Mission of the Crossroad Palms
Mission of the Crossroad Palms | ||||
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Studio album by Steve Forbert | ||||
Released | 1995 | |||
Studio | Moondog | |||
Genre | Folk rock | |||
Label | Paladin/Giant[1] | |||
Producer | Garry Tallent | |||
Steve Forbert chronology | ||||
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Mission of the Crossroad Palms is an album by the American musician Steve Forbert, released in 1995.[2][3] It was a commercial disappointment.[4][5]
Production
Mission of the Crossroad Palms was produced by Garry Tallent; it was his second time producing Forbert.[6][7] The album was recorded in less than a week, and followed Forbert and Tallent's work on a song for the Harry Nilsson tribute album For the Love of Harry: Everybody Sings Nilsson.[8] Benmont Tench played on Mission.[9] Its lyrics deal with the regrets and realities of middle age.[7][10]
Critical reception
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Calgary Herald | B+[12] |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Orlando Sentinel | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Province | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Labeling Mission of the Crossroad Palms "the latest of Steve Forbert's mediocre comeback albums," Stereo Review wrote that, "while he still has a graceful way with a melody, Forbert has virtually nothing to say."[17] The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette thought that the album "derives most of its energy from Forbert's mastery of broad musical arrangements and nuanced phrasing that insinuates itself with each successive play."[9] The Philadelphia Inquirer concluded that the "folk-rock tunes ... sometimes match John Prine for lyrical inventiveness."[18]
The Orlando Sentinel wrote that "Forbert often sounds as if he's forcibly squeezing the sounds out of his throat, but his baritone is nice and warm nonetheless."[15] The Chicago Tribune determined that the album "finds the high-pitched, raspy-voiced singer-songwriter couching his searching, midlife lyrics in thoughtful folk-rock arrangements."[19] The Province praised the "conscientious, heartfelt observations" and "attention to simple craftsmanship."[16] The Calgary Herald deemed it "arguably his best."[12]
AllMusic wrote that Forbert "has flowered into a distinctive, broad-based songwriter."[11]
Track listing
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "It Sure Was Better Back Then" | |
2. | "It Is What It Is (And That's All)" | |
3. | "Is It Any Wonder?" | |
4. | "Lay Down Your Weary Tune Again" | |
5. | "So Good to Feel Good Again" | |
6. | "Oh, To Be Back with You" | |
7. | "Real Live Love" | |
8. | "The Trouble with Angels" | |
9. | "How Can You Change the World?" | |
10. | "Don't Talk to Me" | |
11. | "The Last Days of Sunlight" | |
12. | "Thirteen Blood Red Rosebuds" |
References
- ^ Pick, Steve (21 Apr 1995). "A Random Approach to Reviewing". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 6E.
- ^ "Steve Forbert Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- ^ "Steve Forbert". The Washington Post. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
- ^ Griggs, Brandon (23 Feb 1996). "Forbert Still Fighting for Bigger Following". The Salt Lake Tribune. p. B10.
- ^ Adair, Don (27 June 1996). "New Material Reflects Forbert's Middle-Age". The Spokesman-Review. p. D3.
- ^ "Album reviews — Mission of the Crossroad Palms by Steve Forbert". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 15. Apr 15, 1995. p. 48.
- ^ a b Catlin, Roger (11 May 1995). "Forbert, Prine Recordings Fine". Calendar. Hartford Courant. p. 20.
- ^ Slawecki, Chris M. (17 Mar 1995). "Steve Forbert Is on a Mission". The Morning Call. p. D8.
- ^ a b Norman, Tony (29 Mar 1995). "Playing a solo acoustic show, Forbert is back on a 'Mission'". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. C5.
- ^ Terrell, Steve (9 June 1995). "Mission of the Crossroad Palms by Steve Forbert". Pasatiempo. The Santa Fe New Mexican. p. 28.
- ^ a b "Mission of the Crossroad Palms". AllMusic.
- ^ a b Muretich, James (30 Apr 1995). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald. p. C2.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 3. MUZE. p. 532.
- ^ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 445.
- ^ a b Gettelman, Parry (14 Apr 1995). "Steve Forbert". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 11.
- ^ a b Harrison, Tom (20 July 1995). "Steve Forbert: Mission of the Crossroad Palms". The Province. p. B5.
- ^ Nash, Alanna (Jun 1995). "Popular music — Mission of the Crossroad Palms by Steve Forbert". Stereo Review. Vol. 60, no. 6. p. 79.
- ^ Quintavell, Faith (26 May 1995). "Steve Forbert". Features Weekend. The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 15.
- ^ Dickinson, Chris (31 Mar 1995). "Growing with It". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. P.
- v
- t
- e
- Alive on Arrival (1978)
- Jackrabbit Slim (1979)
- Little Stevie Orbit (1980)
- Streets of This Town (1988)
- The American in Me (1992)
- Mission of the Crossroad Palms (1995)
- The Best of Steve Forbert: What Kinda Guy? (1993)
- "Romeo's Tune" (1979)