Shades of D&B
M. Gaines | Alabama, United States | 10/03/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Charlie Sexton and Shannon McNally have created one of the most soulful and charming pieces of music to see the light of day in 2006. Throughout the album one is reminded of the trail that Bonnie and Delaney blazed upon with "Motel Shot" and "Homecoming" in the late 60's.
Enjoyable, heart inflected music for those who seek solace in homestyle soul and real music for unreal times."
Why not? It's so pleasant..
Eric Ah Kow | Mauritius | 05/12/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am right now listening to Southside Sessions, by Shannon McNally and Charlie Sexton, even though the impolitely named Cd tells it the wrong way.. Always thought women should come first. But I suppose that's because Sexton's hailed as the bigger 'star' here. At least by the Record company, I guess..
Well, I am disagreeing.. not about who's the star between the two. They don't, most probably, care about it :) ... and so do I. (But I do think they are great poets.) I am disagreeing about the label 'EP' I read about on the Internet. It's unfair. It runs 7 songs. So did thousands of 'LPs', back in the vinyl days. There was a time when eight songs were the standard for a decent recording. And those were the time when a successful record would generate 2 hits.. and the rest would be a bunch of not so nice songs that sometimes would not even fit as 'B'sides for the '45 records.
Southside Sessions feature seven (and I like that number) really likeable pieces of music. The songs catch the ear at the very first listening. Even before I listened to, or read, the words the pair sung with attitude that wasn't aiming at selling millions, I liked the album. I had read about it being some sort of cd recorded from someone's back porch on a Sunday afternoon.. Poor pun that was from several reviews (a lot, in fact).. that almost prevented me from purchasing the cd. But then, I liked the idea. A cd from Buddy Guy was also described in really similar way a few years ago, and there was not a single song I didn't like there too.
I knew nothing about Shannon McNally before reading about this cd. I downloaded 'Old Cypress Tree' from her web page, and ordered her 2 other solo BPR cds along with this one. I am glad I did. I didn't even realise since quite recently that Old Cypress Tree was featured here.. I would just take the cds every time I had to drive and listen to them. This one was my instant favourite, until I got to appreciate the other cds too. It was becoming hard to decide which one to listen to, and when. And then I noticed the bare feet, jeans, and rugs on the back picture. From then on, I listen to this cd in my room almost exclusively.. If I wake up in the middle of the night, I look for it and pop it in the cd player. Nothing else goes these days. Or nights, should I say.
I don't know why.. These things happen. Like listening to Neil Young's 'Harvest' on Sunday mornings, or listening to Tom Waits' 'Blue Valentine' on every Valentine's Day morning. The latter is NOT a very good choice for a love song on a 14th of April, but I have come to believe that once in a while, the music chooses it's listener. I'm glad when it chooses not to leave.
They can't be bad songs when they stick with you for so long. I just wish I get to listen to records that are as nice as this one more often.. And 'No place to fall' sounds so much like a prayer..
I used 'Old Cypress Tree' as the alarm ring on my phone and was late every morning..
This is on my blog, and I thought I should try to get the World to know too..
Peace to your ears
Comme à la Maison
Hors-Saison
Geronimo
"
Absolutely Beautiful
Charles E. Jones Jr. | RAWLINGS, VIRGINIA USA | 08/14/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been a fan of Charlie Sexton and Shannon Mcnally for awhile now and love their solo albums and this new collaboration is one of the most beautiful cds that I've ever bought. The song Biloxi alone is worth the price. One of the most gorgeous songs I've ever heard."