Patty Griffin 1000 Kisses CD

1000 KISSES was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best Contemporary Folk Album.

Patty Griffin's success is either a testament to the eclecticism of the American music-buying public or to the success of the soundtrack to the movie OH BROTHER WHERE ART THOU? 1000 KISSES isn't a great departure for the Boston singer-songwriter--she's still singing the kind of perfectly formed mini-stories that inhabited her debut album, 1996's LIVING WITH GHOSTS. The main difference here is the assurance with which she presents her material--it's spare, sparsely orchestrated, mostly just acoustic guitar and bass, with the accent on her world-weary yet optimistic vocals and lyrics, eschewing the rock accompaniment of her previous album, FLAMING RED.

Griffin's songs aren't particularly country-based, but more part of a long line of American folk music that spans both the omnipresent "Man of Constant Sorrow" and the songs of Lucinda Williams. She's equally at home with the cozy domesticity of "Making Pies" and the aching loneliness of "Rain," while the Latin-tinged "Mil Besos" (the 1000 kisses of the title) is a sultry delight. 1000 KISSES finds Patty Griffin settling in to her stride as a smart teller of stories old and new, big and small.

Recorded at Doug's Basement, Nashville, Tennessee on April 21-27, 2001 and at Los Maranitas Studio, Austin, Texas on May 17 & 18, 2001.

Personnel: Patty Griffin (vocals, guitar, resonator guitar, finger cymbals); Doug Lancio (electric guitar, 12-string guitar, mandolin); Carrie Rodriguez (violin); Michael Ramos (accordion); Kami Lyle (trumpet); John Deaderick (piano); Giles Reaves (vibraphone, drums, hi-hat, djembe, tom tom, bells); Luis A. Guerra (acoustic bass).

Audio Mixers: Doug Lancio; Giles Reaves; Patty Griffin.

Recording information: Doug's Basement, Nashville, TN (04/21/2001-05/18/2001); Los Maranitas Studio, Austin, TX (04/21/2001-05/18/2001).

Illustrator: Joey Reese.

Unknown Contributor Roles: Michael Ramos; Patty Griffin.

Personnel includes: Patty Griffin (vocals, guitar, finger cymbals); Emmylou Harris (vocals); Doug Lancio (electric & 12-string guitar, mandolin); Brian Standefer (cello); Michael Ramos (accordion); John Deaderick (piano); Giles Reaves (vibraphone, drums, djembe, bells); Dave Jaques (bass).

Rolling Stone (5/9/02, p.76) - 3.5 out of 5 stars - "...[Griffin's] songs are bone-simple, her lyrics come off like snapshots of the Dust Bowl, and her aching, slightly twangy singing is unapologetically old-fashioned..."
Q (12/02, p.105) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Griffin is worth hearing for her expressive voice alone, but the songs are great too..."
Uncut (12/02, p.138) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...10 aching melodies stripped down to her bell-like voice....This is riveting in is simplicity..."
CMJ (7/8/02, p.11) - "...She's a damn deadly talent..."