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The Harrow & The Harvest
 
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The Harrow & The Harvest

Gillian WelchMP3 Download
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
Price: £7.49 (VAT included if applicable)
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Album Savings: £1.41 compared to buying all songs

  • Original Release Date: 24 Jun 2011
  • Format - Music: MP3
  • Compatible with MP3 Players (including with iPod®), iTunes, Windows Media Player
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  Song Title Time Price  
Play   1. Scarlet Town 3:40 £0.89  Buy MP3 
Play   2. Dark Turn Of Mind 4:07 £0.89  Buy MP3 
Play   3. The Way It Will Be 4:47 £0.89  Buy MP3 
Play   4. The Way It Goes 4:01 £0.89  Buy MP3 
Play   5. Tennessee 6:35 £0.89  Buy MP3 
Play   6. Down Along The Dixie Line 4:49 £0.89  Buy MP3 
Play   7. Six White Horses 3:38 £0.89  Buy MP3 
Play   8. Hard Times 4:52 £0.89  Buy MP3 
Play   9. Silver Dagger 3:23 £0.89  Buy MP3 
Play 10. The Way The Whole Thing Ends 6:11 £0.89  Buy MP3 
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
51 of 51 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
In these days when artistic lay-offs and comebacks are familiar territory, eight years between albums remains a relatively long time, and suggests an unusual level of perfectionism or writer's block, or both. 2009's Dave Rawlings' Machine album was a patchy affair showcasing the talents of Gillian Welch's long-term musical partner, although Welch herself featured heavily on the album and shared songwriting credits on a handful of the tracks. The Harrow & The Harvest is therefore the first proper offering from Gillian Welch since Soul Journey in 2003, and its title reflects that 'unpleasant place to be' as Welch describes her own struggle to write material that she felt was worthy of recording.

What is most obvious on first hearing is the pared down simplicity of the songs; banjo, harmonica and acoustic guitar being the only instrumentation, used sparingly, but with almost scientific precision. The songs themselves are rooted in the kind of dark and earthy Americana that is clearly deeply embedded in Gillian Welch's soul, despite her often cited New York origins and Californian upbringing. This is music that is stripped back to the bone with no unnecessary embellishments, neither a note nor a phrase, to stand between it and the cool unfussiness of Welch's voice. The best songs like the lovely 'Tennessee', 'Hard Times' and 'Silver Dagger' hint in their very titles at the content within, the latter employing a harmonica break of Dylanesque stature, the others subtly augmented by delicately picked guitar. While such simplicity is undoubtedly the music's avowed intent, and it truly delivers on that promise, it also lends some of the material a curious lifelessness that was missing from Gillian Welch's Revival and Hell Among The Yearlings albums. Repeated listens do indeed reveal additional layers to the music, and this is an album that definitely requires and benefits from attentive and proactive listening to peel back the layers and uncover its full subtlety. But its simplicity is occasionally its undoing, being almost too studied, too contrived to be emotionally engaging, and for me this lack of a sense of involvement, reflected in Welch's detached vocal style, is what makes the album an enjoyable, much admired, but vaguely unsatisfying experience.

Having said all of that, The Harrow & The Harvest knocks spots off anything similar released recently, and is far better than its unnaturally jaunty predecessor. Gillian Welch's personal soul journey into the heart of Americana has clearly reached an altogether different level in the past eight years, one which nevertheless feels right. Those converted already will need no further encouragement to buy, other than the handy CD jewel box insert that doubles as a beer mat. Those new to Gillian Welch may wish to sample Time The Revelator, or the earlier albums, before committing themselves to joining her on this current, more difficult leg of her journey.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful songs, beautiful listening 25 Aug 2011
By Keen Reader TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I loved the soundtrack (and the movie) for O Brother Where Art Thou, so I was quite delighted when I heard a radio program a couple of weeks ago reviewing this cd by Gillian Welch. It has a sound that I really enjoy - I'm not sure how you'd describe the genre - blues, folksy, acoustic? Whatever - it's low technology, musical, beautiful lyrics and wonderful music. Just wonderful singing with banjo, harmonica and guitars. The sort of cd you pop on and sing along to and never get tired of, just like the O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars I hate country music, but...... 5 Sep 2011
Format:Audio CD
......I love Gillian Welch and this is the best Gillian Welch album by far.

I have no sense of rhythm and yet this gets me dancing......

This is totally stunning and magical.

The final track is one of the most beautiful I have ever heard in my life.

I repeat - I can't stand country music but this is sublime.

Jesse.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended
Gillian Welch just gets better and better. This album will live beyong its time, I never tire of listening to her poignant melancholy voice highly recommended!
Published 3 months ago by gee4zee
5.0 out of 5 stars Every collection needs this album
An 8 year lay off before this album, but now its here it is worth every second of the wait. Beautifully crafted songs, keening vocals and a guitarist steeped in the tradition and... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Jason Baughan
5.0 out of 5 stars folk still exists
WOW this woman has the whole hippie folk genre nailed , what with her album titles and even her name
.. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Doccus
4.0 out of 5 stars The Best Since Revelator
Ignore the cover artwork, this is a wonderful album. Very subtle, well performed and written by Gillian and Dave. The two voices are a tighter fit than Kylie's hot pants. Read more
Published 9 months ago by johnny outlook
5.0 out of 5 stars thank god for Jools Holland!
I saw Gillian Welch on 'Later' on BBC2 performing 'The Way It Goes'. On the strength of this I purchased 'The Harrow & The Harvest' at my first opportunity. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Jonathan Poole
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
Whilst I'd heard Gillian Welch's name, I'd never heard her music until I purchased this album for my mum. Upon first listen, I was shocked and surprised. Read more
Published 12 months ago by James Mcwilliam Woods
5.0 out of 5 stars If I had Only One Disc...
Since getting to know the Gillian Welch duo through Revival, Time (The Revelator) and this album, what I love the most is their stripping back of the parts as they progress,... Read more
Published 12 months ago by G. Kimpton
1.0 out of 5 stars Hard work
I've tried to like it but the overriding result after a few plays is that it really is like wading waist deep through mud. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Neppo
1.0 out of 5 stars Poor Album
I buy a fair number of albums covering all tastes & genres. This is the first one that I cannot find even one track I like. Definitely only for the already converted.
Published 14 months ago by delphi9cp
5.0 out of 5 stars SENSATIONAL
Gillian always produces great music, but to my ears this is the best thing she has ever done. David Rawlings contribution should not be under estimated. Read more
Published 14 months ago by The Ghost of Sandy Denny
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