Going Driftless: An Artist's Tribute to Greg Brown

Going Driftless: An Artist's Tribute to Greg Brown

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Twenty years prior to the release of Going Driftless, Greg Brown sang about being a dad. "I'm a man who's rich in daughters," he boasted, tenderly. It's appropriate, then, that the most affecting song on this tribute album is a hushed, heartfelt reading of Brown's early rarity "Ella Mae," played and sung here by his three girls, Pieta, Zoe, and Constie. And while theirs is the disc's single best performance, there's much more here to recommend. Lucinda Williams (who opens the album with "Lately") and Iris DeMent ("The Train Carrying Jimmie Rodgers Home") are, like Brown, raw, emotive singers steeped in the blues, and their covers ooze with longing and ache. Ani DiFranco's jazzy "Poet Game" and Victoria Williams's playful "Early" offer new perspectives on familiar Brown songs. And while the likes of Eliza Gilkyson ("Sleeper") and Shawn Colvin ("Say a Little Prayer") come off a little too polished, each earns points for reviving terrific tunes from deep in Brown's catalog. One note: Royalties from this album go to the Breast Cancer Fund. --Anders Smith Lindall

Going Driftless: An Artist's Tribute to Greg Brown,Various Artists,Red House,Adult Alternative Pop/Rock,Alternative Country,Alternative Country-Rock,Alternative Folk,Alternative Pop/Rock,Americana,Anti-Folk,Contemporary Country,Contemporary Folk,Contemporary Singer/Songwriter,Country-Folk,Country-Pop,Folk & Traditional,Folk Collections,Folk-Pop,Folk-Rock,Indie Rock,Neo-Traditional Folk,Pop,Singer/Songwriter,Urban Folk

Going Driftless: An Artist's Tribute to Greg Brown
Average customer rating:

An intro to Greg Brown's music

A Must Have!

What a disappointment

Haunting and fun

put off at first

Going Driftless: An Artist's Tribute to Greg Brown
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Red House
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
General | Folk | Styles | Music
Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00006EXK6
Release Date: 2002-09-10

Tracks:

Lately - Lucinda Williams
The Poet Game - Ani DiFranco
The Train Carrying Jimmie Rodgers Home - Iris Dement
Where is Maria - Ferron
Sleeper - Eliza Gilkyson
Ella Mae - Pieta, Zoe and Constie Brown
Summer Evening - Gillian Welch
Small Dark Movie - Lucy Kaplansky
Spring & All - Mary Chapin Carpenter
Say a Little Prayer - Shawn Colvin
Early - Victoria Williams
Two Little Feet - Karen Savoca
Hey Baby Hey - Robin Lee Berry
Wash My Eyes - Leandra Peak

Amazon.com

Twenty years prior to the release of Going Driftless, Greg Brown sang about being a dad. "I'm a man who's rich in daughters," he boasted, tenderly. It's appropriate, then, that the most affecting song on this tribute album is a hushed, heartfelt reading of Brown's early rarity "Ella Mae," played and sung here by his three girls, Pieta, Zoe, and Constie. And while theirs is the disc's single best performance, there's much more here to recommend. Lucinda Williams (who opens the album with "Lately") and Iris DeMent ("The Train Carrying Jimmie Rodgers Home") are, like Brown, raw, emotive singers steeped in the blues, and their covers ooze with longing and ache. Ani DiFranco's jazzy "Poet Game" and Victoria Williams's playful "Early" offer new perspectives on familiar Brown songs. And while the likes of Eliza Gilkyson ("Sleeper") and Shawn Colvin ("Say a Little Prayer") come off a little too polished, each earns points for reviving terrific tunes from deep in Brown's catalog. One note: Royalties from this album go to the Breast Cancer Fund. --Anders Smith Lindall

Customer Reviews:

An intro to Greg Brown's music.......2004-09-26

I saw Greg Brown perform a few years ago at a folk festival. Came across this CD while browsing and bought it because it was a way to get a sampling of a lot of artists I was interested in. I think it's a great record and now I am interested in finding out more about Greg Brown. I have not heard the originals of most of these songs, but think they're great on their own merit. A great surprise was hearing Karen Savoca on the same disc with so many accomplished artists - right where she belongs! Most people I talk to have never heard of Greg Brown (unless they're folkies). I hope this disc gets his music out to a wider audience.

A Must Have!.......2004-07-30

I had never heard of Greg Brown before purchasing this cd. I was attracted to it by the Artists playing tribute on it like Ani,Gillian and Lucinda. I enjoyed the songs - especially Ani's version of The Poet Game, and Gillian's rendition of Summer Evening. After listening , I knew I had to check out the guy that all these wonderful artists were paying tribute to. Thanks to THIS cd, I have since become a Greg Brown fan, and saw him and his daughter Pieta in concert last night. Simply Brilliant!

What a disappointment.......2003-05-08

I have listened to Greg Brown for many years, and have to say he is my favorite artist. The sentiments expressed in his lyrics are truely phenominal. To hear them tortured in the alternately grating and shrill voices on this cd was an absolute letdown. I knew many of the artists represented here, and had great hopes for an awesome CD. Due to the discordant nature of the CD, I haven't even been able to listen all the way through. I do like the Karen Sovaca piece, and will make a point of listening to Ella Mae after reading the reviews posted here. One of the few redeeming features of this CD - proceeds benefit breast cancer research. One last note: Invest in Greg. You won't be disappointed.

Haunting and fun.......2003-02-17

I had never heard of Greg Brown before I recieved this CD as a gift. I love roots music, and am a fan of several of the artists on this CD, so I thought it would be a good collection. It turned out to be a great collection. Each artist featured has her own definitive style, but the common thread of Brown's songwriting knits this diverse group of talents into a cohesive, dynamic whole. I was particularly pleased to see Ferron included. Her style is so unique, so different, so... well, harsh in places, that she gives the entire CD a baseline or a foundation. Coming right after Ani DeFranco's rendition of "The Poet Game", "Where's Maria" sets up a true "roots" feeling for the rest of the CD. Speaking of Ani, well, her song on this collection is worth buying the CD for all by itself. Beautiful, intense, daring in some ways... it is a great cut.

I enjoy this CD. I love Brown's daughters' "Ella Mae" and the wonderful strains of Mary Chapin Carpenter's voice... reminiscent of her masterful "10,000 Miles" of several years ago... in short, "Going Driftless" is a great piece of mood music.

put off at first.......2002-11-18

At first listen I was very disappointed. I ordered from the catalog and in the waiting had conjured up thoughts of what this recording would offer. There are probably a lot of G. Brown fans that fall into this same category but don't let that first listen fool you. This is not a cover album, it is each artist's personal interpretation and it is a remarkable project. Read the liner notes to get a feel for each performer. Most of you probably know these artist's for their own work and this comes through on this C.D.. This is great music done by a collection of great performers, including a very sweet and touching take on "Ella Mae" by Greg's three daughters. On top of all this the proceeds go to a worthwhile cause. You can't go wrong. It's a keeper, but catch and release to your friends.

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