Iron and Wine- The Shepherds Dog
Posted by: mike/dallas on 18 October 2007
I just picked up the new Iron and Wine cd and am highly impressed. I was unfamiliar with Sam Beam other than a song heard on XM radio.
He is very talented and reminds me a bit of Mark Knofler,Richard Thompson, Jayhawks, The Silos, Travis, and Peter Case on certain cuts.
The music is very fluid and jaunty and is almost ethereal on some songs. He has excellent finger picking on guitar, mandolin and banjo. There are weird sound effects on a couple of cuts which broaden my soundstage significantly.
Sonics are top notch and well recorded. I plan on seeking out other Iron and Wine cds as well.
Posted on: 18 October 2007 by Bruce Woodhouse
I think it is excellent too. Always been a good songwriter but has added far more interesting and varied arrangements this time. Lovely in places.
His first albums were lo-fi minimalism but the EP's 'Woman King' and 'In The Reins' are worth looking out as most similar to Shepherd Dog. The latter is a collaboration with some of Calexico.
If you've enjoyed these try Sufjan Stevens (Illinoise and Michigan especially) and also Bonnie Prince Billy.
Bruce.
Posted on: 19 October 2007 by von zipper
This is an excellent album with lots of delicate layers to keep you listening. You can hear he's been working with Calexico - he was the support act on their UK tour last year. The album also has a slightly Jim White feel to it - especially his 'Wrong eyed jesus album. Fantastic stuff!
Posted on: 19 October 2007 by von zipper
Speaking of Jim White, just got his new album today 'Transnormal Skiperoo' - only managed to play it through once so far but it sounds excellent - he's stripped it back to the basics this time, mellow tunes with just simple mandolin, banjo arrangements. I think I'm going to spend quite a few evenings chilling with this and a bottle of Glenkinche...ahh
Posted on: 21 October 2007 by Sandy8
Thanks for the Jim White tip von zipper.
Just checked out "You follow me" and "Drill a hole in that substrate and tell me what you see"
and have put them on my to buy list...
sandy
Posted on: 21 October 2007 by glenda
The guy is on tour at the moment - saw a preview in the Guardian yesterday . One of my fave albums of all time is Our Endless Numbered Days - played it today by coincidence.Just wonderful.
Glenda
Posted on: 26 October 2007 by Biddy
agreed! He's cool.
