Mavericks - What a Crying Shame (11 tracks) +Album Reviews +Used CD available for Swap

Great Vocals, Great Music

jekyllnhyde | NJ | 01/07/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The ultra-smooth, expressive vocals of Raul Malo highlight this great collection of honky-tonkers, soft rockers & country ballads. The ballads "I Should Have Been True", "Neon Blue" & the Orbison-esque "O What a Thrill" are perfectly suited to Malo's vocal delivery, while the more up-tempo tunes like "There Goes My Heart", "Just A Memory" & "All That Heaven Will Allow" work equally as well. Even my least favorite track, the jump-bluesy "The Things You Said to Me" isn't really that bad. This is easily their best effort so far."

What A Crying Shame

rauladelante | where in the world am I? | 04/09/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Mavericks were simply the best mainstream country band of the 90s. They had some other great albums, but this one is regarded by most fans and critics as their finest. The record features top notch musicianship and songcraft with lead vocalist Raul Malo cruising through each song with ease. Raul was also in on the writing of seven of the tracks, four of which were with the great songwriter/guitarist Kostas. Starting with the self-pity binge *There Goes My Heart* and finishing with the heart-on-the-sleeve *The Losing Side of Me*, The Mavericks go through all the phases of the love game. Echos of Malo's aching voice will haunt you throughout the Orbisonesque ballad *I Should Have Been True*. Then listen as he goes through the remorsefull *Aint Found Nobody*. The Mavs are confident troubadors, blending many retro country and rock/pop sounds. Watch as they jump from the 50s dancehall rocker *The Things You Said To Me* to the straight-ahead honkytonk of *Just a Memory*. Then comes the latin beat-driven *All That Heaven Will Allow* and into the loungy, intimate weeper *Neon Blue*. Finally, there are three fantastic moments on this record: *What A Crying Shame*, with its catchy guitar hook, steady drums, acoustic strum, and terrific organ, will tear out your heart and leave you wishing for a more "positive" story. Highlighted by its beautifull waltzing fiddles, *Pretend* is an excellent midtempo tune with a classic melody and great lyrics. A third song that strikes the middle of the target is the beautifull, romantic *O What A Thrill*, which is complete with lush strings and wonderfull piano work. As soon as the first verse starts: 'Oh girl in a moment I may kiss your lips', the song is an instant classic! All in all, *What A Crying Shame* is a thrilling album from top to bottom with not a single weak song in sight. Get it as soon as you can and you'll be singing and dancing right along!Thanks for reading!"

Raul Malo, a great voice

Ludwig J. Pluralist | Beacon, NY USA | 01/19/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm not a huge country fan, but I selectively like certain individuals within the genre, people like Steve Earle, Garth Brooks, Shelby Lynne, Lyle Lovett, Carlene Carter, and, of course, these guys. I also honor country's rich past, going back to Jimmy Rogers and Hank Williams. What I like about the Mavericks is that they don't seem to be trying to sound commercial. In fact, there is something appealingly retro and untrendy about them. But, it must be said; their major weapon is none other than lead singer Raul Malo, one of the greatest contemporary singers in any genre. He could sing the Nashville phone book, and I'd shell out my hard earned cash to listen to it. The man is smooth. But, this is not the Nashville phone book. It's a bunch of really good songs, including the title song, which is brilliant, about broken hearts and the game of love, a game that the Mavericks know is anything but simple."

Outstanding

V. VanCamp | Ithaca, New York USA | 10/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Mavericks are a really terrific band with a wonderful and very specific sound. No matter what song they are singing - you can tell it is them. I am thrilled with this cd. It is absolutely fantastic. I find it rather hard to describe the sound the Mavericks have. They are kind of country, kind of bluegrass, kind of folksy and kind of 50's! However they are described... they are absolutely worth listening to. I strongly suggest that you give them a try!"

As It Should Be

David Bradley | Sterling, VA USA | 05/03/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Raul Malo has the best voice in Country, bar none. Bar none.Here's how good this album is: I listened to it for two years, under the impression that it was a "Best Of" CD. It's not. It's just over-loaded with great, great Country singles, including a beautiful cover of Springsteen's "All That Heaven Will Allow," a heartbreacking "O What A Thrill," and the traditionalism of "What A Crying Shame."For people like me, who find so much modern Country music a bad joke and a slick marketing tool, The Mavericks are a revalation. They aren't stupid, they aren't slick, they aren't a hair band or a hat band. They are, simply, a great band."

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