Women of Country - The Internet's #1 Guide to Female Country Music

Album Review

Gillian Welch
Soul Journey
Acony Records

Gillian Welch’s 2001 release Time (The Revelator) was not only one of the best records of that year but it’s one of the best alternative country releases of all time. Gillian’s unique vocal style and the sparse acoustic arrangements she creates with her producer David Rawlings always seem to end up being some of the most haunting songs in modern music. That record set a benchmark for Gillian's music that you almost have to think could never be surpassed. On her new album Soul Journey Gillian continues to develop her sound. Yes, on some songs here there is a band featuring a bass guitar, drums, and other string instruments. But for Welch fans there is nothing to worry about. It’s all done so tastefully you hardly notice they’re there.

The album opens with “Look At Miss Ohio” which is classic Welch music. Its plain stated vocal performance, relaxed guitar strumming, and solid writing make it a winner. “Wayside/Back In Time” follows a similar format but with a little more play from her new band. The slow, sultry groove on “One Monkey” is a great expansion to Gillian’s already established sound. I can’t wait to hear more of this experimentation with the full band. “Wrecking Ball” is about as close to rocking a song up as we’ll probably ever see from Welch (if there is one complaint that could be raised about Gillian’s music it would be that the pace rarely moves past slow and brooding). She and her band are just into the song and that makes it all the more interesting.

Gillian even includes a couple traditional songs with additional lyrics she penned and they are winners. “Make Me A Pallet On Your Floor” and “I Had A Real Good Mother and Father” both sound dated but in that cool way only Gillian seems capable of which makes you feel like you’ve been thrown back in time and not just watching someone try to fact the feel of those tunes.

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings have again put together an immaculate collection of alt. country tunes. You can tell that Welch is a perfectionist in both her guitar and her songwriting. She rarely misses her mark and Soul Journey never strays off track. If you’re not already familiar with Gillian’s music you owe it to yourself to give it a try. Soul Journey isn’t Time (The Revelator) but it’s a strong record in its own right and is one of the more enjoyable albums of the year.

Album Review by Jeff Krasky

The WOC Rating Scale

The album stands above the rest. This is a record that every country music fan needs to have in their collection.

This album is better than the average release. A strong record with some flaws that keep it from reaching that 5 star level.

This album is an average country release. Doesn't posses qualities that make it stand out among all the other albums out there.

A weak record that lacks solid songs or good vocal performances. Sample before you buy.

This record is a bargin-bin reject that just isn't worth the time or the money. Completely misses the mark.