Recent reviews and interviews
REVIEW BY Aaron Bragg - The Local
Planet, Spokane, Washington
JIM
BOYD WITH ALFONSO KOLB
Live at The Met
Thunderwolf
Records
There
are few truths in the arts world -- the sort of philosophic maxims that simply
cannot be denied. One of these is that
real musicians tend to shine in a live setting. In fact, there are those whose live performances often eclipse
what are otherwise outstanding studio albums.
Jim Boyd is one of those artists.
Live at The Met, which partners Boyd with Alfonso Kolb on
percussion, captures on plastic a pretty good-sized chunk of a November 2001
concert. In an appearance that was as
much self-depreciating as it was brilliant, Boyd was equal parts
singer/songwriter and reluctant activist -- an endearing combination that takes
the edge off for nervous white folks.
For
those for whom it matters, Boyd is considered a practitioner of the Native
American Contemporary genre, mostly because he’s an Indian who plays music that
isn’t exactly traditional (though his turn on cedar flute for “Quest” leaves no
doubt that his “traditional” chops are equally honed). Indeed, a more accurate description might be
Indian-influenced acoustic folk-rock with a hint of blues and transcendent
spirituality, which is why it’s more convenient to use the former.
Gems
like “No Way,” “Filtered Ways,” “I’ll Be There,” and “Unity” make Live at The Met at once mournful, haunting, and joyous,
while offering the uninitiated a glimpse into Boyd’s recording career, and fans
something of a stripped-down, bare-bones “Greatest Hits” collection. Live
at The Met is Jim Boyd as he should
be heard.
REVIEW BY Tiina Teal - Universal Music
& Video Distribution Burbank, California
On
alterNATIVES, Jim Boyd takes his formative talents to a new level. His distinctive, soulful vocals
intelligently weave thoughtful lyrics, professional musicianship and spirits
from other worlds to create an album sure to move both the heart and mind.