Her voice still bugs me.
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Thursday, 5 June 2008 18:29 (sixteen years ago) link
"The Cheapest Key" is an alphabetish song, but I think its important to note that she only uses letters that correspond to musical keys.
― roxymuzak, Thursday, 5 June 2008 18:46 (sixteen years ago) link
Yes, teacher.
― Gorge, Thursday, 5 June 2008 21:02 (sixteen years ago) link
!
― roxymuzak, Thursday, 5 June 2008 21:07 (sixteen years ago) link
I love the LP BACK TO ME! almost all of it is terrific!
another song that even more amazingly crams a story in: 'Pink Emerson Radio'
― the pinefox, Friday, 6 June 2008 09:14 (sixteen years ago) link
I Make the Dough, You Get the Glory
my favourite as well.
― Ludo, Saturday, 7 June 2008 13:23 (sixteen years ago) link
Mine too, for the hockey stuff mainly (among other stuff), though I keep meaning to go back and relisten to the Neil Youngy one that everybody says they like so much. For some reason, it's never jumped out at me. Album is pretty good though -- probably the best of her three, though I don't own the first two anymore and therefore can't check. (I did like one hockey song she did earlier, however.)
― xhuxk, Saturday, 7 June 2008 15:01 (sixteen years ago) link
Man, I don't catch hockey refs! What are they?
― roxymuzak, Saturday, 7 June 2008 18:13 (sixteen years ago) link
You're The Great One, I'm Marty McSorley.
― xhuxk, Saturday, 7 June 2008 18:15 (sixteen years ago) link
Ah, I figured, cause I had no idea who those were!
― roxymuzak, Saturday, 7 June 2008 18:18 (sixteen years ago) link
Failer is still my favourite -- "6 O'clock News", "In State", "Hockey Skates," "Mercury", and "National Steel" all being standouts
Yeah, that was the other hockey one. And I liked "6 O'Clock News" at the time. Maybe should've kept it.
― xhuxk, Saturday, 7 June 2008 18:30 (sixteen years ago) link
More about her on the Can We Talk About West Coast Country Rock etc thread and Rolling Country
― dow, Saturday, 7 June 2008 18:43 (sixteen years ago) link
Getting really into 'Asking for Flowers'...
― afin d’y être sublime sans interruption (Michael White), Friday, 28 November 2008 19:03 (fifteen years ago) link
Mercury is perfect, a sad bruised thing.
― I know, right?, Monday, 1 December 2008 00:20 (fifteen years ago) link
Listened to this in my car for a month, and "Sure As Shit" emerged as my favorite. The one that says "Believe me, all the days you're unsure/Believe in me, I don't want to anymore" is beautiful and I can't really listen to it without tearing up but it's slightly, ever so slightly...corny?
― roxymuzak, Sunday, 25 January 2009 08:36 (fifteen years ago) link
The flirting with corniness is what makes her really good, I think. Flirting in general, even. You get that unexpected tear in the corner of your eye and you fight it, feeling naively self-conscious, but then you just admit that it's very good songwriting and even better execution and you're hooked. I'm starting to think Asking for Flowers might just be her best now.
― Lostandfound, Monday, 2 February 2009 05:30 (fifteen years ago) link
Asking for Flowers I definitely agree is her best. My mother compares her to Neil Young, and I think she's half-right (she's talking about his Harvest-era material). Just some drop-dead gorgeous stuff that also - at least for me - works on a few levels. It just wrecks me emotionally, or sometimes it's just pretty to listen to, and sometimes I dig it like I dig Dylan, as someone who I can appreciate their cleverness and their wit and their playfulness (with Edwards, way more playfulness than the first two).
― Mordy, Monday, 2 February 2009 05:34 (fifteen years ago) link
Yeah, she reminds me of Neil a lot, too.
― roxymuzak, Monday, 2 February 2009 05:35 (fifteen years ago) link
Hadn't thought of it, but yeah, I can see that. In the surprising emotional connection sense. Even if you're only half listening, it can just sneak up on you, which I find Neil can do as well. Maybe a crafty Canadian stealth thing?
