Search - John Stewart :: Introduction to John Stewart

Stewart's miracle

Jerome Clark | Canby, Minnesota | 06/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is your chance to hear two really extraordinary albums in one CD, by a visionary singer and songwriter who was ahead of his time. These are John Stewart's first two solo albums, recorded in the very early 1970s, following his departure from the Kingston Trio, the consequence of his determination to bring a fresh approach to American roots music.



In California Bloodlines and Willard, Stewart succeeded in virtually inventing a strain of modern folk music and so became a pioneer of the genre now known as alt.country or Americana. To be picky about it, it must be said that California Bloodlines (recorded in Nashville) is more perfectly realized than Willard, which suffers here and there from producer Peter Asher's unwise effort to force British-pop sounds on the very American Stewart. Even so, the songs on Willard are strong and, the occasional producer's misstep aside, still quite listenable.



Way back when, I played these two LPs down to the grooves. They still sound wonderful to my hearing, and I recommend them wholeheartedly. They're the passionate testimony of a liberal patriot, possessed of a vision of his country and its people that is both celebratory and tragic, equal parts Woody Guthrie and Sherwood Anderson. For all that has happened since these songs were recorded, they still ring true. Call it a miracle, and listen and marvel."

An excellent place to start

S. M.Silver | Coatesville, PA USA | 10/30/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"John Stewart, arguably one of America's top singer-songwriters, has his fingertips carefully on the pulse of his country and its people. From his breakthrough with the Kingston Trio (though he performed before joining them) to the present day, Stewart has demonstrated a range seldom matched by others. Friends of mine are surprised when I point out that they have heard his music (one example: Rosanne Cash's version of "Runaway Train"), if not him and that it is worth the effort to find his music. While other writers often find their work dated, Stewart's music apparently is timeless: listen to "Oldest Living Son" (a personal favorite) or "Mother Country" and see if the hairs on your arms don't rise and then realize that those songs came out almost five decades ago. This genuine American master has not let up - the quality of his writing has remained high. Listen in and discover what Rosanne Cash, Lindsay Buckingham, and a large number of others already know: Stewart is one of the best, ever."

Gary A

Gary Anderson | Sigonella, Sicily, Italy | 09/13/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've been listening to John Stewart since 1963 and this is a collection of some of his best, earliest songs. I like it, but I can hear these songs done better on my vinyl collection. The music is as great as ever, but the technical recording is not brilliant."