West Textures

Amazon.com
Though Robert Earl Keen was previously best known as Lyle Lovett's college buddy, this 1989 release established the Texas troubadour as a master of the musical narrative. His ambitious story songs extend from the rambunctious anthemry of "The Road Goes On Forever" (later covered by Joe Ely) to the bittersweet border balladry of "Mariano." Other highlights include the deadpan hilarity of "It's the Little Things" and the deadly serious "Love's a Word I Never Throw Around." While Keen's singing tends toward nasal monotone, the strength of the songcraft and the sprite settings established by producer Jim Rooney and a virtuosic band transcend the vocal limitations. --Don McLeese

West Textures,Jr. Robert Earl Keen,Sugarhill [Country],Alternative Country,Contemporary Folk,Country,Country-Folk,Folk,Pop,Progressive Country,Singer/Songwriter

Average customer rating: My Vote for REK's Best Overall CD Belated followup Another of the good ones... West Textures is REK at his Best A MUST buy

West Textures Jr. Robert Earl Keen Manufacturer: Sugarhill [Country] ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music Outlaw & Progressive Country | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Rock | Styles | Music Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Country Folk | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music Folk Rock | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music Singer-Songwriters | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Gringo Honeymoon A Bigger Piece of Sky Picnic What I Really Mean Walking Distance ASIN: B000000EWH Release Date: 1993-01-05

Tracks:

1. Sing One For Sister
2. The Road Goes on Forever
3. Maria
4. Sonora's Death Row
5. Mariano
6. Don't turn out the light
7. Leavin Tennessee
8. Jennifer Johnson & Me
9. The Five Pound Bass
10. It's the Little Things
11. Love's A Word I Never Throw Around

Amazon.com

Though Robert Earl Keen was previously best known as Lyle Lovett's college buddy, this 1989 release established the Texas troubadour as a master of the musical narrative. His ambitious story songs extend from the rambunctious anthemry of "The Road Goes On Forever" (later covered by Joe Ely) to the bittersweet border balladry of "Mariano." Other highlights include the deadpan hilarity of "It's the Little Things" and the deadly serious "Love's a Word I Never Throw Around." While Keen's singing tends toward nasal monotone, the strength of the songcraft and the sprite settings established by producer Jim Rooney and a virtuosic band transcend the vocal limitations. --Don McLeese

Customer Reviews:

My Vote for REK's Best Overall CD.......2006-08-13

Stellar throughout. Excellent songwriting, with all but two of the songs penned by REK. Of course there is the classic "Road", but this is just chock-full of excellent songs - songs of love, adventure, heartbreak, etc. Hard to beat having Jerry Douglas featured on most tracks. An earlier, simpler Robert Earl Keen. Highly recommended if you are only going to buy 2-3 of his CDs for your collection.

Belated followup.......2005-08-08

Hard to believe it had been nearly five years since Keen's last studio album when "West Textures" emerged fully formed form the dusty plains of the Lone Star State (Keen had issued a live album in the interim but both it and it's studio predecessor, "No Kinda Dancer", had long been forgotten, if ever they'd been truly discovered in the first place; no, nearly everyone who considers themself an "old school" REK fan picked up on him with this album and backtracked over the previous two afterward). Although only having one real breakout hit, "West Textures" set the template for not only Keen's repertoire but a host of imitators, something "No Kinda Dancer" - though near perfect in it's own right - failed to do.But what a hit that breakout was. "The Road Goes On Forever" cemented Keen's legend instantly, being covered immediately by other notable Texas luminaries such as Joe Ely, and even if the mass country audience didn't discover it until a few years later when the live version hit radio, the impact was felt not only on a younger breed such as the likes of Pat Green, but Keen's hardened tales of unexpurgated life on the cowboy edge both informed and validated a generation of his idols and predecessors (is it any wonder Guy Clark experienced a resurgence about this time, not only in popularity but in songcraft as well?). Keen's manifesto was liberal amounts of Steve Earle (whose "Tom Ames' Prayer" he would go on to cover) fused with the irreverent folk of John Prine and maybe a little Rodney Crowell (a fellow Houstonian) as well. "The Road Goes On Forever", for those who remain blissfully ignorant of it's existence, is one of those tunes that sets into the cranium instantly, a brash mixture of ecstatic fiddles and outlaw lyrics updated to feature the modern drug culture (something his fellow Steve Earle must surely approve of). Far from being a mere cautionary tale on the inauspicious fate which meets drug dealers, "Road..." instead goes the far more humanistic route of illustrating what makes a man with nothing to lose resort to things which he may know is not in his best interests, which makes the characters' eventual downfall feel more like the climax of a Greek tragedy than a comeuppance. Though "The Road Goes On Forever" remains the best song on the album, Keen reveals on songs such as "Mariano" the Hispanic influence which would bear full fruit on the "Gringo Honeymoon" record. Similarly, "Five Pound Bass" is a bit of a novelty/party song, blissfully vapid and intended as nothing more than an ideal drunken singalong for his live shows. "Love's a Word I Never Throw Around" is representative of his later mid-tempo ballads, with "Jennifer Johnson and Me" being actually something of an anomaly, rather old fashioned in it's folk leanings and more reminiscint of the high school romanticism of 50s rock, but the emotion is genuine and it remains one of his most gripping tunes.So we've got the second of REK's five star albums - the debut being the first - which doesn't mean that there aren't mediocre songs on board (Keen's CDs always have at least one or two throwaway tracks), but sandwiched between the rest of the masterpieces and near-classics they don't detract much from the overall listen. The prime cuts on "West Textures" soar high enough above the standards of excellence that the few middle-of-the-road stragglers fail to bring the album down to the realms of mere mortal accomplishments. Keen would make better albums but he could never again sound this fresh, this vital.