― Lostandfound, Monday, 2 February 2009 08:13 (fifteen years ago) link
i didn't like asking for flowers at first, but have come around to it ("oh canada" is a standout). whereas back to me grabbed me immediately, especially "copied keys." clearly she has a thing for writing about keys.
― snuh, Monday, 2 February 2009 09:10 (fifteen years ago) link
Speaking of which...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXghGA9imzg
― Elvis Telecom, Friday, 30 October 2009 05:43 (fifteen years ago) link
I can't really listen to it without tearing up
"Sure As Shit" does this for me, bad scansion, goofy denim king and all
― all yoga attacks are fire based (rogermexico.), Friday, 30 October 2009 06:07 (fifteen years ago) link
She is brilliant. I discovered her around the same time I discovered Lucinda Williams, who I think has lost the plot with her last couple of albums. Unlike Williams, Kathleen just keeps on making superbly catchy songs with a gorgeous eye for lyrical detail and wonderfully subtle arrangements. Every single track on Asking for Flowers is at the very top of my iPod most played list.
I would, too.
― anagram, Friday, 30 October 2009 08:33 (fifteen years ago) link
My friend told me today that he sat next to Lucinda Williams at a show not too long ago. he asked her what she thought about Kathleen Edwards ripping her off, lol
― Cunga, Wednesday, 20 January 2010 00:59 (fourteen years ago) link
Kathleen Edwards > Lucinda Williams imo
― Mordy, Wednesday, 20 January 2010 01:09 (fourteen years ago) link
^^^^^ on this
― Elvis Telecom, Wednesday, 20 January 2010 02:04 (fourteen years ago) link
He said LW didn't think she was ripping her off, but she would, er, reverse the above equation definitely. He also said LW was cool as hell and bought everyone drinks and stuff, so much respect towards her.
― Cunga, Wednesday, 20 January 2010 03:07 (fourteen years ago) link
I would say KE > LW now as well (see my earlier post). Kathleen lacks Lucinda's grit and sweat but that is no bad thing. I can't stop listening to "Scared At Night", I hang on every word of it and it makes me think about how I will feel when my father dies.
― anagram, Wednesday, 20 January 2010 09:55 (fourteen years ago) link
i met KE after a show where she was the support like 5-6 yrs ago and she was really gracious chilling with the crowd and signing stuff and shooting the breeze in general iirc
― plaxico (I know, right?), Wednesday, 20 January 2010 10:10 (fourteen years ago) link
She's opening for Bon Iver this autumn. Seemed like an odd pairing until I learned that they are an item. Still, it should give her some much deserved exposure. New album out in the autumn as well I think.
― ban this sick stunt (anagram), Thursday, 7 July 2011 14:30 (thirteen years ago) link
They're an item? Does that mean Edwards broke up with the guitar player (who I thought was pretty crucial to her sound/show)?
― Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 7 July 2011 16:39 (thirteen years ago) link
I guess she must have done, yes.
― ban this sick stunt (anagram), Thursday, 7 July 2011 17:07 (thirteen years ago) link
woah, had no idea about any of that. Her last record was awesome.
― THIS IS SATIRE BTW (Simon H.), Thursday, 7 July 2011 18:10 (thirteen years ago) link
holy fuck this new album is great
― Mordy, Wednesday, 16 November 2011 01:19 (twelve years ago) link
I had no idea she was even bringing a new one out any time soon! This is exciting, she's completely under-rated for someone so talented and consistent.
― "only girl in the kitchen" (boxedjoy), Wednesday, 16 November 2011 17:00 (twelve years ago) link
I haven't heard it yet. :(
― Do you know what the secret of comity is? (Michael White), Wednesday, 16 November 2011 18:13 (twelve years ago) link
Yeah I had worries about her working w/ schmindie types but this is sounding good so far.
― Simon H., Wednesday, 16 November 2011 18:27 (twelve years ago) link
New album is good, the first by her I'm actually looking forward to playing again since "Failer". Bon Iver dude doesn't appear to have ruined anything about her sound; the flaws I find here (professional/polite music saps a bit too much of the urgency of her songwriting) are the same things that bothered me about her last two.
