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Track Listings
| 1. Fallen Angel |
| 2. Showdown At Big Sky |
| 3. Broken Arrow |
| 4. Sweet Fire Of Love |
| 5. American Roulette |
| 6. Somewhere Down The Crazy River |
| 7. Hell's Half Acre |
| 8. Sonny Got Caught In The Moonlight |
| 9. Testimony |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Lightning does strike twice. Robbie Robertson's breathtaking 1987 solo debut was every bit as remarkable as another debut he'd masterminded two decades before, The Band's Music from Big Pink. Even more impressive was the fact that Robertson's new sound owed so little, other than a shared vision, to the sonic Americana he'd created with The Band. Robertson cashed in The Band's rustic tones in for a lush, beat-box womb created by coproducer Daniel Lanois. His own weird, almost spectral voice, also turned out to be the right vehicle for the words he'd been handing to others for so long. Bono, The BoDeans and Peter Gabriel join in on keepers like "Fallen Angel" and "Broken Arrow". --Michael Ruby
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
43 of 45 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
When I first heard this album when it was originally released I was bowled over. My vinyl copy finally gave up the ghost so I relaced it with a CD recently. It has hardly been off my car stereo since.
The album starts slowly almost imperceptably, but soon a full and complex wall of sound develops that is so hard to categorise. Production levels are high here, but falls just short of being 'over-produced' so that we hear a rich and multi-levelled texture in all the songs.
There are appearences by Peter Gabriel and U2 on the album, and it is a sign of the respect in which Robbie Robertson is held, that they are content to contribute (highly effectively) in the background without detracting from the whole project. Indeed Gabriel's backing vocals on the opening track are so integral to the feel of it that it would be such a lesser thing without his unique and identifiable sound.
As for Roberston himself, he excels here. His voice is rich and dark with a great warmth and subtlty. The best known track on the album, 'Somewhere Down The Crazy River' defies categirisatin but is just plain great.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The recent emergence of a new CD from Robertson served notice of what a singular path he's blazed through Rock, Folk, Blues, Jazz and all things Americana related.
This, his first outing as a "solo" artist was one of the first Cd's I bought, back when it came out.
I'd filed it away in the back of my mind and had actually traded it in when my appreciation for his combination of voice and story and instrumentation was re-ignited by a preview of"How To Be Clairvoyant"
All the components that he wields are individually respectable, he plays a good guitar, but is not an "axe hero", can sing ,but is not an ego driven exhibitionist front man, but add these to his storytelling ability and his ear for a good tune, mix them with Daniel Lanois's wide screen mix and you get a CD that stands the test of time.
I'd probably not listened to this for 20 years, yet it remains as fresh as it did back in 1987.
That's testimony itself to the craft that Robertson displayed here. From the frantic pulse and "big music " of Fallen Angel, Showdown At Big Sky to the driving beat of Testimony, the journey here is one of sunsets, blazing skies and epic adventures, all written by a hand that has seen it first hand, lived through it and is able to mold it into songs of depth and resonance that is still ringing, all these years later..
Oh, and it has his "hit" on it, Some where down the Crazy river is a Mark Twain novel turned into a B Movie by Tarrentino, it should grate, with it's gravel voiced narrator leading you on, but not explaining, only recounting a tale of Gothic beauty and loss.
This, his first outing as a "solo" artist was one of the first Cd's I bought, back when it came out.
I'd filed it away in the back of my mind and had actually traded it in when my appreciation for his combination of voice and story and instrumentation was re-ignited by a preview of"How To Be Clairvoyant"
All the components that he wields are individually respectable, he plays a good guitar, but is not an "axe hero", can sing ,but is not an ego driven exhibitionist front man, but add these to his storytelling ability and his ear for a good tune, mix them with Daniel Lanois's wide screen mix and you get a CD that stands the test of time.
I'd probably not listened to this for 20 years, yet it remains as fresh as it did back in 1987.
That's testimony itself to the craft that Robertson displayed here. From the frantic pulse and "big music " of Fallen Angel, Showdown At Big Sky to the driving beat of Testimony, the journey here is one of sunsets, blazing skies and epic adventures, all written by a hand that has seen it first hand, lived through it and is able to mold it into songs of depth and resonance that is still ringing, all these years later..
Oh, and it has his "hit" on it, Some where down the Crazy river is a Mark Twain novel turned into a B Movie by Tarrentino, it should grate, with it's gravel voiced narrator leading you on, but not explaining, only recounting a tale of Gothic beauty and loss.
19 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is the 1987 solo début of a member of "The Band" and what a change in song and style. With help from his fellow Canadian "Daniel Lanois" in the production department, Robbie has changed, gone is the folk sound of his previous incarnation and is replaced with a rock sound on some tracks, and something a bit more challenging on others.
"Somewhere down the crazy river" is one of these, you will find that after one listening of this track Mr Robertson voice will will get your attention not so much singing as talking in "Pitch" on this track.
His voice just drips from the speakers like warm honey on a warm day. The rest of the album has guest appearances from "Peter Gabriel" and "U2" to mention a few of the star cast of this album, great stuff from a great artist do yourself a favour seek out a copy for yourself today!...
"Somewhere down the crazy river" is one of these, you will find that after one listening of this track Mr Robertson voice will will get your attention not so much singing as talking in "Pitch" on this track.
His voice just drips from the speakers like warm honey on a warm day. The rest of the album has guest appearances from "Peter Gabriel" and "U2" to mention a few of the star cast of this album, great stuff from a great artist do yourself a favour seek out a copy for yourself today!...
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4.6 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Music collection update.
Had this on LP vynl. Justified purchase on grounds of sentimentality. Opening track meditates on band member's suicide still haunts me still.
Published 15 days ago by square eyes
5.0 out of 5 stars
great buy
This is a very good purchase, and would recommend it to anyone. well worth the money, and a real bargain.
Published 2 months ago by Paul Weightman
5.0 out of 5 stars
My No1 Album of 1987
I purchased this album on its release back in 1987, for no other reason than Robbie Robertson being a former member of The Band, whom I respected due to their association with Bob... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Michael Nicholl
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding
I don't know why but I had a hankering to buy this again after having it on tape when it was first released. And I am so glad I did. Its as good now as it was back then. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Syriat
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not the Band...
No, and not exactly what I remembered this to be. And today it does sound pretty dated - early Band recordings sound infinitely fresher!
Published 20 months ago by Tom
4.0 out of 5 stars
Robbie Robertson CD
Still the best solo album from RR.
A very good sounding CD, it still comes second to the vinyl version.
A very good sounding CD, it still comes second to the vinyl version.
Published 24 months ago by wm3333
5.0 out of 5 stars
wow
My son bought me this album when it was first released. He put it on the turntable and played side 1. He turned it over and played side 2. When it finished, we just sat in silence! Read more
Published on 21 Dec 2010 by Savi
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great lost album
An album that slipped out without much notice given. That is a real shame given the quality of music. Read more
Published on 26 July 2010 by James Lewis
4.0 out of 5 stars
Nice one, Robbied
This is one of the finest post-Band albums by any of the members - and that standard is fairly high. "Somewhere..." is however a classic track and is worth five stars on its own!
Published on 13 Jun 2009 by Charles Radcliffe
5.0 out of 5 stars
Robbie Robertson
What a star, what an album. Got hold of this through 'Somewhere Down the Crazy River' which always transplants me to a hot and humid southern state, how can such atmosphere been... Read more
Published on 13 May 2009 by shipwrecked up north
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