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Patty Larkin
RED = LUCK
(VANGUARD)

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Although she labors in a musical vineyard with Nancy Griffith and Catie Curtis, songwriter/guitarist Patty Larkin always distinguishes herself with meticulous musicianship. Red = Luck is no exception. Recorded in her Wellfleet studio, the Berklee grad’s 10th album is as ruggedly beautiful as Cape Cod in March. Indeed, on "The Cranes," a stark, slow meditation poised between brittle winter gloom and the promise of spring, she sings, "Winter fades/The sun is burning high." That image hovers over the entire disc, from "Italian Shoes," with its insouciant, pitter-patter guitar pop, and "Home," her subtle take on domesticity post–September 11, to "Too Bad," a wistful alterna-country duet with Willy Porter.

Yes, there are missteps. "Birmingham," an unconvincing sketch of urban poverty ("The kingpins are making a killing"?) wanders into Paula Cole land. And her glosses on the lyric sheet (including the obligatory quote from the Dalai Lama) undercut the evocativeness of the songs. But you have to forgive anyone who can fashion a bouncy, shimmering, would-be single like "Inside Your Painting" — which in a just world would land on the soundtrack of a generic romantic comedy and bring Larkin a bushel of royalties. Until then, Red = Luck is a perfect spin for the long spring thaw.

(Patty Larkin celebrates the release of her new CD at the Somerville Theatre this Friday, February 21, with opener Merrie Amsterburg. Call 617-661-1252.)

BY JEFF OUSBORNE

Issue Date: February 20 - 27, 2003
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