Customer Reviews

Living With Ghosts

5 star:		(105)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've heard Patty Griffin say that her debut wasn't exactly her style, that she didn't really want to do an acoustic studio album. However dissatisfied she may be, she has created a masterpiece. Her tremendous voice and poetic lyrics carry the CD beautifully. From the pain of heartbreak in 'Every Little Bit' to the whimsy of 'Mad Mission,' Patty writes songs that tell stories, and then she conveys them with a clear, strong, gorgeously terrific voice.

This album is definitely one of the best I've ever owned. It's hard to imagine that someone can exhibit so much range within a pretty narrow genre, yet Patty manages to do it. Each individual song can stand on its own as vividly and poetically written, beautifully sung and performed; together, they become a seamless, smooth, coherent album, one with enough different pieces to suit whatever mood I'm in. Living With Ghosts is one of the few albums I can listen to over and over and still enjoy the surprises and nuances of every song.

It's become quite common now for other artists to cover Patty's songs, from the Dixie Chicks to Emmylou Harris to Ben Harper (whom I heard sing my all-time favorite Patty song, 'Mary,' which is on her second CD). But no matter how good these other versions - and singers - are, they never quite achieve the power that Patty does. And this is the place to begin getting to know Patty, discovering what others have about the beauty of her music. This CD is innovative yet classic, mellow yet powerful, simple yet complex... it's almost beyond description except to say, again, that it's one of the best I've ever heard or bought and one that everyone should give a try. And after this one, there's the very different treat that is 'Flaming Red,' but that's a whole different story... Just buy this one, settle down, and enjoy the ride of truly great songwriting, singing and music.

The mental image I instantly get when I put on this CD is of the artist, sitting alone on a darkened stage with her guitar, a single spotlight focused on her while she plays. That's the kind of intimate performance that fills this this album. Patty Griffin is an enormously talented woman who is undeservedly almost unknown - I'd describe her sound as a cross between Bonnie Raitt and Emmy Lou Harris. Some of the best tracks are "Let Him Fly" (covered recently by the Dixie Chicks, I think), "Every Little Bit" (a heartbreaking song about a damaged love affair), and "Mad Mission" (kind of an odd little song, but with undeniable charm). The closing track, "Not Alone," is as sad and beautiful as anything I've ever heard. If you love live performances - well, here's a studio recording that has the feeling of one. It's as if she's playing only for you.

Normally I wouldn't take the time to write a CD review but for this one, it's worth it. Thank goodness I bought the Lilith Fair CD which features Patty singing "Cain" or I would not know her music today. I am a musician, and "Living With Ghosts" is probably in my top five favorite CDs. Patty's voice is ethereal and her songwriting is worthy of endless praise. I had the pleasure of seeing her in concert with Emmylou Harris and she is as good live as she is on the recording. I'd have to say that I am in love with most of the songs on this CD but most notable are "Moses", "Every Little Bit", "Sweet Lorraine", "Mad Mission" and "You are Not Alone". To hear her sing is like looking into my own soul. It is as if I wrote the songs myself. I highly recommend "Living With Ghosts" to anyone who appreciates high quality, solid, sincere songwriting and multi-faceted female folk singers. Patty is a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll. Run, do not walk, to buy this CD.

This cd is a rare bird. Emotional and honest. Stripped to the bone and poetically beautiful. Slightly country folk feel but don't let that stop you as this record is REAL. How many artists can you think of that can carry an entire 40 minute album with only an acoustic guitar? Of course she has such an amazing voice she could perform WITHOUT a guitar! She will pierce your soul with the first track 'MOSES' and rip your heart out with 'EVERY LITTLE BIT'. The 7th track 'FORGIVENESS' is in my opinion one the most beautiful songs ever written. It moves me everytime I hear it. I put it up there with the Stones 'Wild Horses'. She is an artist for the 90's, with the capability to help bridge the gap between country, folk and mainstream rock. If we let her! Give this record a listen, and you'll thank me for it. Also check out 'SCOTT THOMAS BAND - CALIFORNIA'.