Another of the good ones..........2001-02-14

Robert Earl strikes again with "West Textures," a perennial road trip, drinking and barbecue favorite.

"The Road Goes On Forever" is the jammin' ballad that turns Keen concerts into revivals, with full-grown men and women frothing at the mouth with a down-with-The-Man fervor. "The Five Pound Bass" is the time-honored search for the fish *thiiiiiiis* big [it's as big as a goddamned BABY], "It's the Little Things" the plight of annoyed married folk far and wide [and adapted by comedian Rodney Carrington in "Little Things" on "Hangin' With Rodney], and "Don't Turn Out the Light" the ever-familiar story of the drunk arriving home after a night at the bar.

In contrast, "Sonora's Death Row" spins a tale of an accidental killing on a cowboy's night off in a Mexican town, the unavoidable weight of a Guanajuato man's separation from his family in "Mariano," and the reflections of first love in "Jennifer Johnson & Me." My personal favorite, however, is "Love's a Word I Never Throw Around," a simple declaration of a man's love in spite of his ending relationship. Robert Earl doesn't often bend to the pressure for a happy ending, and that honesty makes his work stick long after the CD stops playing.

West Textures is REK at his Best.......2001-02-02

Though I only recently discovered Roberl Earl Keen, I now own all his CDs (except the 2nd live album because all the songs are on other CDs). If I need a Keen fix, West Textures is where I start. Thanks MRP for turning me on to Bob.

A MUST buy.......2000-12-16

Every song on this cd is great. This was my first REK purchase but it won't be my last. I will be purchasing the rest of his collection.

Average customer rating: Dances in the Mist This CD is MUST HAVE! Great CD Relaxing Soundtracks Great music for home office

Dances in the Mist Sharon West Manufacturer: DustyDreams Productions ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | New Age | Styles | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B0001FZAC2 Release Date: 2003-10-01

Tracks:

1. Mystical Forest
2. The Awakening
3. Dancing Fountains
4. Twilight in the Mist
5. Breath of the Spirit
6. Memories and Dreams
7. Perfect Day
8. Moving Mountains
9. Sky Cathedrals
10. Field of Peace
11. Thoughts
12. Glimpses
13. Freedom
14. Understanding
15. Rejuvenation

Album Description

Dances in the Mist is a captivating journey of beautiful melodic compositions by Sharon West. This debut album of all original compositions will inspire and relax listeners in countless ways. Filled with melodic strings, gentle trumpets, soothing guitars, provocative drums and a host of other instruments, this CD provides a calming escape you will enjoy over and over. Perfect for relaxing, studying, reading and driving.

Customer Reviews:

Dances in the Mist.......2004-03-13

This is a CD that is excellent for Sunday morning coffee and the newspaper as well as Wednesday night cocktails. It is relaxing yet at times can make you think. This is a CD to have in the collection!

This CD is MUST HAVE!.......2004-03-11

I can't stop listening to this CD. This debut from Sharon West is an incredible journey--it soothes, it relaxes, it rejuvenates. I have two copies, one for my office and one for my car. I look forward to this artist's next work.

Great CD.......2004-03-11

This CD is a great mix of easy to listen to music with some more upbeat, some more soothing. I enjoy listening to it to relax and unwind as well as to get moving for the day. Great CD for in the car, home, anywhere.

Relaxing Soundtracks.......2004-03-10

Anyone who likes relaxing music will like this album. It blends jazzy instrumentals and great keyboards into an easy listening sound that would be great at home or in the car. Several cuts would also make great movie soundtracks. I highly recommend this album.

Great music for home office.......2004-03-09

I have enjoyed Sharon West's first CD for many months. The CD has a great selection of songs that enable me to do all my office work while enjoying some great music. When playing the CD, I've been asked about the music as it is a very 'ear catching' selection. If you have a small business and/or home office, this is a great CD to own and enjoy! I look forward to what Sharon may do next.

Average customer rating:

Blessed Rain Manufacturer: Ashley Maher ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music ASIN: B000CA3JB0 Release Date: 2002-11-05

Average customer rating:

Behind Enemy Lines Bo$$man Manufacturer: Bomb 1st Entertainment Inc. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music ASIN: B000CA88TI Release Date: 2003-02-01

Tracks:

1. Dolemite (Interlude)
2. Lay It Down
3. Thug Zone (Thug Anthem)
4. Why U Wanna Play Me?
5. Throw It Back (Feat. Juvenile)
6. Ain't No Love
7. Testament
8. Petey Wheatstraw (Interlude)
9. Kiss of Death
10. Death Before Dishonor
11. You Don't Wanna...
12. How We Roll (Gangsta Slide)
13. Better Dayz
14. Never Had a Friend Like (My Momma
15. Behind Enemy Lines
16. Throw It Back [Remix]

Average customer rating:

Textures in Hi-Fi Manufacturer: Velocity Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music ASIN: B000CA7N0S Release Date: 2005-02-22

Music Album:

1. When I Call Your Name
2. White Shoes [Import]
3. Who I Am
4. Woodsmoke and Oranges/Jack-Knife Gypsy [Import] [Original recording remastered]
5. You Won't Ever Be Lonely
6. Young Criminals' Starvation League
7. 20th Century Masters - Christmas Collection [Original recording remastered]
8. After the Storm
9. Alabama Christmas
10. Almost Alone

Music Album