Patty Larkin Perishable Fruit CD

Producing herself, Patty Larkin banned percussion instruments from her seventh album, a gimmick that extenuated her usual interest in texture over content, which has always distinguished her from other folkies but also frustrated some fans. This time, her self-imposed stricture forced her and her fellow musicians to sacrifice virtuosity for invention, and they did come up with some unusual sounds. But Larkin still often seemed to be at an emotional distance from her material, except when she was expressing irritation. The most impassioned performances and clear lyrics came when she was singing about what seemed to matter the most to her, "The Road" and, in "Wolf at the Door," the music business. In contrast, the love songs were idealized at best and vague at worst, and the singer rarely seemed involved in any case. ~ William Ruhlmann

All tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology.

Personnel: Patty Larkin (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, slide guitar, steel guitar, bouzouki, mandolin); Bette Warner (vocals); Marc Shulman (electric guitar, tiple); Ben Wittman (lap steel guitar, berimbau, mandolin, percussion); Gideon Freudmann (cello); Michael Manring, Richard Gates (fretless bass); Jane Siberry, Jennifer Kimball, Ben Wisch (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Ben Wisch.

Recording information: Blue Jay Recording Studio, Carlisle, MA; Red House Music, New York, NY; Road Narrows Studio, Wellfleet, MA; Sackamusic Studios, Amherst, MA.

Photographer: Jana Leon.

Unknown Contributor Role: Ben Wittman.

Personnel includes: Party Larkin, Bruce Cockburn, Jane Siberry, Michael Manring, Jennifer Kimball, John Leventhal.

Dirty Linen (12/97-1/98, p.75) - "Larkin's established herself in the past half decade or so as one of our best "thinking" singer/songrwiter. Her lyrics are quietly stunning and insightful, but she's not afraid to crack a smile or rock when the songs need it..."