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When I Grow Up To Be A Man
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New Music Sampler - 50 Years - Vanguard Records
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A Little on the CD Side Volume 5
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Who"s Gonna Go Your Crooked Mile?
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Peter Case Album Review:
A case for case at 2006-04-06
I have been following and buying Peter Case recordings since Echo Wars. Down to earth lyrics, simple but memorable melodies and the ability to produce great songs year after year.I buy them all and have not been disappointed yet.Particularly significant songs: Spell of Wheels and On the Way Downtown.caslo
Peter Case Album Review:
The Best CD of 2004. at 2004-12-22
Peter Cases retrospective Whos Gonna Go Your Crooked Mile? gets my vote for best record of 2004; the songwriting tips the balance. As good as the recordings are, quite a few of these evergreens are sure to be covered by other artists in years to come.
Peter Case Album Review:
Original, Beautiful, Soulful, Intelligent, Magical at 2004-11-03
Peter Case is one of those amazing artists who somehow manage to keep going year after year, staying well out of the spotlight, off the radar and, shamefully, ignored by the labels with the muscle to bring him to a larger audience. In a perfect world, Case would sell millions, be on every talk show ans magazine cover and be asked to be the musical guest on SNL (no lipsyncing necessary). Then again, perhaps if Case were that popular, it would screw up everything and hed suck like most of the other mega-stars (Springsteen excluded, of course).Peter, if youre out there reading this, thank you for so many amazing songs and thoroughly enjoyable albums (Im one of the thousands who buy every one of your releases as soon as they come out). And thank you for doing such a great live show in 1987 opening for Husker Du at 1st Avenue and again at Jim Morrisons house in Norfolk, VA last fall. You are a true American treasure and your songs and recordings are timeless. Dont ever stop.
Peter Case Album Review:
Case in Point at 2004-10-15
Certain artists are so good that I feel compelled to get everything they do. The case in point is Peter Case, of course. Also obviously, one couldnt call this collection Peter Cases Greatest Hits since most radio doesnt play music this good, but Whos Gonna Go Your Crooked Mile? is an astounding collection of excellence. Case has put out CD after CD of classic sets, my favorite being Flying Saucer Blues represented here with tracks 8-11. Two Heroes is a rock shuffle about a fighter from Kentucky. Blue Distance is one of Peters songs where you feel the ache of longing, Ive lost my direction; Ive looked up and down and it makes no difference when youre not around. Ive got 13 children and 3 ex-wives with eyes like daggers and tongues like knives; All the big mistakes, Ive made them twice, Ill make them again before they put me on ice, Peter sings in the toe-tapper Coulda Shoulda Woulda, a great track. Cold Trail Blues always sounds to me like Coltrane Blues when Peter sings it with a slow plaintive delivery. Case completists will want the great new recording Wake Up Call, a letter to Saddam Hussein, You lay your bets on war and suicide, Either way youll need a place to hide, Big ideas and a spider hole where you can keep all of the lives you stole. Golden Handcuffs are usually benefit stipulations that penalize management from early retirement or withdrawal from benefit plans. On My Generations Golden Handcuff Blues Case sings about economic slavery that will have your toe tapping as you feel the sting, We bought the Big Lie now the payments are due; Your personal freedoms a corporate tattoo. The five tracks from Beeline are also excellent including the sizzling, Somethings Coming with its offbeat bongo percussion. Crooked Smile wont be startling because only 3 of the tracks are new recordings, but it is a sterling collection as Case moves from strength to strength. Enjoy!
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Thank You St. Jude
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Peter Case Album Review:
Hear Case Live as Often as You Want at 2003-12-10
I bought this one after attending a show in a tiny venue in November. The concert was cut short because of another show that was due to start, but when I pop this one in, its as if the show continues. And with a fiddle! I enjoy his new interpretations of old gems like Put Down the Gun and Poor Old Tom, and the new originals and covers fit right in. Its like spending an evening on Cases porch.
