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Joel Rafael - Thirteen Stories High
- One of the foremost interpreters and fans of Woody Guthrie’s music, Joel Rafael pays tribute to the famous folk musician’s musical style in Thirteen Stories High. Though Rafael has a number of previous albums dedicated to Woody Guthrie, Thirteen Stories High is a compilation of original songs by Rafael and other folk classics, like “I Ought to Know” and “Rich Man’s War.”
Rafael opens Thirteen Stories High with the politically-charged “This Is My Country.” Echoing the efforts of Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan, “This Is My Country” features Rafael’s raspy vocals complemented by poignant harmonica riffs.
Rafael also finds musical success with “Wild Honey,” a love ballad that features his talented guitar playing. Romantic and poignant, “Wild Honey” is a simple song that is especially lovely.
With a traditional folk style colored by the occasional bluegrass twang, Rafael’s Thirteen Stories High is a mellow commentary on the state of the country. Distinctly anti-war, Thirteen Stories High’s peaceful instrumentation serves as the foundation for Rafael’s pacifist-driven lyrics. Though the tracks on Thirteen Stories High tend to meld together because of a lack of diversity in Rafael’s sound, they fall into a simple folk groove that can be pleasant.
Reviewer: C.J. Trent
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Reviewer's Rating: 7
Reader's Rating: 0
Reader's Votes: 0
Added: 22-May-2008
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