Patty Larkin - 25

Patty Larkin never does things quite as one might expect. Over the course of a dozen acclaimed albums, the Boston-based self-described "guitar driven songwriter" has put her own unique stamp on modern folk pop, fuzzying the genre borders with jazz, ambient improvisation and international music. There's always a distinctive new perspective to her songs as melodies twist and turn, lyrics stagger and strut with a poet's ear for wordplay and notes from her guitar blur and bend into impressionistic works of breathtaking virtuosity. All, of course, simultaneously. To label Larkin's music as "singer/songwriter" is to simply scratch the surface.

Celebrating a quarter of a century of recording, Larkin's new retrospective 25 (March 9, Signature Sounds) naturally does things a little differently. An intimate and collaborative collection of some of her finest "love songs", these new versions are stripped down to their naked, mostly acoustic essence and then coupled with supporting guest vocals from a stellar assortment of "friends along the way". Most, like Larkin, have helped redefine contemporary, folk-based songwriting: Shawn Colvin, Mary Chapin Carpenter, David Wilcox, Suzanne Vega, Martin Sexton, John Gorka, Rosanne Cash, Dar Williams, Jonatha Brooke, Bruce Cockburn and many more. The result is a terrific songbook of extraordinary depth, a revealing primer on innovative guitar mastery and the perfect bookend for both Larkin's longtime enthusiasts or newcomers. Highly recommended.

Myspace Artist Site

Patty Larkin - "Only One" (with Jonatha Brooke) (from the album 25)

Patty Larkin - "Pablo Neruda" (with Suzanne Vega) (from the album 25)