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Patty Griffin
1000 Kisses
(ATO)
First Appeared at The Music Box, April 2003, Volume 10, #4
Written by T.J. Simon
Each year when the Grammy nominations are released, I make
a beeline to the nominees in the Best Contemporary Folk Album category. Although
it’s a grouping deemed unworthy for inclusion on the Grammy Awards broadcast,
it’s always the most eclectic and interesting mix of artists among the
celebrated genres. Contemporary Folk serves as a catch-all category where Zydeco
artists compete with alt-country and acoustic rock stalwarts. Past winners have
included Lucinda Williams, Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Tom Waits, John Prine, and
Bruce Springsteen. The 2003 Best Contemporary Folk Album winner was This Side,
the splendid "youthgrass" release from Nickel Creek that beat out an equally
likable effort from a Boston singer-songwriter named Patty Griffin.
Gentle acoustic guitar strumming, quiet vibraphone, some
cello, and a hint of accordion provide the sparse, almost weightless, musical
accompaniment to Griffin’s voice on her nominated album 1000 Kisses. Far
from being overblown, Griffin includes only 10 songs on the CD, including a
cover of Bruce Springsteen’s Stolen Car and a fantastic Spanish language
ditty Mil Besos (the title track — comprende?). Her original numbers are
a step above standard coffeehouse fare largely due to Griffin’s alluring voice —
a mixture of Joni Mitchell, Nanci Griffith, and Toni Price. The highlight of the
disc is the torchy, Gershwin-esque Tomorrow Night containing a muted
trumpet interlude at the bridge that takes the listener straight to paradise.
Even if the Academy didn't reward Griffin with un-televised accolades, her voice
and music will certainly reward those who fall for her 1000 Kisses. 
1000 Kisses is available from Amazon.com.
To order, Click Here!
For Canadian orders, please
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For UK orders, please Click Here!
Ratings
1 Star: Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!
Copyright © 2003
The Music Box
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