- Audio CD (9 April 2007)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Names
- ASIN: B000O5BOUG
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Vinyl | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 92,589 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Description
1.Tired Feet.2.The Rifle.3.The Pirate's Gospel.4.Foreign Tongue.5.Can You Blame The Sky?6.Something's Gone Awry.7.Piedes Of String.8.Clickiry Clack.9Sister Self.10.Pigeon Song.11.Oh!My Mama.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Alela Diane(Menig)hails from Nevada City and only started to write and play in 2003. `The Pirate's Gospel' was originally recorded in her father's home studio(Tom Menig produces and appears on the album)and self released in 2004. Apparently she came to the attention fellow Nevada City native Joanna Newsom, who arranged her first live show. The album got a bit of a polish and an `official' release in 2006.
I've seen this artist compared to Gillian Welch, Jolie Holland, and Josephine Foster. I'm most strongly reminded of The Be Good Tanyas and would add them to the list. Which isn't to say she sounds, that much, like any of the former, but that, in common with those performers, she seems to have reached far into the past for her inspiration before adding a twist of her own. In the process she has created music that, while rooted firmly in earlier times, is fresh, vibrant and ultimately timeless.
I guess this is a folk album(that's how most reviewers have categorised it)but all the songs are self-penned, and musically, it has a blend of styles that would place it outside of any specific folk tradition. As well as folk I hear a touch of blues, gospel and with all the piratical references there is a nautical flavour too. Forget all that though, because the thing that makes this album so good is the quality of the songs.
The album opens strongly with `Tired Feet' a deceptively simple song that you may find lodged in your head for days, thereafter the record never flags, sure some of the songs are stronger than others(the title track, `Clickity Clack' and `Oh My Mama' are just three of my favourites)but all the songs hang together to create a perfectly gorgeous album. Considering this was essentially a `home recording' you would never know it, as all the performances are of the highest standard. I haven't mentioned her wonderful voice which matches the quality of the material beautifully.
Incidentally there are three(!)different versions of this CD around at the moment. The uk edition(featuring a not particularly flattering photo of Alela)has the original 11 track album and 2 bonus tracks `Heavy Walls' and `Gypsy Eyes' which are well worth having(strangely though they are not listed anywhere on the CD case). There is an American import(with a painted sail ship on the cover)which, perhaps has the nicest packaging(gatefold cardboard sleeve and better photo on the insert)but only has the 11 tracks. Finally there is an Australian import(same cover as U.S. edition but different insert)available which has 2 bonus tracks (but `Pink Roses' Substitutes for `Gypsy Eyes')and features an `enhanced' section containing a video for `Pieces Of String'.
There seems to be a lot of solo-female artists around at the moment but don't let this one get lost in the crowd. Alela Diane is a fabulous talent. Don't miss out.
I've seen this artist compared to Gillian Welch, Jolie Holland, and Josephine Foster. I'm most strongly reminded of The Be Good Tanyas and would add them to the list. Which isn't to say she sounds, that much, like any of the former, but that, in common with those performers, she seems to have reached far into the past for her inspiration before adding a twist of her own. In the process she has created music that, while rooted firmly in earlier times, is fresh, vibrant and ultimately timeless.
I guess this is a folk album(that's how most reviewers have categorised it)but all the songs are self-penned, and musically, it has a blend of styles that would place it outside of any specific folk tradition. As well as folk I hear a touch of blues, gospel and with all the piratical references there is a nautical flavour too. Forget all that though, because the thing that makes this album so good is the quality of the songs.
The album opens strongly with `Tired Feet' a deceptively simple song that you may find lodged in your head for days, thereafter the record never flags, sure some of the songs are stronger than others(the title track, `Clickity Clack' and `Oh My Mama' are just three of my favourites)but all the songs hang together to create a perfectly gorgeous album. Considering this was essentially a `home recording' you would never know it, as all the performances are of the highest standard. I haven't mentioned her wonderful voice which matches the quality of the material beautifully.
