Patty Griffin - 1000 Kisses
|
List Price: Our Price: $5.12 You Save: $4.86 (49%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $1.99 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for 1000 Kisses
Free Music Review: Potent, soulful vocals with an emotional edge; outstanding songs with intimate lyrics
Hit: 5 Stars
Unfortunately, in the UK, this type of music doesn't get much exposure - national and local radio programming is predisposed to playing 'top 40', 'britpop', and 'classic rock' (but I think they are beginning to see the light). PG had been flying under my personal radar up until about 6 months ago, so I'm a 'tad' late with my review of '1000 Kisses' - but, even though it's probably redundant by now, review it I must (call it a 'labour of love').
PG has a unique voice which combines the fragile poignancy of Emmylou Harris (but more soulful) and the bluesy edge of Bonnie Raitt (but more incisive); a voice which, more often than not, is drenched with high voltage emotion (even during her 'softer' moments, that emotion is still there - if somewhat understated). Occasionally, she has a slight tendency to (almost) shout, rather than sing, her words and, on 'Stolen Car', I thought she struggled a little with the low notes. However, I can easily live with such minor distractions because, basically, PG is one fine singer - her timing is subtle and she exhibits vocal dexterity as she wraps her voice around individual words (for example, just listen to how she sings the words 'all alone' in the first verse of 'Be Careful').
The songs are not complex and, arguably, a few sound a little 'old-fashioned' - but this doesn't matter, they are fine songs nonetheless with some outstanding lyrics; they are influenced by many different genres - folk, country, 'late night' blues and latin romanticism. The playing by her session musicians is very tasteful and the album has a (predominantly) semi-acoustic sound with some added echo; it also has a very natural 'studio live' feel to it - no 'wall of sound' over-production here !
I enjoyed all tracks (although the instrumental 'Reprise' is too short to make any lasting impression) - a few comments about my favourites :
RAIN (Patty Griffin) - A slow tempo song which has a rather pretty undulating melody - giving it a slight folksy flavour. It has melancholic lyrics describing a once good relationship which, for some reason, has gone sour (the 'rain' and 'dark clouds') - but, whether from hope or desperation, the lady is still 'holding on' (but only to a dream ?). It's a very sad song, and one where the contrast between melody and lyrics lends a bittersweet quality.
MAKING PIES (Patty Griffin) - A song with more of a country feel about it. It sort of 'strolls along', in keeping with the lyrics which are about the humdrum life of an older woman who makes pies for a living. To break up the monotony, she reminisces about rather ordinary events in her family life, past and recent present. She's resigned to making pies for the foreseeable future - so she may as well make the best of her situation. The subject matter of the song might seem a little dreary, but the song itself isn't.
BE CAREFUL (Patty Griffin) - My most favourite track, a haunting slow tempo song which sends shivers along my spine; PG's vocals are breathtaking - a blend of delicacy and simmering emotion, and sung with indescribable poignancy. I think the song has a slight bluesy hue and it also seems to have something of a climactic quality (but without going over the top). I'm not quite sure what to make of the lyrics - perhaps, a simple reminder that 'all the girls' are emotionally vulnerable (indeed, as most of us are). On this album, the playing by PG's musicians is very low-key, but this track demonstrates how much empathy they have with her music - there's an exquisite 40 second instrumental bridge featuring the interwoven sounds of nylon string guitar and accordion, underscored by cello and vibraphone.
MIL BESOS (Elena Valdelamar) - The album title track (of sorts); I can't comment on the lyrics because I don't understand most of them. Rhythmically, the song is a slow rhumba or a beguine (not sure which - but you'll know what I mean when you listen to it). Based upon most of her other songs, I would have guessed that PG's vocal range is one of mezzo-soprano - but here it's more like a sultry contralto (but, regardless of any formal definitions, she definitely has a wide vocal range). PG temporarily abandons her regular musicians (apart from Brian Standefer on cello) and the sparse production, in favour of a more opulent sound; almost 2 minutes of this track are devoted to instrumental music.
