Texoma

Amazon.com
Like others in that amorphous genre called roots rock, Jimmy LaFave, Texas-born and Oklahoma-raised (hence the album's title), is a critics' darling whose past efforts earned acclaim placing him in the tradition of his heroes Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan. That's risky, since others who've endured similar plaudits often fell short of the hype. As does LaFave. Gravelly voice and all, he's awash in pretense from the first note. His Guthrie tribute is earnest to the point of overkill (Dylan's "Song for Woody" covered the same ground more eloquently). His own "Poor Man's Dream" spews inane rural homilies, as do "Red Dirt Song" and the hackneyed "Rock and Roll Music to the World." Reviving the silly, dated hippie anthem "San Francisco," a 1967 hit for folk-rocker Scott McKenzie, might seem clever, but the result is quirky for quirky's sake. A fine line exists between artful and mannered earthiness. LaFave not only works the wrong side of that line, he demonstrates a total mastery of every rootsy cliché known to man and nothing more. --Rich Kienzle

Eric Fidler, Associated Press
LaFave's red dirt rock just gets better with age and "Texoma" captures this musical treasure at his best.

Texoma

Texoma,Jimmy LaFave,Bohemia Beat,Alternative Country,Americana,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop,Singer/Songwriter

Texoma

Average customer rating:

Solid, not spectacular.
A class act!
Texas soul
Moon May Be A Harsh Mistress, but On Texoma It's Sweet
ONE OF OKLAHOMA'S FINEST!

Texoma
Jimmy LaFave
Manufacturer: Bohemia Beat
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B000059SV4
Release Date: 2001-03-13

Tracks:

Bad Bad Girl
San Francisco
Never Is A Moment
This Glorious Day
Poor Man's Dream
On A Bus To St. Cloud
Rock And Roll Music To The World
Red Dirt Song
Woody Guthrie
Tears
Love Can Find Its Own Way
Elvis Loved His Mama
Emotionally Yours
Patient Man
On The Road To Rock And Roll
The Moon's A Harsh Mistress

Amazon.com

Like others in that amorphous genre called roots rock, Jimmy LaFave, Texas-born and Oklahoma-raised (hence the album's title), is a critics' darling whose past efforts earned acclaim placing him in the tradition of his heroes Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan. That's risky, since others who've endured similar plaudits often fell short of the hype. As does LaFave. Gravelly voice and all, he's awash in pretense from the first note. His Guthrie tribute is earnest to the point of overkill (Dylan's "Song for Woody" covered the same ground more eloquently). His own "Poor Man's Dream" spews inane rural homilies, as do "Red Dirt Song" and the hackneyed "Rock and Roll Music to the World." Reviving the silly, dated hippie anthem "San Francisco," a 1967 hit for folk-rocker Scott McKenzie, might seem clever, but the result is quirky for quirky's sake. A fine line exists between artful and mannered earthiness. LaFave not only works the wrong side of that line, he demonstrates a total mastery of every rootsy cliché known to man and nothing more. --Rich Kienzle

Customer Reviews:

Solid, not spectacular........2007-05-14

I have to agree more with the Editorial review than with all the glowing customer reviews. After listening to four LaFave albums on the recommendation of a friend, I have to say that I am missing the attraction. Don't get me wrong, I am a huge fan of Texas music--I count Townes Van Zandt, Robert Earl Keen, Lyle Lovett, Steve Earle and James McMurtry among my very favorite songwriters. But, while I do think LaFave has a cool voice, his songwriting lacks the spark and intelligence of the above-mentioned songwriters. The songs are not bad, but they are merely serviceable. I have yet to hear a LaFave song that makes me think, wow, I've got to hear that one again. If your musical diet consists of a lot of radio country, then yeah, LaFave is a breath of fresh air. But if you've been weaned on true quality Texas songwriting, then LaFave's efforts will leave you feeling unsatisfied.

A class act!.......2006-03-20

This is the only CD of his I own, but I surely intend to buy more. I've seen him perform live and he is really enjoyable- down to earth and every-mannish- interacts with his listeners-doesn't scurry behind the curtain in narcissistic fashion. I talked to him as we waited in line for a snack at the Kate Wolf Memorial Concert in N Ca a few years ago. He's a cool dude and a very talented musician and charismatic performer. Easy on the eyes, too!

