Patty Griffin - Downtown Church

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I reviewed this on the UK site when I had just heard it streamed live. Now I have had the album for a few days and it is possibly even better than I had thought. An album built very much around gospel songs, it has enough of Patty's 'typical' sound not to put off those who do not take to gospel.There are wonderful backing singers on this album, from Emmylou Harris to Raul Malo to Regina McCrary, there are exquisite instrumental touches from a superb selection of players led by Buddy Miller (who persuaded Patty to record this album in the Downtown Presbyterian Church in Nashville, giving it an authentic feel) and above it all soars Patty's voice, the best in modern popular music. This is the only artist whose I can put on repeat time after time after time. Difficult to say why her and not others, but her voice, her story songs, her empathetic backing are all absolutely timeless. For real gospel inspiration, listen to Move Up or If I Had My Way, For rocking rockabilly try I Smell A Rat. For a different take on a jazzy classic, listen to Wade In The Water and for 'typical' Patty listen to the beautiful Coming Home To Me or Never Grow Old. And to round it off there is an outstanding version of the old spiritual We Shall All Be Reunited and a charming straight rendition of the classic hymn All Creatures Of Our God And King, with just John Deadrick on acoustic piano. This is the album of the year so far, and if I hear a better one all year, I shall be delighted but very surprised. Essential listening and an even more essential purchase. Brilliant beyond words.

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Tracklist:
01 House of Gold Williams 2:52
02 Move Up Traditional 2:43
03 Little Fire Griffin 4:07
04 Death's Got a Warrant Traditional 1:43
05 If I Had My Way Traditional 3:24
06 Coming Home to Me Griffin 3:32
07 Wade in the Water Traditional 3:07
08 Never Grow Old Traditional 3:11
09 Virgen de Guadalupe Traditional 3:31
10 I Smell a Rat Leiber, Stoller 2:31
11 Waiting for My Child Pugh 4:15
12 The Strange Man Coates 3:38
13 We Shall Be Reunited 4:11
14 All Creatures of Our God and King Traditional 4:16

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