Search - Jud Caswell :: Between the Pavement and the Sky

Jud does it again

flottman | China, ME USA | 02/28/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As if we'd expect any less, Jud delivers another fine performance with this, his third studio album. It's all here - the music, the emotions, the stories, the commentary, the wit - everything that makes a Jud Caswell album. Fans of his previous work will discover familiar anchors, but as always, he finds new directions to take his music. "The Murder Ballad", for example, is unlike anything I have heard in Jud's work before. There is a a palpable sense of darkness from the opening verse. Outstanding, chilling stuff.Jud has an impeccable talent for introducing a dizzying array of characters through his songs. From Larry and Richard, to the mercenary consultant of "Stocks" and the barfly of "The Regular", somehow, through a single song, you come to feel that you know all these people, whether or not they have ever existed. Jud's work is as much a literary journey as a musical one. And I can only assume that he has as much fun singing his songs as I do following along with his lyrics. "Another victory for the vindictive, you're just a victim..." is alliteration any English teacher would be proud of.With each passing album, Jud's sound gets more and more polished, and the production on this is his best yet. The arrangements are superb, and I often find a new melody line poking up through the mix to catch my attention. He once again surrounds himself with an excellent supporting cast of musicians and vocalists. Beautiful harmonies from Martin Swinger and Jud's wife, Marsene, and Alfred Lund provides a fantastic percussion base to the entire album.I can't imagine anyone in the market for a selection of diversely-inspired acoustic music walking away disappointed from "Between the Pavement and the Sky". A more-than-worthy addition to any collection."