The Red Thread

Lucy Kaplansky | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 10, 2004)
• Original Release Date: 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Red House
• ASIN: B0001906XG
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #80,301 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It shouldn't be surprising that Lucy Kaplansky's music is infused with complex emotional detail when you consider that she worked as a clinical psychologist before deciding to pursue music full time. On the six songs she and Richard Litvin, her co-writer and husband, composed for The Red Thread, she never shies away from the conflicting feelings that accompany the profound moments in life. On the title track, for example, she sings movingly about the joy, wariness, and worry she felt when she and Litvin adopted a daughter from China. On "Land of the Living," which was inspired by the tragedy of 9/11, Kaplansky's sharp eye for detail creates a harrowing, but ultimately hopeful vision of that horrible day. Like many good songwriters, Kaplansky has an excellent ear for the right song to cover, and here she has chosen fine ones from Buddy Miller, Bill Morrissey, James McMurtry, and Dave Carter. The sonic territory on The Red Thread is subtle and subdued, with spare, mostly acoustic arrangements that perfectly frame the powerful emotions contained in Kaplansky's songs. --Michael John Simmons

Product Description

A powerful new CD constructed around the theme of an ancient Chinese legend that invisible red threads connect us to all of the important people in our lives. "The Red Thread" represents a turning point for this remarkable urban singer and songwriter in its depth and range of material.

"The Red Thread" contains some of the most beautiful and powerful tracks this remarkable artist has ever released. From the rootsy simplicity/minimalism of "Cowboy Singer" and :Brooklyn Train," to the sonic complexity of pop-rockers "Love Song New York" and "Line in the Sand," critics agree that "The Red Thread"is her most compelling and appealing album to date.

Produced by BEN WITTMAN (Laurie Anderson, The Story, Don Byron, Rosanne Cash), who also served as drummer, the world class musicians include singers JOHN GORKA, JONATHA BROOKE, RICHARD SHINDELL and ELIZA GILKYSON, guitarists DUKE LEVINE (Mary Chapin Carpenter, Peter Wolf) and JON HERRINGTON (Steely Dan, Bette Midler), bass player ZEV KATZ (Roxy Music, Rosanne Cash, Bette Midler) and others. The result is a riveting blend of rock, folk, country and pop that perfectly compliments Kaplansky’s gorgeous, evocative vocals.

Talent and hard work continue to pay off for Lucy - "The Red Thread"is a stunning achievement!

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a love song to the world, March 28, 2004

By 

JoAnn Whetsell (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Red Thread (Audio CD)

I didn't know Lucy had a new album until it was recommended to me after placing another order. I'm glad for the recommendation, because it's a wonderful album, perhaps her best yet, and I would hate to have missed it.

Lucy recently adopted a Chinese orphan. She explains in the liner notes that the title "The Red Thread" comes from an ancient Chinese belief that when a child is born, invisible red threads reach out from its spirit to all the important people who will be part of its life. This album is about the threads that bind her to others, and all of us to each other.

The first song, "I Had Something," and "This Is Home" are most directly about the adoption of her daughter. "Line in the Sand" discusses the Palestinan-Israeli conflict without taking sides and could be about any number of troubled places in the world. Some of the other songs reflect on September 11, at least I interpret them that way. And it makes sense. That event, looming so large on the national and world consciousness, caused so many of us to think about our relationships, personal and otherwise. I don't know if Lucy is still in New York, but I know she started her singing career there. In some ways, the album seems like a love song to the city with new songs like "Brooklyn Train" and covers like "Love Song/New York."

The song most directly about 9/11 is "Land of the Living." When I first read the lyrics, I thought to myself, yes, that is what it was like. She captures the chaos, the sadness, and even the racism, that existed in NYC after 9/11 with details like the flowers at the fire stations and the posters asking for information on missing persons. It's a deeply affecting song.

And a deeply affecting album. And not heavy. There are fun songs, covers like "Off and Running" and "Cowboy Singer." There is the obligatory honky-tonk song (there always seems to be at least one on her albums, and I have yet to like any of them), but despite that, it's beautiful through and through.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Modern Folk That Gets Under Your Skin, April 5, 2005

By 

Rob. Charlton (Elanora Heights, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Red Thread (Audio CD)

When I first listened to this album, I thought it was OK. The lyrics were strong and intelligent and the singing and musicianship just a bit above average.

Now I've had the album, for a while, I started wondering why it's become one of the most played in our home. Basically, the emotion and intelligence gets under your skin. Lucy Kaplansky's voice is pleasant and warm, the instrumentation supportive and very professional and the lyrics are pure poetry.

I recommend the CD highly.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music that gets better each listening..., November 26, 2004

By 

Joan Maute - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Red Thread (Audio CD)

I had never heard or heard of Lucy Kaplansky until "The Land of the Living" was played on NPR 9/11/2004. I was so moved by the song I emailed the program and got information about the singer and songwriter. After visiting Lucy's website I ordered this CD from amazon.com really not caring what the other songs were like, knowing that "The Land of the Living" was worth the price. Once the CD arrived I immediately put it on my iPod and began getting to know all the songs. All of the songs are great. They improve with each listening as I hear more in the stories. This is music that will be with me for a long time.