Favorite track from River in Reverse

so lacklustre · Post by **so lacklustre** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 4:08 am

Still absorbing, but an early favoutite that hasn't been mentioned much id Broken Promise Land. Also like Nearer to You and All These Things. Don't care to much for track 1.

charliestumpy · Post by **charliestumpy** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 5:34 am

Bob Dylan seems to have first started performing this mid-1980s which is when I first came across on Bootlegs this Toussaint song - it has never been officially released, but there are many versions available on e.g. interweb ...

e.g. http://www.dylanbase.com/specificinfo.asp?albumID=438

John · Post by **John** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 5:40 am

I'm beginning to love this album more and more. It could end up as a real favourite. Even the kids are enjoying it! - especially Who's Gonna Help a Brother Get Further. This should be a single as I think martinfoyle may have already mentioned.

strangerinthehouse · Post by **strangerinthehouse** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 7:48 am

I've been listening to RIR on and off, as much as i could through a very busy week, and my early favorite has been Ascencion Day. I love the dual interplay between Toussaint's piano and Costello voice.

I was also was very impressed with All These Things, I really liked EC's cove on the B&C Bonus disc but they both stand on their own, the new one becoming my favorite of the two.

I liked Broken Promised Land upon first listen, it reminds me of Almost Ideal Eyes in that they are equally frantic and slow at times without being abrupt.

I do like the whole album, and will keep playing it for a good while.

Goody2Shoes · Post by **Goody2Shoes** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 6:26 pm

VonOfterdingen wrote:
The Sharpest Thorn (is it me or does the first line sound a lot like the first line of Tramp the dirt down?)

I don't know about that, but there is something about it that brings Country Darkness to mind.

Turquoise Pajamas Pt Deux · Sun Jun 11, 2006 6:57 pm

Goody2Shoes wrote:
VonOfterdingen wrote:
The Sharpest Thorn (is it me or does the first line sound a lot like the first line of Tramp the dirt down?)
I don't know about that, but there is something about it that brings Country Darkness to mind.

Hmm. I kind of felt a bit of "Any King's Shilling" in "The Sharpest Thorn"...or as we say here in the Boston area "Any King's Schilling."

Of course, I just might be delusional.

Extreme Honey · Post by **Extreme Honey** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 10:08 pm

Yea and freedom for the stallion sounds as though it should be in BAC or MLAR to me. I think the title track is the best by far. I'm having many problems inhaling this album, I mean I know it's good music but I've been waiting far too long for Elvis to speak his own mind about something more than just love (for his last 3 albums have been influenced by something). I hope he ends the decade with something-rock.

VonOfterdingen · Post by **VonOfterdingen** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 2:55 pm

Turquoise Pajamas Pt Deux wrote:
Goody2Shoes wrote:
VonOfterdingen wrote:
The Sharpest Thorn (is it me or does the first line sound a lot like the first line of Tramp the dirt down?)
I don't know about that, but there is something about it that brings Country Darkness to mind.
Hmm. I kind of felt a bit of "Any King's Shilling" in "The Sharpest Thorn"...or as we say here in the Boston area "Any King's Schilling." Of course, I just might be delusional.

Yes, 'Any king's shilling' thats the one. I knew it was from Spike but couldnt find out which one, and I didnt want to remove River in Reverse from my cd-player

oldhamer · Post by **oldhamer** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 9:06 pm

Goody2Shoes wrote:
VonOfterdingen wrote:
The Sharpest Thorn (is it me or does the first line sound a lot like the first line of Tramp the dirt down?)
I don't know about that, but there is something about it that brings Country Darkness to mind.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks that!

verbal gymnastics · Post by **verbal gymnastics** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 4:28 am

It does appear that there are a number of tracks that have similarities to already recorded EC tracks. I shall listen more carefully. To date I've only heard the album; I haven't listened to it. The obvious one for me on first hearing was as pointed out by john in that Six Fingered Man sounds like Rocking Horse Road.