Spectacular debut album from an incredible talent. I had the privilege of seeing Patty on the Concert for a Landmine-Free World tour. Despite being on stage with stars like Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, Nanci Griffith, Bruce Cockburn, and Mary Chapin Carpenter, Patty stole the show. I was completely unfamilair with her before the show, but I came away with 2 reasons to believe I had just heard something special --1) Earle had to follow her in the rotation, and at one point simply reacted to her song with a "yikes" and 2) my ex-wife hated her.

and that's also my favorite of her songs. I bought the CD after hearing a track on headphones at a music store. It turns out this was not the CD I had heard, so I was shocked by the raw, edgy solo performance, wasn't sure I liked it. Now I LOVE this CD. The lyrics are intelligent, poignant, and insightful and the melodies, the voice intonation, and the guitar licks match them perfectly. She is masterful. Sometimes it seems she can take my deepest, most hidden emotion and then yank it out and place it in front of me.

Fell in love with Patty Griffin when I caught her on Austin City Limits with Dave Matthews. Later connected the dots when her name showed up as "songwriter" on a few Dixie Chick songs including "Let Him Fly" and "Top of the World." First purchased 1000 Kisses and was thoroughly impressed. There's nothing better than a singer/songwriter singing her own music. Timidly just purchased Ghosts as I'm always apprehensive when folks use "sparse" and "coffehouse" which often means some singer + guitar = background music at Starbucks. This CD could be further from it! It is Patty and her guitar, and her emotions, singing some of the most poetic lyrics I've ever heard. Definitely one of the best CD purchases I've made in the past year. Can't wait to check out Flaming Red now.

First of all, don't listen to anyone who says that Flaming Red isn't amazing. It's spectacular. Second, what more can I say about Living With Ghosts that has not already been said. Everything Patty does is pure poetry. Not Alone is my favorite song of all time. Forgivness will move you to tears. Every Little Bit is so powerful. I am just sorry that most of the country will now think that Let Him Fly is a Dixie Chicks song. I had the honor of meeting Patty after a small concert in Hampton, VA. She is an amazing woman, so gracious. She has some incredible musicians backing her up. They put on a GREAT show. Patty, THANK YOU for the unparalleled beauty that is your music. Oh, and PLEASE come back to Viriginia! I can't wait to hear Silver Bell.

I first listened to Patty Griffin and this album in 1999, I think, and it immediately became one of my all time favorite albums. This one wasn't cranked off the assembly line -- it is nothing if not unique. If you are a poet, even just a poet at heart, you will appreciate the raw emotion in her lyrics, as well as her delivery of the lyrics. Her voice isn't perfect, and that is part of what makes the album perfect as far as I'm concerned. Hers are not cookie cutter songs. Instead, I like to think she writes her songs as a way of being true to herself rather than as a hopeful appeal to the masses. When listening to good music that is being sung by someone who did not write what they are singing, I always wonder about the motives of the person or people who wrote the song. What was their intent? Were they driven to espouse some intense internal anguish, desire, or joy? Or did they just look around at what was selling at the time and try to write a song that would fit the mold and be a hit? You'll never ask that when listening to Patti sing on this album. Listening to this album is like reading a riveting, complex book that stays with you long after you've closed the cover. You'll go back to it time and time again and each time you immerse yourself in it you'll come away with a little something different. I highly recommend this album.

I kinda just happened to stumble on this cd, and i am so happy i did! I'm real into the girl and her guitar bit and i love beautifully crafted songs. this albumn has it all! the lyrics are honest and the emotion is so raw! Time will do the talkin will plant itself in your head...it never leaves mine...every little bit is just a masterpiece..when i sing along to this my throat hurts when i'm done! i mean this woman has an incredible voice! let him fly and forgiveness are also favs...this albumn is a blend of folk and rock, perfect if you ask me...if you like ani difranco or dar williams you'll like this..trust me it will grow on you..make a nice little comfortable home under your skin!