Living With Ghosts

Patty Griffin

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 21, 1996)
• Original Release Date: May 21, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Fontana a&M
• ASIN: B000002G4U
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (120 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #947 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Folk > Contemporary Folk > Singer-Songwriters

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

83 of 84 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing debut from an amazing talent...., October 26, 2000

By	E. M. Carey "LGW" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spare and Special, May 25, 2000

By A Customer

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.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I cannot say enough about this CD, February 1, 2001

By	MUSIC LOVER (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

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.