Customer Reviews

Trying to Get It Right

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

 

 

Kate MacLeod made a very impressive debut with this CD. MacLeod is blessed with a wonderfully expressive clear, resonant alto with echoes of early Nanci Griffith. And it is a voice she uses it to full effect with inventive phrasing and sparing use of a letter-perfect vibrato. A folk-oriented sound pervades this album with tastefully acoustic production.

She is a great songwriter, who I think has a remarkable range from love songs to bitter ballads to stories wrapped lightly in music.

The elegant "Lark in the Morning" is as song of unrequited love that grabs you with its enchanting melody, poetic images and sublime production. It instantly had me pressing the "repeat" key after the first listen. The tenor guitar and banjo really creates a masterpiece. "Pawn Shop Man" is a measured celebration of a simple life; "Alabama Midwife" is a stark portrait of a tough life led by an equally tough old lady. Her novellic "PrairyErth" explores the spooky majesty of the Great Plains.

MacLeod tells some interesting tales, such as "Angels On My Mind," the true story of a miner who was home sick the day his mine caught fire. MacLeod also sings of welfare and midwives, and in the delightful "Play the Piano with Style" tells a slice-of-life tale about her uncle. She accompanies herself on old-timey fiddle on "Gospel Songs," evoking a sense of community in gospel singing. She concludes with "None but One," a perfect bookend to the opening "Lark," in a nifty, nimble guitar and bouzouki(?) arrangement. By all means, give MacLeod a listen.

Kate MacLeod is one of a kind! Man I love her music. I just wish she had more CDs out. I got into her music because of a great review in The Voice that turned out to be right on. "Alaska" is just a great tune. My favorite CDs of hers is probably "Constant Emotion" but "Trying To Get It Right" is probably #2 in my book.

Kate MacLeod made an impressive start with her first album, 'Trying to Get It Right'. I prefer 'Constant Emotion' but this cd has all the right elements. As her music matures I just found those elements come together a little better. Still this is still a CD you should have if you like folk-rock-pop. MacLeod does it with the best of them.

A friend gave me a copy of this CD and I was hooked instantly. I've since picked up all of her CDs. Each is a 'must have' and yet each is different. She is clearly not afraid to try new things. She's become my new favorite.

I just love Macleod's music. Her range varies from a sound similar to classic Joni Mitchell to Lucinda Williams. "Trying To Get It Right" rates as one of my all-time favorite CDs.