Darrell Scott
Modern Hymns
(2008)
“Brilliant songwriter salutes his idols . . . here revamping an exquisite Joni Mitchell song [‘Urge for Going’] in energetic bluegrass fashion.”
– Ken Barnes, USA Today “Playlist,” 8/5/08 |
“. . . [Scott is] a profoundly versatile solo act, as this new album attests. Taking a break from writing, Scott pays tribute to myriad artists who influenced him. All the songs are covers and are done with a prayerful flair that befits the title Modern Hymns . . . Scott’s acoustic-based tracks include a soaring bluegrass remake of Joni Mitchell’s ‘Urge for Going,’ a poignant look at Paul Simon’s ‘American Tune,’ and a stately treatment of Leonard Cohen's ‘Joan of Arc,’ featuring a duet with Mary Gauthier and sublime harmonies from Alison Krauss.”
– Steve Morse, Boston Globe, 8/19/08 |
| “While some numbers, like Guy Clark’s ‘That Old Time Feeling,’ feel very much like the original versions, other interpretations are markedly different. He turns Joni Mitchell’s ‘Urge for Going,’ usually heard as a slow lament, into an up-tempo bluegrass romp and strips Dylan’s ‘I Don’t Believe You’ of its anger giving it, instead, an aura of self-doubt. The most ethereal track is a stunning duet with Mary Gauthier on Leonard Cohen’s ‘Joan of Arc.’ (4 stars)”
– Mike Regenstreif, Montreal Gazette, 8/21/08 |
| "Darrell Scott and his music is a real treasure. His new CD, Modern Hymns, is haunting, melodic and striking. . . more than a disc of tunes, it’s an experience. . . his choice of songs is quite unique, especially for a musician whose known for his songwriting. They are all cover tunes. . . Scott did not record any of his own great songs, but instead recorded songs that have meant something in his life. This is evidenced in the emotion he puts in each track recorded on this outing. What a wonderful and rich voice Darrell Scott has showcased . . . Modern Hymns is haunting, melodic and striking. . . It is important to not leave out the instrumentation on this disc. . . All the players on this CD are phenomenally talented and showcase it quite well here. . . Many times while listening to this disc I think about what a great CD this would be late of a night. But then again I recommend this Modern Hymns anytime, day or night.
– Rickey Lamb, BluegrassJournal.com, 8/19/08 |
| “Better known as a songwriter for talents like the Dixie Chicks, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, this Nashville cat shows off his good taste and pipes with a grassy set of fave covers. After identifying ‘we'll hear a John Hartford song,’ I miscued the Leonard Cohen number (featuring vocal collaborator Mary Gauthier) so then wound up playing both gems. And wasn't sorry. (B+)”
– Jonathan Takiff, Philadelphia Daily New, 8/19/08 |
| “A straight-up bluegrass version of [Joni] Mitchell’s ‘Urge for Going’ is one of the fresh interpretations on the disc, and the Fisk Jubilee Singers add a gospel flair to Adam Mitchell's ‘Out Among the Stars.’”
– Ken Tucker, Billboard |
| “When you’re dealing with a singular voice that you trust like Scott’s, even if you trust him it’s hard not to approach an album of covers feeling a little circumspect. Far too many covers albums are simply time fillers and not enough of them are trips to bountiful. Well, if you trust him you simply have to trust him. This set falls into the ‘Trip to Bountiful’ arena . . . Aside from greatly admiring the composers he picked out to honor here, he’s worked with most of them in a professionally intimate way. That gives this set the kind of personal edge you felt the time he produced a set by his father. This is a tasty album that comes directly from the heart and will connect with his fans just like he was turning out another set of originals.”
– Chris Spector, Midwest Record, 7/19/08 |
| “. . . Superbly judged covers. . . even the more familiar of the songs are invariably dealt with in intriguing ways. . . a gem.”
– David Kidman, NetRhythms, 8/08 |
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