"Sidecar" is flat out wonderful (even included it on my 2011 P&J ballot thanks to iTunes releasing it as an early single) and "Pink Champagne" is devastating. Still coming around to the rest.
― Who wants to see the great Pavarotti sit on a pie? (jer.fairall), Saturday, 7 January 2012 05:15 (twelve years ago) link
I do think a Canadian invoking "moving to America" as an "empty threat" is both cheeky and clever.
― Josh in Chicago, Saturday, 7 January 2012 14:36 (twelve years ago) link
this album is so fucking great- huge grower
― Mordy, Sunday, 8 January 2012 16:40 (twelve years ago) link
see me smile / its not for funny joke / its for every time (every time)i don't need a punchline
― Mordy, Sunday, 8 January 2012 16:41 (twelve years ago) link
Love that song. The rest, especially the second half, I find hit-or-miss.
― Simon H., Sunday, 8 January 2012 17:33 (twelve years ago) link
I am curious to see if the Bon Iver connection suddenly gets her adopted by all the folks that have slept on her for three albums.
― Josh in Chicago, Sunday, 8 January 2012 17:39 (twelve years ago) link
....or on the other hand if folks like me who have loved all those albums get turned off her by the Bon Iver connection. Haven't heard the new one yet but I wouldn't say that was an impossibility.
― ban this sick stunt (anagram), Sunday, 8 January 2012 19:19 (twelve years ago) link
Eh, his influence is subtle. Biggest dif. is that this one lacks the polish of anything that even remotely aspired to radio play. It's indie-dull in sound.
― Josh in Chicago, Sunday, 8 January 2012 19:39 (twelve years ago) link
It's indie-dull in sound
well that's down to him then b/c none of the previous three have been indie-dull at all
― ban this sick stunt (anagram), Sunday, 8 January 2012 20:03 (twelve years ago) link
Bet she had to change the sheets after Justin jizzed all over them.imshippyupup 4 days ago
― buzza, Sunday, 8 January 2012 21:05 (twelve years ago) link
xpost Yeah, but it's not like the arrangements are all indie chamber rock all of a sudden. It's just less shiny and major-label sounding, ie indie-dull.
― Josh in Chicago, Sunday, 8 January 2012 21:32 (twelve years ago) link
on Dave Letterman tnite!
― Mordy, Wednesday, 18 January 2012 00:43 (twelve years ago) link
she was really good
― Mordy, Thursday, 19 January 2012 03:25 (twelve years ago) link
Speaking of whom, was this one ever posted?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MreeHyNDZiA
― Isinglass Ponys (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 24 August 2020 13:33 (four years ago) link
Or this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBPrBdwnqYc
― Isinglass Ponys (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 24 August 2020 21:30 (four years ago) link
There is a another Quitters video on FB of a different performance.
― Isinglass Ponys (James Redd and the Blecchs), Tuesday, 25 August 2020 02:01 (four years ago) link
I can just barely do it. Can't put my finger on why, but I can't think of another songwriter who so consistently breaks my heart.
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 25 August 2020 02:10 (four years ago) link
So glad you called @MarenMorris.@SXMOutlaw #TotalFreedom pic.twitter.com/rBAq0c9lcy— Kathleen Edwards (@kittythefool) August 25, 2020
― Indexed, Tuesday, 25 August 2020 19:51 (four years ago) link
I can spot your kind a million miles away
― Isinglass Ponys (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 26 August 2020 19:57 (four years ago) link
Lol etc at the NPR description accompanying this video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW6WICBscx4
― Isinglass Ponys (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 26 August 2020 23:35 (four years ago) link
the pet grieving one-two punch "Ashes to Ashes" -> "Who Rescued Who" is some amazing sequencing (not to mention very helpful to me recently)
― geoffreyess, Sunday, 30 August 2020 00:58 (four years ago) link
it was driving me crazy but I finally realized what "Glenfern" reminds me of: Frente's cover of of Bizarre Love Triangle
now I just need to determine what very popular 90s song the guitar part in "Options Open" reminds me of. Anybody?
