Constant Emotion is the second CD from Salt Lake City singer-songwriter Kate MacLeod (pronounced "McCloud"). Eleven original songs display the spare, often chilling lyric style that earned MacLeod the "Utah Lyricist Of The... more » Year" award from the Private Eye Reader's Poll. Kate also covers "Piney Wood Hills," by Buffy Sainte Marie. Produced by Charles Sawtelle at Rancho Deville Studios in Boulder, CO, Constant Emotion features MacLeod on guitar, fiddle, harmonica and vocals; Peter Rowan, vocal harmonies; Matt Flinner on tenor guitar, banjo, mandolin, and bouzouki; Barry Carter, acoustic bass; Mark Diamond, acoustic bass; Charles Sawtelle, guitar; Sally Van Meter, dobro; Kelly Wallis, drums; and Ty Burhoe, tabla. Kate MacLeod's songs - subtle, philosophical, firmly within the folk tradition - express a positive view of life. Included are "Long Ride Home," concerning a long train ride that translates an elusive inner journey as well (Peter Rowan adds a fine harmony); "Adam," tale of a dangerous religious fanatic that harks back in feeling to Dylan's "Ballad of Hollis Brown"; "A Long Time Ago," connecting personal childhood orientations with the state of the planet; and "Second Chance At Romance," a poetic tour-de-force in which a recovering alcoholic finds new possibilities. "Talkin' About Good News" and "The Red And Green House" reflect a lighter mood. Raised in the Washington, D.C. area, Kate MacLeod moved to Salt Lake City in 1979, where she taught drafting and geometric theory of ancient instrument design at Peter Prier's Violin Making School Of America. In addition to solo performances, she plays Celtic music with Shanahy.« less
Constant Emotion is the second CD from Salt Lake City singer-songwriter Kate MacLeod (pronounced "McCloud"). Eleven original songs display the spare, often chilling lyric style that earned MacLeod the "Utah Lyricist Of The Year" award from the Private Eye Reader's Poll. Kate also covers "Piney Wood Hills," by Buffy Sainte Marie. Produced by Charles Sawtelle at Rancho Deville Studios in Boulder, CO, Constant Emotion features MacLeod on guitar, fiddle, harmonica and vocals; Peter Rowan, vocal harmonies; Matt Flinner on tenor guitar, banjo, mandolin, and bouzouki; Barry Carter, acoustic bass; Mark Diamond, acoustic bass; Charles Sawtelle, guitar; Sally Van Meter, dobro; Kelly Wallis, drums; and Ty Burhoe, tabla. Kate MacLeod's songs - subtle, philosophical, firmly within the folk tradition - express a positive view of life. Included are "Long Ride Home," concerning a long train ride that translates an elusive inner journey as well (Peter Rowan adds a fine harmony); "Adam," tale of a dangerous religious fanatic that harks back in feeling to Dylan's "Ballad of Hollis Brown"; "A Long Time Ago," connecting personal childhood orientations with the state of the planet; and "Second Chance At Romance," a poetic tour-de-force in which a recovering alcoholic finds new possibilities. "Talkin' About Good News" and "The Red And Green House" reflect a lighter mood. Raised in the Washington, D.C. area, Kate MacLeod moved to Salt Lake City in 1979, where she taught drafting and geometric theory of ancient instrument design at Peter Prier's Violin Making School Of America. In addition to solo performances, she plays Celtic music with Shanahy.
CD Reviews
Reflective folk-pop
millrunner | Boston | 06/20/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Singer/songwriter MacLeod seems to thrive on subtlety on Constant Emotion, her second album. This fine sophomore effort lives up to the promise of her debut album, Trying to Get It Right, and MacLeod's writing is undeniably strong on originals that range from the haunting "Long Ride Home" to the moving "My Forsaken Love" and the sunny, sweetly optimistic "Talkin' About Good News." If you find yourself feeling jaded, pessimistic or bitter, "Talkin' About Good News" is a great song to listen to because it provides just the opposite perspective. But before you start thinking that MacLeod is incurably Pollyanna-ish, check out "Adam," a disturbing number that describes an unbalanced religious extremist who ends up in prison. Without hitting you over the head, "Adam" tells the character's story quite effectively. The only song on the CD that MacLeod didn't write or co-write is Buffy St. Marie's "The Pineywood Hills," which she interprets with appealing results. Like Trying to Get It Right, Constant Emotion will make you want more."
Wonderful folk CD
millrunner | 05/17/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a really nice CD. This is a nice collection of tunes written to touch the heart and celebrate the good things. This is good folk music with no pretense of being anything else. This is a great CD to enjoy with a good cup of coffee in front of a crackling fire."
Great CD
millrunner | 04/23/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"MacLeod is at her best on this CD. This is probably my favorite album of hers and one of my favorite CDs period. If you like Dar Williams, Jewel, Lucy Kaplansky, Sarah McLachlan, or the like, you will probably find that MacLeod fit your taste."
Built to last
Sara Richmond | Winnipeg, Canada | 06/04/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I find I keep coming back to this CD over the years and enjoying it more each time. Some artist grab you for a moment and some for a lifetime. I think 'Constant Emotion' is one of those CDs I'll listen to when I'm old and grey (and hey, that's not for a *while*)."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1