Jubilee Offer: Patriot Classics for £2.50 |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
Track Listings
| 1. Jesus Was A Cross Maker |
| 2. Lady O |
| 3. The Lamb Ran Away With The Crown |
| 4. Enchanted Sky Machines |
| 5. The Kiss |
| 6. Down Where The Valleys Are Low. |
| 7. Enchanted Sky Machines |
| 8. The Kiss |
| 9. Down Where The Valleys Are Low |
| 10. Phoenix |
| 11. Lady O |
| 12. Jesus Was A Cross Maker |
| 13. Interview. |
| 14. There's A Rugged Road |
| 15. Phoenix |
| 16. The Kiss |
| 17. Down Where The Valleys Are Low |
| 18. The Donor |
| 19. Soldier Of The Heart |
Product Description
About the Artist
In the late '60s Sill was busted for heroin possession and served three months in prison, during which time she was able to kick her habit; when she returned to the world at large, she focused solely on making music. She returned to Los Angeles where, through her Hollywood connections, she was introduced to David Geffen. Geffen was in the process of creating Asylum Records, which was to focus exclusively on non-rock material. Taken by Sill's abilities as a writer and performer, Geffen immediately signed her to Asylum; her self-titled debut was also the first official release for the new label.
It was through Geffen that she met Graham Nash, who quickly became a fan, and produced the first single for her album, "Jesus Was a Cross Maker." The rest of Judee Sill was orchestrated and produced by Bob Harris, Sill's ex-husband. Judee Sill was released in 1971 to immediate acclaim. Lushly orchestrated, the album featured Sill's voice in multiple overdubs, often in a four-part chorale or fugue. The album fit in well with the light rock/folk-rock underpinnings of what came to be known as the "Laurel Canyon sound" associated with other female singer/songwriters such as Carole King and Joni Mitchell (Mitchell, also signed to Asylum, was at work on Ladies of the Canyon at the time, which was also produced by Bob Harris). A tour as the opening act for Nash and David Crosby exposed her intimate songwriting and skillful guitar playing to a larger audience, but her record failed to make much of an impact, despite the somewhat heavy airplay of "Jesus Was a Cross Maker." A self-professed perfectionist, one song could often take her a year to write, and it wasn't until late 1972 that Sill returned to record and release her second and last album, Heart Food. It too received enthusiastic reviews but did poorly commercially. Sill took over the chores of both orchestrating and arranging Heart Food, with the production relying more heavily on multilayered strings and lush expanse. Unable to draw a sizable crowd yet unwilling to play as a support act, Sill's name and moderate fame both receded, and she disappeared from view entirely. Rumors abound as to what happened next, although it is definitely known that she returned to her heroin addiction as well as becoming heavily involved with cocaine. Graham Nash has said that he learned as early as 1974 that Sill had died of an overdose, a claim that would later prove to be incorrect, but considering how closely the two had worked only a few years earlier it does illustrate just how completely Sill had dropped out by this time. She never managed a second return from the abyss and Judee Sill, age 35, died of a drug overdose in November of 1979.
Product Description
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Customer Reviews
This album shines best when Judee turns to the piano... beautiful versions of "the Kiss", "the Phoenix" and a stunning solo version of her masterpiece "the Donor" which, stripped of its intricate choral arrangements nevertheless holds up as Judee finds, as she describes it, a partner to harmonise with - the piano itself. Wierd that her semi-supporters Graham Nash and Daviod Crosby never appear to have deigned to actually harmonise with her, because their voices would have blended so well.
Another gem is the guarded, somewhat sparky interview with none other than whispering Bob Harris... with Bob's gentle, tactful probing provoking the sort of wry, self-deprecating responses which charecterised Judee Sill.
So great, anyway, to hear her get some respect in her lifetime, and so sad to think that that just 7 years later Judee was dead, forgotten, discarded by her former record company and the victim of some dubious lifestyle choices.
If you are new to Judee you might be wondering what you'll get yourself into. Her voice has no tricks at all, it is simple, vibrato-less, a little dusky but never less than honest. It might be best to turn to the Asylum years compilation, as the first step if only to hear "the Donor" in its full glory.
This CD is much more intimate. But her talents as a songwriter and singer shine forth. What a pity that this particular candle burnt at both ends. What luck that someone was around the record her in full flight.
Without the complex layered arrangements on her two albums, these songs still stand up as masterpieces. We also hear how accomplished Judee had become, very quickly, on her instruments and how fine a singer she was. This is a no-frills, genuine delight.
Treat yourself - you won't regret it.
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
![original ALBUM classics [2010]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51y15FkA6iL._AA60_.jpg)
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
