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Riverside Battle Songs
Ollabelle
Riverside Battle Songs
Genres: Country, Folk, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (13) - Disc #1

With the musical maturity of this sophomore release, Ollabelle extend their accomplishment of forging a singular style bridging folk and art songs from the talents of five singer-songwriters. While Amy Helm, daughter of th...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Ollabelle
Title: Riverside Battle Songs
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Verve Forecast
Original Release Date: 1/1/2006
Re-Release Date: 8/1/2006
Genres: Country, Folk, Pop, Rock
Styles: Americana, Traditional Folk, Folk Rock
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 602498785195

Synopsis

Amazon.com
With the musical maturity of this sophomore release, Ollabelle extend their accomplishment of forging a singular style bridging folk and art songs from the talents of five singer-songwriters. While Amy Helm, daughter of the Band's Levon, boasts the highest-profile lineage, the two-woman, three-man band has the balance of a democratic collective, combining deep roots with soaring, sophisticated harmonies. "Troubles of the World," an elegiac reading of the traditional "Riverside," the call-and-response of "Gone Today," and the closing "Last Lullaby" reflect the spiritual underpinnings of the quintet's signature sound, but the stylistic range extends from the Caribbean lilt of the opening "See Line Woman" and the stately country waltz of "Heaven's Pearls" to the delta blues of "Fall Back" and the Celtic balladry of "Dream the Fall." Except for the lovesick "Blue Northern Lights" and the bittersweet delicacy of "Everything Is Broken," it's difficult to distinguish the band's arrangements of traditional material from the original songwriting that dominates. Larry Campbell, formerly of Bob Dylan's band, provides superb production and multi-instrumental support. --Don McLeese

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CD Reviews

Tremendous Sophomore Release!!!!
Anna Louis | New York, NY | 08/23/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ollabelle has done it again. I truly enjoyed their first record because of its honesty and respect for the past but this record takes the band to a whole different level. Although very eclectic in nature, this quality works for, and not against the record as a whole. So many well crafted tunes on this one. Everything from the subtle anti-war protest sentiments of "Riverside" and "Dream the Fall" to the heartbroken "Blue Northern Lights and Northern Star" resonate with a beauty and restraint that is rare in modern record making. I can't recommend this one enough. Very happy that real music is still alive."
It took long to release, but it was worth the wait
Dan G | Troy, MI USA | 09/20/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I discoved this eclectic band in '04 with their first CD and deeply enjoyed it. I also caught a live show in Detroit and was very pleased to find that they are not just a result of studio magic (though the production only both CD's is to be complimented).



And now, their follow-up release is better than the first. They write good songs, but they are at their best re-working standards like Riverside. There is something very cool about a band that spans more genres than it has members. I'm already looking forward to #3."
Just Getting Better
Jeff Muller | Severna Park, MD United States | 10/20/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Each year, only a handful of new records really resonate deeply with me. Two years ago, one of those was Ollabelle's debut release. I'm happy to say that "Riverside Battle Songs" has now become one of those rarified records for '06. Everything about this band has improved as they have spent more time together: their songwriting, their harmonies, and their singing. This time around, Tony and Byron step up to the mic, and it's a welcome appearance. And Glenn's singing has become much stronger (he was good before) - in fact, on the closer he bears some resemblance to veteran New Orleans singer John Boutte, with whom he had worked in the past. And Amy and Fiona continue to strike a beautiful balance between sweetness and soul. Overall, this is a record that will bear years of listening... and I look forward to those years!"