By Gary Wien
originally published: 01/26/2012
Come Sunday Morning sounds much more polished than Razing A Nation, but the themes are similar. Arlan remains true to the ideals he believes in and isn’t afraid to speak out. While, at times, the music may be more upbeat than his previous release, it’s still a folk album at heart; focusing on love and war, and souls seeking salvation.Some of the most powerful songs Arlan has ever written are on this disc. One of the most impresive is “Viola,” a gorgeous ballad that proves that some of the loudest voices arise from out of the quiet. Between the stunningly beautiful piano and call to arms, the song literally dares us to help change the world with a mantra that would make Martin Luther King Jr. proud.
Break these chains of silence
Break these chains of violence
We will walk these miles... and go home.
-- “Viola”
Arlan’s voice transcends “I’ve Not The Heart To Tell Her” through spoken word and the spirit of Woody Guthrie watching on.
But the album’s true masterpiece is “The Cannon’s Blare.” Tender piano follows the tale of a soldier longing to return home to his love.
This war is not over
And I’m afraid it’s just begun
I’m feeling hung over
And I can’t lift this heavy gun.
Advertise with New Jersey Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info
The flag’s they wave higher
The cannon blare grow louder
This war is not over
And I just long to hold her...
-- “The Canon’s Blare”
Highlights include “Come Sunday Morning,” “I’ve Got No Choice,” “Viola,” “I’ve Not The Heart To Tell Her,” and “The Cannon’s Blare.”
From the book
Are You Listening? The Top 100 Albums of 2001-2010 by New Jersey Artists by Gary Wien
Gary Wien has been covering the arts since 2001 and has had work published with Jersey Arts, Upstage Magazine, Elmore Magazine, Princeton Magazine, Backstreets and other publications. He is a three-time winner of the Asbury Music Award for Top Music Journalist and the author of
Beyond the Palace (the first book on the history of rock and roll in Asbury Park) and
Are You Listening? The Top 100 Albums of 2001-2010 by New Jersey Artists. In addition, he runs New Jersey Stage and the online radio station
The Penguin Rocks. He can be contacted at
gary@newjerseystage.com.
FEATURED EVENTS
Rebirth Brass Band
Friday, March 29, 2024 @ 8:00pm
The Vogel
99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
category: music
Click here for full description
Magical Mystery Doors: Tribute of The Doors, Led Zeppelin, and The Beatles
Saturday, March 30, 2024 @ 8:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music
Click here for full description
Southern Rockfest featuring A Brother's Revival and Classic Skynyrd Live
Saturday, March 30, 2024 @ 7:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music
Click here for full description
Click here for more events
Listings are available for $10 and included with our banner ad packages.
Click here for more info.
LATEST NEWS
Ocean Casino Resort presents Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo
(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Ocean Casino Resort presents Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo on Saturday, July 6, 2024 in Ovation Hall. In a pop culture world defined by its perpetual changes, the partnership of singer songwriter Pat Benatar and producer-musician Neil Giraldo has been a potent, steadfast union that has soared to the top of the charts and into fans' hearts on their own terms. Showtime is 8:00pm.
The Princeton Folk Music Society to Celebrate Pete Seeger's legacy with Professor Allan Winkler
State Theatre New Jersey presents One Night of Queen
The Adelphi Orchestra Presents "Complexity & Simplicity" with SoHyun Ko
Click here for more event previews
New Jersey Stage
© 2024 by Wine Time Media, LLC
PO Box 811, Belmar, NJ 07719
info@newjerseystage.com
Nobody covers the Arts
throughout the Garden State
like New Jersey Stage!