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Album Details

• Artist: Richard Buckner
• Album: The Hill
• Label: Overcoat / Convent
• Year of Release: 2000
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2003-03-31

What were the folks at MCA thinking when they signed Mr. Buckner? Were they actually thinking Richard was going to become a multi-platinum artist? Well Richard is back where he belongs, on a tiny little label playing with all his friends. On his return to the indie's he has created a masterpiece. The Hill takes Edgar Lee Master's book about the fictional Spoon River residents and puts it to music, not unlike Billy Bragg's effort to put Woody Guthries lyrics to music. The 18 stories Buckner chose to share are backed up with the genius of Joey Burns and John Convertino of Calexico and Giant Sand. With Richard's wavery and rough voice you can easily imagine the voices of the long deceased characters telling their stories. The longest track on The Hill is "Elizibeth Childers" which is one of the best too. These are very powerful interpretations of Master's Spoon River Anthology and the perfect voice to take it on. A welcome return to the indie ranks. If you can catch Richard in a live setting you must do so.

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