Gentleman's Blues

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Beware the cry of critics everywhere: Cracker have run out of material. But hold on, not so fast. On the fourth recording from this eclectic roots-pop quartet, frontman David Lowery may indeed address the topic of success, celebrity, and the life of a rock band (i.e., his life), but that's hardly saying he's at a loss for originality. With characteristic irony, these 16 songs sprawl across a landscape of misbegotten fame, lost love, even religious faith. The opener, "The Good Life," is vintage Cracker, replete with throbbing percussion and frontier twang. From there, Gentleman's Blues undulates its way through the retro-Americana reminiscence "Been Around the World" and thrusts guitarist John Hickman on the mic for the bluegrassy "Trials and Tribulations" before finally settling into the irresistibly tender strains of the title track. That kind of Cracker soul will never grow old. --Nick Heil --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Entertainment Weekly
...[This album] recalls [Camper Van Beethoven's] wild-card eclecticism and absurdist humanity. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Gentleman's Blues

Average customer rating:

THIS IS MORE ABOUT THE AMAZON SELLER doolicity THAN THE CD! BEWARE OF THE SELLER doolicity
The Good Life
Good Album by a Great Band
A Partial Rebound
do people really listen?

Gentleman's Blues
Cracker
Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Golden Age
Cracker
Forever
Kerosene Hat
Greenland

ASIN: B000009RNB
Release Date: 1998-08-25

Tracks:

The Good Life
Seven Days
Star
James River
My Life Is Totally Boring Without You
Been Around The World
The World Is Mine
Lullabye
Waiting For You Girl
Trials & Tribulations
Wild One
Hold Of Myself
Gentleman's Blues
I Want Out Of The Circus
Wedding Day
Hallelujah
Silent
1-202-456-1414
Silent
1-202-514-8688
Silent
1-310-289-4459
Silent
Cinderella

Amazon.com

Beware the cry of critics everywhere: Cracker have run out of material. But hold on, not so fast. On the fourth recording from this eclectic roots-pop quartet, frontman David Lowery may indeed address the topic of success, celebrity, and the life of a rock band (i.e., his life), but that's hardly saying he's at a loss for originality. With characteristic irony, these 16 songs sprawl across a landscape of misbegotten fame, lost love, even religious faith. The opener, "The Good Life," is vintage Cracker, replete with throbbing percussion and frontier twang. From there, Gentleman's Blues undulates its way through the retro-Americana reminiscence "Been Around the World" and thrusts guitarist John Hickman on the mic for the bluegrassy "Trials and Tribulations" before finally settling into the irresistibly tender strains of the title track. That kind of Cracker soul will never grow old. --Nick Heil

Customer Reviews:

THIS IS MORE ABOUT THE AMAZON SELLER doolicity THAN THE CD! BEWARE OF THE SELLER doolicity.......2007-03-06

I enjoy the band Cracker and have no issues with their releases. I just wanted to make a note to potential buyers, if you are buying used DO NOT use the Amazon seller doolicity. I have ordered from them several times and EVERY SINGLE TIME they come in as THE SLOWEST of all sellers!!! I won't endorse who I think is good but I just left the 10th negative feedback for doolicity and hope I can save many frustration when buying CD's from artist.

The Good Life.......2006-03-07

Cracker was one of the first bands that really caught my attention during the alternative boom that took place while I was in high school. "Get Off This" was deservedly all over MTV and Kerosene Hat was in my opinion superior to their debut. Sadly I lost track of Cracker in the following years, in favor of newer sounds and other things. It was their album with Leftover Salmon that dragged me back to Cracker Soul, and when I listened to Kerosene Hat after all those years I was amazed at how well it held up. It wasn't simply a period piece to be pulled off the shelf every now and then, it was a living, breathing piece of rock n roll goodness that made just as much sense in my older years as it did when I was in high school.

