Christine Lavin, Folkzinger - 56m 55s

Tracks & Durations

1. Armageddon	0:28
2. Happiness Runs	3:24
3. The Bends	6:16
4. Winter in Manhattan	3:34
5. Moken Spoken Here	5:25
6. Chicken Soup	9:13
7. Bad Girl Dreams	2:44
8. All My Lovin'	3:56
9. One of the Boys	6:01
10. The Peter Principle at Work	4:24
11. (I'm a) Card-Carrying Bleeding Heart Liberal	6:50
12. Surprise	0:10
13. Winter in Manhattan (sung by The Accidentals)	4:22

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Review

Christine Lavin's new CD, "folkZinger," her 17th solo release, continues her focus on the foibles of contemporary life. Far more than a comedienne with a guitar, Christine creates theatrical vignettes in many of her songs by utilizing hilarious spoken-word anecdotes and mini-skits, occasional sound effects, and an ever-broadening palette of arrangements.

Everyday absurdities and indignities remain the backbone (and funnybone) of Christine's repertoire. Whether it's the latest approach to safe sex ("Bad Girl Dreams"), the nightmare of uncancellable e-mail subscriptions ("Chicken Soup"), or a yearning for an imaginary-sounding but real island paradise free of telemarketers and ring-tones ("Moken Spoken Here"), Christine presents these scenarios for our amusement. For contrast, there's also a quiet, thoughtful take on 21st Century midlife crises ("The Bends"), a charming reminiscence of her staid grandfather's moment of athletic glory ("One of the Boys"), a torchy "makeout" version of The Beatles' "All My Lovin'" and a cover of Donovan's cheery "Happiness Runs."

"FolkZinger" displays several new influences in Christine's creative life. Since August 2004, she has been a regular at the weekly "Cast Party" show at the Birdland jazz club in New York, meeting and singing with vocalists and musicians from outside the folk world, some of whom appear on this CD. Her friendship with iconic songwriter Ervin Drake ("Good Morning Heartache," "It Was a Very Good Year") has led to "folkZinger's" most overtly political songs - the co-written "The Peter Principle At Work," about "a leader who never had a clue," and Drake's humorously defiant "(I'm a) Card-Carrying Bleeding Heart Liberal." The award-winning New York a cappella octet The Accidentals provide a bonus-track version of Lavin's "Winter in Manhattan," a witty tribute to the Big Apple that also appears here in a Christine-fronted arrangement.

The result is a beautifully crafted fusion of Lavin's alternately wise and frazzled vocals, folkish acoustic guitar, and the fresh musical input of producer and multi-instrumentalist Brian Bauers, "Cast Party" friends, longtime folk performer Robin Batteau (violin), The Accidentals, and even Christine's young nephews.

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