Incidentally there are three(!)different versions of this CD around at the moment. The uk edition(featuring a not particularly flattering photo of Alela)has the original 11 track album and 2 bonus tracks `Heavy Walls' and `Gypsy Eyes' which are well worth having(strangely though they are not listed anywhere on the CD case). There is an American import(with a painted sail ship on the cover)which, perhaps has the nicest packaging(gatefold cardboard sleeve and better photo on the insert)but only has the 11 tracks. Finally there is an Australian import(same cover as U.S. edition but different insert)available which has 2 bonus tracks (but `Pink Roses' Substitutes for `Gypsy Eyes')and features an `enhanced' section containing a video for `Pieces Of String'.
There seems to be a lot of solo-female artists around at the moment but don't let this one get lost in the crowd. Alela Diane is a fabulous talent. Don't miss out.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Alela Diane's first album proper is a thing of rare and simple beauty. In the vein of singer songwriters of the 70's like Judee Sill or Joni Mitchell she has a voice which i find captivating. The arrangements are deceptively simple, just acoustic guitar or piano, and the odd chorus of voices. Her voice sits on top of the melodies so that you can feel her in the room with you, and her lyrics about home, family, the country and odd little things are easy to relate to. She has arrived quietly but with the classic 'yo,ho,ho-ing' in the title track and the lovely 'clickity clack' it is a debut of great promise. Unaffected, unpretentious, sad, wistful and sighing with lonely love it is somehow not of this time...
Before this release she handmade the albums with little bits of sewing, probably sitting with her cats, now that's real 'folk'...
Before this release she handmade the albums with little bits of sewing, probably sitting with her cats, now that's real 'folk'...
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It's not often that you come across something totally different. I remember listening to Buffy St Marie too many years ago and being totally moved by the way her voice spoke of something deep and spiritual. This CD took me back there. It's amazing. It's raw. It's simple and so meaningful. Sit back and revel in this wonderfully simple and unspoiled miracle. I LOVE IT!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Fantastic
Great album. Especially love the tracks 'The Rifle', 'The Pirates Gospel' and 'Oh, Mama!', which can bring me to tears!
Published on 30 April 2010 by A. C. Pearce
A great reminder of my grandsons
I love this album, as i was introduced to it by my son, who intrduced his sons to it. They can sing a lot of the words and they are only 2 and 4.
Published on 24 Mar 2010 by J. Mackay
the voice
brilliant americana pirate folk gospel bluegrass record. saw her recently touring her new cd which isnot as good. the pirates gospel is nearly perfect.
Published on 11 Dec 2009 by P. A. Barnes
Gorgeous Album
Alela Diane(Menig)hails from Nevada City and only started to write and play in 2003. `The Pirate's Gospel' was originally recorded in her father's home studio(Tom Menig produces... Read more
Published on 30 Oct 2009 by merlin
clack
I've nothing really to add to whats already been said by others. I love this album, its not really the sort of thing i would normally aim myself at, but i got pulled in anyway. Read more
Published on 21 July 2009 by ADAM
What a Voice
On one hand I was a little dissapointed by the repetative content of the tracks, but one track stands out that is The pirates Gospel. Read more
Published on 2 May 2009 by W. J. O'sullivan
Not a happy bunny...
Not a Cd to cheer you up. If you wish to become morose this is the one for you.
Published on 23 Feb 2009 by ces
Excellent
This is an excellent album, and the early songs are particularly brilliant. The album as a whole is very good, with The Rifle, Pirate's Gospel and Tired Feet making good... Read more
Published on 13 Jun 2008 by Oswald Withers
This girl can write!
Seriously a challenger for one of the best female singer songwriters of our time. Her voice echoes, leaving a haunting history behind. Read more
Published on 8 Nov 2007 by ajd
Stands you still in your tracks
Alela Diane plays guitar and sings her own songs in an american folk / country / blues style. I'm not keen on making comparisons, but as an indication of where it's coming from:... Read more
Published on 19 April 2007 by delcampo
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