William Elliott Whitmore - Song of the Blackbird
List Price:
Our Price: $9.48
You Save: $2.46 (21%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: Music CD
See more new music releases
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Music CD Cover
Artist: William Elliott WhitmoreEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Original Language)
CD Release Date: 2006-08-29
Music Label: Southern Records
Free Music Notes for Song of the Blackbird
Free Music Review: Best Release Yet
Hit: 5 Stars
On his third release, William Elliott Whitmore continues to earn his reputation as one of the best voices in American music. This album expands his sound, adding more instrumentation, and at the same time sticks to its roots. Even "And Then The Rains Came", on which Will decides to rest his voice, evokes a feeling that makes it clear the song belongs on the record. The optimism seen in small doses on previous records shines through in songs like "Dry", "Take It On The Chin", and "Lee County Flood"; while Will's bluesy roots are evident in "One Man's Shame".
This is, overall, a mighty fine record. Buy it. And if you have the opportunity, see him perform these songs live. His shows are even better.
Song of the Blackbird Poster
Vinyl version includes an amazing 32 page book of Will's lyrics from all 3 of his Southern albums.The organic musical progression of this young, rural Iowan continues to impress. Though he has yet to reach 30, his gravelly voice; themes of mortality, loss, and redemption; and spare accompaniment on banjo and guitar evoke an era before electricity and indoor plumbing. Yet there's a melodic warmth and spirit of renewal here that was nowhere to be heard on Whitmore's two previous albums. As the song cycle proceeds from drought to flood, the musical narrator even proclaims himself a "happy feller" at one point, though happiness remains barely a glimmer throughout much of his music. Both the stunning "The Chariot" (which puts a darker spin on "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and "Will the Circle Be Unbroken") and "Red Buds" benefit from the backing of keyboardist Dave Zollo and drummer John Crawford, while the thematically pivotal instrumental, "And Then the Rains Came," adds electronic atmospherics and sound effects over a repetitive guitar drone. From the elegy for a dying breed of "Rest His Soul" to the closing meditation on loss and memory in "Everyday," Whitmore continues to craft a remarkable body of work. --Don McLeese
Blues Music CDs
Music Genres
Top music charts in Blues Music CDs
Southern String BandsRelease date: 1997-05-07; Music CD
Price in other shops:
Lightnin Hopkins - Texas BluesRelease date: 1993-11-30; Music CD
Price in other shops:
15 Regional Mexican Music ClassicsRelease date: 1997-02-25; Music CD
Best price: $2.99
Price in other shops:
Etta James - Love's Been Rough on MeRelease date: 1997-04-29; Music CD
Best price: $8.97
Price in other shops:
Etta James - Mystery LadyRelease date: 1994-03-15; Music CD
Best price: $14.02
Taj Mahal - Dancing the BluesRelease date: 1993-09-28; Music CD
Best price: $9.72
Price in other shops:
![Moments to Remember [VHS] Image](/images/Moments-to-Remember-VHS-6304199058-X.jpg){kind=small}
Bill Gaither & Gloria - Moments to Remember [VHS]Chordant; Release date: 1996-09-03; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $3.55
Price in other shops:
![Sing Your Blues Away [VHS] Image](/images/Sing-Your-Blues-Away-VHS-630419904X-X.jpg){kind=small}
Sing Your Blues Away [VHS]Chordant Distribution; Release date: 1996-09-03; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $6.18
Price in other shops:
![Rhythm Country & Blues [VHS] Image](/images/Rhythm-Country-Blues-VHS-630303831X-X.jpg){kind=small}
Rhythm Country & Blues [VHS]Mca; Release date: 1994-03-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
Robert Cray - Smoking GunPublished: 1988; Music CD
Top Rated Albums
The Devil Makes Three - Do Wrong RightRelease date: 2009-04-21; Music CD
Best price: $9.61
Price in other shops:
Tom Waits - Bad As MeRelease date: 2011-10-24; Music CD
Best price: $7.39
Price in other shops:
Seasick Steve - Man From Another TimeRelease date: 2010-03-30; Published: 1988; Music CD
Best price: $9.90
Price in other shops:
Justin Townes Earle - Harlem River BluesRelease date: 2010-09-14; Music CD
Best price: $9.63
Price in other shops:
Gillian Welch - The Harrow & The HarvestRelease date: 2011-06-28; Music CD
Best price: $9.50
Price in other shops:
William Elliott Whitmore & P.O.S. - SplitRelease date: 2011-04-11; Music CD
Best price: $4.50
Price in other shops:
Hoysten, Whitmore - Hallways of AlwaysRelease date: 2006-11-07; Music CD
Best price: $11.49
Price in other shops:
William Elliott Whitmore - Ashes to DustRelease date: 2005-02-22; Music CD
Best price: $25.78
William Elliott Whitmore - Animals In The DarkRelease date: 2009-02-17; Music CD
Best price: $11.13
Price in other shops:
William Elliott Whitmore - Field SongsRelease date: 2011-07-12; Music CD
Best price: $7.47
Price in other shops: