Search - Cheryl Wheeler :: Circles & Arrows

	Cheryl Wheeler Circles & Arrows Genres: Country, Folk, Pop After two promising but undeveloped albums and a couple of tunes that hit the country charts (courtesy of other singers' versions), Cheryl Wheeler made this album for Capitol/Nashville in 1990. Unfortunately, her label exp... more » « less
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CD Details

All Artists: Cheryl Wheeler
Title: Circles & Arrows
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 1
Label: Philo / Umgd
Release Date: 2/21/1995
Genres: Country, Folk, Pop
Styles: Outlaw Country, Classic Country, Traditional Folk, Contemporary Folk, Singer-Songwriters
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 011671116228, 011671116242, 077779206346, 5099952258459, 001167111622

Synopsis

Amazon.com essential recording

After two promising but undeveloped albums and a couple of tunes that hit the country charts (courtesy of other singers' versions), Cheryl Wheeler made this album for Capitol/Nashville in 1990. Unfortunately, her label experienced a personnel shakeup just after Circles & Arrows was released, and the disc was lost in the shuffle. It was rereleased by Rounder Records on their Philo imprint in 1995. Produced by Kyle Lehning (Randy Travis) and featuring a full string section and guests such as Vince Gill, Pam Tillis, Jerry Douglas, and Mark O'Connor, this is blockbuster collection of songs. The soft "Aces" (a 1992 hit for Suzy Boguss), the pop tune "Hard Line to Draw," and the midtempo "Northern Girl" are Wheeler the songwriter at her best. The comical "Estate Sale" shows her emerging humorous side. The vocals throughout are also exceptionally strong. This is the Wheeler breakthrough album that, for a variety of nonmusical reasons, didn't break through. --Robert Baird

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CD Reviews

Brilliant album by under-estimated singer-songwriter

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 01/23/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first heard of Cheryl when Estate sale got a lot of airplay on the radio station I listened to at the time. It is a song in which Cheryl takes an amusing look at people going through dead people's houses wondering what they have collected. Cheryl's albums always contain at least one humorous song, but she also writes and sings serious songs.I know this town (which has been covered by Bette Midler) is a song about Cheryl's hometown and the memories it holds. Northern girl is about being homesick for the south. Aces (one of several songs about love's problems) became the title track of a Suzy Bogguss album after Suzy covered the song.Cheryl's music is hard to classify - it generally leans towards folk, but there are country and pop influences in there too. Maybe this is why Cheryl has not been more successful - we live an era where (unfortunately) people are expected to specialize. I've never worried about how popular a singer is, only about how good they are. Cheryl has carved her own musical niche - there's nobody else quite like her. And this is possibly her best album."

Not surprised (sorta)

Jim | Chatsworth, CA USA | 11/20/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"All the previous reviews echo my sentiments, but more exactly and the reason I came shopping here;
I have been moving my CD library onto my Mac. Taking the time occasionally to rate songs that often play in background. I've always loved this particular album, but I realized that THIS collection "Circles & Arrows" had acquired TOP ranking (of several hundred) with 7 tracks @ five stars and 4 tracks @ four stars. Noteworthy accomplishment on Cheryl's part.
I personally think there are relatively few that could cover her works with the rare balance of strong and masterfully blended musicianship coupled with her personal style and (awsome) voice exibited herein. BTW- Arrow is remarkable."

An unsung hero

Jim | 05/10/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Just a note to those who might be put off by Wheeler's mix of contry-folkish songs and humorous novelties: "Arrow" is one of the most beautiful, affecting, and accomplished songs you will ever hear. If it were the only song she ever wrote, it would be enough to grant her a place in the pantheon."