So I made a point of setting out to correct the errors of the decade, seeking out the best of what I had missed. 1997's Gentleman's Blues was my first find, and it really is the Kerosene Hat of my adult years if that makes any sense. Kerosene Hat captured perfectly the anxieties of being young and stupid, allowing me to laugh at myself as I sang along to these remarkably absurd songs that somehow fit very logically into my life. Gentleman's Blues is the sound of the once young and stupid realizing that he (or she) is all grown up and facing responsibilities, relationships, and other adult traumas. The now-middle-aged David Lowry chooses to confront these concerns in a song cycle that is much more revealing than anything he had previously released, except perhaps Camper Van Beethoven's Key Lime Pie album.

The humor here is now shaded with a kind of cynicism, or even fear of success and what it brings. The sound itself is more subdued, with classic rock keyboards playing a more prominent role than they had previously. This down-to-Earth approach makes the album a steady source of comfort for someone like myself, who also has his issues and fears related to growing up, having a career and a serious relationship. I find myself singing along in the car as if these songs were written by me, for me. That is a rare thing.

One last note- it is interesting to see the reactions of critics and fans to this album. When it was released, the popularity of alt-guitar-pop bands was sadly waning. Many fans were either turned off by the previous album (The Golden Age- a mediocre effort) or found this one too far removed from the carefree Kerosene Hat. Critics generally praise the album but I haven't seen it turn up on any "best of" lists for the 1990s. Basically, this record is more likely now to turn up in used bins than anywhere. And that is a sad state of affairs. I urge you to buy it and really listen, make it your own. I can only hope that the next time a band this good comes along (and there are several of them out there now), they aren't neglected.

Good Album by a Great Band.......2003-09-02

Not Cracker's best but still well worth the money and time to listen. The same blend of country, rock, punk, and "alternative" that we come to expect from them.

Some real gems: "My Life is Totally Boring...", "Hold of Myself", and "I Want Out of the Circus" are great fun. "Trials & Tribulations" and "Wedding Day" illustrate just how unclassifiable Cracker are. "The Good Life" is an energetic start. And "Unnamed track 24" deserves a name: a wonderful showcase of their new bassist's talent--she out Bonnie-Raitts Bonnie Raitt!

"Hallelujah" is actually quite beautiful, in contrast to many of Cracker's "slow" songs which tend to be.... well, slow.... (This general trend is also excepted, in spades, by "I Want Everything " which is easily one of their best songs on any album.)

A good album by a great band, but (as with much of their stuff) a bit too much left off the cutting floor...

A Partial Rebound.......2003-03-02

Cracker's fourth album, "Gentlemen's Blues" is a marked improvement from their previous effort, even if it isn't quite on par with their first two records. The album contains the greatest diversity in sound the band had yet achieved and their Virginia roots shine through more than ever in their music (see: "James River" for details). Leader David Lowery has regained his deft sense of humor and longtime sideman Johnny Hickman comes up two of his best ever songs in "Wedding Day" and "Hold of Myself."

Other highlights from the album include the gorgeous "Lullabye," and the rocker "My Life is Totally Boring Without You" that is as close to a signature tune as Lowery can get. There's also some hidden material with a strong Blues bent, which is fitting of the whole album's more adventuresome style. It might be a tad overlong with a few bland songs, but it is nice to see Cracker back near the top of their game.

Overall, a mini-comeback album from Virginia's best known rock band.

do people really listen?.......2002-06-21

it would seem people who are not fans of this masterpiece or there current succsess, "forever" always mention david losing his edge or wit or whatever. This album is cracker in their prime winding up for the long hull, and thank god for that. Initially, i thought golden age was a disaster, save for big dipper, nothing to believe in, i hate my generation, how can i live without you, and the masterfully beautiful golden age and dixie babalon. (i've come around to it in those 6 years past though) so i was apprehensive about gentlemans blues, well, that was foolish. from the opening track the good life, to the lp driven hidden track cinderella, they have proven they are a great american rock band.
(if im not mistaken, tom pettys keyboardist shows up a few times here.) they do it all, and david lowerys lyrics paint a great picture of what it is to be cracker and lifes ups and downs. you have the moody star, to the wistful been around the world. the haunting james river to the capmper vanish wryness of i want out of the circus. then johnny comes along and lays down some blues grass beauty in trials and tribulations and wedding day.just listen to the title track gentlemans blues, (it takes the life out of you, practically) and you know why this is a winning combo of a band who knows what they are doing wether rock, blues, roots rock or whatever thet decide to conquer.
but i know what your saying "but its nothing like their song low!" .... well, good! this a more mature cracker, and i like it.

