Classic class.
Krista Detor’s third contains twelve songs in a mix of folk, jazz and gospel. Still she is first and foremost a singer-songwriter that only needs a small inducement for melancholical, but layered lyrics. She alternates between traditional folky subjects and a failed romantic visit to Paris or a not prevented suicide.
Producer/guitarist/background singer David Weber takes care of more musical barbed hooks than on predecessor Mudshow. They serve Detor’s songs well: in her romantic melodies dobro, banjo, cello and trombone contrast with her melancholy. However, they also underline the emotions that Detor sings about at the same time.
Her songs, written at the piano, convince continually because of the introspective combination of regret, despair and stubbornness. In these majestic songs she regularly sounds discouraged, but resignation is seldom heard. Just like her songs, Detor’s somewhat veiled tone shows hope for better days almost all the time.
***1/2
Published in Dutch in roots music magazine Heaven no. 45 November-December 2006/no. 6