Patty Griffin - 1000 Kisses

Since the breathtaking purity of her debut, Living with Ghosts, Patty Griffin has proven she can luxuriate in glamorous pop, rock like a biker, hold her own on stage with the Dixie Chicks, and write hit songs and singer-songwriter classics. What she hadn't done is craft an album as wholly exquisite and emotional as her talent. With the spare, acoustic 1000 Kisses, she has done just that. In the basement of longtime guitarist Doug Lancio's Nashville home, Griffin takes a suite of intensely personal songs (and three covers, including a tingling version of Bruce Springsteen's "Stolen Car") into the close confidence of her airy but twang-shaded voice, and draws accordion, cello, mandolin, brushed drums, and even Emmylou Harris into a candid and rare musical space. After a four-year wait, 1000 Kisses is more than reason to celebrate Griffin's return--it's a guileless, glowing masterpiece. --Roy Kasten Amazon.com

 POTENT, SOULFUL VOCALS WITH AN EMOTIONAL EDGE; OUTSTANDING SONGS WITH INTIMATE LYRICS
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 oustanding 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, 4.5 stars.

February 4, 2008

 Sad and soulful
I purchased this album because I loved "On the Long Ride Home" so very much after hearing it on the radio. I had also heard "Flaming Red" and "One Big Love" from her, and loved those songs (which are not on this album). Sadly, I found only "On the Long Ride Home" and one other song on this album (the opening track) to be of that calibur. Patty Griffin's lyrics are interesting, and her voice is truly beautiful...but this whole album is depressing, and not too many of the songs sound that different from one another. I was disappointed! January 18, 2008

 Heartfelt Genuine Music
I am not one to gush about any decent CD or book that I buy. Having said that, 1000 Kisses may be one of my favorite albums from anyone. The music is beautful and the lyrics are meaningful; and that folks means everything. I like 'Living with Ghosts' as well, but this album brings the same deep meaning with a somewhat more mellow tone and greater variety. I have to disagree with one reviewer on the track 'Chief' - Patty Griffin's music is imbued with a deep sense of social justice and I think that 'Chief' fits well with that sensibility. October 25, 2007

 Fabulous CD
I am just now discovering Patty Griffin and I like EVERYTHING she has done. This is yet another great album. Her voice, her songwriting, and her varied presentations impress every time. October 24, 2007

 Soulful
The music makes my soul sing. I was introduced to it the week after my mother passed away and it was and is still a part of the healing process that made my grief so much easier to deal with. When I hear Patty sing, I know my mom is with me because I'm hearing an angel's voice. That is just how truly inspiring this CD has been to me this past month that I have owned it. September 30, 2007

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