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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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