Karl James Valentine is a songwriter's songwriter.
Jeff Mutter | 07/14/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Missouri River is a solid debut album from a songwriter who weaves rich guitar textures together with poignant lyrics and heartfelt vocals. Karl James Valentine is a songwriter's songwriter; his lyrics are touching, real, and honest; his guitar work deep. I hear echos of Dylan and James Taylor on this disc, but it's clear that KJV has his own style. I'm ready to buy his follow-up release."
Expressionistic and evocative
Jeff Mutter | 07/20/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In a gentle, lower register tenor, Karl Valentine sings love songs to places and people. His phrasing is almost like a spoken conversation, lending a particularly haunting feeling to the third track, "I'm Falling". Most of the tunes remind me of sunlight breaking through storm clouds. The able backup by sensitively musical Tipke illuminate the subtleties of the emotions, some quite raw, which Valentine tenderly draws.Very, very nice work!"
A Rare Find!
Jeff Mutter | New York, NY | 03/17/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A friend of mine in California sent this to me in New York and explained that she discovered an obscure songwriter who had a gift with lyrics and melodies. She was right. This guy is a masterful songwriter. The production, while not sleek, doesn't obscure the core elements of emotion, storytelling and reflections on subjects ranging from the ghosts of lovers and ancestors, to the liberation of finding a new home in the peaceful Pacific Northwest. The guitar work is at times simply stunning--as good as it gets. I'm a big fan of David Wilcox, Jonatha Brooke and Suzanne Vega, and this guy is in good company with these other artists. I sent him an email and he wrote back saying that he loves Seattle, performed at the Pacific Northwest Folklife Festival last fall, but that he may move back to the east coast this year, so I hope to see him live at the Bottom Line when he starts touring the Northeast again."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
