If the World Was You

Be the first to write a review

Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide - Stephen Thomas Erlewine
If the cover of If the World Was You brings to mind a vintage Blue Note LP, it's purely intentional: J.D. Souther recorded this album live in the studio supported by a basic quintet of piano, standup bass, drums, saxophone, and trumpet, colored by Souther's guitar and a cameo from Béla Fleck. It's a stark contrast to the slick SoCal studio gloss of his '70s albums, where much of the pleasure was to hear pros play the tunes of this professional songwriter, but here the music relaxes and breathes, rolling out with a relaxed ease. It's still recognizably the work of Souther -- apart from a few songs with a Latin lilt, a hint of frenzied bop beats, and the epic ...
See more details below
CD
$12.85
BN.com price
(Save 14%)$14.99 List Price
Other sellers (CD)
  • All (17) from $6.31   
  • New (15) from $10.60   
  • Used (2) from $6.31   

More About This Product

Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide - Stephen Thomas Erlewine
If the cover of If the World Was You brings to mind a vintage Blue Note LP, it's purely intentional: J.D. Souther recorded this album live in the studio supported by a basic quintet of piano, standup bass, drums, saxophone, and trumpet, colored by Souther's guitar and a cameo from Béla Fleck. It's a stark contrast to the slick SoCal studio gloss of his '70s albums, where much of the pleasure was to hear pros play the tunes of this professional songwriter, but here the music relaxes and breathes, rolling out with a relaxed ease. It's still recognizably the work of Souther -- apart from a few songs with a Latin lilt, a hint of frenzied bop beats, and the epic 12-minute closer "The Secret Handshake of Fate" -- sonically, the songs could have found a home on Black Rose or You're Only Lonely, but Souther's writing is subtly different, too, a bit worldly and weathered, fueled by introspection not craft. Both the writing and the small combo are a deliberate break from Souther's past, so despite the near quarter-century gap between Home by Dawn and If the World Was You, this 2008 album doesn't quite constitute a comeback -- it's more of a revitalization, an album that feels like something that Souther needed to do. This gives If the World Was You a sense of vitality, albeit a relaxed vitality as the album is so warm and intimate, it comes on slow, not strong. Nevertheless, this feels alive in a way that no other Souther album has felt, as he's digging deeper with this songs and is supported by this wonderful quintet who help make If the World Was You a distinct, captivating fusion of country-rock and jazz.
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • Release Date: 10/14/2008
  • Label: Megaforce
  • UPC: 020286126225
  • Catalog Number: 61262
  • Sales rank: 63,398

Album Credits

Performance Credits
J.D. Souther Primary Artist, Guitar, Tenor Saxophone
Rod McGaha Trumpet
Jeff Coffin Flute, Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone
Béla Fleck Banjo
Jim Mayer Bass
Chris Walters Piano
Marie Vanel Borderon Choir, Chorus
Marisol LaBoy Choir, Chorus
Sylvia Elana Garcia Choir, Chorus, Soloist
Dan Immel Bass
Rod McGha Trumpet
Jim White Percussion, Drums
Technical Credits
Richie Biggs Digital Editing
Niko Bolas Engineer
Richard Dodd Mastering
J.D. Souther Composer, Producer
Jim McGuire Cover Portrait
John Netti Engineer
Mark Petaccia Engineer
David Robinson Engineer
Ron Stone Management
Jordan Brooke Hamlin Packaging, Cover Graphics
Edward O'Day Management
Jim White Digital Editing
Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
( 0 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(0)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously