Land of the Bottom Line

Land of the Bottom Line

Land of the Bottom Line

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
His rich baritone and literate songwriting are John Gorka's links to an urban folk tradition that belies his years, linking him more to early '60s troubadors than to the singer-songwriters of the '70s and '80s. Ranging from snapshots of modern life (as on the title song), to quietly devastating love songs ("Armed with a Broken Heart," "I Saw a Stranger with Your Hair") and funny, wistful meditations ("Italian Girls"), Gorka's songs are studded with dry wordplay, precise imagery, and sudden glimpses of deep feeling. Gorka and producer Bill Kollar resist more conventional commercial polish to keep the arrangements lean and largely acoustic, with Gorka's voice sparingly shadowed by occasional vocal harmonies from Shawn Colvin, among others. --Sam Sutherland

Land of the Bottom Line,John Gorka,Windham Hill Records,Contemporary Folk,Contemporary Singer/Songwriter,Folk,Folk & Traditional,Jazz Music,Pop,Rock,Singer/Songwriter
Land of the Bottom Line
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Pleasant Acoustic Music
  • Great!
  • The best of Gorka
  • Great stuff-- real feelings!!!!!
  • Gorka's greatest work -- Stacked with his greatest songs
 Land of the Bottom Line
John Gorka
Manufacturer: RCA Victor
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
Singer-SongwritersSinger-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Folk | Styles | Music
Traditional FolkTraditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
Traditional Jazz GeneralTraditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music
Singer-SongwritersSinger-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music
Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B000000NHP
Release Date: 1990-04-10

Tracks:

  1. Land Of The Bottom Line
  2. Armed With A Broken Heart
  3. Raven In The Storm
  4. The One That Got Away
  5. Full Of Life
  6. Stranger In My Driver's Seat
  7. The Sentinel
  8. Dream Street
  9. Mean Streak
  10. Italian Girls
  11. Jailbirds In The Bighouse
  12. Promnight In Pigtown
  13. I Saw A Stranger With Your Hair
  14. Love Is Our Cross To Bear
  15. That's How Legends Are Made

Amazon.com

His rich baritone and literate songwriting are John Gorka's links to an urban folk tradition that belies his years, linking him more to early '60s troubadors than to the singer-songwriters of the '70s and '80s. Ranging from snapshots of modern life (as on the title song), to quietly devastating love songs ("Armed with a Broken Heart," "I Saw a Stranger with Your Hair") and funny, wistful meditations ("Italian Girls"), Gorka's songs are studded with dry wordplay, precise imagery, and sudden glimpses of deep feeling. Gorka and producer Bill Kollar resist more conventional commercial polish to keep the arrangements lean and largely acoustic, with Gorka's voice sparingly shadowed by occasional vocal harmonies from Shawn Colvin, among others. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Pleasant Acoustic Music.......2007-01-03

This is the second CD I bought of John Gorka's music, and I really am enjoying it a lot. He has a nice, pleasant voice, and his songs are worth listening to. Being a fan of acoustic music, this one really is "right up my alley". I highly recommend it to those who love acoustic music, and appreciate lovely melodies and sensitive lyrics.

5 out of 5 stars Great!.......2004-12-04

Title track, "Raven in Storm" and "Full of Life" are the top tracks in my opinion. The whole thing is good! There is not one BAD John Gorka album! The only one I don't have in my collection is the first one, "I Know." I agree with Amazon's assessment, "Gorka's songs are studded with dry wordplay, precise imagery, and sudden glimpses of deep feeling." This hits it on the head. He is a witty musician who very creatively and artistically talks and sings about everyday life. Like a good writer like John Updike does, Gorka, through his song, makes everyday experience come to life.

5 out of 5 stars The best of Gorka.......2001-06-10

This are songs of late adolescence, full of power and anger. Like an old Rimbaud, Gorka here delivers the main course. He never did it again in his later cd's. This is his best one. Better than anything he's done since, and probably better than anything he'll do.

One of the best folk cd's ever!

5 out of 5 stars Great stuff-- real feelings!!!!!.......2001-03-02

If you are new to John Gorka's great music, buy this CD, you will not be disappointed. His music is about feelings (deeply felt) and he communicates them with a rich simplicity and honesty which are compelling and addictive. His voice is beautiful, yet not showy and he offers the depth of his soul on this collection. Experience it and enjoy it. This is a rare treat to be cherished and savored!!!!!

5 out of 5 stars Gorka's greatest work -- Stacked with his greatest songs.......2001-02-11

After seeing John Gorka on "Austin City Limits" in 1993, I began following each release. I now believe that "Land of the Bottom Line" is his finest work. The release contains his greatest love songs, often times in somber themes. While his recent productions still weave musical genius throughout, they are distracted at times by an overuse of percussion and background instruments. Gorka is at his best as a pure acoustic performer, which is the dominant presentation in "Land of the Bottom Line". In songs such as "Armed with a broken heart", "I saw a stranger with your hair", and "Love is our cross to bear", John combines his haunting baritone voice with amazing guitar playing.

In their early careers, some artists stack many of their great songs into one release. In "Land of the Bottom Line", Gorka provides a consistent template of his incredible skills with at least half of his greatest songs ever. In fact, many of the requests he accepts at concerts come from this CD. This is a must buy for all acoustic afficionados and for anyone who is not aquainted with John Gorka.

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