Cult artist John Stewart first came too the attention of the public when his folk group The Cumberland Three issued their pair of acclaimed concept albums featuring songs of the American Civil War...shortly afterward, in 1... more »961, he joined their mentors, the Kingston trio, leading them through changes in style and continued hit singles and albums in the volatile period 1961-67....as the British Invasion and rock in general ate into their audience, the Trio slowly ran down operations, as John wrote songs for outside acts; 'Daydream Believer' by The Monkees being a worldwide smash hit in 1967.Wonderfully re-mastered in top Revola syle and with lovely packaging. A must for all fans of acoustic, roots music with a bizarre twist, in that oddball RevOla way. Suffice to say that if you don't know John Stewart, but you loved Vince Martin's album, prepare for a master of the art! If you know John well...well you'll know what a masterpiece this is.« less
Cult artist John Stewart first came too the attention of the public when his folk group The Cumberland Three issued their pair of acclaimed concept albums featuring songs of the American Civil War...shortly afterward, in 1961, he joined their mentors, the Kingston trio, leading them through changes in style and continued hit singles and albums in the volatile period 1961-67....as the British Invasion and rock in general ate into their audience, the Trio slowly ran down operations, as John wrote songs for outside acts; 'Daydream Believer' by The Monkees being a worldwide smash hit in 1967.Wonderfully re-mastered in top Revola syle and with lovely packaging. A must for all fans of acoustic, roots music with a bizarre twist, in that oddball RevOla way. Suffice to say that if you don't know John Stewart, but you loved Vince Martin's album, prepare for a master of the art! If you know John well...well you'll know what a masterpiece this is.
CD Reviews
An Americana Classic
Martin W. Ward | Littleton, CO USA | 10/03/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Some albums are so iconic that words do not do justice to the work. If The Byrds and Dylan invented folk rock, this album jump started the Americana music genre, and has been a touchstone for generations of acoustic musicians and roots music lovers. From first note to last, this album is a perfectly realized vision, filled with classic songs about America from one of its most astute observers of national life. These are timeless songs, as touching and moving in 2007 as they were 40 years ago. This new CD is a great mix of the album, with clear sound and expansive sound. New instruments can be heard clear as a songbird, giving new depth and enjoyment to listening to an album I have heard hundreds of times. This disc can not be recommended highly enough."
One of the best albums of the rock era
Martin W. Ward | Littleton, CO USA | 06/15/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"California Bloodlines was voted by Rolling Stone as one of the best albums of the rock era in a 1980's poll, and this CD is a wonderful remastering of the album. The album was recorded live in the studio in Nashville in 1969, while across the hall Dylan was recording Nashville Skyline. The two albums could be considered similarly inspired by two of the great songwriters of the modern era. However, the album is not "Country" as in the current understanding of the term. It is more like "Americana" before that term was known. The playing is inspired and the songs terrific evocations of American life. Willard, Stewarts next album, is coupled with Bloodlines, but is entirely different. Produced by Peter Asher, who was famous for producing James Taylor and Linda Rondstadt, as well as being part of the 60's pop group Peter and Gordon, the album is much more polished than Bloodlines. However, for John's music, that is not necessarily a good thing. Stewart's songs are about the rough edges of Amercian life, organic in their observations, and the polished and overproduced performances detract rather than add to the songs. Which is why the overall rating of the CD is not 5 stars. However, as an overall disc, any CD with California Bloodlines is worth owning. Bloodlines is a ten."
California Bloodlines Now a CD!
M. Apsey | TAMPA, FL USA | 03/06/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As the definitive John Stewart, California Bloodlines (recorded live), has long been one of my favorite memories of the era. I was thrilled when Capitol released the commemorative vinyl issue of this album many years ago.I gave up trying to vinyl restore two of my favorite "Bloodlines" cuts, "Mother Country," and "Pirates Of Stone County Road," because of the low-volume passages and decided to buy this import. I wasn't sorry. If you love what John Stewart vinyl added to the music of the 70s, you need this CD. Consider the more studio-polished "Willard" cuts to be a bonus, but one of the missing two tracks (Great White Cathedrals) was another of my favorites. If you missed the info, "Willard -2" means it's missing two "Willard" tracks.Nonetheless, California Bloodlines, lying atop the velvet silence of digital audio is a real treat to these aging ears, and was a CD worth both the money, and the short wait for it to arrive."
""California Bloodlines/Willard-Minus 2" captures the singular talent of John Stewart, one of America's greatest singer-songwriters, at the beginning of his long and prolific solo career. The former Kingston Trio member forged his legend with the 1969 release of "California Bloodlines," a gripping debut featuring such slice-of-America classics as "Mother Country," the often covered "July You're A Woman" and "Pirates of Stone County Road." The album was rated Number 36 in an English writers poll of the Top 200 Rock Albums of All-Time in 1979. "California Bloodlines," recorded in a "live" studio context with top Nashville backing musicians, originates Stewart's unique combination of folk, country, and rock that would follow in his ensuing 37 albums through mid 1998. "Willard," his 1970 follow-up album, is featured here minus its final two cuts because of space limitations. While more diverse and less theme-oriented than "Bloodlines," it contains some classic songs, such as the title cut, "Friend of Jesus," "Big Joe" "Earth Rider" and "Oldest Living Son." This CD is the starting place for those wishing to get acquainted with the unique sound and songwriting of one of the country's greatest, if often under-publicized, musicians. To those who are already Stewart aficionados, "California Bloodlines/Willard" constitutes the highly revered starting point of his richly evocative songwriting and performing career."
Sheer Poetry in the Lyrics and Great Picking in the Studio
James Skrydlak | Pella, Iowa | 12/08/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a compilation of two very different LPs. "California Bloodlines" is regarded by most of his fans as among John Stewart's best, while many regard "Willard Minus 2" as a failure. I concur in these opinions. Even without the last twelve tracks, however, this CD merits five stars. "Mother Country" shows Stewart's love for and pride in America, things that not a lot of us were showing back in 1969, when it was recorded. "July, You're a Woman" sounds as if the music was inspired by John Hartford's "Gentle On My Mind", with which Glen Campbell had recently had a huge hit - and that's no bad thing, particularly with lyrics that are definitely Stewart's own - nobody else writes in that simultaneously lyrical and confessional vein."Lonesome Picker" is my favorite song about music, although it's about a whole lot more, as well. In the final line, Stewart writes that "I hope that some lonesome picker will find some healing in this song." I've found a lot of healing in "Lonesome Picker" and many of the other tunes here for a lot of years. I hope that you will, too."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1