Gillian Welch is not from Appalachia -- but you couldn't prove it by me that day. It was only later that I discovered this fact. Her style of songwriting, singing and playing never EVER comes across as false or contrived -- her heartfelt love of this music brings an honesty to it that is rare and refreshing in these times.

The combination of her songs and voice with the stunning abilities and sensitivity of David Rawlings (who co-wrote many of these songs) makes listening to this music a powerful, transporting experience. His guitar work is simply (and I mean 'simply') exquisite -- I can't find a song on this disc where his accompaniment isn't perfect. The lines he plays provide just the right background and fill, targeting the mood dead-on. I never get the feeling that he's showing off or posing -- he's simply trying to do everything in his power to frame these songs and Welch's voice for the audience to enjoy and appreciate. On the tracks where he sings as well, their voices blend as if they were destined to do so.

There are several standouts in this set, but every single track here is a 'keeper'. 'Orphan girl' is proably the best-known tune, being covered early on by no less an established performer than Emmylou Harris. 'Annabelle' is heartbreakingly beautiful, a mother relating the story of a child's death in the midst of an unimaginably hard life, trying to remain philosophical in the face of such tragedy: 'We cannot have all things to please us, no matter how we try -- until we've all gone to Jesus, we can only wonder why'.

The third track, 'Pass you by', simply roars with power, underscoring the story of a desperate individual entering into a life of crime, finding herself enjoying the 'rush' of taking her share from the rich man. 'Barroom girls' paints a picture of one-night stands with incredible imagery: 'Oh the night came undone like a party dress, and fell at her feet in a beautiful mess'. 'By the mark' sounds for all intents and purposes like a well-travelled traditional gospel song -- but it's another fine Welch/Rawlings composition. Their vocal blend on this song is particularly effective.

Welch sends chills up our collective spine on 'Paper wings' by channeling Patsy Cline, without for one instant sounding derivative, with another set of evocative lyrics: 'Angels were singing -- didn't you hear? If only I'd listened close when they whispered in my ear -- paper wings, paper wings, oh how could I expect to fly with only paper wings?' Welch stands in the shoes of a repentent moonshiner, advising those witnessing her final moments to 'Tear my stillhouse down', '...cause Satan he lives in my whiskey machine, and in my time of dying I know where I'm bound -- so when I die, tear my stillhouse down'.

The album ends with two of my three favorite cuts ('Paper wings' being the third). 'Acony bell' is a gorgeous paean to '...a simple flower so small and plain' that heralds the springtime in the mountains -- a symbol of hope and new life after a hard winter. 'Only one and only' speaks of that one person in the singer's life who would leave the biggest hole if they left -- and we all have one of those.

Special mention should also be made of the impressive and tasteful production talents of T-Bone Burnett. He provides just the right touch from where he sits in the recording process -- both on this release and Welch's sophomore effort HELL AMONG THE YEARLINGS (also an excellent cd).

The impressive songwriting of Gillian Welch and David Rawlings is, over time, building into a treasure-house of contemporary American acoustic music -- and if she's not from the hills of Arkansas or Kentucky or Tennesse, yet can write and sing these songs like this, more power to her. She and David have a true sense of honesty and a genuine talent for this music -- and they obviously love what they're doing.

Welch and Rawlings also put on a terrific live show -- if they come anywhere near your area, you owe it to yourself to see them. They are unpretentiously absorbed in this music, and it's a joy to behold.

47 of 47 found the following review helpful:


The more you listen the more you'll like  Feb 17, 2002 By Robert J. Morris
Simply put: You will not tire of this album. The music is anything but repetitive, and each song touches the listener in a different way. The more you hear of Welch and David Rawlings the more you appreciate their fine and carefully crafted work.

Much is made about the fact that a girl from Los Angeles has such a feel for this type of music. I believe Welch's background actually gives her music an appeal beyond bluegrass and country. Yes, it's true that you can't get any more mountain-like than "Tear my Stillhouse Down", and the beautiful "By the Mark" is too deeply religious to make any big city album. But Welch's very best on this album appeals to the sensibilities of both city and country folk: The opening track "Orphan Girl" touches the loneliness in all of us and the hope of reunion; and the painfully sad "Barroom Girls" probably fits better in L.A. than Knoxville.

I'm hoping that Welch stays true to this type of music. Her popularity is exploding as a result of "O Brother, Where Art Thou" and she's getting air time on VH-1 Country with her incredible Elvis song. Please don't let us down Gillian.

25 of 25 found the following review helpful:


A gem buried in coal dust  Jun 12, 1998
Gillian Welch's "Revival" is the sort of album that you wish everyone--and no one--knew about. With songs of poignant clarity, vignettes that reveal neither too little nor too much, and a voice that knows how much each song needs and stops there, rather than pushing too far and spoiling the lyrics to showcase the artist, this is an album that deserves more attention than it has received--and yet, it is one where you can revel in its relative obscurity, as if you and Gillian were sharing an intimate secret, telling tales on the porch in old rocking chairs. "Revival" puts Gillian Welch in the class of such artists as Emmylou Harris and Over the Rhine's Karin Bergquist--singers who have, not coincidentally, both covered the opening track, "Orphan Girl." This is an album that should claim a special nook in your CD collection.

15 of 15 found the following review helpful:


A simple and unbelievably sad and beautiful album  Sep 19, 2004 By moose_of_many_waters
I have no idea how a California city slicker trained at the Berklee School of Music can channel songs that sound so steeped in the Appalachians. The songs here are unbelievably good. They will be covered by others for a long, long time.

And if that wasn't good enough, the way they are sung here by Welch and Rawlings is basically as good as can possibly be done. It's as if they are joined at the hip.

OK, it would be good if once in a while, Welch could write a song that doesn't make me want to cry, but these songs are so damn graceful and well written that I forgive her for that. This album is a testimony to the creative spirit. Others have tried to do this type of retro writing and performing. But none hold a candle to Welch. This album is about as close to magic as you're going to find on record.

15 of 15 found the following review helpful:


"O Brother" Fans, Look No Further  Jul 11, 2002 By Steven R. Seim "Steve Seim"
Like many fans of Gillian Welch, I was first introduced to her work through her excellent contributions to the "O Brother Where Art Thou" soundtrack and the follow-up live album, "Down From the Mountain." This album is the closest "companion piece" to those blockbusters that I've heard. Like the "O Brother" albums, "Revival" is Depression-style American music (not quite country, not quite folk, not quite bluegrass) recorded with modern production values that provide a clarity and richness missing from actual Depression-era recordings. What's more, although they sound like they're at least 75 years old, the songs on "Revival" are all Gillian Welch/David Rawlings originals.

I would also note that Christian music fans ought to be singing this album's praises. Several of the songs on "Revival" contain more doctrine, moral lessons, and mentions of Jesus Christ than many so-called "Gospel" or "CCM" recordings.

"Revival" is, quite simply, an American masterpiece.

See all 93 customer reviews on Amazon.com