You're Looking At Me - John Wesley Harding & The Gangsta Folk
You So&So - John Wesley Harding & The Gangsta Folk
I'm Staying Here (And I'm Not Buying A Gun) - John Wesley Harding & The Gangsta Folk
Good Bye (Late O'Clock) - John Wesley Harding & The Gangsta Folk
Harding's always had trouble squeezing out sparks in the studio, so it's easy to wonder what all the infernal fuss over the guy is about until you hear his charisma explode on a good live recording. Awake is better than a ... more »lot of his studio albums in that respect (better than New Deal, for instance) but it's still a pretty polite effort for a guy who fancies himself an outlaw folkie. Maybe pass on this one for now, but definitely hear "When the Beatles Hit America" on the Mountain Stage Vol. 2 compilation. Be astonished, and proceed from there. --Gavin McNett« less
Harding's always had trouble squeezing out sparks in the studio, so it's easy to wonder what all the infernal fuss over the guy is about until you hear his charisma explode on a good live recording. Awake is better than a lot of his studio albums in that respect (better than New Deal, for instance) but it's still a pretty polite effort for a guy who fancies himself an outlaw folkie. Maybe pass on this one for now, but definitely hear "When the Beatles Hit America" on the Mountain Stage Vol. 2 compilation. Be astonished, and proceed from there. --Gavin McNett
"I've a huge JWH fan since first seeing him in 1990 -- I own all his recordings, and his second (and so far best) album, "The Name Above The Title," is on constant rotation in my CD player. I know I can usually depend on him for marvelously tuneful, edgy, clever songs. But this album is a disappointment -- tame, mannered, and overall unremarkable, with only rare flashes ("Window Seat," "Miss Fortune") of the deft melodies and dazzling wordplay of the past. Wes, this album just doesn't do you justice."
Wes is great.
09/30/1998
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I'm a big John Wesley Harding fan. In 1990 I heard Wes as a bright star on an otherwise ordinary sounding Sire Records sampler called "Just Say Da". One listen and I was off to the record store once again.Most of his studio albums have been worthy efforts; "Why We Fight" being my favorite of the lot. "It Happened One Night" is a wonderful solo acoustic CD with an enduring cafe folk sound.J.W.H. is up there with Elvis Costello in my book for turning a musical literary phrase. In "Awake" he's in good form. I can't wait for more."
Wes is Back
06/03/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"After a series of huge disappointments, Wes is back with one of the finest things to hit my CD player since...well, "The Name Above the Title". Admittedly, the best way to see Wes is to see him live, and he's not exactly at his sardonic best, but at least he's not doing "Crystal Blue Persuasion" remakes anymore *shuddder*.Check this one out. You won't be disappointed."
The short lived Gangsta' Folk movement is fantastik
12/08/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Having seen Wes on Letterman and groovin ever since, I think this is (so far) one of his best efforts to date. Having shagged off the major label rules to produce his music his way, Wes has given forth one of my favorite albums around....(if you don't believe me just ask MC Potato)."