Search - Joshua Kadison :: Delilah Blue

Storyteller

Empty Sky7 | Columbus, Ohio United States | 10/24/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's just amazing how some things stay with us. I was barely 16 the first time that I heard a Joshua Kadison song, and now, at the age of 27, I still keep going back.

One interesting note is that- while this site claims the album came out in October of '95, I'm almost sure I saw it on the rack during that summer.. I'm also a little curious about a couple of the different song titles listed here; my disc doesn't have "American Hearts" or "Bus Stop", but I'm guessing that perhaps "Bus Stop" is a different title for "Waiting In Green Velvet"??

In any case, the album came out in '95, and while I was a big fan of "Painted Desert Serenade", it would take me another six and a half years to pick up "Delilah Blue". Why? Well, for one thing, I didn't hear anything promoted back in '95. I don't know if this album had a single or not, but I certainly never heard one track on the radio. I also heard from a friend of mine that it was some kind of religious effort. I guess to a 17 year old, this sort of information didn't exactly send me rushing to the music shop. What a shame though, I had no idea what I was missing. For years, I listened to "Painted Desert Serenade", and really began to form an admiration for Joshua's work; so when I found this album at a used book store in 2002, my curiosity finally got the best of me. To be completely honest, at the time I sampled a little, but nothing really grabbed me- except for the unusual, yet beautiful "Delilah Blue". In any case, the album ended up being lost within my somewhat vast CD collection- that is until this past summer.

Nearly ten years after it's original release, I discovered what a brilliant album this really is. I ended up going through a rather rough time, and I took my three Joshua Kadison albums to work (Yes, I also have the import "Vanishing America", but that's a whole different review). What I ended up discovering was a really great album. It's not nearly as commercial as "Painted Desert Serenade", which explains why it wasn't really heard on the radio, but the way Joshua tells these stories, it's almost like the listener is living the experiences too. As I said above, I always did find the title track moving, but what really surprised me was "Just Like Brigitte Bardot", can this man tell a story or what? I guess the original thing that turned me away from the album was the backup singers, and while they can be a little overwhelming at times, they can also mesh with the songs pretty well, and these songs deserve to be heard. After listening to this album, I pretty much walk away with the impression that it's about survival, and just trying to make it day to day. The album seems to focus more on the underdog, or people who are somewhat on the outside. The album as a whole is pretty remarkable, but my favorites are "Delilah Blue", "Just Like Brigitte Bardot", "Amsterdam", "Rosie & Pauly", and "Take It On Faith". "Amsterdam" is hauntingly beautiful with powerful, raspy vocals from Joshua, and "Take It On Faith" features more raspy, expressive vocals, and is also the only real commercial song here.

In closing, I guess it's just unfortunate how this album really went unheard. I think people wanted another "Jessie" or "Beautiful In My Eyes", and while those songs, along with the "PDS" album are great, this album really explored more of the depth of Joshua's songwriting/storytelling, and let's face it, more of a darker side of life. There was already a good sense of the storytelling element on "PDS", but this album proves what Joshua is capable of, and that he deserves to be regarded as one of the greats.

..Check out the website Joshuakadison.com"

Joshua Kadison, Story Teller

S. Rhodes | Garland, TX United States | 02/12/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just wanted to write a short note about Joshua's music. I've been a fan since day one, and I can say honestly there is only one song I don't particularly care for ... "Pearl" ... as for those naysayers who are complaining about Joshua writing about people of the night and transvestites (and this is a bad thing how???), let me remind them that Joshua is first and foremost a story teller. Unlike many of his contemporaries who think "Oh baby, yeah yeah, do it like that" is an example of good lyrics, Joshua TELLS STORIES. Sometimes they are beautiful, sometimes they are gritty and sad. That's life folks. Joshua has never disappointed. I only hope he continues to write and record quality stuff such as "Delilah Blue.""

Delilah blue

Edwin Rivera | rockhill, sc United States | 07/02/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have to say that alot of people have knocked this album down,but i believe it is one of the best ones joshua kadison has ever done.I think we should all be appreciative for music this is so much better then the junk music that we here today."