Search - Stacy Dean Campbell :: Ashes of Old Love

Simple honest songs the way Country Music is meant to be.

Patrice Webb | Georgetown, California USA | 04/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love singers who tell stories and this new CD by Stacy Dean Campbell paints a picture of an American landscape inhabited by "gravel roads", "dashboard Jesus chaperones" and "horses running wild in the hills of Mexico". On his third album Campbell becomes an everyman in search of the American dream only to find that the life he was hoping for is lost in "a pocket full of youthful plans".Campbell's voice is warm and melodic, and the song arrangements are kept simple, allowing the songs to speak clearly for themselves. Folks who appreciate honesty and simplicity in the music they hear will find a lot to like on this CD.Two of the CD's standouts are the opening song "Making Good Time" a love song on the road, and "Bidding America Goodbye" about the auction of a farm and a vanishing way of life."

A best-of-career-album of country-folk

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 01/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Campbell's toned down his act from his previous two LPs, dropping the twang and rockabillyisms for a folkier, singer-songwriter sound. What's emerged is his huge talent. The mostly-acoustic arrangements push the lyrics to the fore, and whether their SDC's own, or the well-chosen songs of Jamie O'Hare, Campbell sings them with intimacy and conviction.Campbell's songs explore the pull between restraint and liberty, from the lonely dreams of a prisoner in "I'm Gonna Fly," to the dream chasers of "Five Texas Dollars." His well-chosen covers include O'Hara's stunning song of farm-forclosure, "Bidding America Goodbye."Throughout, Cambpell's voice is a beautiful, melodic match for his songs, and the accompanyment frames him perfectly. Those who enjoyed Vince Gill's "The Key," or the recent releases of Bruce Robison, will find much to enjoy here."

Fine return of a good talent

T. C Lane | Marina, CA USA | 08/04/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Campbell's 2 albums that he recorded for Columbia in 1992 and 1995 have sadly gone out-of-print. So, look for them at used stores. This release finds Campbell toning down on the Rockabilly mannerisms that marked his previous stuff. He's also dumped the canned 90's Nashville sound that has marred so many of today's Country releases. Here, he's returned as a country/folk/Americana singer-songwriter. And the results are excellent. Covering 2 fine Jamie O'Hara songs and getting help from Chris Knight, Kevin Welch and Dean Miller on others, Campbell has crafted an almost perfect blend of country songs with folk tinges. "Makin' Good Time" is one of the year's best Country songs."