California Bloodlines (studio album) by John Stewart

From Mercury 10/19/2017 20:25

This record is a grower. Not even from full listen to full listen, but in the middle of the album I feel each time that my reticence in loving the album and my cynicism melts away. There is something about the album, the wordplay, and the music which for me when I push play, the first few minutes I think to myself "Gosh this is kinda corny". And yet even at its most corny I also think its pretty and excellent in its own way. But without fail by about track 5 "The Pirates of Stone County Road" I am fully in the bag for this album. I have bought in, and as I hear what I can only assume is the mother of the main character yelling out a window saying "Henry? Henry? Are you out there, Henry" I don't cringe at all because its perfect. I actually get a bit choked up, lost in my own thoughts and memories as a boy running around outside, playing with dirt, and hearing my own ma yelling out the window to let me know dinner is ready or play time is over.

And the songs.... the songs! John Stewart is just a great writer, like amazing. This album feels like a great compilation of stories and vignettes, character studies, little details of life. Some of the details and questions Stewart poses just hit home. There's an ongoing idea in the song "The Lonesome Picker" for example, where Stewart says that he wonders if after he is gone, any of his songs will be played by some lonesome picker. Its meta, but its so touching. And there are many of these moments when I feel like Stewart just kinda hits on some real moments of songwriting glory.

This record may be the best Americana album of 1969. It switches up from country, to folk, to a bit of a gospel feel to a blues vibe, etc throughout the album. Between this album and Steve Young's classic 1969 album, you have 2 of the best Americana albums I've ever heard here.

And last thing I'll say I love, His voice. Am I the only one who hears a lot of Conor Oberst in there? That strange and warbly, constantly quivery vocal style he has is like Bright Eyes but not as annoying and not whiney. So point goes to John Stewart.

Anyway, this is a sweet, heartwarming album, its a musical trip down memory lane, a series of snapshots of the old days, a romanticized vision of the country life, a brilliant album through and through. Everyone who reads this next time you're feeling that heartwarming americana folk country itch, check out this album right here. I am moving this album up, and thus throwing off my color order scheme. I don't care. Its just a great album.

Rating: 9.1/10