Children Running Through
Label: Ato Records
Length: LP
Website: http://www.pattygriffin.com/
Release Date: 2007-02-06
Media: CD
Format: Album
WorkNameSort: Children Running Through
The songwriter’s songwriter whose career misfortunes have turned her into alt-country cultdom’s patron gal of suffering and cover stories returns with her quietest album yet. ‘Stay on the Rideâ?� and ‘Getting Readyâ?� go brassy and upbeat, but she begins and ends her album with solemn moments that yield a cathedral high ‘ lots of reverb and voice breaks that chill the spirit. She recklessly duets with Emmylou Harris for the album standout ‘Trapeze,â?� where the dark side of human nature lurks as the duo wait for the daredevil to fail. ‘Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)â?� borders on folkie piety, but the self-determinism of ‘I Don’t Ever Give Upâ?� is enough of a middle finger to rectify the situation. Griffin’s small and gentle, yet loud and in your face when the moments call for it.
This article appears in Feb 28 – Mar 6, 2007.