Search - Fred Eaglesmith :: Balin

O Brother Fred

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 01/03/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Fred's bluegrass effort "Balin'" is another exquisite disc in Fred's very strong catalogue. From the a cappella opener "The Building," we know we're in for a great down home roots treat. "Do You Love Me Now" is a classic, with Fred's catchy chorus giving a failed love affair a sense of irony. "Baling Again" is a touching remembrance of a daddy gone on. "Bring your money & bring your gun; if you got any rotgut, bring it along," Fred sings on the loping "Rooster Fight." It's rare to have tracks at a minute & a half these days; so "A Little Lost" breezes by with the Flathead Noodler's great harmonies. "Run-a-way Love" is a great country track that'd fit well on most of Fred's other recordings. John Allen's fiddle moans on the aching "Two Machines," "I changed the magneto & the wire, but it won't go no matter how I try." "The Rocket" is an aching track from an old man's point of view that enjoys watching the trains. "John Deere B" is another sad country weeper about a great old tractor relegated to a restaurant decoration. "No Sorrow No More" sounds like it was sung in a Baptist Church in the 1930's. "Tin Pot Nelly" is classic Eaglesmith creating great musical drama from sparse lyrical touches, "There's a picture on the wall when momma was pretty; she had new clothes and she had nice things." Country is as country as country can be on "I Shot Your Dog." "Some Roads" boasts a gorgeous melody on a great outlaw track, "I'm going to turn myself in today; she'll be crying by the scaffold when the hangman calls my name." Fred Eaglesmith is one of Canada's great musicians. This set combines bluegrass touches with sparse acoustic country arrangements. There are no weak tracks. You don't want to miss this great set! Enjoy!"

A Master Storyteller Speaks

J. Kelly | Salem, OR United States | 03/18/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I first listened to James King's version of the Fred Eaglesmith song "Thirty Years of Farming", I knew that there had to be something more to this Eaglesmith guy. So I got "Balin", which has to be one of the classic pieces of storytelling on any CD anywhere by anyone.Every cut is a masterpiece; from "The Building" through "Mary Lane" with "The Rocket", "John Deere 'B'", "I Shot Your Dog", and "Small Motors" along the way. There's just not a weak cut or filler anywhere on this CD. The sound; guitar, clawhammer banjo, five string banjo, dobro and fiddle, along with Eaglesmith's solid vocals is perfect and fits the material to a T.This is truly a must have for anyone who appreciates a great story, well told, in songs."

The weather's been hard, the hay is almost in...

Jay D. Yancey | 05/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Fred reminds me of my childhood on the southside of Dublin, TX. We had a lot of nothing to live on... I am doing well now as an adult, but Fred brings where I came from back to the forefront of my mind. Its like home is here.



Balin' is a lyrical and musical masterpiece. I'm listening to Dusty right now, and its a little different, but its not letting me down. Is there such a thing as a bad Eaglesmith album? No.



When I get back from Iraq in Jan 06, I am going to the nearest Eaglesmith show for my welcome back party."