Customer Reviews

Getting in Touch With My Inner Bitch

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

 

 

Chris Lavin is the one artist from whom I prefer live recordings. Her humor goes over much better that way. Sure, you lose some of the professional mix, but what shines with Chris is her sponteniety and interaction with her audience. The between-song patter gets old on live albums, but Chris wisely puts it on separate tracks which you can easily skip. I wish others would follow her lead. That said, this is not her best live album - One Wild Night probably is. Here, she's uses a machine that allows her to harmonize with herself, but really overdoes it. It's a novelty at first and works when she keeps it short, but she goes on too long with it on Harrison Ford, Shining my Flashlight, and Single Voice (an otherwise terrific song), so that you just wish the song would end. Her update on What Was I Thinking was funny when it was topical, but it's old news and doesn't age well. On the plus side, Piranha Women is up to Chris' high standards of humor and Happy Birthday, Maureen is a nice alternative to the traditional version.

Explicit lyrics? Come on, have you seen daytime television lately? This is a woman who has discovered the joke in life and if you listen carefully, she lets you in on it. She makes me laugh and then makes me sentimental and then whimsical, and then romantic. She does it all with a marvelous sense of humor, a fabulous delivery and a real ability to connect to an audience. This is an excellent cd. As a fellow admirer of Harrison Ford, would I lie to you about this? <g>

Kinda funny to see the words "Explicit lyrics" next to a Christine Lavin album. Well, this album is explicit -- explicitly a joy. "Getting In Touch..." is such a clever, wonderful song that all of us can relate to. "Harrison Ford" was hilarious in concert and I'm happy to see it on this album. My favorite song is "Adjust Your Dreams". It shows the quiet, thoughtful side of Christine, which she follows it up with a song about Amazon (no relation to this website) Piranha women. All in all, a wonderful "live" album that all can enjoy. I've got to get me one of those voice duplicating gizmos!

I love Christine Lavin's work to death, and I do feel that this captures a lot of the essence of the "live" Christine, compared to my experience seeing her perform in Philly a couple of years back. However, and this is a personal preference, there is a little too much of what another reviewer called "patter" - I don't mind hearing it once, but after listening to the CD a zillion times, I just want the music and the talking makes for long intervals in between. I have to keep hitting the "next track" button to skip to what I really want to hear, Christine's beautiful music.

Christine Lavin will always be one of my favorite songwriters. I even enjoy this CD. One comment though: the mixers did a horrible job. The CD is live, but the skips between songs are so abrupt that they sound like the CD is damaged. It's not, but the irritation takes away from the total listening experience. Now, if you're new to Christine Lavin, do yourself a favor and warm up to her with one of her other offerings. This CD's technical failings may turn you off her, which wouldn't be fair.

Christine Lavin may be a "Single Voice" but this album speaks for many! With keen insight, wit,and the most impeccable comic timing, Christine does it again! This "Live" album contains a mix of what makes Christine Lavin one of the best live folk perfomers today. Christine presents the complexity, sensitivity, and humor representative of today's woman. Treat yourself to this album and discover the pure pleasure of a complex woman who says it all!

Christine Lavin continues to amaze me. Again, she's put together a stellar compilation of Artists. I own every CD Christine has in her discography, and I have learned that if Christine Lavin's name is on a CD, LP or tape, that it will be a "keeper".

I have been introduced to so many different musicians due to Christine's hard work and vision to get the music out there. As I said, I've purchased every Christine Lavin CD she's made.

Thank you Christine, keep the music coming, and if you're reading this review and contemplating purchasing this CD, I say buy it already --"what are you thinking" <g>?

I love the naughty Christine displayed in some of these songs. The title cut is classic Lavin, irreverent, witty, and on the mark. "Piranha Women in the Avacado Jungle of Death," a film I have actually seen--I'm hesitant to admit--inspired one of the best songs of the album. I also found "The Piper" a poignant commentary on our culture. Most of the rest I have either on other Lavin albums or they are not terribly memorable. I'm a fan, and I gave this CD four stars only because I really enjoy the few offerings I mention here.

Christine never fails to touch my heart through her stories and music. This CD is a great sample of her talent and can immediately bring a smile to my face. It has been a great gift for dear friends, too.

I love Christine Lavin--I'm a fan. But this album is a dog. Her patter just isn't funny. The songs aren't funny. Do you really want to hear Christine trash Monica Lewinsky? Me neither. Versions of "Harrison Ford" and "What was I thinking" are better on other albums. And the touching songs just struck me as corny and preachy. I still sniffle every time I hear "The Dakota," from an album of yore. This isn't in the same league. I hope this is an aberration and Christine isn't losing her touch.