Search - John Wesley Harding, Harding*John Wesley :: Confessions of St Ace

Billy carruthers

billy carruthers | San Francisco, CA | 10/06/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great album and I was only moved to review it by the stupid review below by 'Robin Dillon' (Bob Dylan? get it? get it?). To call the melodies simple is totally wrong. The lyrics are also moving and hilarious in turns - he might have quoted a nursery rhyme snippet below but how about 'There are habits that we cast aside/ And ones we can't unlearn/ Some crap we do not deserve/ But most of it we earn...' or 'She's up and down, she's round the wheel/ she's governed absolutely by the way she feels/ That's a lethal combination in a small house when it rains....' Fans of great lyrics and smart melodies will love this record.I wasn't a big fan before but I am totally sold now because this is a great album and has been getting the excellent press it absolutely deserves. Reviews like the below do this record no service whatsoever. Check this record out. For me, it's the album of the yea thus far."

Wes Comes Through Like a Star

Tom Fox-Sellers | Santa Cruz, CA USA | 08/30/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"With "The Confessions of St.Ace", John Wesley Harding marks his return with a power-pop record that brings back us back to his days with Sire Records. Wes' last release, "Trad Arr Jones" was ambitious and a noble tribute to the traditional folk of Nic Jones, the longtime Wes fan missed the full arrangements and adventurous songwriting of his past albums. "Humble Bee" kicks off the record with a piano intro and works into a full band sound. Fans of the film "High Fidelity" will remember "I'm Wrong About Everything". It fits well with this collection of songs. "Goth Girl" is a personal favorite that features a great guitar riff and an even better lyric: "One day, I'm gonna kiss the lipstick off your mouth".Wes performs a duet with Steve Earle on "Our Lady of the Highways". Jimmie Dale Gilmore provides a haunting backup vocal on "Bad Dream Baby". Both songs are fantastic and add to the overall feel of the record.Overall this is an excellent release from one of the most under-rated songwriters in music. Wes is one of the hardest working touring acts often performing two shows a night. Hopefully Mammoth Records can provide the support to make Wes a star, because he's done his part by making an outstanding record.Tom"

Buy this record.

M. O'Grady | Astoria, NY United States | 08/25/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There's not a track on this one I don't like. A catchy pop album with wit to spare."