Search - Jules Shear :: Between Us

Who's Dreaming Who?

R. Schmidt | Chelsea, MI USA | 10/03/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album generates the most controversy from Jules listeners. Some hate it, others love it for the elusive gem I think it is. It's one of those that you have to listen to about five times to really appreciate how different all the songs are, and how poignant. Sure, some of the songs are depressing, but there's plenty of room for sad songs in my life as well as the Bangles.Honestly, I still cry every time I hear Windows and Walls. It is absolutely haunting. Who's Dreaming Who was tailor made for George Jones and Tammy Wynette (too late now).It's a genius album, if you give it a chance."

I'm a huge fan of Jules, but not of this CD. Buy any other

Frank Camm | Northern Virginia | 03/22/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Each of these songs is crafted as a duet with close harmonies and subtle chord changes. These conditions create difficult challenges: Do both singers sing exactly on key, or off in the same way, and anticipate each others' timing (no-not enough time with these songs, even for Jules)? Do the basic nature and timbres of their voices complement each other (typically, no-Jules has a rough, dusty, sometimes gravelly voice that is hard to match.



Patty Griffin (tr 5), Suzy Roche (tr 6), Carole King (tr 10), Rob Shear (tr 11), Mary Ramsey (tr 13), Margo Timmine (re 14) match Jules well. Amy Rigby (tr 15) is close. Tasty duet with Rob Wasserman (tr 8) is instrumental. Weak to bad: Paula Cole (tr 1), Susan Cowsill (tr 4), Angie Hart (tr 7), Freedy Johnston (tr 9), Curtis Stigers (tr 12). Also on the CD: Roseanne Cash, Ron Sexsmith.



The songs are quintessential Jules; no one else would use these chord changes or such precise but slightly bent wordplay on these topics. Best to think of these songs as folk settings à la Harry Smith. Then they create warm intimate settings for striking songs. Careful, spare accompaniment supports this approach. The very raggedness of these songs seems to give them unusual depth and warmth that is surprising for the ever-clever Jules. Much more than the consummate popster. Still, the dissonances don't go away with repeated listening. I want to like this more than I actually like it. [61:37]"

Awful CD cover, but first-rate songs!!!

Jake Suttipong Aramkun | Lucerne, Switzerland | 07/08/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I like all kinds of music and own almost 2,000 CD's, but if I had to pick just a few of my favorites, this Jules Shear CD would certainly be one of the top five. Beautiful lyrics, lovely melody, great duet vocals,...simply one of the best easy-listening CD's of the last 15 or even 20 years! Sure he looks funny on the cover, but don't let that fool you!"