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Blue Rider by Cris Williamson
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fave it Political | like Joni
10 tracks | 39 minutes
Released May 2005
on Wolf Moon Records
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- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 04:12 Blue Rider lyrics BUY MP3 04:12 Blue Rider lyrics "GIFT MP3" 04:12 Blue Rider
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 03:33 Lucille lyrics BUY MP3 03:33 Lucille lyrics "GIFT MP3" 03:33 Lucille
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 03:31 What Good Does It Do Me Now lyrics BUY MP3 03:31 What Good Does It Do Me Now lyrics "GIFT MP3" 03:31 What Good Does It Do Me Now
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 04:00 Leviathan lyrics BUY MP3 04:00 Leviathan lyrics "GIFT MP3" 04:00 Leviathan
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 03:51 Peter Pan lyrics BUY MP3 03:51 Peter Pan lyrics "GIFT MP3" 03:51 Peter Pan
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 03:27 Heart-to-Heart lyrics BUY MP3 03:27 Heart-to-Heart lyrics "GIFT MP3" 03:27 Heart-to-Heart
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 03:36 Like an Island Rising lyrics BUY MP3 03:36 Like an Island Rising lyrics "GIFT MP3" 03:36 Like an Island Rising
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 04:29 Night Patrol lyrics BUY MP3 04:29 Night Patrol lyrics "GIFT MP3" 04:29 Night Patrol
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 04:08 Lodestar lyrics BUY MP3 04:08 Lodestar lyrics "GIFT MP3" 04:08 Lodestar
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 04:16 Surrender Dorothy lyrics BUY MP3 04:16 Surrender Dorothy lyrics "GIFT MP3" 04:16 Surrender Dorothy
"The first time I heard Cris's voice ... it was like honey drippping on a cello." - Bonnie Raitt
Editorial review
Conventional wisdom holds that Cris Williamson's breakthrough 1975 album The Changer and the Changed, said to be the best-selling album in women's music, is her masterpiece. Were that not so well established, one might propose instead Blue Rider, Williamson's catchiest collection of songs yet. It would be easy to imagine this album appealing to listeners far beyond the regular patrons of Olivia Records, the home of musical lesbian feminism. (The album was later reissued on Williamson's own Wolf Moon label.) True, when she sings love songs, Williamson usually makes it clear that she is singing to another woman, a good example being "Lucille," which features slide guitar work by Bonnie Raitt. But whatever the sex of the love object, the romantic songs trade in the same ups and downs enjoyed and suffered by lovers everywhere, and these are excellent examples of the form, particularly Vicki Randle's "What Good Does It Do Me Now." Williamson's own compositions are full of nature imagery and childhood literary references newly transformed -- one song is called "Peter Pan," and another recalls the Wicked Witch's skywriting demand, "Surrender Dorothy," from the film The Wizard of Oz. Williamson writes songs with strong melodies and pop hooks, and she sings them feelingly. This is an album that can stand beside any of the soft rock singer/songwriters of the day, and Williamson cites her progenitors by contributing a song reflecting on John Lennon's murder ("Night Patrol") and another that attempts to explain to Judy Collins her impact on a generation of women, Williamson very much among them ("Lodestar"). Blue Rider is more than just a great album in the women's music genre; it's a great pop/rock album that should be heard by a mass audience. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
Bio / Background
Decades before indie labels were the norm, and years before women had any real access in the industry, Cris Williamson was changing the face of popular music. She conceived of a national all-women's record company, which subsequently issued her now-legendary classic, The Changer and the Changed -- one of the best-selling independent releases of all time. An entire sub-culture came to be around her songs and her music. A movement was established. Her out politics and pro-environment stance paved the way for many of today's artists. She is part of the curriculum in Women's Studies programs around the world. Her songs are sung around campfires and appear in hymnals and are covered by the young rockers of today. And whether she is gracing the cover of Ms Magazine or selling out Carnegie Hall three times, Cris's many and varied accomplishments are only to be overshadowed by her amazing voice.
Average Customer Review:
"Blue Rider" Cris Williamsonrriverstone wrote on January 01, 2008
A favorite hot bath album. Interesting ballads & stories on wide variety of subjects. An interesting, little jewel is What Good Does It Do Me Now? Very long title for such a small, sweet, sad song, written by Vickie Randall, jazz singer, on any local tv, 5 nites per week, as part of a "talk show" host's band (percussions/vocals). Discovered the album in L.A., years after most of the artists on it had left for foggier and "cooler" places. Miss the old gang. Nice to hear it again. Rich and warm, like cocoa in a snow storm.