Search - J.D. Souther :: Black Rose

A rare find

11/25/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Clearly Souther's best and most dense album, it also illustrates why Souther never became a full member of the Eagles and that insiders' assumptions about Souther 'just not being a group person' were widely justified at the time. He presents himself at the peak of his writing ability and, supported by Peter Asher's sensitive production, also in full creative control. In spite of numerous cameo appearences (by Andrew Gold, David Crosby and the Eagles) the album failed commercially like on most other instances Souther decided against the role of the man in the background. Many of the songs feature re-recorded (and better) versions of songs he had previously recorded with Linda Ronstadt, others (like the irresistable Doors Swing Open) are clearly meant for his own use, so unapplicable are they to the Eagles' or Ronstadt's patterns. There is a commodity of patience and density here which gives the album the taste of a burried treasure, a yet largely undiscovered classic. The recent re-issue on CD might enhance that reading of his work, even though other notable attempts (such as his last full-scale album Home By Dawn, which was only re-released in Japan, and is not available elsewhere, not even on Amazon) seemed to be denied this kind of slow appreciation. Highly recommendable."

She says forever and you stir in your sleep....

Mark J. Rogers | Washington, DC | 12/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I always thought it was pretty cool that ol' JD never really hit it. I was a HUGE fan, and he was kind of my (and my friends)little secret. Amazing voice and songwriting, but somehow the masses never bought in. He seemed to always have this too cool for school posture that was probably difficult to pidgion hole. I first saw him (and his band) at the old Cellar Door in Washington DC, in the spring of 1976, just as Black Rose was released. My date and I got in with fake id's. Sitting at a round table, drinking rum and cokes, and watching/listening to him finger picking a Martin D-35, playing jazz chords while singing in this perfect-pitch Texas drawl. James Dean couldn't have struck a cooler pose.



After that night, I kept Black Rose in heavy rotation on my turntable for a very long time. It was the soundtrack for most of my college years and served as my personal musical refuge in a world of disco and Firefall. For me, just about every song hit, but it was "Doors Swing Open" that trancended mid-70's formula and turned into something much much better. "You'll get dreams that are broken, and run down your face...." Always the vocalist and a truly GREAT harmony singer, but those few bars in that song were about a good as I've ever heard. JD, for whatever reason, didn't keep it going. "You're only lonely" and "Home at Dawn" (or whatever), were released with too much time in between and not enough effort (in my critical opinion). Sometime's I'll hear someone like Ryan Adams and think, "there it is", but it never is.



I betcha 'ol gravel voice has a few gems stored up after all these years. Wouldn't it be nice if he let us hear them?"

A gifted composer and vocalist at his best

Tetburyman | Washington State, USA | 04/28/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have had a copy of this, periodically renewed, since it was issued. It sits alongside a handful of other recordings (like Pet Sounds) that continue to beguile and delight years after their release.



This is one of the best albums of its period, although less known than others. It contains only one arguably weak track, "Midnight Prowl"; the balance of the album's songs stand up very well to repeated listening.



The high quality of Souther's songwriting is demostrated, in part, by the songs from this record that were covered by other artists, most notably "Faithless Love', a classic. The other, less-well-know songs demonstrate Souther's beautiful melodies over interesting chord changes as well as his insightful and touching lyrics.



The songs are solidly performed by the cream of the LA country rock musicians of the time.



All the above is capped by Souther's lovely voice. He has a wide range coupled with a plaintive quality that perfectly complements his very romantic songs."