I also have 'Children Running Through' and 'Impossible Dream' - I like these albums a lot also; but of the three, '1000 Kisses' is my favourite. I cannot imagine anyone, who likes this type of music, being disappointed with this album; it really doesn't get much better than this - classy stuff.
Free Music Review: 1000 Kisses - Patty Griffin
Hit: 5 Stars
Patty Griffin hails from a small town in Western Maine and has been growing in stature since recording her first album of demos in 1995. This is her third `official' release. It's under a new label owned by Dave Matthews. `1000 Kisses' (or `Mil Besos' - the title track sung in Spanish) was recorded in Nashville but is atypical of the musical genre normally associated with that corner of Texas. Griffin writes most of her songs- she started writing and playing guitar when she was 16 - with the exception of the title track and an excellent cover of Bruce Springsteen's `Stolen Car". Her lyrics are well crafted, full of wistful pathos without being depressing, set to a backdrop of heart torn melodies. Each song is a vignette of life stories condensed into evocative compartments that are delivered with a voice that is simmering, passionate, and heartfelt.
The rest of the album is mainly contemporary music superbly co produced by Griffin and Doug Lancio. While all the songs are consistently good, the opening track, `Rain', the sensitively fragile, `Be Careful' and `Making Pies' are outstanding. `Making Pies' is not only intriguing but captures that feeling of matter of fact sadness and loneliness. `Tomorrow night' could easily have been recorded with Benny Goodman or Artie Shaw, creating the mood of the 1940s, while the title track conjures up images of a 1950s Carmen Miranda inspired Hollywood musical. Michael Ramos pointed Patty in the direction of the Latin American standard used as the title track and Carrie Rodriguez, who has recently dueted with Chip Taylor, provides an invigorating violin complemented by David Pulkringham's atmospheric classical guitar playing.
Griffin is supported by an excellent bunch of musicians including Lancio, providing acoustic accompaniment on 12 string and mandolin, Brian Standefer on cello, the accordion of Michael Ramos, and the understated percussion and vibes of Giles Reaves. Emmylou Harris stepped in to provide back up vocals on `Long Road'.
Patty Griffin has been likened to groundbreaking luminaries Bonnie Raitt and Lucinda Williams. On the evidence of this album it is easy to see why, but make no mistake Griffin's territory is her own and she has a clear direction marked out. Her voice and material are timeless and while the arrangements are contemporary, they could easily take you back an earlier post war era.
Free Music Review: Wahhhhh!!!!
Hit: 5 Stars
Wow!!!Patty Jean Griffin returns to the music world with nothing less than what a Patty fan would expect. An album full of new material, and not a "bad" song in the bunch.
True, the loss of "Silver Bell" due to the ignorance of the mega-labels only in it for the $$$ was quite a tragedy. One day, maybe those songs will surface on record, but for now we have "Kisses". Somehow, for now, I don't think anyone who owns this beautiful CD feels slighted.
With the poetic lyrics, beautiful texturing of instrumentation, great production, and of course.. Patty's achingly beautiful heartfelt voice, this CD is nothing short of a masterpiece.
Being a fan for 6 years now, and the veteran of well over 20 Patty shows, "Living With Ghosts" WAS my favorite Patty CD, and maybe it always will be. I had heard she was going back to the "acoustic/folky" sound, & I feared she was just doing that to re-live the magic of the also critically acclaimed "LWG". Thankfully, I was wrong.
Kisses clocks in at only 39+ minutes, and at 9 songs (excluding the instrumental). Only 4 of those are actual "new" Patty songs. "Long Ride Home" & "Nobody's Crying" are classics, known best & adored by the faithful that drive anywhere & everywhere to see this amazing woman perform. "Nobody's Crying" is easily up there in the top 3 songs I've ever heard, and is actually MUCH better when played live & with just her acoustic guitar.
