All the Good Times
Gillian Welch · 2020
39 min · 10 tracks · country music
A collection of wistful Americana ballads infused with heartfelt storytelling and rich, traditional instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
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Oh Babe It Ain’t No Lie — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its haunting melody and poignant lyrics about love and loss, encapsulating Welch's storytelling mastery.
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Hello in There — A cover of John Prine's classic, Welch's version adds emotional depth, reflecting on themes of aging and connection that resonate throughout the album.
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All the Good Times are Past and Gone — This title track beautifully illustrates the album's exploration of nostalgia and change, combining melancholic lyrics with a compelling arrangement that highlights Welch's vocal prowess.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends traditional elements with personal storytelling, creating a solid yet familiar Americana sound.
What we noticed
- Instrumentation is primarily acoustic, with guitar, banjo, and fiddle creating a warm, organic sound throughout.
- Several tracks include harmonized vocals that enhance the storytelling aspect, particularly in the chorus sections.
- The pacing varies slightly, but most songs maintain a reflective mid-tempo feel that encourages contemplation.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- nostalgic reflections on life
- steady pacing for quiet moments
- heartfelt storytelling with warmth
- gentle melodies for relaxed listening
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy tracks
- prefer instant gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'All the Good Times' was released in July 2020, Gillian Welch had established herself as a significant figure in contemporary Americana and folk music. This album marked her first release since the acclaimed 'The Harrow & The Harvest' in 2011, showcasing her enduring artistry and dedication to crafting timeless narratives.
- Stylistic neighbors
- David Rawlings· Lucinda Williams· The Civil Wars
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Oh Babe It Ain’t No Lie 4:25
- 2 Señor 5:27
- 3 Fly Around My Pretty Little Miss 2:37
- 4 Hello in There 5:46
- 5 Poor Ellen Smith 3:30
- 6 All the Good Times are Past and Gone 3:54
- 7 Ginseng Sullivan 3:43
- 8 Abandoned Love 3:45
- 9 Jackson 3:32
- 10 Y’all Come 2:26
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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