In the new old-school country vein of Iris DeMent and Gillian Welch, with a touch of Nanci Griffith's soft twangy Texas phrasing, Stacey Earle has made an acoustic record of stunning simplicity and everyday grace. Most str... more »iking alongside the elegant arrangements is Earle's finely honed, though never flaunted, vocal prowess. "Silly You" is a stellar example of her expressive, wending warble, remarkably akin to Patty Griffin. Simple Gearle oozes sweet old-fashioned charm--from the vinyl-LP crackles at the beginning, middle, and end to her recognition of family (Earle's band is called the Jewels in honor of one granny, the disc is dedicated to the other). And big brother Steve even lends harmony vocals to the lovely "Losers Weep." --Paige La Grone« less
In the new old-school country vein of Iris DeMent and Gillian Welch, with a touch of Nanci Griffith's soft twangy Texas phrasing, Stacey Earle has made an acoustic record of stunning simplicity and everyday grace. Most striking alongside the elegant arrangements is Earle's finely honed, though never flaunted, vocal prowess. "Silly You" is a stellar example of her expressive, wending warble, remarkably akin to Patty Griffin. Simple Gearle oozes sweet old-fashioned charm--from the vinyl-LP crackles at the beginning, middle, and end to her recognition of family (Earle's band is called the Jewels in honor of one granny, the disc is dedicated to the other). And big brother Steve even lends harmony vocals to the lovely "Losers Weep." --Paige La Grone
"I read an article about Nashville outsiders. Stacey Earle was listed among others (Steve Earle topped the list, of course). I figured if she were a tenth as good as Steve, she'd be worth listening to. It turned out she was a pretty major talent in her own right. The album is among my family's favorites. I haven't tired of listening to it yet, and I listen to it often. It's sad that someone as good as she is isn't a best selling recording artist, instead of a "special order"."
She's awesome
Jeanie Pumphrey | Pueblo West, CO United States | 04/21/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The voice, the music, the lyrics, the performance. It's incredible that she is not more well known. There are no false steps in this album. It becomes more beautiful with each playing. Such incredible musicians as well."
Perfect
Mr. J. Stewart | St Neots, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom | 11/06/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"How could this CD be better? It couldn't. Feed your soul and be amazed at how simplicity can carry so much emotional weight."
She'll pull at your heart-strings ...
tonguepaste | Alexandria, VA | 11/10/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first heard Stacey Earle at a songwriter's retreat a year ago, and I fell madly in love with her on the spot. Part of the retreat's schedule was a unique songwriting assignment: a song with topic assigned by Lamb, to be written over the course of 2 days and then performed to the group at the end of the retreat. My assignment was to write a love song to Stacey Earle ... I hadn't heard her music before, but, when she got up to perform for us the first time, I realized what an easy assignment I'd been given. She lit up the retreat's meager stage with one of the most expressive & enjoyable performances I'd seen in a long while, filling the room with her voice and presence ... Her songs are personally revelatory-diary entries, she called them. Listening to a Stacey Earle record is like taking a walk through the backyard of her life, in such a way that you forget it isn't your own life you're strolling through. Sad, sweet, and spirited ... Her melodies and hooks are as catchy as you'd want 'em, and Earle is as adept a performer as you'd hope to find. This album is a real gem: don't miss out!"