Customer Reviews

Downtown Church

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I, like lots of others, was a little worried when I heard that Patty Griffin's newest effort was a gospel/spirituals recording. For me, the concern wasn't so much that I dislike the genre, but that I couldn't bear a Patty Griffin album full of someone else's lyrics. Patty is one of our great poets, and the world needs the gift of her words -- weary, wise, and every now and then containing a glimmer of hope and light.

As it turns out, this genre has plenty of that, and Patty Griffin seems right at home on the stage of that downtown Nashville house of worship. "People steal / they cheat and lie..." So begins the record, and over the course of 14 tracks Patty Griffin struggles between light and dark that lives inside us. It's epic, and very, very beautiful.

I know a lot of folks aren't fans of "gospel," but the good news is that this record really has more of an "O Brother" arthouse feel that will play nicely in the kitchen when friends are over.

Check out "Death's Got a Warrant." It's a capella except for the thudding percussion that sounds like God stomping across the floor as he comes after you.

The first time I heard the final track, "All Creatures of our God and King," I had to stop what I was doing. It is so pure and lovely, it almost feels... well, sacred.

The revelation on here is Patty's voice. Honestly, I don't think she has ever sounded this good. "I Smell a Rat" is a showstopper, and man is she is spitting nails. I didn't know she had it in her.

I'm ready to place "Downtown Church" near the top of her brilliant catalog. Like the rest of her work, it is full of sadness and a weary awareness of the darkness around us. But this time she's carrying a fire and although there are never guarantees, a little bit of light just might break through.

With 'Downtown Church', Patty Griffin presents the listener with a selection of gospel/religious songs including several traditional numbers. I think she has one of the most expressive and soulful voices to be heard in popular music today; compared with earlier albums, her vocals have mellowed a little, but she hasn't lost any of her distinctive emotional and soulful edge - it's still there simmering away. 'Downtown Church' was mostly recorded in Nashville's Downtown Presbyterian Church with Patty singing from the pulpit; she is joined by a number of other artists, some of whom have accompanied her on recent tours (see sample playlist).

I don't think the album quite re-captures the stridency and raw emotion of 'Living With Ghosts' and, with only 2 self-penned songs, it's not an album which showcases her skill as song-writer. However, I feel it represents a significant departure from 'Children Running Through' which, in my opinion, was an album of music produced and performed with a wider and more mainstream audience in mind. By comparison, 'Downchurch Church' has a definite organic feel to it - noticeably more so when compared with the soulful 'gospel-pop' of 'Up to the Mountain' or even the cathartic 'Standing' from 'Impossible Dream'.


Instrumental accompaniment is semi-acoustic with keyboards and electric guitars (but they are never intrusive), and the drums/percussion (on some songs) give the album a little more rhythmic impetus than most of her others. The songs are mainly slow to medium tempo, but there are a few up-tempo ones also; some comments about my favourite songs :

HOUSE OF GOLD (Hank Williams) - A haunting rendition of this country-gospel classic with lyrics which define its apocalyptic mood. Sung mainly to the accompaniment of acoustic guitar and subdued organ (occasional acoustic bass and electric guitar also), no drums/percussion (that I could hear).

LITTLE FIRE (Patty Griffin) - Beautiful slow-tempo song in Patty's 'classic' style. It features mellow electric guitar and strains of plaintive pedal steel; also acoustic bass and delicate brushed drums. Emmylou Harris supports with harmony vocals.

IF I HAD MY WAY (SAMSON AND DELILAH) (traditional/Rev. Gary Davis) - Up-tempo song featuring Patty and the McCrary sisters singing in a call and response pattern - guaranteed to get you up off your chair and clapping your hands. Resonant, twangy electric guitar and super drumming/percussion. Just when the song really starts to groove, it finishes (but you can always play it again).

VIRGEN DE GUADALUPE (traditional) - Patty certainly has a deft vocal touch when she sings in Spanish - if you liked her singing 'Mil Besos', you should like this also (although it is a different style of song). Smooth harmonies from Raul Malo - plus acoustic guitar, acoustic bass, accordion and piano all adding to the Mexican flavour of this slow tempo song.

ALL CREATURES OF OUR GOD AND KING (traditional) - This 13th. century hymn written, in its original form, by Saint Francis of Assisi is beautifully sung by Patty - she drops her characteristic soulfulness to give the song a 'straight' rendition. Accompaniment is from piano and acoustic bass only.

Other favourites are : 'Wade In the Water', 'Never Grow Old' and 'Waiting For My Child'. A couple of songs were not for me : 'Coming Home To Me' is a great song but, for some reason, I couldn't take to its arrangement or Julie Miller's accompanying vocals; also, 'I Smell A Rat' is more akin to early rock 'n' roll than gospel - it's an OK song, but not one of Leiber & Stoller's best.


'Downtown Church' is a fine album alright, but it remains to be seen whether the somewhat more 'specialized' nature of the music affords it the same wide appeal as her other albums. '1000 Kisses' still remains my favourite album by Patty Griffin, but this one comes close.

