Americana with a tin pan alley flavor..
author: Wendy DuMond
If John Steinbeck had been a songwriter (and he had grown-up listening to the Beatles), I think he would have written songs like Scott Campbell. Scott is a story teller at heart and this collection of songs give the listener a window into the lives and times of people in America, past and present. You could call them “everyman” types but Scott manages to capture the contradictions and complexities of his characters with a careful phrase or two. There’s the restless couple in the standout track “Some Assembly Required”, the steelworkers drinking away heartaches and swapping tales at a bar in “Steelworking Sons of a Gun, the femme fatale in “Here Comes Trouble,” and the blues musician grieving his lost mother in “The Whole House Down.”
The stories, coupled with Scott’s organic sound (harmonica, guitar, banjo, and a dash of percussion) give this collection a familiar, down-home sensibility. You could call his work Americana, but one can also hear the Great American Song Book in Scott’s work. Sure, there’s some Woody, and a little Bruce Springsteen perhaps, but there’s also more than a dash of Stephen Foster and a pinch of Stephen Sondheim in the mix as well. There's also a distinct Beatles influence as well.
I was surprised to learn that one of my favorite songs in this collection, “No Easy Thing” is a public domain track. Scott’s cover is so seamless, you would never guess that he did not write it.
Don’t miss this collection of well-crafted, heartfelt songs.
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A must have for any CD collection
author: Greg C. Brown
One of the finest singer-songwriters to come out of Florida, S. W. Campbell (Scott to those who know him) delivers the goods in a big way on his latest project, FULL ASSEMBLY REQUIRED. From the opening chords of "Amen" to the final tasty bite of "Your Voice Singing," the listener is treated to a smorgasboard of this Everyman's musings on life, love and world weariness. Standout tracks include: "The Whole House Down," "Steelworking Sons of a Gun," and "No Easy Thing." FULL ASSEMBLY REQUIRED. Get it. Enjoy it.
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No Assembly Required On This One
author: Dak Lander
Let's disregard the excellent production work and supporting cast involved in the making of this album. Eh, excuse me, I'm showing my age. I should have said CD.
This bit of music is Americana epitomized and will end up in heavy rotation on your play list.
Job well done S.W. Campbell!
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Scotts Full Assembly Required
author: Glynda Duncan (glyn)
Scott is one of the best songwriters/singers I've had the honor of knowing, love all is songs, and this album is, in my opinion the Best of Scott Campbell. There is one more of Scott's songs that I love more than any other and that's his song "Arizona" I can never get enough of listening to that one. I listen to this album at home and in my car on my hour way to work and back and , (ok don't let Scott know this) I sing alone with him...Everyone needs to hear this album. It is for sure a 5 rated album
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