Patricia Barber "Verse" released and online

I have every CD Patricia Barber has released and will probably buy this one too.

And maybe it is just me, but does anyone else think it has all gone straight downhill after "Split"?

I saw Patricia Barber live a few times in the late 80's at the tiny Gold Star Sardine Bar on North Lake Shore Drive and I thought she was amazing!!

Talented voice and hands (apparently why she chose the title of her first release "Split") and obsessively meticulous with her unique, haunting twist on jazzy standards.

But some of her own recent music seems a little eccentric at best and laughably pretentious at worst and I never seem to listen to any of it.

Call me an old fashioned stick in the mud, but I somehow would rather hear her blast out "Too Close for Comfort" with otherworldly precision than kick my feet up with a drink and listen to "Wood is a Pleasant Thing".

Cheers.

Well got my tickets for the Montreal Show on Saturday 21st Sept ..

should be good !

Matt

The new release "Verse" is exactly that. It sounds as if she grew tired of singing and decided to just narrarate.

Does she narrate "Wood is a Pleasant Thing"?

Doesn't anyone else think that Patricia Barber has gone off the deep end -- or is it just me?

And if you cab stand her later stuff and apparently "Verse", you must find a copy of Split.

Very good and good recording. Before a label got a hold of her or something....

I have now listened to this disk most every day for a couple weeks. I must say it grows on me, a lot of subtle musical treats to discover. I continue to enjoy her journey through her musical growth and still believe she is one of the very leading musicians today.

Cwlondon, I went back to Split and worked forward from there. I think Patricia has always been over the edge. Every disk is a focus on another aspect of her talent. If you watch her arrangements and cording, she has grown beyond most. She is indeed odd, but this is not new.

The one thing that really bothers me is her view of herself may be a bit warped. I believe she sees herself as an artist of unequaled accomplishment. She sees her poetry, her music and her yuppie standing as above the masses.

She may indeed have reason given the talent she has, but get a grip girl. I met her four years ago and spent some time talking to her, I can tell you she is nothing special as a personality.

Last thing, have you looked at wood lately? I just noticed how pleasant it is.