I reviewed this on the UK site when I had just heard it streamed live. Now I have had the album for a few days and it is possibly even better than I had thought. An album built very much around gospel songs, it has enough of Patty's 'typical' sound not to put off those who do not take to gospel.There are wonderful backing singers on this album, from Emmylou Harris to Raul Malo to Regina McCrary, there are exquisite instrumental touches from a superb selection of players led by Buddy Miller (who persuaded Patty to record this album in the Downtown Presbyterian Church in Nashville, giving it an authentic feel) and above it all soars Patty's voice, the best in modern popular music. This is the only artist whose I can put on repeat time after time after time. Difficult to say why her and not others, but her voice, her story songs, her empathetic backing are all absolutely timeless. For real gospel inspiration, listen to Move Up or If I Had My Way, For rocking rockabilly try I Smell A Rat. For a different take on a jazzy classic, listen to Wade In The Water and for 'typical' Patty listen to the beautiful Coming Home To Me or Never Grow Old. And to round it off there is an outstanding version of the old spiritual We Shall All Be Reunited and a charming straight rendition of the classic hymn All Creatures Of Our God And King, with just John Deadrick on acoustic piano. This is the album of the year so far, and if I hear a better one all year, I shall be delighted but very surprised. Essential listening and an even more essential purchase. Brilliant beyond words.

I've been a fan of Patty Griffin since her days as an opening act at a small club in Harvard Square, when I was telling everyone who would listen that she was going to be a big star. Although I've always preferred those early days of just her guitar and big voice, I've bought all the subsequent music. Still, I was going to skip this one because of the subject matter.

Then I listened to online samples of her incredible voice and some very good music. I bought the CD on the way to dinner at a friend's house, played it there, click, another sale. I think this is going to be one of many people's favorite Griffin recordings.

I'm not a literal believer in a lot of these lyrics, but the style provides a great opportunity for letting her voice wrap around you, and the music, whether from moaning pedal steel or the deep steady beat of percussion, will encourage you to sway along. I love the dedication of the CD to Nashville's homeless and those who help and comfort them. You needn't be a believer to get similar comfort from this music. Play it loud!

I listened to old Patty Griffin CDs to prepare for this new one's arrival. The whole theme entrigue me with the church recording and Buddy Miller as the producer. However, first listen was awkward for me because you need to definitely be in the mood. On that note, there our some really awesome songs here especially "House of Gold and Never Grow Old". I still cannot believe the songwriting talent of Hank Williams.. what a strong song.. even after all these years! Patty's voice is so powerful that at times I get teary eyed. Listen to "Waiting for my Child" and tell me you don't get chills? With all this said...I went back to previous CD's an did a mix of all her inspirational and religious songs which surprisely is quit a few. It truly awesome collection. To end this review is to recommend everyone to buy this cd. With all the bad in the world today...its a gift to have music like this. I love your music Patty and thanks for taking me down roads I don't often travel.

I am always excited when Patty Griffin comes out with a new CD - what will she do next? Downtown Church is as touching and full of raw emotion as any of her other CD's - it's heartbreaking and beautiful. As I was listening this morning on my way to work I was wishing that she and Lyle Lovett would get together for a tour - how great would that be? And, maybe he could finally drag her back to Florida... I've added seeing her to my "bucket list", even if I have to go to HER.

I write very few music reviews because frankly- much of the written word along with the music that accompanies it these days lacks a relationship between the two forces. In that lacking, an essential poetic language of the soul- I turn a deaf ear, anything less than love...I'm just not open to it. With that said, Downtown Church barely tapped, then a barrage of melody and melancholy and thee gospel of it all knocked down my doors. Not at first...I wanted no sermons, no sins placed upon me; fire and brimstone burns people down in my opinion instead of warming them up to the idea that there is a great and loving Artist out there who created the all and everything.

This is an arresting creation. It attests to what Gospel music, Soul music has deeply tried to convey through the years, in the spirit of it all is a spirit that cannot help but to speak through the calling of great and not so great songs; little, triumphant songs that barely lift the cross but most lovingly raise the message.

Patty Griffin does serve, that is as eloquent as I can be here.
The musician, the churched, the unchurched, the grieving, the wanderers- find your peace here. Downtown Church.

"...You're coming home to me, just remember..."

Patty has been an inspiration to me from the moment I heard her first album, Living with Ghosts... her songs have played throughout the soundtrack of my life...this album is once again amazing art and spiritual work that fills the space between earth and heaven.
thank you Patty for your light!

This album is full of soul. Patti sings amazing in it. All the arrangements of the pieces are so spiritually connected and you will fill nourished from it.

I saw Patty Griffin and Buddy Miller perform much of this material prior to buying the CD, otherwise I'm not sure I would have added "Downtown Church" to my Patty Griffin collection. I'm not one to listen often to Gospel, or BlueGrass, or Country; but I still like this collection of songs. You can't escape the joy in this music. Ms. Griffin's voice is in fine form, and the close harmonies recorded live give the feeling of an impromptu sing-a-long. It's fun, and sweet, even when the words are a little bit sad.