This album is ok. Better than Voyager but nowhere near Failer or Asking for Flowers. Too many twee songs about pets, for one thing.
― Paul Ponzi, Wednesday, 9 September 2020 11:26 (four years ago) link
― geoffreyess, Saturday, August 29, 2020 5:58 PM (three months ago) bookmarkflaglink
these songs come out of nowhere and kick my ass emotionally
― mellon collie and the infinite bradness (BradNelson), Thursday, 24 December 2020 16:16 (three years ago) link
Listening to Asking for Flowers again right now. Really hitting the spot.
― The Thin, Wild Mercury Rising (James Redd and the Blecchs), Friday, 22 September 2023 01:46 (one year ago) link
It's a beautiful record.
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 22 September 2023 02:19 (one year ago) link
"Alicia Ross"
stops me in my tracks every time
that third verse
― alpine static, Friday, 22 September 2023 06:44 (one year ago) link
She put out a new song today (it’s nice!) and seems to be actively touring, though I haven’t seen any reference to a new album coming.
― sctttnnnt (pgwp), Thursday, 3 October 2024 02:04 (four weeks ago) link
"Human Touch," Springsteen cover.
― TO BE A JAZZ SINGER YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO SCAT (Jazzbo), Thursday, 3 October 2024 13:59 (four weeks ago) link
Oh ha, I just revealed one of my blind spots
― sctttnnnt (pgwp), Thursday, 3 October 2024 15:09 (four weeks ago) link
I had no idea she recently toured the UK as opener for the guy from the Hold Steady. Those must have been some great shows.
― bored by endless ecstasy (anagram), Thursday, 3 October 2024 15:25 (four weeks ago) link
She’s playing a venue in Venice (LA) next month that I’ve never heard of before. Never seen her before but hoping to check it out
― sctttnnnt (pgwp), Thursday, 3 October 2024 16:41 (four weeks ago) link
From Facebook today:
Over this past winter I recorded a collection of songs for a covers album. This week I’m releasing the first of eight songs for this upcoming release.Human Touch featuring Bahamas (aka Afie Jurvanen, my fellow Canadian) is the first track to hatch. The truth is, this particular track is unique to the others because it was recorded years ago but was never released. What makes this track so special to me is how we set up on the studio floor facing each other, Afie played guitar and we sang it in one single pass. All these years later it feels incredibly real to me, very much like the rest of the songs to be released in the coming weeks and months. I’m so grateful to Jim Scott for producing this project with me. Jim is a hero of mine, as are the bands and songwriters of the songs I’ve covered for this project. Thanks for checking out Bruce Springsteen’s Human Touch and I’m looking forward to sharing the others with you soon.
Human Touch featuring Bahamas (aka Afie Jurvanen, my fellow Canadian) is the first track to hatch.
The truth is, this particular track is unique to the others because it was recorded years ago but was never released. What makes this track so special to me is how we set up on the studio floor facing each other, Afie played guitar and we sang it in one single pass.
All these years later it feels incredibly real to me, very much like the rest of the songs to be released in the coming weeks and months.
I’m so grateful to Jim Scott for producing this project with me. Jim is a hero of mine, as are the bands and songwriters of the songs I’ve covered for this project. Thanks for checking out Bruce Springsteen’s Human Touch and I’m looking forward to sharing the others with you soon.
― bratwurst autumn (Eazy), Thursday, 3 October 2024 16:43 (four weeks ago) link
"Human Touch" is really suited to her, though weird to hear it downshifted so much. That's a great late era Boss track.
I could have sworn she said Jason Isbell was producing her new album.
― Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 3 October 2024 20:30 (four weeks ago) link
A year ago I had started writing songs for a new album. Here we are today, first day of August and I’m about to head to Nashville to record a new album with Jason Isbell producing. Pretty exciting stuff. All the songs I hadn’t yet written sitting at my piano with my dog wondering… pic.twitter.com/2qK7KgnW8Y— Kathleen Edwards (@kittythefool) August 1, 2024