Customer Reviews

The Panic Is On: Songs from the Great Depression

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

 

 

This album is quite an interesting departure from Deborah Holland's work with "Animal Logic" (with Stewart Copeland and Stanley Clarke), not to mention her obscure solo album "Freudian Slip" (which bore a strong resemblance to the Animal Logic releases). This album is more of a musical study of the post-Depression era. Ms Holland's voice carries through the deliberately bleak material and provides some unusual interpretations. Back in the sixties, the top edge of the album would have been imprinted: "File under Folk".

Deborah Holland has a great set of pipes, no doubt about it. She also was 1/3 of the late "Animal Logic" (where Stewart Copeland, ex of The Police, and Stanley Clarke made up the other 2/3's). This album is not a pop or rock undertaking however, but is more of an intellectual journey through the music of the Great Depression. Deborah notes, rather frightenly, that much of what was written then could be applied now. For those who enjoy this type of musical study, Deborah's interpretations and sweet voice do succeed in bringing at least some of this rather melancholy material alive.

The idiosyncratic voicing and instrumentation are fascinating: new angles and meanings startle. I heard two cuts from the cd by chance on a locally-produced public radio station program (let THAT be a lesson to you)and ordered it on faith. Great meshing of social history and politics AND good musicianship. In these times it should be heard ---how ironic. The panic returns; and the music forever.

I was expecting more from Deborah Holland on this album. It is just fine. It's a nice piece in my collection but definitely not among the best ones.