Kathleen Edwards Asking For Flowers CD

Rootsy Canadian singer-songwriter Kathleen Edwards returns with the self-assured ASKING FOR FLOWERS, a solid country-rock set backed by an all-star band led by the Heartbreakers' Benmont Tench on keyboards and session star Greg Leisz on pedal steel. Written and produced by Edwards, the 11 songs feature a more outward focus, with a sharp political context on current events-themed songs like "Oh Canada" (not her national anthem, but a pointed response to the country's global behavior) and the scathing "Oil Man's War." These are interspersed among more familiar, personal songs like "Scared At Night" and "The Cheapest Key." Other highlights include the wry "I Make the Dough, You Get the Glory."

Recording information: Catherine North Studios; Home, British Columbia, Canada; Phase One Studios, Toronto, Ontario, British Columbia,; Plyrz Studios, Santa Clarita, CA; Woodshed.

Personnel: Kathleen Edwards (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, autoharp, violin, vibraphone, background vocals); Colin Cripps (acoustic 12-string guitar, electric guitar); Jim Bryson (electric guitar, piano, background vocals); Greg Leisz (electric guitar); Anne Lindsay (violin); Johann Lotter (viola); Paul Reddick (harmonica); Bob Packwood (piano, organ); Benmont Tench (piano, keyboards); Jim Scott (omnichord); Don Heffington, Gary Craig (drums, percussion); Justin Rutledge (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Jim Scott.

Rolling Stone (p.58) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "On her strongest album yet, she sets a poignant road tale between New York and Ontario and pens a fierce, Crazy Horse-ish squall about crack, murder and racism in her own back yard."
Uncut (p.104) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[W]hile 'Oh Canada' is the best of her blustery songs, the gracefully atmospheric 'Buffalo', and the moving, piano-led 'Alicia Ross', are where she truly excels."
Q (Magazine) (p.130) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "Battered by love yet ever hopeful, and with a fetching drawl to match....Best is saved for last with the moodily languid 'Goodnight, California'..."
Blender (Magazine) (pp.78-79) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "Kathleen Edwards is an Ottawa singer-songwriter with a tough-minded lyrical flair, a reliable melodic knack and a smoky folkie voice..."
Paste (magazine) (p.71) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Edwards' graceful, no-frills singing reveals a desire to make every syllable matter. Even the jokes glow with the aura of hard-earned experience."