With these 2 songs included on the CD, it presents a new listener with 2 amazing songs from a catalog of literally dozens of AMAZING unreleased songs that have been penned by the best songwriter of our time. It's just a shame that those songs will never see the light of day to be released on an actual released record.
I'm also not a big fan of cover songs, especially when someone covers a song by such an amazing talent with such personal & heartfelt lyrics as Bruce Springsteen. "Stolen Car" is without a doubt the best cover of a "Boss" song that I've ever heard, & is easily a highlight of this CD which really has NO lowlights.. unless you have a problem with it starting over again after it's over (which I don't).
I'll end this review the way I started.. "Wow!!!"
Free Music Review: Simply Incredible
Hit: 5 Stars
I give every Patty Griffin CD 5 stars. She is an amazing, talented songwriter. Technically, this is her fourth CD. She completed a whole other album titled "Silver Bell," but unfortunately A & M records did not deem it "radio-friendly." The CD, with 10-12 totally new and different tracks, might not ever be released (much to my dismay). However, she was picked up by a new, and much smarter and braver, label. Thus, we have "1000 Kisses." The title is derived from the English translation of the song "Mil Besos." Patty is not fluent in Spanish, but the song sounds amazing. Even in a language I don't understand I can still feel the passion and longing in her voice.This album is more orchestral than her first ("Living With Ghosts") but far more spare than ("Flaming Red"); this is the middle child. I wish there was more original material, but I'll take all the Patty I can get. "Rain" starts out the CD with a somber tone, and while none of the songs can be described as uplifting, there are a couple of faster songs that highlight Patty's guitar skills, such as "Chief" and "Long Ride Home." The two highlights on this CD are "Stolen Car" and "Nobody's Crying." Her rendition of Springsteen's ode to lost love and innocence in "Stolen Car" is heartbreaking: "At night I wait to get caught. . .but I never do. . ."
"Nobody's Crying" is a meaningful note to a lover who's gone, but not forgotten. Even though she's reeling from a broken heart, Patty wishes good things to the one who broke it, and hopes for a place on "the steepest slope" where "there's an endless rope. . .and nobody's crying."
This is a powerful CD, and brings up many emotions. From the widow's perspective of "Making Pies" and "Long Ride Home," to the gentle warnings of "Be Careful", to the inevitable questions raised by "Tomorrow Night," Patty's third (and fourth) album is a classic study of love and life. I definitely suggest it for anyone who's a sucker for a powerful singer and incredibly talented songwriter.
Free Music Review: Patty, your voice breaks my heart
Hit: 5 Stars
One of the ways that I judge the quality of a recording is how easily it is recieved by my friends. I've been a Patty Griffin fan for years, she is one of my greatest musical influences, and I've always been attached to her. It wasn't until this album came out that I had my friends hooked. I'd come back from work to find my housemate listening to "Rain" on repeat. My roomate at school sang "Makin' Pies" in her sleep. The thing is, my friends don't usually go for someone as wholesome as Patty Griffin. My housemate would alternately listen to Patty Giffin and PJ Harvey. Patty crosses genre boundaries. This album's just that good.This is such a wonderful album. The songwriting and singing is so sincere that I can even forgive her for that Spanish song(when I had my housemate translate it, I began to love it, too).
The melodies are etched in my subconscious, I can't possibly write a song now without being obviously influenced by this album.
The production is also right on. Flaming Red was, I think, a little hindered by over-production. I found myself saying "This song would be alot better without the cheesy drum loop" alot. "Living with Ghosts" was a little too raw, the vocals would clip and distort, the guitar playing was rough etc. It was awesome to hear, don't get me wrong. I hate overproduction, especially in a time when debut records are nothing more than an image. However, 1000 Kisses is beautifully put together and wonderfully produced. It is the highlight of her career thus far. I can't imagine what might be next.