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"Like many bloated genres in these times, the singer-songwriter thing could use a good pruning,
if not a merciless cull. After all, how many of these-–from John Mayer to Kathleen Edwards
to Frat Green-–either aren't genuine singers or can't compose anything new or fresh or even
maybe just inspired and inventive (please)? After the sweet bloodletting, on the strength of
her first CD, ‘Goodnight Venus’, Libby Kirkpatrick would still be standing and might actually
get the attention such a dynamic debut deserves. Sure, the style ain't nuthin' new-–neo-boho,
folk-rock chick flick with jazzy and funky leanings-–but it's done with such winning confidence,
agility, smarts and charm that Libby compares well with Edie or Ani in terms of achievement
and appeal. Kirkpatrick utilizes world-class players like the Sara Lee/Jerry Marotta bass-and-drums
team and boasts material and an arrangement sense comparable to those who use the same
musicians (read: DiFranco, Peter Gabriel, Indigo Girls). Producing herself, she creates modern mood
folk as seductive as Nick Drake did in his day and ever after. Maybe it's the way she makes the tale
of a heartbroken girl heading home into sweet, assertive flirtation on ‘Vaulted Heart,’ or how she
casts the innocent pondering of ‘To a Child’ as rightfully Zen, or the beauteous suite she fashions
from words and notes with ‘Garden.’ But there's something going on here that bears signs of the
true fire of notable talent."
-– Rob Patterson, Dallas Observer
”’The Dream That You Are’ maintains some poetic prowess because of an unorthodox vocal
performance that has Kirkpatrick scatting, whispering, howling, and overdubbing lyrics on top
of each other. Mixed with subtle hints of flugelhorn, it’s one song listeners will be eager to find again”
-– Matt Dentler, Austin Chronicle
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