The Evening Call

Life throws some hard lessons and incessant teachings at all of us who aren't perfected yet. Like the river (the Willamette, dammit) that eventually grinds away all the sharp points of its submerged rocks, life has a way of polishing away our rough edges. What's your love life like? Just wait a while and see what happens next. This album seems to be (obviously IS) about the breakup of Greg's relationship. Emotions run both high and low in these grooves. Regret at the loss, reminiscences of times together, reflections on the real meanings of things, deep suffering, hopeful plans, dark patches, observations along the pathway, the inevitability of death, the minutiae and mystery of the mundane, the magic or the tragic moments... and so much more. This album is not for those who just want something pretty to listen to, although there are several great sparkling and uplifting songs here, especially "Eugene", "Coneville Slough” and occasionally "Skinny Days". Then there are the more blue songs like: "Kokomo", "Whippoorwill", "Joy Tears", "Evening Call", "Cold, Dark and Wet". From there his suffering gets more intense and dark. "Bucket", "Pound It Down", "Treat Each Other Right", 'Mighty Sweet Watermelon", all have incredible insight and beautiful shadows shining out from their darkness. If suffering is a fuel that can power the prose and poetry of the imaginative songwriter then Greg’s breakup has reluctantly propelled him deep into the truly Bardic bardo planes with his muses. Love is an alternative fuel that can light up the muses and I hope that Greg finds inspiration and new love to heal his soul and brighten his work again. He has the capacity to create beauty with either fuel but in these tragic times we need more love and less fear and heartbreak. Never give up ‘cause sometimes out on the trail of life and love... you just have to let the dog find you.

I'm a huge fan of Greg Brown and while this one took a little time for me to absorb, I think this is another great album. I only give 4 because I think 5 should be reserved for special albums. Download and enjoy. Kokomo, Eugene, and Cold, Dark and Wet are the standout tracks, but as usual all the songs are powerful.

Greg is by far my favorite musician. this album, like many others, took a few listens to get but once I did it became one of my favorites! Cold, Dark and Wet, Eugene and Evening Call are true gems. Greg you can park in my drive way any time!

I have enjoyed some great shows by this wonderful songwriter, and never tire of The Poet Game and Further In. This one, though, even on repeated listenings, doesn't work for me at all. Greg Brown has taken too much to mumbling the lyrics, and the effect for me is that they are unintelligible. Worse yet, the delivery seems so half-baked that I can't muster the energy to look at the lyric sheet on the CD, because it doesn't seem like Greg feels like we should care about what he's saying. I wish it were otherwise, because I had for a long time been excited to see a new record from him. Not one for nostalgia in general, in this case I think a return to prior ground would bear good fruit. Exceptions: Eugene, and Whipporwill, which are both gems. I'd say go find The Poet Game instead, if you're new to Greg's catalog.

This album is sublime. I agree with the reviewer who said it took a couple listens to find the groove. The writing is incredibly rich and evocative, and the music is superb. "Eugene" is what life is all about, and I've had "Coneville Slough" on repeat play for two days. This music is sweet and sad and inspiring and uplifting. Lots of life and love and what's important. It's vintage Greg Brown.

No two Greg Brown albums are alike, but I can shuffle through them all and they still work together. I was a little worried about this one because of the handful of low-star reviews. His voice is more intense here, less drowsy, more immediate. It *is* a change from other albums, but neither better nor worse because it's still Greg. I think that if he ever gets to the point where he feels he's phoning-in an album, he simply won't do it. With "The Evening Call," Greg takes serious, heartfelt and witty look at everyday life. I can't help but feel that I really ought to get out to the woods more often.

i am, at this very moment, in the process of downloading this entire CD. i havent heard a song yet, but the truth is, really, do i need to? there are very few artists that i can say that about, but i am confident in listing mr. brown as one. i cant wait to kick back with my woman, have some drink, and let this roll.... godspeed, friends.

I've been a big fan of Greg Brown for many years and have no doubts that this is his weakest album. The songwriting is as great as ever, however the music and vocals are mediocre at best. Perhaps it would have been better as a book of poetry, but not as an album. Also quite remarkable is the change in vocal styles here... Greg's voice has changed remarkably and is most times in the style of "Speaking in Tongues" from Slant 6 Mind. Very high, yet low, and altogether new. The one saving grace is "Eugene", a wonderful spoken-word narrative.

This man can WRITE! Like much of Greg's recent work, the poetic lyrics and passionate delivery on this album are somewhat of an acquired taste and are not for everyone; but he certainly has not disappointed any of his faithful following with this album. It's the folk album of the year, bar none.

Hearing this really makes me miss the Greg Brown from the days of One Night, One More Goodnight Kiss, and In The Dark With You. Those albums had a lightness and a child-like joy that is conspicuously missing in his later work.