Which Patricia Barber album floats yer boat?

I have all of Patricia Barber’s albums, not because of my stereo system, but because I like the way she plays and sings. I recently went to see her and her band in Davis, California and she is two-fold better live. My wife and I were lucky enough to get cancellation seats in the front row for the second performance that we saw, which was right beside her piano. It was quite different watching her put her ear right next to the piano keys to play and hear her moan and grunt. She was definitely in control of the band, but she gave every one in her band the opportunity to improvise on almost every song. She played a third of the same songs for each show that I saw, but the songs did not sound the same because of the improvising that she allowed her band to do. I wish I had gone to all five of her shows.

I don't doubt that she is better in concert, but she has just as many losers as winners in her recordings. That will get you into the hall of fame if you're a baseball player, but not in this medium.

One person's favorite CD is another's frisbee. That and 25 cents won't get you a cup of coffee.

I'm sure the clout that audiophiles command doesn't amount to a fly spec on the wall of the music industry...so much for "the medium". Can anyone actually define "the medium"?

Isn't it the thing between small and large? lol..

Warrenh: I have seen PB in concert several times (Regattabar in Boston and Carnegie Hall). Both live performance made me want to go back and listen to her on my rig with CD's.

Bottom line......live performances get a D/C-, studio recordings A

That's a first, Rcupka. I think you mean to be talking to Kevine, don't ya?

I have rarely came across a more over-rated artist than Barber, do people like the music or the audiophile status because it only seems to fly around audionuts.

It is the quality of her recordings that rock my audiophoolish boat. Not her singing or piano playing. And I can listen to only 'bout half her cds, and about half of the tracks on those cds.

I am sure glad that we all have different tastes and opinions. Life would be a bit boring if we all prefered white shirts, white slacks, white tennis shoes, and listening to Lawrence Welk twenty-four hours a day. I owned all of Patricia Barber's cds before I went to her concerts in Davis, Ca. I thought all of her discs sounded great, which is the reason I went to the concerts. Only after going to the concerts, did I realize how good she was in a live setting. I am now hooked for life.

I have all of her CDs. I went to see her live at Carnegie Hall back in March of this year, and the concert was awesome. The only thing that pisses me off is that some of the songs she does on the concert are never recorded. She did an unbeleivable interpretation of Ellington's Caravan. It was just amazing. I wish there was a recording of it.

But hearing her recordings for the first time was very refreshing. It's like watching a good indepependent film after a steady diet of Holywood.

I just received "Live A Fortnight in France" and love her version of Norwegian Wood. "Modern Cool" is another favorite.

I couldn't stand "Live a Fortnight.." I wonder why you can by it anywhere (used) for next to nothing? A song here and there...she's no big deal, IMHO..Modern Cool: cool indeed

Barber is one of those artists that have a unique style that doesn't fit in with everyone's taste. I hate Bob Dylan - who cares?

Companion did it for me but her new album Mythologies may her best one yet....experimenting with new structures and interplay....the band itself I think has grown and is best they have done so far.

Cafe Blue does it for me. Mythologies has been spinning a lot recently and I really like this piece. Patricia Barber is just an amazing artist.

Henryhk,

Would you be kind enough to describe the contents of her new album? In what way it is better, Does it releate to any of her previous albums? What you liked personally in this new album.

I am sure there are many fans of Ms Barber on this thread and they may like to have an insight into it if they have not yet come across it.

Thanks

I think Mythologies is her weakest album. But that's just my opinion. I don't think the band is at full potential on this recording and the music is a bit more commercial than her other records. Lyrics are first rate though....typical PB.
I have all her CDs and like them all, but the Mythologies is my least favorite of hers. I think with this disc she wanted to appeal to a wider crowd and not just her fans.

Quadophile....and I guess Auphile I beg to differ

Perhaps yes it can be considered as more "commercial" in that as opposed to the more open structure of her previous music which I think emphasized "space", space btwn notes, space btwn the players...this time there is a more resolute song structure with tighter playing...the temp shifts at times are dramatic, and though at first it may sound "commercial" in that some of the "beats" used are more of popular music at times, the complexity of interplay remains or even goes further. Guitarist neal alger, previously contributing more in terms of texture & color, here while continuing to do so provides some outstanding solos....he really lets go...I didn't know he could wail like that. On motive trying to appeal to a wider audience, I really don't think so...just consider the lyrics: no....but what she has done is further experiment with some elements of popular music: the key is she really makes it her own. In this sense, this album I actually think is more adventerous than some others of hers...after her initial success, it seemed to me she was getting into a comfort zone and risking becoming repetitive.

Henryhk, very good. I'm glad you like it. And I am also glad that our opinions differ. Otherwise it would be too boring if everyone agreed. :)

I am not saying it is a terrible recording.
It is possibly better than most 2006 records you can buy. I just think that for her, musically, this is a step down. Not a big deal, but still. Happens to everyone sooner or later. I am sure she will reward us with some new and possibly even better music in the next few years.

Cafe Blue!

Agree with Henryhk. Mythologies is step/s away from norm and end up superior to all the norm work that PB has done. And yes the rap tune included. IMHO. Prior to this Cafe Blue was my favourite. With Mythologies, her work is like NOW.

I mentioned "Live a Fortnight in France" earlier in this thread but in comparing Barber's two live performance CDs I feel "Companion" is definatetly the better recording; the entire CD is really wonderful but the percussion solo on the last cut "Black Magic Women" is especially outstanding.

10-16-06: Bobgates
...but the percussion solo on the last cut "Black Magic Women" is especially outstanding.

I used this track many times when auditioning components/systems to test the ability to display the outstanding dynamics in this percussion solo. Besides this being one of my favorite PB tracks to listen to, it's also a great demo piece.

Agreed with Bobgates and Audphile. Companion is an outstanding record. It is very well recorded and works well as a demo record. It is also one of the most accessable PB records. It doesn't suffer from the "weird" arrangements that plague some of the other PB records.

I'm not a big fan of Patricia Barber. However, Companion is excellent and has a permenent place in my rotation.

Enjoy,

TIC

I would say VERSE is my favorite of the five that I own.

BTW, anyone heard the new Mythologies album ? Reviews ?

My favorite is VERSE, followed by MODERN COOL. I have three others.

BTW: anyone have the new album MYTHOLOGIES ?

I have Mythologies. It's pretty good, but not my favorite.

"Nun".

for those who like percussions on the album Companion should also check out the track Nardis on Cafe Blue. The drums/percussions on this track are nothing short of extraordinary. I use it for testing equipment for dynamic range.

Companion, Cafe Blue and Fortnight in France are my favs, in order. Verse is horrible IMO. Just can't get into it.

The percussion duo at the end of Black Magic Woman is the one part of her repertoire that seems to make everybody smile when they hear it. Cheers,
Spencer

Sbank,

Yes that particular piece is sure to get your adrenaline flowing in copious amounts.;)

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.

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.

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?

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?

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

Thanks for your query @marktomaras.  I'm still spinning silver discs (only).  But, I've decided to get the RBCD copy of Companion as I couldn't justify almost $100 for the SACD.

Patricia Barber?  Recordings drenched in artificial reverb?  Same thing, right??

Frank

Her boat sank .

I like many of her songs/albums. I categorize her type of music as "dark jazz". It is enjoyable in the right mood. The recording quality is an added bonus.