2. music
  3. 1137017159

Which Patricia Barber album floats yer boat?

As far as my knowledge is concerned and from all the reading that I do, “Blood on the tracks” by Bob Dylan is considered to be his best album by far. For Joni Mitchell it is “Blue”. What really amazes me is that there is no general consensus on which album of Patricia Barber is the best. Some prefer “Modern Cool”, some “Companion”, some think “Nightclub” is her best album! I think it is “Café Blue” Why? Cause the two tracks numbered 9 (Too Rich for my blood), and 11 (Nardis) strike a chord in me like no other songs of her. They have the energy which seem to ooze out from the system in spades.

Which album of Patricia Barber floats yer boat and why?
128x128quadophile
marktomaras
544 posts
 
Music is of course quite subjective, hence the people saying nasty things about Barber in this thread.  The first album I had was Cafe Blue, and I think it is outstanding.  I love almost every track.  

I had seen her live at The Green Mill in Chicago before purchasing that, and it was a great show.  Then I went back to The Mill, and I interviewed her for a video I was making on the The Green Mill.  Her performance that night was absolutely killer.  She recommended Modern Cool as my next listen.  I have it, and I think it is quite good, but I prefer Cafe Blue.  I just bought Companion.  We shall see how it goes.

She is a very interesting person, and a great artist.
falconquest's avatar
falconquest
1,108 posts
 
Umm, I find the comments on this thread very interesting although I admit I haven't read them all. Perhaps I'll just be the quiet voice from the back of the room that has to say something, because I feel that Patricia Barber is one of the most talented musicians/artists alive today. From Cafe Blue to A Fortnight in France to Mythologies, this woman is amazing. Have you heard Autumn Leaves from the Ladies Jazz Festival in Gdynia? Have a listen starting at 20:45....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVSV0xu0P8U
Her arrangements are incredible. Check out Norwegian Wood from A Fortnight in France. How anyone can criticize Patricia Barber completely escapes me.

billspecfoc
103 posts
 
I only have two of Ms. Barber's CD's, Cafe Blue and Modern Cool (on BR and SACD).  I like Modern Cool the best for its moody flavor.

Please forgive the slightly off-topic question.  I want to purchase Companion.  Anyone out there compare the SACD to RBCD versions?  Is it worth it to spend at least 5x the amount of the cost of RBCD and get the SACD?
marktomaras
544 posts
 
I just bought the DSD download of companion for $25 at acoustic sounds, a fair price.  Are you using hard drive based music yet or only discs?
erik_squires
16,088 posts
 
Out of the six albums I own:

The Cole Porter Mix
Monday Night Live at the Green Mill


I’m afraid that Cafe Blue in my mind just did not age well in. It’s extremely clean and lacks any noise at all, but for musical enjoyment the latter albums easily surpass it.

I think if Cafe Blue was introduced today, no one would recognize it as a noteworthy album for audiophile quality alone.

Best,

E
More to discover