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Beeline
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Peter Case Album Review:
McCabes #1 - Peter Case Review 11-02-2002 at 2002-11-03
I going to start a small review of each artist I buy a CD from after seeing that particular artist (or band) performance at McCabes Guitar Shop in Santa Monica, CA ** I bought Beeline after Cases performance at McCabes Sat. 11-02-2002. The first set of the concert featured most of Peters new material off this particular album. I especially liked Somethings Coming - If You Got A Light To SHINE - Lost In The Sky and a great tribute to Townes Van Zandt in Aint Leaving Your Love. The second set featured mostly his older songs - Including On The Way Downtown - Honey Child and Beyond The Blues. Amazing singer-songwriting and progressive guitar player always settling for nothing less. His band was rockin (drummer and bass player) and the encore brought out only Peter with his acoustic guitar. He played Blue Distance and Broken Harmony in such a sweet folk-harmony that I wished he would kept on playing. I met Peter after the concert by the front door and he had his Sharpie ready to sign my copy of Beeline - It read To Joe - Excelsior!...Peter Case Thanks Peter for making great music! JG Bear
Peter Case Album Review:
Buzzsaw at 2002-11-10
Peter Case has always been a bit off-center. For those who tire of the usual, this makes his post-Plimsouls catalogue a treat. Case took a year off after his fathers death; and his return with son Joshua on guitar is more fun than one would expect. If You Got a Light to Shine opens with a bongo beat that keeps the toes tapping. Case dedicates the CD to his father Wilber, Dave Van Ronk and George Harrison. Evening Raga, may be a bluesy Harrison tribute with a meditative feel. I woke this morning feeling bad, A woeful dream of a friend I had, I looked around and you werent there, I looked above and said my prayer, he sings before Andrew Williams harmonium explodes. I Hear Your Voice is soft like a gentle caress. Lost In the Sky pulses with Caribbean percussion and Arabic touches, I feel like Im falling and I dont know why. Gone is a pensive slow tune. My favorite is the propulsive beat of Somethings Coming with its buzzsaw guitar, Open your eyes and a struggle begins, going around to the voodoo dolls and pulling out pins. The CD concludes with an uncredited 11th track of a shorter version of the same tune. The other diamond on the CD is Cases bouncy reading of Townes Van Zandts Aint Leaving Your Love, Mr. Gators gliding down the bayou; Mr. Buzzards flying through the air; Mr. Turtle, hes hitting the highway, I aint going nowhere; I aint leaving your love. Its Cold Inside is a slow bluesy mix that brings Van Ronk to mind. Manana Champeen is a Dylanesque set-the-record-right tune that opens, Heres to the procrastination champions of the world who put off everything until doomsday, and then musically devolves into schmaltz. The last of the original tracks is the excellent First Light that musically has some Harrison-like touches. Case has achieved the status with me of an artist whose releases I never miss. Beeline is a varied and strong outing. More fun! Enjoy!
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Flying Saucer Blues
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Peter Case Album Review:
+ 1/2 stars...Peter Case Delivers at 2005-03-28
Peter Case is one of those artists who seemingly has been condemned to commercial purgatory. He has consistently released quality albums since his 1986 self-titled debut, but other than critical acclaim, he has been unable to garner a wide audience for his brand of folk/rock, and thats a shame. This 2000 Vanguard release is every bit as good as his first two albums for Geffen. Case, who wrote or co-wrote all eleven tracks, plays six- and 12-string guitars and harmonica, but its Greg Leisz (who has also worked with Dave Alvin) who adds the folky touches, playing mandolin, Dobro, lap and pedal steel, and banjo. Each song is a sheer delight, but highlights include Paradise, etc., Coulda Shoulda Woulda, Two Heroes and This COuld Be the One. Favorite line: I wish I woulda gotta GED/You want fries with that BLT? from Coulda Shoulda Woulda. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Peter Case Album Review:
Another Gem From Peter Case at 2000-06-02
Peter Case has released some of the finest songs in music the last dozen or so years. He consistantly delivers GREAT CDs that are timeless. This one is no exception! Blue Distance is absolutley beautiful and its followed by outstanding Walking Home Late. The songs play off each other just perfectly. Two Heroes sounds like a classic the first time you hear it. Other standouts include Lost in your Eyes Cool Drink of Water and Something Happens. This CD should please long time fans as well as attract new ones. The diversity of the songs make it possibly his most accesible work to date. If you have a chance to see him on tour do so. I just saw him and he is AMAZING live!
Peter Case Album Review:
Case gets loose, does it again at 2000-07-25
Following up a career peak is always a challenge. Cases 1998 FULL SERVICE, NO WAITING was simply brilliant, one of the best of the 90s. But Peter has a solution -- move from the serious to the goodtime. FLYING SAUCER BLUES has an easygoing jauntiness, overall, that just isnt trying for the same sort of greatness as its predecessor. This mood is actually created by only a few of the tracks: Cool Drink O Water, Coulda Shoulda Woulda, and Two Heroes, which are all outstanding. Many of the other songs would have fit in quite well on FULL SERVICE, both in terms of mood and quality. FSB has one major flaw, in my view, and that is the opening track, from whence comes the albums title. This song, Paradise Etc., just makes me wince with its cute list of names for paradise. Even here, theres a great lyric that you think is about his lover, until he says Im afraid shell run out in the street, and worries that Im large but I hesitate, and you realize hes talking about his little daughter! Thanks to the wonders of digital technology, one duff track no longer need spoil an album (as it could in the wax LP days of yore). Peter Case is one of the best singer-songwriters around, and FLYING SAUCER BLUES is shaping up to be one of the years best albums!
