Christine Lavin
folkZinger
(2005)
“. . . Very much a New York album, not so much as a stated theme, but the feel of the city and the after effects of 9/11 seem to drift in and out of the background of these songs like a half-remembered dream. Lavin hasn't by any means abandoned her good humor and wry, gently sarcastic view of the little oddities of contemporary life, or the murky, ambivalent ins and outs of relationships in the 21st century, but she has always been a New Yorker, and it shows here. She also has a political agenda, which is in full display on folkZinger, particularly on the heat-seeking ‘The Peter Principle at Work’ (written with songwriting veteran Ervin Drake), which sharply damns the presidency of George W. Bush, and is one of the most striking songs on the album. The charming ‘Winter in Manhattan,’ which is presented both in a version with Lavin singing and in an a cappella version by the Accidentals, is a gem in miniature, managing to make a Big Apple winter seem worth traveling to see. . .Gentle and wry, but with plenty of her trademark zing, folkZinger will be received with enthusiasm by Lavin's many fans.”
– All Music Guide |
“Funny lady Christine Lavin swirls cute songs and yarns on folkZinger, evoking the urban din and angst of ‘Winter in Manhattan,’ extolling the pleasures of ‘Bad Girl Dreams’ and ranting about e-mail overload and noxious ‘feel good’ books on ‘Chicken Soup.’ Lavin also ponders that infamous Iraq ‘mission accomplished’ boast on ‘The Peter Principle At Work.’
– Jonathan Takiff, Knight Ridder News Service |
“Equal parts folksinger and comedienne, Christine Lavin alternates songs with entertaining anecdotes about modern life. On her 17th album, folkZinger, Lavin shows no sign of losing her sense of humor, even as she states strong opinions on the current regime. . . . But folkZinger isn't all politics: Lavin tenderly covers the Beatles’ ‘All My Lovin’’ and includes two versions of a tribute to her hometown, ‘Winter in Manhattan.’ The first is a solo performance, while an a cappella version sung by the Accidentals displays the song's versatility, with eight voices capturing both the lyrics' sweetest moments and the craze of trying to hail a New York taxi in snowy weather.”
– Catherine P. Lewis, Washington Post, December 2, 2005 |
“Christine Lavin’s latest CD is a multi-faceted offering filled with songs – several with stories intertwined – that will almost certainly bring smiles to your face, maybe a tear or two to your eye, and perhaps even a touch of political anger. Smiles come early in the album in a version of Donovan’s ‘Happiness Runs,” during which Christine tells the story of encountering Donovan on an airplane en route to a gig where she was going to opening for him. . . . Also guaranteed to make you smile is ‘Chicken Soup,’ a long song and shaggy dog story that could only have been told in the cyber-era and ‘One of the Boys,’ Christine’s song about the one day that her rather formal grandfather seemed to relax his guard and have some fun. . . Life in New York City, specifically life in Manhattan, is a recurring theme in several of the songs including the afore mentioned ‘One of the Boys,’ ‘Winter in Manhattan,’ a kind of love song to the city at the coldest time of the year, and ‘The Peter Principle At Work,’ a pull-no-punches topical song co-written with Ervin Drake that hits out at how George W. Bush and the Republican Party exploited the events of 9/11 when they brought the party’s convention to New York City in 2004. In addition to the Donovan song, other covers include a lovely arrangement of ‘All My Lovin’,’ an early Beatles song that she performs very differently from the original. . .”
– Mike Regenstreif, Sing Out!, Winter 2006 |
“If you haven’t heard this singer/songwriter before, you’ve missed a mischievously sweet voice capable of singing a broad range of subjects that reflect her wit and profound sensibility. Christine Lavin sounds at first like she may be a just another pretty little folk singer who sings about flowers, oceans, and love, but oh no . . . She's not afraid at all to launch into a tirade about how Republicans are creating the ruin of this country; about the frivolous nature of our corporate culture; or about subjects that few of us – save Ani DiFranco – dare to sing, like the right to abortion. . . .Lavin shines through with a fantastic sense of style and humor. Her sweet voice sings a marvelous song about ‘Bad Girl Dreams,’ another about those damned ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’ books, and yet another about how nice it would be to experience life as an Eskimo. Give this wonderfully diverse album a spin!”
– Emily Poor, Americana Director, KRFP, Moscow, ID. |
“Christine Lavin is one of America’s best humorists in song. Folkzinger, the title of her 2005 CD, perfectly describes this New Yorker's style, though this post-9/11 disc has a strong political bite.”
– Jon Bream, Minneapolis Star Tribune |
“. . . Christine Lavin looks and sounds better than ever. Having found the perfect balance of wisdom and spontaneity, she crafts her songs as cleverly and remarkably as though she was a female Jimmy Webb (the ultimate compliment). . . . It’s marvelous that she has come up with yet another quality album, as she tours almost non-stop. . . . She is filled with zest per usual, and utilizes all sorts of creative props – humorous spoken-word anecdotes, skits, provocative and unusual sound effects – all wrapped up in a variety of arrangements and imagery drenched lyrics. . . . ‘Winter in Manhattan’ contains all of the elements of this album: wit, humor, brilliance and the unexpected.”
– Tony Mastrianni, Eden, NY, Daily News |
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