Sheryl Crow - The Globe Sessions

For some fairly shallow performers, there comes a time when their craft becomes a chore, when scribbling songs for the big follow-up album turns into a black-and-white deadline. Clever composers can almost disguise this ennui, burying it in a smarmy, sunshine-beaming mix. Key word: almost. Ergo, a trial spin through clever composer Sheryl Crow's The Globe Sessions evokes the faintest hint of a feeling that grows stronger with each successive listening--there's no sense that the artist intended this material as anything more than tepid album filler. A conversation with your local supermarket checkout girl would prove far more riveting than Crow's pretentious and all-too-casual observations (set to the tune, it must be noted, of some likable, jangly hooks). "Get out the camera, take a picture / The drag queens and the freaks are all out on the town," she purrs over chucka-chucka choogling on "There Goes the Neighborhood," which is probably what any self-respecting drag queen or freak would mutter once Crow moved in, scrounging for her now-patented vicarious cool. The closest The Globe Sessions comes to any palpable sincerity is during an actually-might've-lived-it, whoops-I'm-in-trouble-again "Mississippi." Even then, Crow drowns the moment in perfectly enunciated syllables, more prissy than alleycat-prowling. Crow started out with a credible Tuesday Night Music Club pedigree, surrounded by visionaries such as David Baerwald (For this disc, she relies heavily on ex-Wire Train mainstay Jeff Trott). But they're gone, and things change, to the point where, if you support this silly sycophant with your hard-earned dollars, there's only one question that you'll need to be asked: Do you want paper or plastic? --Tom Lanham Amazon.com

Come On People, this CD has 1-2 good songs and thats it!

This was another disappointing CD by Cheryl Crow. The first song - My favorite mistake - is one of my very favorite Crow songs, but the rest of these songs - ugh. Anyone giving this 5 stars is doing it for other reasons than song quality. March 25, 2008

"The Globe Sessions" is The Next Best Thing

Sheryl Crow's greatest album, in my opinion, will always remain her second self-titled CD. There is just something about that album that even she has been unable to replicate ever since. Her 2008 release "Detours" is clearly a return to form (and my third favorite Sheryl record at the time of writing), but "The Globe Sessions" sits firmly at the No. 2 spot. Remember, this is an album that actually won the "Best Rock Album" award at the Grammys, and track for track is easily the most inaccessible record of Sheryl's catalog. In fact, I would compare it to Tori Amos' "Boys for Pele" in terms of its inaccessibility and 'epic' feel.

The gems on this standout release are many. "Crash and Burn" upon first listen, is a casual atmospheric piece that would seem at home on Incubus' "Morning View" album (another underrated classic, by the way). But listen to it about three times and you're hooked! This album really just keeps on giving. "There Goes the Neighborhood" is eminently listenable, and the track from this CD that I perhaps play the most. In fact, lead single "My Favorite Mistake" is the least interesting thing here, as every other song is far superior.

When "The Globe Sessions" was first released, the US edition omitted her cover of "Sweet Child O'Mine". Subsequent recordings included this song, as well as the amazing "Subway Ride". If you have the edition that contains "Sweet Child O'Mine", let that track play well after its ended, and "Subway Ride" will begin.

Sheryl Crow to me, epitomizes the very best of folk Americana. She can rock with the best of them, but the girl knows how to strip it down and keep it real, all the while retaining a musical individuality and spirit all her own. And she is a MUSICIAN, something that her contemporaries, such as Lucinda Williams and to an extent Ani DiFranco seem to have forgotten later in their careers. "The Globe Sessions" is an excellent, excellent album, and the perfect purchase if you're looking for something to put on repeat.

Four Stars. March 21, 2008

Hidden Track

Don't miss the hidden track "Subway Ride" which starts after about 20 seconds of silence at the end of "Sweet Child o'Mine", which is track 12. It's one of the better songs on the CD.

The official Amazon reviewer is crazy, as proven by this album winning the Grammy for Best Rock Album of the Year, and the Amazon customer reviews having more 5's than all other ratings combined. December 23, 2007

Not very good at all, Sheryl.

I bought this CD because I liked My Favorite Mistake. I definitely should've listened to samples though, because the rest of the CD is unmemorable. I don't remember ONE song from this disc besides the mentioned single. I really did try hard to like it though - I was waiting and waiting for another song to hit me but it never happened.

I give this CD 2 stars because My Favorite Mistake is a pretty good song, and plus I'm sure that there is worse out there. But not much worse. I'm SO disappointed. I was eagerly awaiting this CD once I purchased it used. I haven't listened to it since.

Not recommended at all. June 6, 2007

My Favorite Mistake, the video

I didn't see it mentioned but this enhanced CD includes a music video of her performing My Favorite Mistake. Incredibly powerful in showing what a beautiful woman she really is. Well worth buying the CD just for the video. January 5, 2007

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