The Red Thread

by Lucy Kaplansky

Overview

From folksinger to clinical psychologist and back to folksinger, Kaplansky has experienced life, and proves you can have it all. One of the themes of this disc is the Chinese child she and her husband have adopted, and the way being a parent will change her and her relationships, explored lovingly on "I Had Something" and the title track. But she's also looking outside herself, concerned with the world, and out of that comes one of the most insightful post- 9/11 songs, "Land of the Living," which focuses on humans, not theories and abstractions. "Line in the Sand," about Iraq, doesn't work as well, however, and "Brooklyn Train" ends up being reminiscent of For the Roses-era Joni Mitchell. Kaplansky has always offered a wide range of covers on her albums, and this follows the pattern, from the heartbreaking "Cowboy Singer" by the late Dave Carter to a rocked-up "Off and Running" from the pen of James McMurtry. As usual, she's supported by her longtime bandmates, who often supply glistening arrangements to frame her supple voice (although drums and bass add absolutely nothing to "Cowboy Singer" -- in fact, they detract from it). That she's a talent is beyond question, and with "Land of the Living," she's surpassed herself as a writer. ~ Chris Nickson

Product Details

Release Date:	02/10/2004
Label:	Red House Records
UPC:	0033651016625
Rank:	118483

Tracks

1. I Had Something
2. Line in the Sand
3. Love Song/New York
4. This Is Home
5. Off and Running
6. Land of the Living
7. Cowboy Singer
8. Hole in My Head
9. The Red Thread
10. Brooklyn Train

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Lucy Kaplansky   Primary Artist,Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background)
Duke Levine   Soloist,Ambience,Mandolin,Slide Guitar,Guitar (Electric),National Steel Guitar,Guitar (12 String Electric),Mandola
Eliza Gilkyson   Vocals (Background)
Jonatha Brooke   Vocals (Background)
Brian Mitchell   Organ
Ben Wittman   Drums,Piano,Keyboards,Wurlitzer,Percussion
John Gorka   Vocals (Background)
Jon Herington   Soloist,Harmonium,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Guitar (12 String)
Richard Shindell   Vocals (Background)
Zev Katz   Bass,Guitar (Baritone)
Andy Ezrin   Piano

Technical Credits

Ben Wittman   Audio Production,Arranger,Composer,Engineer,Producer
Duke Levine   Arranger,Guitorgan
Manfred Knoop   Engineer
C. Taylor Crothers   Photography
Richard Litvin   Composer
Bill Morrissey   Composer
Ben Wisch   Mixing
Jon Herington   Arranger
Rob Genadek   Engineer
Roy Hendrickson   Engineer
Lucy Kaplansky   Composer,Liner Notes
Jim Lauderdale   Composer
Zev Katz   Arranger
Buddy Miller   Composer
Carla Leighton   Graphic Design
Andy Sarroff   Assistant
Assumpta Clohessy   Make-Up,Hair Stylist
Steven Patterson   Engineer
Dave Carter   Composer
David Glasser   Mastering
James McMurtry   Composer