Such a great album. This came out my freshman year of college, and man did we listen to it a lot. Very popular in the girls’ dorms-especially Marlena. I love the ringing, shimmery sound of the whole record; all the songs hang together well, and everything is so in tune. She came to our rural school on a snowy day the following year to do a solo show in a small poetry auditorium. She was delayed by the poor road conditions, and her guitar was even later. The show must go on, so she decided to start off a cappella not knowing if she’d have to do the whole gig like that. It was a bold move that garnered her even more respect from her little pocket of fans in the mountains of Pennsylvania.
I played the hell out of this album back in the day. Then I saw her in concert in Budapest Hungary in probably 1990. She explained to the Hungarian crowd how kids in her childhood used to do rhythmic games with hand motions and even did a demonstration. They were fascinated and she had them eating out of the palm of her hand.
That was nice, despite the production that IMO worked against the song. There's almost a Lou Reed-ish thing going on, which makes sense for someone who came out of the NYC scene.
She's a storyteller first; the singing is almost incidental. I love it, honestly. Her voice is very...unadorned? But I love the tone and I think it suits her music perfectly. Poetry slam...lol. You're not wrong.
Wondering if her speaking parts were a nod to the iconic avant-garde performer Laurie Anderson who only got singing lessons after her 4th album. Haven't heard this album in.....but I know that it will be a good ride.
Such a great album. This came out my freshman year of college, and man did we listen to it a lot. Very popular in the girls’ dorms-especially Marlena. I love the ringing, shimmery sound of the whole record; all the songs hang together well, and everything is so in tune.
She came to our rural school on a snowy day the following year to do a solo show in a small poetry auditorium. She was delayed by the poor road conditions, and her guitar was even later. The show must go on, so she decided to start off a cappella not knowing if she’d have to do the whole gig like that. It was a bold move that garnered her even more respect from her little pocket of fans in the mountains of Pennsylvania.
One of my favorite songs. Makes me feel... funny. Hard to explain really. Music is the best.
I never thought of a poetry slam connection, but now it’s obvious- thanx again for your insight 😁
Brings me back in time. I saw her live a couple of times back in the day and have all her albums.
Another artist from back then is Michelle Shocked
I felt like the bass guitar was up front and it sounded really great. The tone unbelievable.
I played the hell out of this album back in the day. Then I saw her in concert in Budapest Hungary in probably 1990. She explained to the Hungarian crowd how kids in her childhood used to do rhythmic games with hand motions and even did a demonstration. They were fascinated and she had them eating out of the palm of her hand.
Yup, I Googled it. It was the Körcsarnok in Nov. of 1990. Surprised my memory is that good, but it was a memorable experience after all.
It is very New York in the verses. Think Furious Five for an example.
That was nice, despite the production that IMO worked against the song. There's almost a Lou Reed-ish thing going on, which makes sense for someone who came out of the NYC scene.
She's a storyteller first; the singing is almost incidental. I love it, honestly. Her voice is very...unadorned? But I love the tone and I think it suits her music perfectly. Poetry slam...lol. You're not wrong.
unadorned thats a good word
Wondering if her speaking parts were a nod to the iconic avant-garde performer Laurie Anderson who only got singing lessons after her 4th album. Haven't heard this album in.....but I know that it will be a good ride.
Not sure that Suzanne would have been so into Laurie Anderson as to tip the hat - I like Justin’s take of poetry slam more likely