A Few Small Repairs

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• Format: Audio CD
• Language: English
• ISBN: B000002B4G
• ISBN13: 0074646711927
• Release Date: October 1996
• Publisher: Sony Legacy
• Weight: 0.24 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 4.9" x 5.6"

Customer Reviews

A Very Excellent Album from a Very Excellent Songwriter

Okay, I admit it. I bought this album solely for "Sunny Came Home." After giving the CD a few spins, I can definitely say that A FEW SMALL REPAIRS is one of my favorite albums. In the aforementioned "Sunny Came Home," Shawn sings with pure desperation, but she never sounds indulgent. She also doesn't turn the song into candy tragedy, which frequently happens when songwriters try to capture a traumatic event. It also contains the IMMORTAL lyric "Hold on tight, the world is burning down."Another standout on this album, in my opinion, is "If I Were Brave," where Shawn sings with the only the paino accompanying her. While not as overtly strong as some of the other tracks ("Get Out of this House" and "Trouble" come to mind), this song's appeal is in its fluidity and smoothness.Another note is Shawn's lyrics and music in general. Here she pulls no punches- each song has it's own definite meaning to be perceived through the singing and music. Although a listener can potentially rock out to these songs (again "Get Out of this House" comes to mind), I think that "A Few Small Repairs" is a "listening" album that deserves a few listens.

It will be your favorite too

I don't even remember why I bought this CD, but it was the best purchase I've ever made. For me, the CD is very much about rebuilding your life and starting from ground zero, which is where I was when I started listening to this. "Sunny Came Home" is about burning away the past and starting over, "Suicide Alley," is probably where you are right before you light the match.To me, the best track on the CD is not "Sunny" (although it is very good). The best tracks come deeper in, with etheral songs like "Wichita Skyline," "84 000 Different Dillusions" & "Suicide Alley." The tone of "Dillusions" is so mellow, I could listen to it for hours. And although it's not my favoite song, "If I were brave" speaks for many career oriented women as they reach their 40s."Armed with just a will and then this love for singing songs, and minding less and less if I am colder. But I have this funny ache, and it's burning in my chest and it spread just like a fire inside my body. Is it something God left out in my spirit or my flesh. Would I be saved if I were brave and had a baby."And the throw away line in "Jimmy" speaks to many people with addiction problems- "I used to get drunk to get my spark. And it used to work just fine. And it made me wretched but it gave me heart."Oh, and a little treat is "Nothing on Me." Listen for the very, very last piece of the song. The melody sound like something right out of an old west movie.Without a doubt the best CD I own, and may ever own.

The album that made Shawn Colvin a household name

This album, and its single "Sunny Came Home," came out of nowhere and introduced Shawn Colvin to more people than ever before. And it was a good introduction, despite the overplaying of "Sunny Came Home" - Shawn has a very good mix of substance that does not get tiresome quickly. I bought this album expecting to enjoy only "Sunny Came Home" but ended up appreciating the rest of the album far more.Shawn's lyrics are about everyday life in southern US; nothing fancy, just straightforward, but with a good underlying theme. Not only are the down-to-earth lyrics easy to identify with, but also the guitar techniques and arrangements are very well done. The sound identifies Shawn's music, but not to a point where every single song sounds the same.Except for "The Facts About Jimmy" I enjoyed every track thoroughly, and this was my most-played CD until I bought Sarah McLachlan's "Mirrorball." I highly recommend this album to anyone - a refresher from sound-alike albums put out by the big-name artists.

This isn't something you get everyday...

I bought this album expecting to just enjoy the hit single "Sunny Came Home" and pretty much let everything else gather dust. Boy, was I mistaken. Until I bought Sarah McLachlan's "Mirrorball" album, this album was my most played one.Every single has a different feel to it, yet the style is definitely Colvin. Although I must admit that the lyrics are hard to discern at times, the songwriting that sits underneath brings out multiple layers of meaning. You won't understand them with just one quick listen; to be honest, my interpretations of the lyrics keep changing even now. I like all songs on this album except for "The Facts About Jimmy" which I didn't care too much for.In any case, give this album a serious listening time; Shawn Colvin may not be a big-name star like Jewel, but she managed to put together this gem that gets your attention with "Sunny Came Home" and grows on you with the rest of the tracks. A worthy addition to any music collection.

An acquired taste

Since I adored FAT CITY, I was quick to pick up this new tape, and immediately recognized "Sunny Came Home" from the radio. But the rest of the tape left me blank the first time I listened to it. With the exception of one or two songs it seemed depressing and musically blah. I was disappointed. However, I later found myself haunted by certain musical motifs and plays on words that I hadn't even realized I'd heard. I listened to it again, and then again. Now I listen to it every day, sometimes twice a day.I love the absence of empty optimism-- there's nothing worse than listening to a banal, happy singer in a world where things rarely if ever go well. I also love her guts. This woman is something else-- a singer who knows that love hurts and life isn't sweet, but utterly rejects the comfortable morass of despair into which other singers seem to sink. It's a deeply personal album, so if you don't want to know about Shawn Colvin then don't buy it. But if you're interested in the emotional record of this strong and quirky woman, buy. I guarantee you'll love it.