David Starr - Beauty & Ruin - COMPACT DISCS
Overview
Beauty And Ruin is a 2020 studio album on compact disc by Americana singer-songwriter David Starr, a concept record of songs inspired by his grandfather’s 1972 novel Of What Was, Nothing Is Left. Recorded in Nashville and produced and arranged by John Oates (co-produced by David Starr and David Kalmusky), the project brings together established Americana writers and performers including Jim Lauderdale, Wood Newton, Dana Cooper, Doug and Telisha Williams (Wild Ponies), Irene Kelley, and Shelley Rae Korntved. The result is a narrative-driven roots/folk album that emphasizes songwriting, harmony, and Nashville-style arrangements. This CD suits listeners who want a physical collector’s copy of a literary-inspired Americana collaboration and fans of artist-curated concept albums.
Key Features
- Format: Compact Disc (audio CD) — plays in standard CD players and most computer CD/DVD drives using Red Book audio.
- Release year: 2020 — studio recordings made and mixed during the 2020 sessions.
- Production: Produced and arranged by John Oates; co-produced by David Starr and David Kalmusky for Nashville-oriented arrangements.
- Concept & songwriting: Songs inspired by the novel Of What Was, Nothing Is Left (1972) and written/collaborated with established Americana writers.
- Guest artists: Contributions from Jim Lauderdale, Wood Newton, Dana Cooper, Doug and Telisha Williams (Wild Ponies), Irene Kelley, and Shelley Rae Korntved, adding vocal and songwriting depth.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Distinct concept: songs inspired by a 1972 family novel give the album cohesive narrative depth.
- High-caliber production and arrangements by John Oates, with co-production by David Starr and David Kalmusky.
- Notable collaborators from the Americana scene (Jim Lauderdale, Wood Newton, Irene Kelley, Wild Ponies) add songwriting and performance variety.
- Studio-recorded in Nashville for authentic roots instrumentation and polished sound on physical media.
- Physical CD format offers collectible value and reliable, high-quality Red Book audio playback on standard CD players.
Cons
- Available as a compact disc; if you prefer vinyl or immediate digital streaming, you may need to buy another edition.
- Potentially limited pressings or stock depending on retailer, which can make the CD harder to find later.
- Mainstream radio appeal is limited — this is targeted toward Americana/roots audiences rather than pop listeners.
Recommendations
- Buy this CD if you collect contemporary Americana on physical formats and value producer-driven projects.
- Gift to fans of narrative singer-songwriters or listeners who enjoy albums with a literary or conceptual backbone.
- Purchase for listening sessions focused on lyrics and storytelling — the album rewards close, attentive playback.
- Add to a John Oates completist collection for his production/arrangement work outside Hall & Oates.
Price Comparison & Trends
David Starr's 'Beauty & Ruin' on compact disc shows a striking price disparity across retailers. The lowest price available is $16.99 at Target, while the highest soaring to an astounding $729.00 highlights a potential saving of $712.01 for savvy shoppers. Over the past 30 days, prices have remained relatively stable, but the significant difference in pricing suggests that comparing offers across retailers like Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, Walmart, and Lowe's can yield substantial savings. With most retailers offering competitive prices hovering around the $20 mark, now is a prime time to purchase, especially from Target. Buyers should capitalize on this opportunity before prices fluctuate in the coming months, as demand for physical music formats can lead to unexpected price hikes.
Buy now to take advantage of the low price before potential increases.
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