selected articles "American Roots Music" Martha Stewart Living "New Spins on Standards" Martha Stewart Living "LoveCat's Label a Litter of International Music" Billboard "Chicks Hatch a Winning Pitch Plan" Billboard "Songs for Folks and Angels" An Interview with Odetta WIM: Women in Music Quarterly "Dipping Into the Strange Well" An Interview with Jane Siberry WIM: Women in Music Quarterly "From Beethoven to the Big Top" An Interview with Linda Hudes WIM: Women in Music Quarterly CD Review: Ani DiFranco Evolve Relix CD Review: Patty Larkin Red = Luck Relix CD Review: Shannon Curfman Loud Guitars, Big Suspicions Zipidee.com CD Review: Leona Naess Comatized Zipidee.com

CD Review: Patty Larkin Red = Luck (Vanguard) By Caroline Horn Whenever Patty Larkin opens her mouth to sing, a textured tapestry unfolds. Hers is a richly expressive, sometimes weathered voice with moments of breathy sweetness. 1997's Perishable Fruit launched Larkin's exploration of how to envelop that voice in new, evocative ways by using acoustic instruments unpredictably and creating subtle, ethereal vocal loops. On Red=Luck, she continues on that road with moody, atmospheric arrangements. While her attention seems to have strayed from the keen songwriting craft on past releases, Larkin harnesses sonic elements to great effect. She painstakingly weaves between dissonance and harmony on "Normal" and layers shimmering vocals on the band-propelled "Different World" to inspire both anguish and hope. The title cut is a brief, delicate instrumental that, like an invocation of good fortune, twinkles with mystery. © 2003 Relix. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.