Customer Reviews

Lantana

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It is about time that excellent writing and singing is making its way back into the genre of Americana. Herring nails every single track on Lantana, and national critics should be shouting from the rooftops that art and Americana can co-exist. Lately, it seems that big name music critics are sycophants and dilettantes who are as about as reliable as movie critics. Read the previous review on this page. It says what national critics should be saying. Go buy this CD and support real writing and real musicianship--and return credibility to music that comes from the heart of the landscape that nurtured Flannery O'Connor and William Faulkner.

Unlike many Americana singer/songwriters who hide behind the banners of true iconic artists like Emmy Lou Harris and Lucinda Williams, Caroline Herring grabs their standards and rides like Joan d'Arc through the images of the southland--firmly planting her flag in the red dirt of the Mississippi Delta.

Viva Santa Caroline Herring! Viva La Pucelle d'Mississippi!

The sour certainty of a lover's infidelity often slips a murder ballad's trigger. Caroline Herring chooses to measure unconditional love's disintegration instead. "I confessed that, for love's sake, I drowned my children in John D. Long Lake," the Atlanta-based songwriter sings on "Paper Gown." "They're with Jesus, looking down at me in this paper gown." True story: That's Susan Smith deteriorating underneath the weight of a malevolent Carolina moon.

Herring flawlessly reports the grisly material. Presented with corresponding degrees of damnation and empathy, her watertight assessment of the 1994 American tragedy would be a crowning achievement for most artists. On "Lantana" -- an embarrassment of riches drawing the straightest line between tradition and transition this side of Adrienne Young -- it only rates halfway up the chart.

More treasured moments -- coming-of-age bookends "Heartbreak Tonight" and "Fair and Tender Ladies," say, or the closing "Song for Fay" -- celebrate women and strength in vulnerability. Every attempt pierces its mark. In fact, few folk albums since Young's 2005 hallmark "The Art of Virtue" have proved a more thorough success. Herring's endearing maternal memorandum "Lover Girl" -- "Even now we're dancing, longing for a place to know," she sings -- alone suggests its undying resilience.

Now, grab hold of a sturdy beam before spinning "Midnight on the Water." Talk about the hollow aftermath of faded love. Echoing like a cannon in a cockpit, Herring distills the traditional fiddle tune into arguably the purest representation of heartache since "Goodnight Irene."

"The scenes were there as in a mirror made by the moon upon the water and our love was never stronger," she gently warbles. "The picture was broken by the waves we left behind at midnight on the water, once upon a time." Even decades of scratching, of course, won't remove the deepest stains of regret.

Recommended: "Paper Gown," "Midnight on the Water," "Song for Fay" -- Brian T. Atkinson

This is her third album and her best yet. I have the other two and have enjoyed them but think she has never sounded better (or written better songs) than here. She is a sensitive, literate songwriter with a good voice and well worth hearing. If you haven't heard her yet start here.

Caroline was a recent discovery on Pandora, popped up on a Kate Wolf station. Both my wife and I perked up our ears and said who was that?

Wow, I can't say how great this CD is (but I will, it is great!). Her major asset is her voice -- clear, inspiring, full of verve and life. Second, and a close second, is her songwriting -- not common, but almost literary in scope. Great music in the background. The song about Susan who killed her kids was very tough to listen to, but so well done. "Pretty Little Horses" another gem. I got this CD and within a day had gotten on Amazon and ordered her latest, which also has great reviews.

Please get this, unless you hate female folks singers, you will love love love this!

I heard an interview with the artist on public radio on my way back from Little Rock as well as a couple of songs from the CD. As soon as I got home I ordered the CD and have thoroughly enjoyed it. It takes me back to a more gentle time, a time of feeling and meaning in music that is often overlooked. I love it and would encourage anyone to take the time to hear and really listen to it.

This is my introduction to Caroline Herring's music. Her soft folk sound shows a country tinge. "Lay My Burden Down" has a classic feel, although it is one of eight original tunes as she contemplates meeting her maker, "I'll see angels, hear trumpets sound." Danny Barnes' banjo gives "Paper Gown" a rooted mountain sound, "Long ago I used to be a little girl on my daddy's knee, dreams lie like diamond rings, babies & pretty things." Caroline's lament is breathtaking on the traditional "All the Pretty Little Horses," reflecting the world-weary adult sadness of one comforting a child. The lullaby "Lover Girl" is as gentle as it is sweet, "Did you grow an inch today? Once you were a tiny thing & before that, God's dream." The set concludes with the haunting "Song for Fay." Herring's music is firmly rooted in folk tradition with acoustic instruments. Her voice is lovely and expresses emotion so potently. This is a lovely disc. Enjoy!