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Sylvia Hotel

Cheryl Wheeler - Sylvia Hotel Audio CD

A fair review of the Cheryl Wheeler "Sylvia Hotel" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Cheryl Wheeler reviews here, or go back to the Cheryl Wheeler tabs.

Band: Cheryl Wheeler
Title: Sylvia Hotel
Rating:

Release Date: 1999-01-26
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: His Hometown 2: But the Days and Nights Are Long 3: If It Were up to Me 4: Right Way to Do the Wrong Thing 5: All the Live Long Day 6: Sylvia Hotel 7: Unworthy 8: Rainy Road into Atlanta 9: Lighting up the Mighty Mississippi 10: Potato 11: Meow 12: Who Am I Foolin?

A Terrific CD of Charming, Thought-Provoking Songs
" Her serious songs don't evoke sadness as much as consideration, and her more light-hearted tunes are always well-crafted reminders that we shouldn't take ourselves too seriously. One of the most insightful, eloquent, and fun songwriters working today, Cheryl Wheeler is a treasure to listen to on Sylvia Hotel, whether she's singing a thoughtful ballad like "If It Were Up to Me," a touching tribute like "His Hometown," or a fun bit of wordplay like "Potato. It's only life, after all.

I can't tell you if Sylvia Hotel is her best, worst, or what-have-you -- I like pretty much everything she writes and sings. What I CAN tell you is that if you enjoy singer/songwriters with a brain who can write smart lyrics that sound deceivingly simple and clear, you'll like this album. And, in fact, you'll probably end up buying more of her CDs once this one has infused itself into your brain.

Lastly, I will say that listening to the "Samples" on the product page may help you decide IF you already know you like Cheryl. If you're not really familiar with her style yet, though, those Samples don't really do her justice because a lot of her charm comes through in the storytelling, which takes a little longer than the Samples allow.

Subservient to a cat
In this song, Cheryl acknowledges that her purpose is to do whatever her cat wants. Women may think they can control of their lives these days, but it seems that this is not the case when it comes to their pet cats, if Cheryl's tribute to her own cat (Meow) is to be believed. Another great song (If it were up to me) is about people finding all sorts of things to blame for the problems in American society but Cheryl would remove guns.

Two live cuts show Cheryl's sense of humor at its best. The first (I'm unworthy) takes a satirical look at all the expectations heaped on people in the modern world - of course, there's no way that she will ever be able to do them all. The other (Potato) is an ode to the plant that grows so that may eat it in various forms.

The other songs here demonstrate Cheryl's softer, poetic side. She describes a man who is happy with his life in one place (His hometown) but also sings about life on the road (Lighting up the mighty Mississippi). The other songs are sad ballads of depression and loneliness, all of which Cheryl sings superbly. However, it is the lighter songs that really stand out from this album.

This may not be Cheryl's strongest album but it is still a great album that should please Cheryl's fans.

You won't believe your ears when you hear this...
It was an overwhelming time for many of us, in Colorado and elsewhere, and it was hard to find ways to deal with the confusion and anger and frustration. I live in Colorado and was just down the street from Columbine High School when the shootings occurred. Shortly after the shootings several radio stations started to play a song called "If It Were Up To Me". I'd never heard it before, but I rushed out and bought a copy of Sylvia Hotel. It is a powerful song with an even more powerful message and for me, it was perfect for that whole horrible incident. It expressed my confusion and frustration. I don't know the answer to these horrible things happening in our world, but I have some thoughts on how we can at least try to fix it! (I won't ruin the power of the song by giving it away. . . )

While I bought the album for just one song, the rest of the album has hooked me and I can hardly pick out a favorite song over the rest. "But the Days and Night Are Long", "Sylvia Hotel", "Rainy Road Into Atlanta" and "Lighting Up the Mighty Mississippi" are some of my favorite ballads ever--and I LOVE ballads! Meanwhile, Cheryl shows some wonderful versatility with fun songs like "Potato" and "Unworthy". If you've ever attended a Lilith Fair, if you own an Indigo Girls, Natalie Merchant, or Joan Armatrading CD, or if you just want to hear some really great music by a really talented musician, buy this CD!.

Disappointed by this one
I suppose maybe if I did it would grow on me, but I have not as nothing really caught my attention, other than the title as I like the Sylvia Hotel. I love Cheryl Wheeler but this is the first CD of hers I have not played over and over again. Nothing much to say about this one, I'm afraid.

One of the best female singer songwriters
She is also a great performer, and a funny woman, making all this together, an artist you can't resist. Wheeler has such a beautiful and expressive that even if she wasn't a singer-songwriter she would have a career in Music.

This is Wheeler 5th release and not much different than her previous releases. Her songs are mostly personal, about being an everyday woman, an average person living in a crazy word. In But The Days And Nights Are Long, she sings:

Life is short, but the days and nights are long
Time will heal all the wounds
Someday soon I'll be rising, I'll be strong. . . "

In an anti-gun song, which is, as it should be the most rocking song, If It Were Up To
Me, she makes a list of the reasons that make people kill, but accuses the guns:

Maybe it's the movies, maybe it's the books
Maybe it's the bullets, maybe it's the real crooks
Maybe it's the drugs. . . .
. . .
Maybe It's the fertilizer, maybe it's the nose rings
Maybe it's the end, but I know one thing
If it were up to me, I'd Take away the guns.

A very effective song, that could convince some people (am I still too optimistic, at my
age?) and may save a few life. A must listen for every congressman, tired of
impeachments and other apples.

Sylvia Hotel is a great addition to a brilliant career, by one of the most significant
female singer-songwriters of American music.

You can see a complete list of all Cheryl Wheeler discography, or go back to the Cheryl Wheeler tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.