Track Listing

1. Old Virginia Block
2. Keep Your Silver Shined
3. 1340 Chesapeake St.
4. Let's Go Out
5. Well-Dressed Son to His Sweetheart
6. Eloise & Alex
7. Does the Day Feel Long?
8. Dress Sharp, Play Well, Be Modest
9. Stop by Anytime
10. Weeping Willow

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8179 in Music
• Published on: 2007
• Released on: 2007-06-21
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .12 pounds

The Observer, March 25th 2007
"There's a refreshing sweetness about the work of this 24-year-old American songwriter, there in her mellifluous vocals and in poetic, freewheeling lyrics... Sproule's songs ooze the atmosphere of balmy Virginia days and her sunny outlook is infectious"

Album Description
"There's a refreshing sweetness about the work of this 24-year-old American songwriter, there in her mellifluous vocals and in poetic, freewheeling lyrics... Sproule's songs ooze the atmosphere of balmy Virginia days and her sunny outlook is infectious". - The Observer

This is the first UK release for Virginian female singer-songwriter Devon Sproule.

'Keep Your Silver Shined' highlights Devon's talent for combining Appalachian country with distinctive folk and jazz influences. With her trademark vintage dresses and 50-year-old Gibson guitar, this is old-time Americana bluegrass/country with a jazzy swing feel - reminiscent of Jolie Holland or The Be Good Tanyas.

From the front porch thump of 'Old Virginia Block', to the high lonesome traditional 'The Weeping Willow' featuring fellow-Virginian Mary Chapin Carpenter, Devon's songs are candid and poetic, described by This American Life as "ringing with a sweet heartbreaking majesty, these songs are beautiful, timeless and transporting".

Her previous album was included in Rolling Stone's Critics Top Albums of 2003 ("Sproule's vocal and lyrical beauty is unmatched"), and she has been described as "worthy of holding her own on a shelf with anyone from Joni Mitchell to Gillian Welch".

A timeless gem.

Customer Reviews

Martin Burrows
I'd never heard of Devon Sproule when I saw her supporting Richie Havens in Glasgow on 26th July 2007. Richie Havens was great but, for the first time ever, whenever friends asked me how it went, I ranted on about a solo support act and eventually "... Oh yeah, Richie Havens was great as well". I bought this album at the back of the room after her set (she signed it for me - another first) and I was disappointed that I didn't have enough cash with me to buy a copy of her two earlier albums which she also had for sale.

I've listened to Keep Your Silver Shined on a loop in the car since I got it and I love it more each time. The title track is a complete delight. She has a lovely voice and that 100 year old Gibson sounds great. Her songs are a quirky mix of country, jazz and other stuff (don't let that put you off). They're full of great little couplets and observations and she sounds like ... no she doesn't really sound like anyone. You'd need to catch it and you'll know what I mean. I'm all chuffed with myself for discovering her and can't wait to see her when she comes back to Glasgow in Septemebr. Highly recommended!!

keep your silver shined
Great record if you like Be good tanyas, Po girl, Mindy smith, Gillian Welch etc. This record has a great "live" sound to it and the singing and playing sounds effortless with snatches of folk, blues jazz and country.
Highly reccomended and better with each playing!

Delightful
Great music, beautifully played with evocative lyrics that could be from today or from days long ago. Devon Sproule borrows from music of the past and different genres - yet she is a real original. Naturally gifted and entertaining in live performance - she has a sassy style and witty repartee that reminds me of young Judy Garland or Deanna Derbin (although not similar in voice). This CD lives in my kitchen, where it's played constantly and sung along to (even ocasionally danced to).