Search - David Wilcox :: Live Songs & Stories

For David's personal friends, old lovers, and relatives...

05/22/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"David Wilcox is the kind of performer who consistently delivers inspiration and wisdom to audiences who view themselves as personal friends, old lovers, and relatives. His fans don't want new and improved--we want David to climb on stage in his bowling shoes and wrinkled t-shirt and for one night move our hearts and make us laugh and imagine what might be. Yes, the CD contains the same jokes and stories that he tells at every concert. But why would he change these night after night when they are the reason the songs were written in the first place? I sense his well-choreographed delivery causes some listeners to feel tricked, as though the (sometimes) verbatim repetition indicates the feeling and meaning of the story is artificial. Not true. Enjoy his ability to sound new, fresh, and personal despite retelling these stories weekly to hundreds of strangers. Some have recently begun to complain about David becoming "preachy". This sentiment seems to be rising from the fact that he is including more of his beliefs about God (who he previously referred to innocuously as Big Love) and the Reason For Life in his music. But not once during a concert does he shove his beliefs down your throat. He proffers broad ideas involving love and kindness in answer to hard questions and painful experiences. However, he leaves the listener to come to their own conclusions, as every good artist should. He takes a position in his songwriting that allows for your own, as well. His faith is a journey, not a dead end street where he backs you into a corner. I can't help but laugh at these fans that no doubt snickered condescendingly when (on East Asheville Hardware) David poked fun at those (probably Christians) who objected to his song "After Your Orgasm." To quote him: "I mean, they like it when I sing songs about what I BELIEVE...I just believe that sex is pretty nice!" Those who now object to his preachiness should consider a slight twist: "I mean, they like it when I sing songs about what I BELIEVE...I just believe that Jesus was telling the Truth!" This CD puts the listener front and center at an intimate and heartfelt concert. You hear the rustling of the audience behind you, the cackle of David's laugh as he responds to a joke, and beautiful chords delivered impeccably by his gifted hands. Is David perfect? Nah...but this CD is pretty damn close."

The stories! The stories!

lalah143 | Atlanta, GA United States | 04/14/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's such a pleasure to have access to some of the "whys" behind David's songs. I have enjoyed hearing the stories that, until now, I could only hear at concerts."

The Essential David Wilcox

Jeff Towle | Minneapolis, MN | 04/16/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"David Wilcox is not just another guitar touting troubadour. He is literally redefining the genre. And this new CD "Live Songs & Stories" is proof of that journey. Wilcox is all about great music, great verse and most importantly, a message. If you took the sincerity of Pete Seeger, the cutting edge of Bob Dylan, the sublime lyricism of James Taylor, the complex guitar voicings of Paul Simon, and the blues sensibilities of Guy Davis, you could start with a foundation to describe David Wilcox. But he goes deeper, still. Wilcox is far from the self-centered singer-songwriter type that can leave you with shallow pop musings about depressing relationships and failed attempts at high school romance. This guy is funny with a capital F. Check out Waffle House, where a lone truck stop eatery is transformed into a watering hole for refueling the soul of those lost souls beating the highways and byways of our great land. Or Moe, the heartfelt ode to a child who's father looks like the three stooges character and the grief he suffers through from his peers.But the highlight of any David Wilcox experience is his unique gift for sharing his insights about Truth. And those who pass off his message as 'been there, done that' just aren't listening. Wilcox is a master of musings about why we're here. He seats life's meaning in relationships and our ability to make the most of them, or, screw them up. And he doesn't pander to the listener with light weight psychology or pop style self help feel good lyrics. Start With the Ending is a clever anthem to those who struggle with emotions and perhaps can't really face change until they are faced with losing each other. The solution becomes clear at this point: just Start With the Ending, get it out of the way, THEN have the relationship you've been after all along. As an avid listener to singer songwriters for decades, I need three things as base ingredients to capture my heart and my ear:1) Lyrics that inspire meaningful messages about life that I can apply to my own
2) Music that is seated in traditional jazz, blues, or classical foundations but is presented in a fresh uncluttered way
3) And an artist who is willing to get out of the way to let the message come through with the music. David Wilcox does all three hands down. And if you think the CD is even remotely good, just wait until you see him in concert. In person, Wilcox's vibrant aura hits you like a laser, but makes you laugh, cry and wonder. David is one of the few artists I've ever heard that can be held up to the light with dignity, grace, humor and compassion. Perhaps the genius of this rare artist is that fact that he can pull this off by still having fun and learn right along side us through the magic of song. A big thumbs up to one of the few artists I've heard that can really get out of the way and let the music do its magic for him."