| The Connection - Randy Sharp | |
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Reviewed by Kathy Coleman
Randy Sharp is an amazing 12-string picker and a phenomenal songwriter, with dozens, perhaps hundreds of great songs under his belt, including Clay Walker's "Then What" and Alabama's "The Cheap Seats." His songs have been recorded by artists in nearly every genre,
and that may be why this disc of his own, where he shines all by himself as a singer/songwriter, is so darned hard to put a finger on.
It's not expressly country music, but it is lovely music that simply shimmers. Randy's lyrics glow and bask in the warmth of Randy's beautiful vocals. The songs on The Connection are absolutely breathtaking for their simplistic grandeur and it is that simplicity that allows this to fall neatly into the country music genre. Simplicity and grandeur are two things which have been bleached so completely from mainstream country that they're warmly welcome from Randy.
While listening to this album I found myself constantly reminded of Gordon Lightfoot at his best, or perhaps Don McLean's American Pie album; superior, high-toned folk, too classy to be pop but far too rich to be "hick;" mellow but not somnolent, glorious but completely without pretension. This music is as real as music is supposed to be. Randy Sharp gives us music that is just what it is, beautiful, no matter what else you call it. It is pure, it is delightful, and it is truly something to listen to.
Sharp comes on strong right from the start, with the lighthearted and snappy "I Won't Stand In Line." And as good as this tune is, he simply gets better as the disc progresses. Sharp's delivery is comfortably homey, yet it soars to great heights with such songs as the beautiful "Some Walls."
The title track, "The Connection," has the country-folk quality of Bob Dylan or Emmylou Harris; perhaps a combination of the two. Sharp's lyrics are a sheer delight to listen to.
"Or So The Heart Remembers" is the most "country" country song, a gentle two-step with a little fiddle rippling merrily through the tune. "Dreams of the San Joaquin" wails an eerie western accordion through high harmonies that recall the west. This disc isn't randomly searching for a genre, though. It's merely superior music for people who like music. Enjoy it.
Song List:
Sound clips courtesy of Barnes & Noble
Album cover, used with permission of 33rd Street Records.
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