Product Description

This is Rods fourth album since his 2001 debut Tiger Tom Dixons Blues, and its a disc that cements him as one of the finest independent singer/songwriters around. His previous album, 2004s Girl from Arkansas was a more acoustic and laid back affair than wed seen before, but Summerbirds sees him find the perfect balance with a mix of guitar based rockier tracks and quieter pieces. The eleven songs are perfectly arranged by the small group of musicians; acoustic and electric guitars, bass, organ, accordion, percussion and violin form the musical backdrop it may look simple, but the production by Picott and David Henry is excellent, and like his previous discs this album has an honest and natural feel. While often referred to as gritty and straightforward songwriter probably a remnant from his debut disc, its a tag that fits a little less with each disc over the course of his four albums, hes developed into a sophisticated and varied songwriter, and the range of songs here go from delicate acoustic ballads to guitar led rockier pieces. The two constants are Rods strong vocals which fall into either style with ease, and his superb ear for a melody there are some memorable tunes on show throughout. The album is a mixture of strong lyrics and pop-like melodies Hand Me Down and Trouble Girl are the obvious highlights, and theres a great co-write with Slaid Cleaves in Sinners Prayer. Rods consistency as a writer is remarkably high across all of his discs, and Summerbirds is no exception strong songs mixed with excellent musicians and memorable vocal performances. Highly recommended. Track listing 1 Jealous Stars 2 Birds Won`t Fly 3 Hand Me Down 4 Sinner`s Prayer 5 Trouble Girl 6 Just Like Love 7 Something in Spanish 8 Moscow Idaho 9 Worry Doll 10 You Can`t Talk To Me 11 Come Little Birds

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #64532 in Music
• Released on: 2007-10-22
• Number of discs: 1

Customer Reviews

Going From Strength To Strength!
At last we find Rod maturing as an artist with an album of well written songs. As usual he has toured this material here in the UK playing the smallest of venues slowly and surely gaining fans as he goes. I first caught him on stage supporting Chele Rose who has since dissappeared. He has played at the Bristol Bonaventure Club several times now and always gives us a show that is rich in fun and sentiment, about a month ago was the first time he has performed with a complete band on stage and what a difference it made, sadly not with Amanda Shires this time who graces this album with her fine violin playing and voacal harmony and cowgirl boots no less! 'Jelous Stars' is the album opener and a real cracker which could quite easily sit along side Springsteen in his early days! Rod has written 9 of the 11 songs on this album, 'You Cant Talk To Me Like That' co-written with Sean Patrick McGraw and 'Sinners Prayer' with best friend and confidente Slaid Cleaves. 'Trouble Girl' 'Just Like Love' and 'Moskow Idaho' roll along in the usual Picott manner, but its 'Hand Me Down' 'When Your Bird Wont Fly' and 'Jelous Stars' that should signify to an unsuspecting public that Rod is going places. I hope he gets the airplay he so richly deserves and this album becomes his most successful, he sold a shed load on the night I saw him. If you are browsing the 'What's On' columns in your local paper and see the name Rod Picott then I can only say "go and see him, you will not be dissappointed"