Runnin' From the Devil is one of legendary Northwest singer-songwriter (Goodtime Charlie's Got The Blues) Danny O'Keefe's classic 'lost' recordings. Originally released in 2000 on Miramar, the company went bankrupt and the... more » recording remained out of circulation until recently. Well, Well, Well is a powerful song co-written with Bob Dylan that speaks to the problems of not regarding the sacredness of the Earth. Never Got Off the Ground is a song that was recorded by Alison Krauss on her Forget About It CD. Only An Ocean Away is told from the perspective of a Vietnam vet who longs for a child left long ago in Vietnam. There is a depth and range of feeling and insight in these twelve songs not often found in contemporary songwriting. Produced by Mick Conley, Runnin' From the Devil was the first new recording by Danny O'Keefe since his 1985 recording The Day To Day. It's ample evidence that his craft continued to mature and that he continues to be one of the great unknown American songwriters. You will find more revealed in the music and the lyrics with repeated listenings and while these waters are not all that 'still' they are, indeed, deep.« less
Runnin' From the Devil is one of legendary Northwest singer-songwriter (Goodtime Charlie's Got The Blues) Danny O'Keefe's classic 'lost' recordings. Originally released in 2000 on Miramar, the company went bankrupt and the recording remained out of circulation until recently. Well, Well, Well is a powerful song co-written with Bob Dylan that speaks to the problems of not regarding the sacredness of the Earth. Never Got Off the Ground is a song that was recorded by Alison Krauss on her Forget About It CD. Only An Ocean Away is told from the perspective of a Vietnam vet who longs for a child left long ago in Vietnam. There is a depth and range of feeling and insight in these twelve songs not often found in contemporary songwriting. Produced by Mick Conley, Runnin' From the Devil was the first new recording by Danny O'Keefe since his 1985 recording The Day To Day. It's ample evidence that his craft continued to mature and that he continues to be one of the great unknown American songwriters. You will find more revealed in the music and the lyrics with repeated listenings and while these waters are not all that 'still' they are, indeed, deep.
"I've been a Danny O'Keefe fan for about 30 years. His disappearance in recent years is well noted by his other fans in the reviews below. Besides having a very fine voice, he's an unusually talented lyricist. A number of his songs are truly memorable, such as: "Magdalena", "The Road", "Louie the Hook", "All My Friends", "Angel Spread Your Wings", "Mad Ruth/The Babe", "Good Time Charlie", etc., etc. He's a truly gifted songwriter and singer.When I first heard this CD I sort of thought, "Well this is nice, but the old guy is slowing down a bit. The voice is cracking just a little. Not the biting irony/sarcasm of his youth." All of which is somewhat true, but the more I listened to this CD the more I realized how good it really is. Lots of wisdom and hard won truths in the songs. And the renditions are very beautiful. I think he's showing his wear with age--like many of us. But there can be great beauty and understanding with wear and age. All of his albums are very good. But I like this album as much as any of them. I would put it put there with "Breezy Stories". There's not a bad song on the CD. "Sheila" is a lovely heartbreak song. "Pieces of the Rain" and "Can't Outrun the Years" are fine songs as well. "Outlaw" might be my favorite song on the CD. I suspect it's one of Danny's favorites. It applies not only to aging male musicians but all "players" of both sexes. Great writing and a fine performance. I hope Danny keeps producing lyrics and music until the end of his days. If I'm still around, I'll be listening."
On Top of His Game
S. H. Dick | Greensboro, North Carolina United States | 01/26/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"O'Keefe returns after an extended recording hiatus with what may well be the strongest record of his career. This disc is full of subtle charms - finely crafted turns of phrase, evocative imagery, subtle construction, memorable storytelling, carefully structed arrangments that support the songs without ever getting in there way.
The cumulative effect of O'Keefe's craftsmanship is an album that will remind you of the strongest efforts of the singer/songwriter tradtion of the '70s, focused by the sensibilities of a mature writer. As such, regret, rememberance, and revere are reoccurring themes.
O'Keefe's prior recordings have varied wildly, his tunes oscillating between the brilliant and the pedestrian. Don't let that track record discourage you from picking up on this one. The tunes on RFTD range from the remarkable to memorable, without a weak cut in sight. This is the real deal."
A somber but lovely affair
Mark Gatzke | Plant City, FL USA | 06/28/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Danny O'Keefe offers a collection of songs that keep the overall tone one of sober reflection and occasional melancholy. At first glance it might seem a difficult album to enjoy, especially all in one sitting. To the contrary, O'Keefe is as much a storyteller as he is a musician and lyricist. The stories are enthralling as well as moving. It is this exquisite balance and the finely crafted melodies that allow the songs to rise above their subject matter, letting the listener nod in sympathy without being overwhelmed by the poignancy."
Don't miss this one!
Randal Greenwood | Hugoton, KS USA | 11/04/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first heard of Danny back when I was in college in 1970. He had an album out then I wore out that had shooting Star and Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues on there. I liked some of the songs, but not all. In the early years I think his songs were hit and miss some being great and others very forgetable. The album out that is titled Danny O'Keefe is frankly not very good except for Good Time Charlie. It isn't the same as the one I had and has different songs on it.
That has all changed and Danny O'Keefe has grown up and matured into an outstanding musician. Runnin' With the Devil is one of my all time favorite albums from all artists. I've been playing it often for the last two years and never grow tired of it. Every tune on there has very well written lyrics that truly have deep meaning and some my generation has to come to grips with like, " You Can't Out Run The Years." His voice is one of a kind and the music is magical. I love every song on this album and there aren't any fillers. This is a classic album so don't miss it. Danny O'keefe is at the top of his game here and I so hope he will do more like this one. Thanks Danny for a cd I truly enjoy and treasure. If you haven't discovered Danny O'Keefe, start here with the best!"