Texas soul.......2003-05-08

I had thought that contemporary country music had faded into cheesy superficial irrelevance. I was wrong. There are musicians all about the country that shine with great talent. Jimmy LaFave is one. He transcends genres. He has a great voice, and knows how to sing a song in a truly captivatin way. Everyone should give Jimmy LaFave a spin. His music doesn't dissapoing. I especially like "On A Bus to St. Cloud." Jimmy LaFave provides great music, that transcends genre, and even gets a Bostonian like me digging his sound. His music, and his voice is filled with heart, and perhaps Texas Soul.

Moon May Be A Harsh Mistress, but On Texoma It's Sweet.......2002-01-10

This is an album that I cannot shelve. I keep getting drawn back to it again & again. They say that for an actor, the best role is one that allows for a wide range of emotions; and on "Texoma," Jimmy LaFave's sweet tenor certainly moves from rowdy to tender with ease. The throbbing guitar line that opens "Bad Bad Girl" is addictive. John Phillips' beautiful ode to hippy days, "San Francisco," comes off exquisitely with David Webb's rolling piano like waves on the ocean. LaFave is in tremendous voice on the gorgeous ballad where he sings, "There never is a moment you are not on my mind." "There's a new highway song playing in your soul," is a great lyric from the cheerful midtempo # "This Glorious Day." Electric guitar propels "Poor Man's Dream" through this country march. Gretchen Peters has become one of my favorite singers this past year. (I recommend both of her CDs, particularly her self-titled one.) So it was a real treat to hear Jimmy do her "On A Bus to St. Cloud" that Trisha Yearwood also recorded. The ballad is sweet and LaFave's tenor is so expressive. "Rock & Roll Music to the World" is kind of rock fluff for me, but enjoyable, which is followed by the midtempo rocker "Red Dirt Song." The sentimental homage to country legend "Woody Guthrie" is growing on me, even if old Woody is "three sheets to the wind." (This song started a family discussion of where that pharse originated which we have yet to answer.) One of my favorite tracks is "Tears" that is a soulful ballad which is like seeing the light after a strong storm. LaFave doesn't dwell on it, but sings, "You'll see what faith can do." "Love Can Find It's Own Way" is joyful country pop. The barrelhouse piano sounds more like Jerry Lee Lewis to me that the "King" on "Elvis Loved His Mama." What a great song selection of Dylan's "Emotionally Yours." Stinging electric guitar makes "Patient Man" another favorite of mine. "On the Road To Rock & Roll" offers some of Webb's nice boogie piano. Jimmy Webb has been a great favorite of mine for a long time, rightfully known as a master songwriter, but equally beautiful as a singer. LaFave's reading of "The Moon's A Harsh Mistress" stands up well to either Jimmy Webb's or those by Joe Cocker, Linda Ronstadt, Joan Baez and Judy Collins. "Texoma" is a great CD because it offers so many different kinds of songs from slow to fast and inbetween, well balanced with tasteful cover choices. This is one not to miss!

ONE OF OKLAHOMA'S FINEST!.......2001-12-16

Lafave is a singer/songwriter who plays in the alt.country, roots rock, and pop ballad fields. I've had the good fortune of seeing him live at the quaint little Blue Door Club here in Okla. City. A place where he plays often and always puts on a fantastic show. The critics haven't always been kind to him in the past with their reviews (whatta they know anyway) but the one thing Lafave has always had going for him is that great voice. His vocals can be silky smooth, as on Bob Dylan's "Emotionally Yours", or the reworking of the John Phillips classic "San Francisco". A song I always thought was a little wimpy, that is until Lafave got a hold of it and added better vocals and arrangements to it. He also has a roadhouse rockin' side, and displays it on this album more so than any of his past efforts. I like the Tulsa style rockers of "Poor Man's Dream" and "Patient Man", a song that was written by Greg Jacobs, the owner of the Blue Door Club. But he gets his rowdiest on the songs "On The Road To Rock And Roll" and the old Ten Years After rock classic "Rock And Roll Music To The World", where he changes the lyrics around and uses a lot of references to Texas and his native Oklahoma. This is a wonderful album that aims to please on many levels. I think it's his best studio album, and his best one since that classic first cd "Austin Skyline", which is a killer live album. I can't wait to catch his live show again just hear some of this new material. I think I can confidently say after 10 years of listening to Lafave, that this is the best singer (sorry Garth) to ever come out of the state of Oklahoma.

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