Peter Case Album Review:
you should at 2004-02-22
get this cd , you will not be pissed ..anybody who has enjoyed other discs by this artist will be happy , very happy..try Torn Agian ...Sings Like Hell ...then get some Subdudes ...Primative Streak and Subdudesthe Badlees, River Songs..Greg Brown The Poet GameLets get some Michelle Shocked while we are at it ..have fun and smile at those you meet..
Peter Case Album Review:
Bob Dylan at a Party at 2001-02-09
This is a great a little CD. Peter Case again sings like hell (title of former CD). Paradise Etc. is as catchy as it is clever. Walking Home Late is one of the sweetest little tunes. Coulda Shoulda Woulda has a great washboard-rhythm feel to it. I keep getting flashes of early Dylan when I listen to this disc. Peter sings better and these tunes are not as universal as Dylans writing, but they are a lot of fun. I cant make up my mind whether Case is a better writer or singer because this is like listening to Dylan at a party. This Could be the One says it well. Great mostly acoustic music, full of life. Enjoy!
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Full Service No Waiting
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Peter Case Album Review:
This is a great album.....highly recommended. at 1999-08-13
This album is terrific. It really transcends the new-waver turned folkie designation that seems to be used when describing him. Most people I show this album to have never heard of Peter Case and in a way Im glad (sorry Peter) because its kinda like my little secret. Hes a great guitarist and vocalist and I love the fact that Greg Leisz backs him up. The song Until The Next Time has been played about a million times in my car. There is this addictive Dobro lick repeated and I swear I wake up in the morning humming it after listening to this album. I only wish he would tour in my neck of the woods.
Peter Case Album Review:
Yup. Its what they all said. at 2006-02-23
Thanks go out to the other reviewers here for convincing me to buy this one. As for whether this CD is better than Blood on the Tracks...well, I might have to listen for a few years to see how well this CD stands the test of time. But if I had to vote today Id say, yeah its better.
Peter Case Album Review:
Excellent Album at 2005-01-12
I bought this album when it came out in 98 after reading a review in Creative Loafing. I listened for a while to a couple catchy songs and then briefly shelved it. But over the years it has become a lasting favorite. Probably one of my top 10 favorite albums from anyone, anytime. A rare album where every single song is good and many are just flat out great. Favorites in the order that I caught onto them are: See Through Eyes and Still Playin. Later I discovered other great songs like Honey Child, On the Way Downtown and most recently Drunkards Harmony. I keep finding a new favorite after 7 years. You really have to hear this album.
Peter Case Album Review:
dylanites of the 90s #2 at 2000-05-01
Full Service, No Waiting is definitely one of the best dylanesque albums of the 90s, and clearly Cases best of the decade. Its full of emotion, yet never comes close to going over the top into schmaltz, which is a real feat. Beautiful melodies and spare instrumentation. Several of the songs (Crooked Mile and Still Playin come to mind) just stick in my mind, the sure sign of a great melody. If you appreciate great lyrics, idiosyncratic vocal styles, and a social conscience -- the genre founded by Bob in the 60s -- check out the other dylanites of the 90s at my page/area. Theyre listed by year of release, starting with 99 and moving back in time. Included are Stan Ridgway, Peter Case, Steve Earle, Jim Page, Bill Morrissey, Tom Petty, Chris Smither, Butch Hancock, Elvis Costello, Dave Alvin, and Richard Thompson.
Peter Case Album Review:
How old are you? at 2000-08-15
For those of you who rememebr early Dylan, try a taste of Peter Case. This is poetry with incidental, but quite good, music. A little rough around the edges and all the better for it.
