Patty Griffin, redux

Okay, okay, I shared already one song from Patty Griffin's new CD, Children Running Through, so how many more must I share, especially when there are many other deserving artists? As the positive comments come flowing in (see below), however, well, when is enough truly enough...?

On Patty Griffin's fifth album, her "bluesy alto, her carefully wrought lyrics, and the spacious, organic arrangements go over like home cooking," said David Marchese in Salon.com. Children Running Through may be the finest record of Griffin's career, and the one that finally helps her cross the line from artist's artist to popular musician. Griffin's songs are favorite cover material for such diverse acts as Bette Midler, Jessica Simpson, the Dixie Chicks, and Emmylou Harris, who delivers a fine cameo performance here on "Trapeze." (The song shared previously - dmg) But for all her famous fans, Griffin has never been a real hit on her own—she even suffered the indignity of two unreleased albums. Having come through those struggles, Griffin's now a gifted, seasoned singer-songwriter "at the height of her powers," said Bill Friskics-Warren in The Washington Post. Drawing on gospel and R&B for emotional inspiration, Griffin seems to be in a musical development phase similar to Joni Mitchell's when she recorded her fifth album, For the Roses. The new CD doesn't confine itself to one genre, said Preston Jones in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Griffin covers a wide sonic territory, including the folky aspects of her debut, the rock sensibility of her sophomore record, and the pretty country bits of her subsequent discs. But "what's most striking about Children Running Through is its emotional clarity; whether it's elation or depression, Griffin cuts to the core of each narrative with speed and grace."

So indulge me please this one more song; I believe you will be happy you did.




I welcome all comments re this particular song, or even and including Music for the weekend.
-- David M Gordon / The Deipnosophist