John Gorka Albums (11)
'Writing in the Margins'
Release Date 7/11/2006
Tracks 12
Label Red House
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What The Critics Say
John Gorka has carved out his reputation as a thoughtful singer-songwriter, the male counter-part to a Nancy Griffith. As with his other albums, he fills Old Futures Gone with stories of love lost, loneliness, and trying to understand oneself, bread-and-butter subjects for the singer-songwriter. Lines like �I will always be lonely, it's the way that I am" from �Always" and �can't go home again, can't outrun the past" from �Dogs and Thunder" are worn like a badges of honor. These lyrics are dressed up in good if not outstanding arrangements, with electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, drums, and bass creating an attractive blend that works well as a backdrop for Gorka's rich vocals. The addition of several guest vocalists is also a nice touch. Despite many genial qualities, Old Futures Gone begins to sound overly familiar at mid-point. There's irony in the fact that only a singer-songwriter would write a five-minute song (�Outside") about wanting to �get a little bit out of my head." There's also a certain preciousness that comes with the inclusion of notes at the top of each song's lyric, such as: �To all who have found something larger than themselves to fight for, however late that discovery may come." While fans will enjoy the tasteful arrangements and lyrics they've come to expect from Gorka's Old Futures Gone discloses itself within a confessional style that's become a bit too safe. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
For the most part, Gorka offers low-energy singer/songwriter folk with shades of adult contemporary rock on The Company You Keep. Weary nostalgia dominates his introspective, observational lyrics. Whether it's first person or second person, the material muses over lost chances and making the best of things without offering any easy solutions, with a complacent though not self-satisfied attitude. Matters are livened, slightly, by the Bob Dylan-like organ of "Oh Abraham," and a variety of female harmony vocalists, including Mary Chapin Carpenter and Ani DiFranco. When he kicks out the jams, relatively speaking, for the odd up-tempo tune like the bar-band-rollicking "Joint of No Return," or "Around the House" (which sounds somewhat like Tom Rush does when he decides to rock out), the sudden jolt of octane is downright shocking. "People My Age" and the country-flavored "Hank Senior Moment" flash glimpses of a nasty edge largely absent from the other compositions. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
With a warm baritone that exudes keen understanding, John Gorka explores the nature of many things on this album. On the very fine "Wisdom," the singer invests what most would consider a virtue with melancholy baggage: "Wisdom exists though it's not commonly found/It's got the lonesomest howl of any dog in the pound." As with his other fine releases, Gorka gently wends his way through insight after insight, with spare production and an easy confidence. This isn't therapy in the guise of contemporary folk; this is the real deal. ~ Tim Sheridan, All Music Guide
'Between Five and Seven'
Release Date 1/1/1996
Tracks 12
Label High Street
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What The Critics Say
On Between Five and Seven, John Gorka opens up his sound somewhat, touching on contemporary pop and rock without losing his confessional folk foundation. The result can be frustrating at times -- occasionally, the production obscures the simple beauty of his melodies -- but overall, the album is another winner from Gorka, one of the finest songwriters of the '90s. ~ Thom Owens, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
By the time he recorded his debut album I Know, John Gorka was already a seasoned veteran and it showed. With excellent harmony vocals from Shawn Colvin and Lucy Kaplansky, who also cut their teeth on the New York City folk circuit, John Gorka recorded an album of original songs that had been road-tested and audience approved. The chorus of nearly every song is instantly memorable, and the simple, acoustic arrangements help bring out his powerful voice. The most impressive feature of this debut is the ability of Gorka to move easily from light-hearted humorous songs ("Winter Cows," "Like My Watch") to serious songs about the complexities of relationships ("Love Is Our Cross to Bear"). The versatility in his songwriting and the expressiveness of his warm baritone would become his trademarks, and John Gorka has become a leader of the genre dubbed "contemporary folk." This stunning debut also established Gorka songs in the folk canon, as his inspirational song "Branching Out" is often sung in elementary schools. ~ Vik Iyengar , All Music Guide
'Out of the Valley'
Release Date 1/1/1994
Tracks 12
Label High Street
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What The Critics Say
From the opening gospel-tinged track, "Good Noise," it is clear that John Gorka is pushing his music into new territory. After years in the Northeast, Gorka recorded Out of the Valley in Nashville with producer/guitarist John Jennings. The results are mixed. By recording in a professional studio, Gorka appeared to set his sights on breaking into the mainstream with a glossy production and upbeat songs designed to give him more airplay. This is also made clear by the use of multiple guests including Kathy Mattea and Mary Chapin Carpenter. While the album rocks a bit more than the typical John Gorka release -- the track "Mystery to Me" reveals his wicked sense of humor about the mysteries of attraction -- many of the dense musical arrangements do a disservice to his powerful voice. In fact, some songs require background singers, and it is unusual for Gorka to write songs that require other voices to create a fuller sound. That being said, there are few tracks (including the title track) that are among his best. For example, "Flying Red Horse," in which the only instrumentation is a guitar and the voices of Gorka and Mary Chapin Carpenter, demonstrates an amazing imagination and an ability to captivate with great storytelling. This is not his most consistent effort, but there are a few gems that make this album worth checking out for fans. ~ Vik Iyengar , All Music Guide
'Land of the Bottom Line'
Release Date 6/8/1992
Tracks 15
Label Windham Hill
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What The Critics Say
This is a long record filled with a full range of Gorka's romantic and story songs. He states his case as an outsider forced to meet the mainstream with the title cut and confronts his demons on "Raven in the Storm." More sentimental tracks are "The One That Got Away" and "Love Is Our Cross to Bear." "Mean Streak" is gritty and shows that Gorka can howl when he wants to. ~ Richard Meyer, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
John Gorka is widely regarded as one of the leading male voices of the "new folk" movement. Gorka has a warm, world-weary baritone that draws the listener equally into the emotionally naked "The Gypsy Life" (great background vocals from Nanci Griffith) and the more objective narrative of "Vinny Charles is Free." He keeps one foot in the atmospheric Windham Hill camp, and one in protest-folk coffeehouses, emerging with the best of both influences on his strongest material. ~ Roch Parisien, All Music Guide
