"Paper Airplane"


Dear Alison,
I love you. Your body of work is what dreams are made of. I'm sorry to say that, while mere mortals, such as I, could ever dream of being able to obtain your level of perfection, I am feeling that PA is not up to your previous standards. While everyone's performance is excellent, the (magic) that we have come to expect, isn't there the way it was previously. The sonics, while they are very good, aren't up to the standards set by all of your previous works. Forgive me, I'm still a huge fan. My best.....
128x128slaw
The recording is significantly worse than her others. The music seems sort 
of average by her standards, but i would still buy it again, but it is borderline. I would like to see her try something different. Maybe an album of covers only. Maybe folk jazz crossover.
I just saw AKUS station live here in Calgary a week ago, and it was a magical experience! I had always thought that she should go fully solo, but after watching their performance, I now understand why they've been together 21 years! The synergy of all of the band members is simply amazing; they make beautiful music! I had only wished that she had performed "Looking In the Eyes of Love". It's my favorite AKUS song. Her version of "When you Say Nothing at All" for her first encore song was haunting! I agree PA was just ok.
I also see AKUS in Portland a week ago & the performance was outstanding. Paper Airplane the recording might not be quite up to her others but the material in my opinion certainly is.
While my comments stand regarding PA, I most definitely agree that live, they're musicianship, cohesiveness, etc. is incomparable.
After reading this thread, I compared PA (which I agree doesn't quite grab you) to the excellent New Favorite. After doing so, I agreed that the recording on PA (CD version) was lacking, but couldn't say exactly why. What don't people like about it?

John

PS: AKUS fans may enjoy Sierra Hull, who I think Alison may have produced.