the shepherd's dog

the third album from the group known as iron and wine
which i understand is actually one man named sam beam
a performer from the south of the u s of a
i was turned on to him after the release of the second album
played that one on quite high rotation so this one was met with a little excitement
especially after reading quite a few favourable reviews
pagan angel and a borrowed car
the immediate impression from track 1 is more elaborate production
many more instruments in the mix and more vocals too
though still a very organic sound with violins, piano and a bit of banjo(?)
the voice is just so distinctive - like no other
it drives me nuts actually as he sounds like someone i know well from the 70's - but who?
white tooth man
a slower number with a banjo/guitar sound and slide guitar
allowing vocal harmonies to be brought to the fore
quite a lovely love song really - nothing not done before
but it's that voice that makes it so distinctive
wiki says nick drake, simon and garunkel, neil young, elliot smith - musically presumably
lovesong of the buzzard
up tempo number with what sounds like a hammond organ and steel guitar
nice beat and the typical organic sound allowed to flesh out
hmmm - overtures of seals and crofts maybe who i am thinking of
there has to be at least 7 or 8 musicians at work on this tune
but it still feels very light and certainly very easy to get into
carousel
very clever production techniques at work in this one
his voice warped through some process to sound almost organ-like
no drums or other percussion but sounds like an electric piano used sparingly
and then his voice used as an instrument to accompany the vibrophone, etc
so easy on the ear but not easy listening - just gentle
house by the sea
as opposed to the genesis tune titled home by the sea
another bunch of strange instruments used to back him up here
reminding me of southern america's answer to waterboys circa fisherman's blues
similar themes too obviously and the production not dissimilar
some sort of electric guitar takes over here and takes it out nicely
innocent bones
oh yes lovely production - sounds like a lot of time spent in the studio here
a traditional piano sound adding richness to his almost whispered vocals
overdubbing of his vocals and sweet harmonious backing vocals
reminds me as a listener that there is no end to what can be done with music
given a nice tune, a distinctive vocal and a sympathetic producer
wolves (song of the shepherd's dog)
and to presumably the title track of the album
more studio wizardry on (aural) display with this one
vocals back in the mix and in reverb mode
some wah-wah guitar sounds, steel guitar, more bass than usual
allowed to take over but heard in balance with each other instrument
resurrection fern
one of those songs that sounds like it has lived forever
starts out very gently and builds with slide guitar dominating
he's leaning right up to the microphone and reminiscing of childhood days
like stubborn boys with big green eyes we'll see everything
in the timid shade of the autumn leaves and the buzzards wings
boy with a coin
my favourite tune from this very fine album of very fine tunes
but who is it - it's that 70's vocal sound coming through loud and clear
csn&y maybe - though maybe it's just the production style that is familiar
again the vocal harmonies are superb but not far back in the mix
is some more wah-wah guitar sounds, hand-clapping, rhymical bass, etc, etc
the devil never sleeps
boogie-woogie piano introduces this one and hangs around in the background
quite a short little ditty clocking in at just over 2 minutes
a lament to the lack of good music on the radio (i think)
bounces along very nicely and gets the head bopping
about as rock oriented as anything on the whole album
peace beneath the city
more studio aural experimentation at work here
vocals overdubbed and in echo/whisper mode
electric guitar sounds warped and otherwise distorted
get the impression this tune would work very well live
allowing the musicians to really indulge themselves within the sound
flightless bird, american mouth
the album outro starts with just gentle vocals
swings into a lovely waltzy feel singalong number
another tune sounding like something already etched into our memory
the piano kicks in and all and sundry add their bits
finishing with a long sustained note on a hammond organ (?) - very nice

i haven't read a review that is anything less than glowing about this album
for me it's a real grower - repeat play just makes it better and better