Mission of the Crossroad Palms

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Mission of the Crossroad Palms
Studio album by
Steve Forbert
Released1995
StudioMoondog
GenreFolk rock
LabelPaladin/Giant[1]
ProducerGarry 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]

Production[edit]

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[edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[11]
Calgary HeraldB+[12]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[13]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide[14]
Orlando Sentinel[15]
The Province[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[edit]

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[edit]

  1. ^ Pick, Steve (21 Apr 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 25 January 2022.
  4. ^ Griggs, Brandon (23 Feb 1996). "Forbert Still Fighting for Bigger Following". The Salt Lake Tribune. p. B10.
  5. ^ Adair, Don (27 June 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. Apr 15, 1995. p. 48.
  7. ^ a b Catlin, Roger (11 May 1995). "Forbert, Prine Recordings Fine". Calendar. Hartford Courant. p. 20.
  8. ^ Slawecki, Chris M. (17 Mar 1995). "Steve Forbert Is on a Mission". The Morning Call. p. D8.
  9. ^ a b Norman, Tony (29 Mar 1995). "Playing a solo acoustic show, Forbert is back on a 'Mission'". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. C5.
  10. ^ Terrell, Steve (9 June 1995). "Mission of the Crossroad Palms by Steve Forbert". Pasatiempo. The Santa Fe New Mexican. p. 28.
  11. ^ a b "Mission of the Crossroad Palms". AllMusic.
  12. ^ a b Muretich, James (30 Apr 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. ^ a b Gettelman, Parry (14 Apr 1995). "Steve Forbert". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 11.
  16. ^ a b Harrison, Tom (20 July 1995). "Steve Forbert: Mission of the Crossroad Palms". The Province. p. B5.
  17. ^ Nash, Alanna (Jun 1995). "Popular music — Mission of the Crossroad Palms by Steve Forbert". Stereo Review. Vol. 60, no. 6. p. 79.
  18. ^ Quintavell, Faith (26 May 1995). "Steve Forbert". Features Weekend. The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 15.
  19. ^ Dickinson, Chris (31 Mar 1995). "Growing with It". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. P.
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