Richard Shindell
Courier

Review by Steven Stone
Click here to e-mail reviewer

  Until recently I was among the unfortunates who had never heard Richard Shindell perform live. Sure, I'd heard of him; he has been writing songs and playing concerts since the early 1990's. But with his new CD, Courier, even the most reclusive listener can avail themselves of the joys of hearing Richard Shindell in concert. They are in for a treat.

Shindell's songs avoid the moon, June, spoon easy-listening pop vein. He goes in for the big issues -War, Religion, Love, Espionage, and Trucks. Within Courier you will find a three-song mini-set dedicated to these highway juggernauts. Two of Richard's original truck songs sandwich around one of the best renditions of Lowell George's "Willin'" that I've ever heard. Shindell also spends much of his songwriting time musing on the meanings of war. The title song "Courier" revolves around the metaphor of the singer as a wartime messenger. No, this is not frothy dance-music, but Shindell can rock when he has a mind to. "Are You Happy Now?" features buoyantly infectious hooks and bridges over a tale of suburban American interpersonal chaos.

Shindell's band contains nothing but A-list musicians. Lucy Kaplansky contributes background vocals, Lincoln Schleifer plays bass, Denny McDermott handles drums, and John Putnam is on electric guitar and tipple. A tighter or more tasteful batch of players would be hard to assemble. They know just when to hang back or to lean on a final chorus. If you want to hear arrangements that really service the song, you'll find them here. All the music except for three cuts was recorded at the Emelin Theater in Mamaroneck, New York, during 2001. The sound is among the best I've heard from a live album. Not only is the mix clear and natural, but also the micro-dynamics and subtle emotional shadings of the arrangements come through with clarity and precision.

Enjoyment: 90

Sound Quality: 95