27-02-2011, 13:54
country/folk/blues
hard to not like with Avett Brothers playing and producing
one standout with Walk On
Grade - 1.8
released Feb 22nd, 2011
![[Image: p46826oiw2z.jpg]](http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drp400/p468/p46826oiw2z.jpg)
from the album - Milk and Sugar - 2.0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdiqNimxwzg
from premier guitar
Album Review
G. Love's latest effort handpicks blues-derived, sincere snippets from Loveâs expansive catalog and fleshes them out into a cohesive country-blues package of solid songwriting and even stronger musicianship.
Although this is G. Love's 14th studio albumâ10 with frequent backing band Special Sauce and three other solo albumsâFixin' To Die feels like the musician's first real record. New friends Scott and Seth Avettâcontributing musicians and producersâhelp Love crystallize his musical roots, handpicking blues-derived, sincere snippets from his expansive catalog and fleshing them out into a cohesive country-blues package of solid songwriting and even stronger musicianship.
This career-redefining album starts strong with a floorboard-stompin', hand-clappin' energetic cover of Bukka White's "Fixin' To Die." When you hear, and more importantly feel, Loveâs sincere power on acoustic guitar and harmonica matched by his candidly raw vocals, you begin to realize this isn't the same ol' easy-going G. Other barn-burning tracks include âGet Going,â featuring a âCrossroadsâ-inspired grooving rhythm, and the Paul Simon cover â50 Ways To Leave A Lover.â The latter starts out with the Avett duo clapping and stomping the signature Steve Gadd drum beat before morphing into nearly a different song after the second verse: a southern-fried prohibition juke-joint jamboree complete with a harmonica solo thatâs carried with a full drum ensemble, banjo, piano, and acoustic guitars.
The upbeat, faster songs jump out initially, but itâs the slower, melodically rootsy songs like the Appalachian âWalk Onâ and âKatie Missâ that showcase Gâs musical transformation and keep you coming back. While Fixinâ steps away from Gâs usual hip-hop blues flavor a little, his signature bounce isn't lost. The brokenhearted ballad âJust Fineâ showcases Loveâs hip-hop rhythmic flows during the verses and is capped with a simple yet soulful Dobro solo. The Avettsâ influences are all over, but within the slower tracks you can really feel the brothersâ golden touch with their subtle acoustic nuances, enthralling passion, and complementary melody that allows each song to find its sweet spot.
The only misfire in the album is the loosey-goosey âMilk & Sugar." It's not a bad song, but the infectious rhythms and sophomoric lyrics dedicated to beverages (think previous G cuts "Cold Beverage" and "Soda Pop"), make it a better fit for a Special Sauce recording or more lighthearted project.
Fittingly, Love ventured down to Avett territory in Asheville, North Carolina to record Fixinâ To Die in Echo Mountain Studiosâa converted churchâand emerged with a resurrected recording career that pushes G near the top of current country-blues folk musicians with his most true and honest album to date.
Track Listing
1 Fixin' to Die White 3:28
2 The Road Dutton 2:44
3 Katie Miss Avett, Dutton 2:22
4 Milk and Sugar Dutton 3:17
5 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover Simon 4:21
6 You've Got to Die McTell 3:37
7 Walk On Dutton 3:42
8 Just Fine Adler, Dutton 4:32
9 Ma Mere Dutton 3:54
10 Get Going Dutton 3:09
11 Heaven Dutton 2:57
12 Home Dutton 3:40
13 Pale Blue Eyes Reed 6:08
hard to not like with Avett Brothers playing and producing
one standout with Walk On
Grade - 1.8
released Feb 22nd, 2011
from the album - Milk and Sugar - 2.0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdiqNimxwzg
from premier guitar
Album Review
G. Love's latest effort handpicks blues-derived, sincere snippets from Loveâs expansive catalog and fleshes them out into a cohesive country-blues package of solid songwriting and even stronger musicianship.
Although this is G. Love's 14th studio albumâ10 with frequent backing band Special Sauce and three other solo albumsâFixin' To Die feels like the musician's first real record. New friends Scott and Seth Avettâcontributing musicians and producersâhelp Love crystallize his musical roots, handpicking blues-derived, sincere snippets from his expansive catalog and fleshing them out into a cohesive country-blues package of solid songwriting and even stronger musicianship.
This career-redefining album starts strong with a floorboard-stompin', hand-clappin' energetic cover of Bukka White's "Fixin' To Die." When you hear, and more importantly feel, Loveâs sincere power on acoustic guitar and harmonica matched by his candidly raw vocals, you begin to realize this isn't the same ol' easy-going G. Other barn-burning tracks include âGet Going,â featuring a âCrossroadsâ-inspired grooving rhythm, and the Paul Simon cover â50 Ways To Leave A Lover.â The latter starts out with the Avett duo clapping and stomping the signature Steve Gadd drum beat before morphing into nearly a different song after the second verse: a southern-fried prohibition juke-joint jamboree complete with a harmonica solo thatâs carried with a full drum ensemble, banjo, piano, and acoustic guitars.
The upbeat, faster songs jump out initially, but itâs the slower, melodically rootsy songs like the Appalachian âWalk Onâ and âKatie Missâ that showcase Gâs musical transformation and keep you coming back. While Fixinâ steps away from Gâs usual hip-hop blues flavor a little, his signature bounce isn't lost. The brokenhearted ballad âJust Fineâ showcases Loveâs hip-hop rhythmic flows during the verses and is capped with a simple yet soulful Dobro solo. The Avettsâ influences are all over, but within the slower tracks you can really feel the brothersâ golden touch with their subtle acoustic nuances, enthralling passion, and complementary melody that allows each song to find its sweet spot.
The only misfire in the album is the loosey-goosey âMilk & Sugar." It's not a bad song, but the infectious rhythms and sophomoric lyrics dedicated to beverages (think previous G cuts "Cold Beverage" and "Soda Pop"), make it a better fit for a Special Sauce recording or more lighthearted project.
Fittingly, Love ventured down to Avett territory in Asheville, North Carolina to record Fixinâ To Die in Echo Mountain Studiosâa converted churchâand emerged with a resurrected recording career that pushes G near the top of current country-blues folk musicians with his most true and honest album to date.
Track Listing
1 Fixin' to Die White 3:28
2 The Road Dutton 2:44
3 Katie Miss Avett, Dutton 2:22
4 Milk and Sugar Dutton 3:17
5 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover Simon 4:21
6 You've Got to Die McTell 3:37
7 Walk On Dutton 3:42
8 Just Fine Adler, Dutton 4:32
9 Ma Mere Dutton 3:54
10 Get Going Dutton 3:09
11 Heaven Dutton 2:57
12 Home Dutton 3:40
13 Pale Blue Eyes Reed 6:08
