Awaiting Redemption

Amazon.com
Throughout his career, Hal Ketchum has pitted his pushing, gritty roots rock against his pushing, wimpy singer-songwriter muse; his Lyle Lovett smarts against his Michael McDonald sensibility. On Awaiting Redemption the grit and the smarts win out most, thanks to soulful, skittering grooves (the title track), distressed blues licks ("When Blue Was Just a Color"), and a sense of spirituality that comes across more wise than preachy (a fine version of producer Stephen Bruton's great "Too Many Memories"). And while lines like "You let down your golden hair and I climbed into your garden" don't sing any better than they read, Ketchum usually pulls them off through a sheer commitment to their worth. One more argument for the importance of being earnest. --David Cantwell

Tracks:

Days Of Wonder
Long Way Down
You Love Me, Love Me Not
Too Many Memories
Awaiting Redemption
Slow Down Sunset
Tell Me
The Unforgiven
When Blue Was Just A Color
Turn Of The Wheel
Dear Anna Lee
Lonely Old Me

Amazon.com

Throughout his career, Hal Ketchum has pitted his pushing, gritty roots rock against his pushing, wimpy singer-songwriter muse; his Lyle Lovett smarts against his Michael McDonald sensibility. On Awaiting Redemption the grit and the smarts win out most, thanks to soulful, skittering grooves (the title track), distressed blues licks ("When Blue Was Just a Color"), and a sense of spirituality that comes across more wise than preachy (a fine version of producer Stephen Bruton's great "Too Many Memories"). And while lines like "You let down your golden hair and I climbed into your garden" don't sing any better than they read, Ketchum usually pulls them off through a sheer commitment to their worth. One more argument for the importance of being earnest. --David Cantwell

Customer Reviews:

Hal true to form.......2002-06-28

I you like the soulfull country of Hal Ketchum you will not be dissappointed with this selection. Excellent music to relax to or work to.

Redemption at last!.......2001-10-18

This CD is awesome from beginning to end. It has to be Hal's best CD release to date, partially due to the fact that the songs were recorded live in the studio. The songwriting is superb; listen to the tenderness of the opening song "Days of Wonder." There are five songs previously recorded on the I SAW THE LIGHT CD that are given a new treatment here. The live recordings give the songs a new life, removing the polished studio sound that was evident in prior releases. "Dear Anna Lee" was written in the hull of a ferryboat in which Ketchum stowed away. It is delivered as a letter from a man who is lost at sea in a storm to his girl back home and describes the feelings of hopelessness and despair experienced. "When Blue Was Just A Color" is a great song about sadness. My favorite song on this CD is the bluesy title cut, "Awaiting Redemption," which features a hot electric guitar solo by producer Stephen Bruton. I can't say anything negative about any of the cuts on this CD, and that's a rare thing for me to say.

Not a bad disc..........2000-04-07

This album has a lot of great songs on it, but it lacks one thing: consistency. Although it's clear that Hal is trying to explore new territory, it still seems like he's afraid to go all the way and leave his days of top 40 country behind. As soon as he can let go of the country sound he is "supposed" to have, he will be able to do some knockout music. Although this album pushes the envelope somewhat, several of the tracks are carried over from Hal's previous attempt to break onto radio, I SAW THE LIGHT. Good album, but Hal needs to let loose a little more.

A Breakthrough CD from a Brilliant Singer/Songwriter.......2000-01-05

I've always loved Hal Ketchum, but this album is a quantum leap beyond anything he's released before. It's intimate, heartbreaking, beautiful and raw. Not at all typical country, it incorporates blues and rock in a way that even my husband, who hates country music, pricked up his ears and remarked, "Who is this? This is really interesting!" I'm sorry Hal had to go through the hell he apparently endured in the past few years, but this is an honest breakthrough album similar in feeling (if not in sound) to Bonnie Raitt's "Nick of Time" and John Hiatt's "Bring the Family." I hope the Powers That Be in Nashville allow Hal to continue releasing great albums like this that push the boundaries of the genre.

What Garth could not do.......1999-12-01

With this album, Hal has accomplished what Garth Brooks tried to do by creating his alter-ego Chris Gaines. He has shown us the variety and depth of his musical talent, without betraying his country roots, nor trying to hide behind a false persona. Hal plays some rock, some blues, some country, and its all music form the heart. I can't get over what an incredible album this is. Anyone with a desire for passionate music should pick this one up. You'll never put it down.

Average customer rating:

Hal true to form
Redemption at last!
Not a bad disc...
A Breakthrough CD from a Brilliant Singer/Songwriter
What Garth could not do

Awaiting Redemption
Hal Ketchum
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music

New Traditionalist | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music

General | Country | Styles | Music

Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music

Country | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B00002588T
Release Date: 2007-04-24