Birmingham Road is the debut album by American singer-songwriter Jeff Black, released in 1998.
Members of the band Wilco back Black on the album. Iris DeMent is also a guest singer.
Reception
No Depression wrote: "On the one hand, his insistence on writing about big themes, often in metaphor, is the most inviting part of his art; but on the other hand, it’s also the main obstacle to the admirable dreams and emotions of his work."
Writing for AllMusic, critic James Chrispell noted that Black "is a sincere singer/songwriter who puts a lot of feeling and emotion into his work, and the results are some of the best music released in the late 90s... For music lovers of all shapes and sizes, take a walk down Birmingham Road with Jeff Black. It'll feel like you've come home again."
Track listing All songs by Jeff Black "A Long Way to Go" – 4:01 "What Do I Want" – 4:25 "Birmingham Road" – 5:21 "That's Just About Right" – 5:50 "Noah's Ark" – 6:21 "King of the World " – 3:57 "Uniontown" – 5:17 "Ghosts in the Graveyard" – 5:23 "Nebo Hill" – 4:53 "Sheet" – 4:00 "Carnival Song" – 4:56 "The Valley" – 5:44
Personnel Jeff Black – vocals, guitar, harmonica, background vocals Tionno Banks – organ, piano Randy Jacobs – guitar, mandoguitar Ken Coomer – drums, bongos Jay Bennett – organ, guitar, piano, accordion, background vocals, Farfisa organ Curt Bisquera – drums Tommy Jordan – percussion, organ, steel drums, background vocals, dulcimer Suzie Katayama – cello Greg Kurstin – Mini Moog Lance Morrison – bass John Stirratt – bass, drums Greg Wells – guitar, organ, bass, percussion, piano, accordion Marlon Young – guitar Iris DeMent – background vocals Production Ben Grosse – producer, engineer, mixing Susan Rogers – producer, engineer Aaron Lepley – assistant engineer Boo Macleod – assistant engineer Michael "Elvis" Baskette – assistant engineer, mixing assistant Jim Champagne – assistant engineer Bob Ludwig – mastering Jack Joseph Puig – mixing Michael Tuller – programming, engineer Maude Gilman – art direction Michael Wilson – photography
References