Mission of the Crossroad Palms

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Mission of the Crossroad Palms
Mission of the Crossroad Palms.jpg
Studio album by
Steve Forbert
Released1995
StudioMoondog
Genre Folk rock
Label Paladin/Giant [1]
Producer Garry Tallent
Steve Forbert chronology
The American in Me
(1992)		Mission of the Crossroad Palms
(1995)		Rocking Horse Head
(1996)

Mission of the Crossroad Palms is an album by the American musician Steve Forbert, released in 1995. [2] [3] It was a commercial disappointment. [4] [5]

Contents

Production

Mission of the Crossroad Palms was produced by Garry Tallent; it was his second time producing Forbert. [6] [7] The album was recorded in less than a week, and followed Forbert and Tallent's work on a song for the Harry Nilsson tribute album For the Love of Harry: Everybody Sings Nilsson . [8] Benmont Tench played on Mission. [9] Its lyrics deal with the regrets and realities of middle age. [7] [10]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [11]
Calgary Herald B+ [12]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [13]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [14]
Orlando Sentinel Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [15]
The Province Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [16]

Labeling Mission of the Crossroad Palms "the latest of Steve Forbert's mediocre comeback albums," Stereo Review wrote that, "while he still has a graceful way with a melody, Forbert has virtually nothing to say." [17] The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette thought that the album "derives most of its energy from Forbert's mastery of broad musical arrangements and nuanced phrasing that insinuates itself with each successive play." [9] The Philadelphia Inquirer concluded that the "folk-rock tunes ... sometimes match John Prine for lyrical inventiveness." [18]

The Orlando Sentinel wrote that "Forbert often sounds as if he's forcibly squeezing the sounds out of his throat, but his baritone is nice and warm nonetheless." [15] The Chicago Tribune determined that the album "finds the high-pitched, raspy-voiced singer-songwriter couching his searching, midlife lyrics in thoughtful folk-rock arrangements." [19] The Province praised the "conscientious, heartfelt observations" and "attention to simple craftsmanship." [16] The Calgary Herald deemed it "arguably his best." [12]

AllMusic wrote that Forbert "has flowered into a distinctive, broad-based songwriter." [11]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."It Sure Was Better Back Then" 
2."It Is What It Is (And That's All)" 
3."Is It Any Wonder?" 
4."Lay Down Your Weary Tune Again" 
5."So Good to Feel Good Again" 
6."Oh, To Be Back with You" 
7."Real Live Love" 
8."The Trouble with Angels" 
9."How Can You Change the World?" 
10."Don't Talk to Me" 
11."The Last Days of Sunlight" 
12."Thirteen Blood Red Rosebuds" 

References

  1. ↑ Pick, Steve (April 21, 1995). "A Random Approach to Reviewing". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 6E.
  2. ↑ "Steve Forbert Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  3. ↑ "Steve Forbert". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  4. ↑ Griggs, Brandon (February 23, 1996). "Forbert Still Fighting for Bigger Following". The Salt Lake Tribune. p. B10.
  5. ↑ Adair, Don (June 27, 1996). "New Material Reflects Forbert's Middle-Age". The Spokesman-Review. p. D3.
  6. ↑ "Album reviews — Mission of the Crossroad Palms by Steve Forbert". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 15. April 15, 1995. p. 48.
  7. 1 2 Catlin, Roger (May 11, 1995). "Forbert, Prine Recordings Fine". Calendar. Hartford Courant. p. 20.
  8. ↑ Slawecki, Chris M. (March 17, 1995). "Steve Forbert Is on a Mission". The Morning Call. p. D8.
  9. 1 2 Norman, Tony (March 29, 1995). "Playing a solo acoustic show, Forbert is back on a 'Mission'". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. C5.
  10. ↑ Terrell, Steve (June 9, 1995). "Mission of the Crossroad Palms by Steve Forbert". Pasatiempo. The Santa Fe New Mexican. p. 28.
  11. 1 2 "Mission of the Crossroad Palms". AllMusic.
  12. 1 2 Muretich, James (April 30, 1995). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald. p. C2.
  13. ↑ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 3. MUZE. p. 532.
  14. ↑ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 445.
  15. 1 2 Gettelman, Parry (April 14, 1995). "Steve Forbert". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 11.
  16. 1 2 Harrison, Tom (July 20, 1995). "Steve Forbert: Mission of the Crossroad Palms". The Province. p. B5.
  17. ↑ Nash, Alanna (June 1995). "Popular music — Mission of the Crossroad Palms by Steve Forbert". Stereo Review. Vol. 60, no. 6. p. 79.
  18. ↑ Quintavell, Faith (May 26, 1995). "Steve Forbert". Features Weekend. The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 15.
  19. ↑ Dickinson, Chris (March 31, 1995). "Growing with It". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. P.
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