Neil. · Post by **Neil.** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 5:00 am

Yeah, Broken Promise Land is really growing on me! God, he's still got it, Elvis. His way with a melody is still amazing - love that bit "Comin' in under the cover of darkness, coulda said more bout it woulda seemed heartless", then the mournful lament of the title.

International Echo is great pop, and I'm even getting to like River In Reverse itself too, which I found a bit monotonous on first listen.

invisible Pole · Post by **invisible Pole** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 12:51 pm

Wonderful "All These Things" followed by "The Sharpest Thorn" and "Who's Gonna Help Brother Get Further". In fact, I wouldn't mind if Allen Toussaint sang two or three more tunes.

MOJO · Post by **MOJO** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 2:36 pm

Right now, my favorite is Freedom for the Stallion. It's so timely and speaks the truth. If you are an American, the only thing you can do right now is pray. That's all we have left because the nation is falling apart with clowns we have in the white house, global warming, corporate crime, etc.

Emotional Toothpaste · Tue Jun 13, 2006 11:17 pm

After only a couple listens . . its between International Echo and Who's Gonna Help a Brother. I love the 'bone solo on Who's Gonna Help a Brother. It hits you over the head.

Emotional Toothpaste · Tue Jun 13, 2006 11:21 pm

Six-Fingered Man ROCKS. My favorite is going to need further time to settle. I have a feeling there are about 5-6 that will be in the running.

MOJO · Post by **MOJO** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 4:59 pm

Today, I discovered Wonder Woman and it's now tied with FFTS. The intro has a pfunkish vibe... awesome. Also, I think I want to kiss Anthony Brown (just once) for his damn fine guitar work on this album.

jillbeast · Post by **jillbeast** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 4:11 pm

The Sharpest Thorn
All These Things

Well, heck I love the whole album! If I could hear "What Do You Want the Girl To Do?" It might be a favorite as well!

Jill

Miclewis · Post by **Miclewis** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 7:29 pm

I'm not saying it is neccesarily my favorite track on the album, but I'm amazed how much Freedom for the Stallion sounds like an Elvis Costello original. It just sounds so natural for Elvis to cover this great Allen Toussaint song.

I think maybe the song may have been influencial to Elvis' writting through the years.

Post by **spooky girlfriend** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 8:33 pm

I'm with Goody on this one - Sharpest Thorn.

Overall I enjoy the album in its entirety. It's a good listen all the way through. I do find myself listening to Sharpest Thorn most of all though.

migdd · Post by **migdd** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 9:23 pm

Great all the way through! Favorites this week:

The Sharpest Thorn
International Echo
Six-Fingered Man

noiseradio · Post by **noiseradio** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 1:31 am

Right now it's Wonder Woman. But this morning it was On Your Way Down.

Copenhagen Fan · Post by **Copenhagen Fan** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 2:24 pm

Nearer to you
Broken Promise Land
Freedom for the Stalion

I must be weird...........

verbal gymnastics · Post by **verbal gymnastics** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 4:02 am

Copenhagen Fan wrote:I must be weird...........

Now there's an understatement

I am finding that there is lyrical and musical similarities between some of these songs and previous Elvis work. I don't think I've ever thought this before of Elvis' music.

Party Party, Any King's Shilling and Possession are three that come to mind.

jazzguitarist · Post by **jazzguitarist** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 7:04 am

Jackson Monk wrote:Having listened to the album a few times, i suddenly found myself humming 'Party Party' a lot......then I realised why......'International Echo'!!

Ok, so the latter is far superior, but it's like he looked back and thought ..."that damn 'Party Party' was a great tune ruined by very very bad lyrics.....now i'll do it damn proper!"

Funny I heard "Fish and Chip Paper" from Trust. My fav song on the cd is "Freedom for the Stallion"

drew

Elvis Costello Fan Forum

Favorite track from River in Reverse

Freedom for the stallion - Dylan performances ...

Hmmm.