Search - Spady :: Long Way Around & Other Short Stories

Warm, conversational singing and sinuous rhythms are very so

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 12/25/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Playing Time - 42:04 -- While I find myself mainly listening to acoustic music at this point in my life, I occasionally like to spin some electric alt-country music when the mood hits. With eleven originals, Spady Brannan demonstrates why he's a highly regarded songwriter who is carving a niche and plugging his wares in Nashville. His set is an evocative score that covers many moods and emotions. He's hoping you'll relate to some of the songs and say "been there, done that." He also contributes the bass line, some acoustic guitar and vocals on this project. His hypnotic voice and the music's flowing beats reveal considerable thought and depth. There are some crowning moments that really shine with accessible melodies and bright lyricism. As a minor criticism, I wish there would've been a few more variations in tempo between the songs, and I wouldn't have minded some more presence for the background vocals. Spady has 14 other musicians assisting, and special accolades go to slide guitarist Lee Roy Parnell and organists Jimmy Nichols and John Jarvis. Some of the strongest works on this project were written in collaboration with others - James House, Pete Sallis, Rosanne Drucker, Steven Bliss, David Malloy, and John Sharpe.



The CD jacket includes his lyrics, and they worth pondering. "These Boxes," for example, speaks to trinkets, poems, T-shirts, dreams and memories that we all sometimes have to part with in life. "Makes You Weak" conveys the thoughts going through his head about an hour before a big romantic evening. His earthy and ethereal side are perhaps best reflected in a breezily romantic ballad like "I Did," where he asks a number of questions that have a simple answer. Hypnotic electric guitar and organ capture the stormy currents in "Tryin' To Hold The Wind," a song that reminds me so much of another laid-back singer/songwriter from the blues and rock traditions - J.J. Cale. While Spady may not have a hit here of the magnitude of Cale's "After Midnight," his warm, conversational singing and sinuous rhythms are very soulful. I wouldn't be surprised to see some big names covering his material. (Joe Ross, Roseburg, OR.)

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One of the best i have heard in a long time

P. B. Dean | florida | 10/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Spady--what a beautiful collection of words and songs. I am amazed with the feelings portrayed in this cd. How fortunate for those of us who truly appreciate great music to have this man sing and play for us. Hats off to all who performed and especially to Spady for giving us this special gift. What a talent--hopefully lots more to come."