Average customer rating:

The Second Coming...
There's only one Terrell
absolutely awesome
Finest record I have ever heard
Great bluesy songs that tells the story of this great artist

Angry Southern Gentleman
Terrell
Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Blues | Styles | Music

Electric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music

Modern Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Beautiful Side of Madness
On the Wings of Dirty Angels
Poolhall Junkies
West

ASIN: B000000W73
Release Date: 1995-04-04

Tracks:

Let's Go For A Ride
Strawdogs (Before The Fall)
Dreamed I Was The Devil
Newhope
Angry Southern Gentleman
Piece Of Time
Toystore
Redneck Gigolo
Broken Man
Blacktop Runaways
Long Train
Come Down To Me

Customer Reviews:

The Second Coming..........2004-07-13

Five years after the release of his first major label record, On The Wings Of Dirty Angels, thank the Good Lord, Terrell came back.

This is the record that solidified my love for Terrell's music.

Some of the most brilliant lyrics the world of music has ever been bestowed are contained in this one album. This one is more of a "solo" record for Terrell. On the first album, he was fronting a rock band. This one is pure unfiltered Charlie. The words seem intimate and personal in nature. The word play is superb and the music just breathes life. I don't know how else to explain it.

Just buy it and enjoy.

There's only one Terrell.......2003-03-21

I've had this Album for about 5 years now and it's still my most played CD.Here in New Zealand you can't even find it listed and He must be one of the most original Artists around. If you haven't heard this album yet, then I recomend you buy it imediately. I recomend getting his earlier 1990 CD On the Wings of Dirty Angels. Absolutely Sublime! A stunning version of Georgia O'Keefe.

absolutely awesome.......1999-04-11

I am an avid collector of music, I have over 1000 titles on CD and listen to music all day everyday. Charlie Terrel is the finest musician that I have heard the last 5 years. The music is fresh, the lyrics are unique, the sound and production is superb. The unfortunate thing is that most of his albums are no longer available as his Record Label has not promoted/backed him. I urge you to try and get your hands on any of his 3 albumns. He is not only a maestro at writing music and poetry but he has put together a fantastic band. Even their instruments have got a great tone.The music and voice is alive. Find it. Play it loud and listen as the artist lifts a corner to reveal his soul. enjoy enjoy enjoy!!

Finest record I have ever heard.......1998-11-12

I wish everyone owned this record. I have also had the pleasure of seeing Terrell and band perform live as well. They are it!! He is a cross between Tom Petty and Steve Earle, with a little Tom Waits thrown in there. "Angry Southern Gentleman" is the best record I have heard since Bob Dylan's "Infidels". I believe the artist currently lives and performs weekly in Los Angeles. I hope he has a new record coming out soon!

Great bluesy songs that tells the story of this great artist.......1998-07-14

Angry Southern Gentlemen is one of the best and well put together albums I have heard in a long time. I first became introduced to the music of Terrell in 1996 when his song "Hopeful Sinner" was reviewed in the New Music Review. After hearing that song, I was completley blown away by him, so I bought Angry Southern Gentlemen.

Each song on this album is a story that is unfolding.... my personal favorites are the title track "Angry Southern Gentlemen" with it's sorrowful tale of a southern boy who decides to leave his home and never return, "The Toy Store" about a poets dream about meeting everyone from Galelio to Bob Dylan in their next incarnation at where else? A Toy Store! And my final picks is "Red Neck Gigalo"