Patricia Barber "Verse" released and online

Does she narrate "Wood is a Pleasant Thing"?

Doesn't anyone else think that Patricia Barber has gone off the deep end -- or is it just me?

And if you cab stand her later stuff and apparently "Verse", you must find a copy of Split.

Very good and good recording. Before a label got a hold of her or something....

I have now listened to this disk most every day for a couple weeks. I must say it grows on me, a lot of subtle musical treats to discover. I continue to enjoy her journey through her musical growth and still believe she is one of the very leading musicians today.

Cwlondon, I went back to Split and worked forward from there. I think Patricia has always been over the edge. Every disk is a focus on another aspect of her talent. If you watch her arrangements and cording, she has grown beyond most. She is indeed odd, but this is not new.

The one thing that really bothers me is her view of herself may be a bit warped. I believe she sees herself as an artist of unequaled accomplishment. She sees her poetry, her music and her yuppie standing as above the masses.

She may indeed have reason given the talent she has, but get a grip girl. I met her four years ago and spent some time talking to her, I can tell you she is nothing special as a personality.

Last thing, have you looked at wood lately? I just noticed how pleasant it is.

I have listened to this just once so far. My first impression was a 50's beat poetry reading with musical accompaniment. While there was some passion, she has more of a clinical approach and I doubt that it's accidental.

I'm a Patricia Barber fan and bought this without hearing it. I was disappointed because it is what it says it is..verse and as the earlier responder commented, reminds me of the beat poetry of the late 50s. I think she is at her best when she sings "The Beat goes on" and "Voodoo Woman." I feel that I can always count on a few of these on each cds and this justifies the purchase... I have to admit that I enjoy the instrumentals from her earlier cds that are strong on drums and I think the backup is as important with their tracts as are hers. She used different people this time. This one was not what I was looking for myself.