Description

John Langstaff, now 83 years of age, is the founder and director emeritus of Revels, the non-profit performing arts company that produces Revels Records as well as 'The Christmas Revels' annual winter solstice celebrations in 12 cities across the country. This is the complete collection of Langstaff's disc, featuring all four acclaimed previously re-released CDs originally recorded in England. The recordings have been digitally re-mastered at London's famed Abbey Road Studios. Included are many traditional British and American folk songs and ballads, most with simple, art song settings. Legendary pianists Sir Gerald Moore, Sam Mason and John Powell, as well as guitarist Martin Best, are featured.