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The Man with the Blue Post Modern Fragmented Neo-Traditionalist Guitar
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Peter Case Album Review:
4 1/2 Stars: His Best To Date at 2004-01-27
Cases second solo effort fulfills much of the promise hinted at on its predecessor. The songwriting is more fluent and self-assured, as is his singing; with contributions from David Lindley, Jim Keltner and Los Lobos David Hidalgo, the musical settings are more varied and distinctive. Case delivers some startlingly precise character studies (Poor Old Tom, Travellin Light), stark emotional dramas (Put Down the Gun, Two Angels) and sharply observed sense-of-place vignettes (This Towns a Riot, Entella Hotel). Perhaps most notable, though, is the born-again artists new-found deftness at bridging spiritual and secular concerns, which he does effectively on Hidden Love. - Ira Robbins/Harold DeMuir, Trouser Press
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Six-Pack of Love
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Peter Case Album Review:
Close to Plimsouls Greatness at 2003-03-26
Far and away the best Peter Case solo album and the only one which even approaches the greatness of his former band the Plimsouls. This one is loaded with at least five sure-fire hits which, sadly, were drowned out on radio by dreadful Seattle sludge that was oh so popular in 1992. The Lennon-esque Dream About You is as close to pop perfection as youll ever get. Not far behind are the introspective Last Time I Looked and the Everlys tinged Ive Been Looking For You. The bouncy rocker Its All Mine would have been at home on the Plimsouls great Everywhere at Once album. A couple of songs at the top of the CD (Deja Blues and When You Dont Come) are generically dull, but the rest of the album really sparkles and nearly every song immediately sticks in your head. Six Pack of Love isnt quite perfect, but its darn good and it should satisfy Plimsouls fans whove been constantly let down by Cases boring acoustic/folk solo efforts. This guys a rocker at heart and he finally delivers on Six Pack. Interesting note: the track listing here shows only 8 songs, but the original CD consisted of 13 tracks.
Peter Case Album Review:
Weak album lacks focus at 2003-02-14
Ive been following the career of Peter Case since I first fell in love with his early 80s power-pop band The Plimsouls. Peters post-Plimsouls solo work has seen highs and lows but anyway you look at it, Six Pack Of Love isnt a very good record. My major complaint is the records unfocused artistic vision and lack of true inspiration. Stylistically, this hodge-podge mix of songs is all over the map...Beatleish pop rock, blues, novelty songs, folk, etc. And even that would be ok if any of it felt truly inspired. But despite the frantic efforts of producer Mitchell Froom to dress it up, theres not much on Six Pack Of Love that inspires any emotion in the listener. This is just music for musics sake and it feels pretty empty.
Peter Case Album Review:
The Case for Case at 2002-08-31
You are missing out if you missed this one. The album cover is a grabber and so are the songs. One of Cases greatest tunes, Beyond the Blues is here. This one rolks!
Peter Case Album Review:
Unappealling diversion from the acoustic path at 2002-08-05
Having left the powerpop world behind in 1983 by disbanding The Plimsouls, Case set off to explore folk and country, creating singer/songwriter music that was filled with flatpicked acoustic guitars and troubadour-styled songs. The course set by his initial pair of albums for Geffen (Peter Case and The Man With the Blue Post Modern Fragmented Neo-Traditionalist Guitar) was mysteriously interrupted by this return to electric, often soul-powered, pop.Co-producer Mitchell Froom overloaded the album with his quirky arrangements and studio touches, drowning the songs in style and subverting their substance. Cases then-current songwriting simply couldnt stand up to Frooms manipulations, and unlike the sheer electric joy of the Plimsouls records, the result here is leaden and manipulated. Having pared his sound down and cleared his songwriting palate for the preceding pair of albums, Case wasnt yet in need of Frooms makeover. This third, and last, effort for Geffen finds Case overwhelmed by his surroundings.The few bright spots include the delicate Never Comin Home and down-beat Beyond the Blues (co-written by Case, Tom Russell and Bob Neuwirth), though you still have to cock your ear to avoid Frooms aural-graffiti. Co-writes with Cases heroes, such as John Prine and Billy Swan, are all but lost to Frooms misinterpretation. The resulting album is for Case completists only.2-1/2 stars, if Amazon allowed fractional ratings.
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Peter Case
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Peter Case Album Review:
Solid at 2001-12-13
I bought this LP back in 86 when it came out, and pretty much wore the grooves out on the record. Case is one of the great, mostly unknown songwriters weve got. I finally broke down and bought the CD recently, and still sounds as good as it did 15 years ago. This is stronger than his later work. This guy was doing alt country before the genre even existed. He draws on the feel of Woody Guthrie and Hank Williams. Its largely an acoustic affair, but hes got the guitars firmly plugged in and turned up loud and clear, and for someone who smokes cigarettes while playing live, hes got plenty of lung power to wail away on the harmonica throughout. The production and mix are excellent. You can thank T Bone Burnett for that; in fact this album could just as well be titled Burnett and Case. Anyway, great CD for driving down the road, or just sitting on your couch drinking beer and stomping your feet.
Peter Case Album Review:
One of the 80s best at 2000-08-21
Id been afraid of playing my tape of this album (recorded in about 1988) for fear of wearing out the tape before I could replace it with a CD. Now Ive found it - and at a great price! - so I couldnt be happier. A great folk-indie-rock typical of the times, but still sounds great today.
Peter Case Album Review:
Withstands the test of time at 2000-08-11
I practically wore out my vinyl LP in the 80s, made a cassette (and did wear it out!), now Im odering the CD and cant wait! If you arent a Peter Case fan (yet) then pick this up for a few bucks and hop on the bandwagon. If you are a fan, dont forget to go back and get those highly underrated Plimsouls albums! (And just for fun, go watch Valley Girls, the flick that made Nick Cage a hit. The Plimsouls--with Peter Case--perform a few songs in a club scene. A Million Miles Away was a great song, and a sneak peak at what was to come from Peter Case.)
Peter Case Album Review:
Withstands the test of time at 2000-08-11
I practically wore out my vinyl LP in the 80s, made a cassette (and did wear it out!), now Im odering the CD and cant wait! If you arent a Peter Case fan (yet) then pick this up for a few bucks and hop on the bandwagon. If you are a fan, dont forget to go back and get those highly underrated Plimsouls albums! (And just for fun, go watch Valley Girls, the flick that made Nick Cage a hit. The Plimsouls--with Peter Case--perform a few songs in a club scene. A Million Miles Away was a great song, and a sneak peak at what was to come from Peter Case.)
Peter Case Album Review:
A Great Record at 2000-07-16
This album is a joy. And for 7 bucks, wow...get it. Echo Wars, w/ its snaking beat, stark but perfect musical accompaniment is cool. Steel Strings is great. Walk in the Woods is a fantastic, rocking acoustic tune with great harp by Case. Horse and Crow is another. Icewater; great acoustic blues number - good guitar picking, classic bluesy lyrics. A Pair of Brown Eyes is wonderful rolling ending to this album. I went through 2 vinyl copies of this one and then paid 20 bucks for a special order of the cd years ago. Now available at this price....it is well worth it.
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Torn Again
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Peter Case Album Review:
Dynamic effort is a must for Case fans at 1999-11-01
Torn Again showcases Peter Cases incredible talent of blending his poignant metaphoric satire of life with his excellent folk-rock blended guitar work. These melodies are so toe-tappingly sweet that you will soon be humming them when you least expect it.Peters work is always first rate, but some of his efforts right after ....Blue Guitar tended to obscure his real talents at offering up a tasty slice of the full American pie.Baltimore, Breaking the Chain, and Wilderness are incredibly powerful songs of our innocence lost. In Baltimore, Peter overlays some bright, upbeat, yet sardonic counterpoint to the melody with a soulful lap steel electric guitar. This adds a colorful contrast with the songs intense images of cold hate uncovered in our sinful condemning of our fellow man. Powerful stuff.Working for The Enemy has some great folksy guitar picking overlaying a message that is all too familiar... especially today.Peters writing is strong on this album. He has an incredible knack of showing how the human condition remains immortally bound to our greatest enemy, ourselves.I played his late 80s Blue Guitar album so many times driving in my car, that the tape wore out. Some of the songs on this album are very similar to these classics.In addition, if you like his new effort, Full Service, No Waiting as much as I do, then youll thoroughly enjoy this 95 effort. One or two listens to Blind Luck and you will be singing this song in your head all day long...
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Sings Like Hell
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Peter Case Album Review:
Solid Case Album at 2005-06-29
Been a PC fan since 86. His first record had a huge impact on me as a musician. S.L.H. is definately one of his best. If youre a fan youve got to have it. Keep up the great work Peter!!-jp
Peter Case Album Review:
Hell-oh at 2001-03-29
This cd is worth the price of admission to the living room to hear Mr. Case sing, literally, like hell. There are some great mellow, folky songs such as Rovin Gambler as well as screamin blues numbers such as Matchbox and Walkin Bum. I was used to his older work before this one so it didnt grab me at first; but its great to listen to if you got them down in the alley blues.
Peter Case Album Review:
Sings Like Hell - Oh Yes Indeed ! at 2000-07-24
This CD is a must for all Peter Case fans - if you dont have it in your collection you are poorer for it. Sings Like Hell is Peter Case at his finest - if you ever had the privilege of seeing Case perform live with just his guitar and harmonica you have a pretty good idea of what this CD is all about. Most of the songs are traditional folk songs arranged by Case in his own unique way. You will find, amongst other instruments featured on this CD, a lot of guitar and harmonica - really great stuff - and Cases fabulous voice. The whole CD, including Cases voice, has a raw or almost primitive sound to it - a lot of passion in the songs. The songs are about life and love and you get drawn into and moved by them.A must for all folk music fans - dont leave out of your collection.
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