With three albums and the successful Cry Cry Cry collaboration with Dar Williams and Richard Shindell under her belt (not to mention a cult following in the New England folk scene), Lucy Kaplansky could have consciou... more »sly attempted to break out with wider acclaim and sales. Instead, she has turned in her most quiet, atmospheric, and even mysterious recording to date. In the wash of drummer Ben Wittman's Lanois-esque production--lots of reverbed guitar and moody percussion layers--Kaplansky sings of sins of flesh and soul, all the existential doubts suggested by sex, cities, and (as on the heartbreaking "Song for Molly") senility. Kaplansky will never be the songwriter that peers like John Gorka or Ellis Paul are, but she's a fine interpreter with good taste in material, as demonstrated by her engaging takes on Julie Miller's "Broken Things," Steve Earle's "You're Still Standing There," and the Louvin Brothers' gospel gem "The Angels Rejoiced Last Night." --Roy Kasten« less
With three albums and the successful Cry Cry Cry collaboration with Dar Williams and Richard Shindell under her belt (not to mention a cult following in the New England folk scene), Lucy Kaplansky could have consciously attempted to break out with wider acclaim and sales. Instead, she has turned in her most quiet, atmospheric, and even mysterious recording to date. In the wash of drummer Ben Wittman's Lanois-esque production--lots of reverbed guitar and moody percussion layers--Kaplansky sings of sins of flesh and soul, all the existential doubts suggested by sex, cities, and (as on the heartbreaking "Song for Molly") senility. Kaplansky will never be the songwriter that peers like John Gorka or Ellis Paul are, but she's a fine interpreter with good taste in material, as demonstrated by her engaging takes on Julie Miller's "Broken Things," Steve Earle's "You're Still Standing There," and the Louvin Brothers' gospel gem "The Angels Rejoiced Last Night." --Roy Kasten
Andrew P. Parker | Pittsburgh, PA United States | 03/04/2002
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Ten Year Night is the album I listened to 'every single day' the first month after purchasing it. This one? I listened to it once and shelved it. Three months later I gave it another listen. Maybe it was the place I was in? You never know, right? Wrong.SIX months later, I like it. It snuck up on me. So where am I with this one? Three stars. This will always be one of the CD's in my collection that I'm happy I own, but that I play as I revisit Kaplansky's catalog prior to seeing her in concert. ... It is good background music during dinner or while reading a book. There are a few gems here. The song for Molly is touching. The covers that follow it are well done too. If you don't own "Ten Year Night" and want to hear a passion filled Kaplansky, buy that CD first. If you're in the mood to add to your collection of music to listen to on a quiet night, this one will fit right in."
At the top of her form!
Stuart Weaver | Saint Augustine, Florida USA | 10/01/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The maddeningly familiar voice that has graced recordings by John Gorka, Richard Shindell, Shawn Colvin and many others finally shines on its own! This album is the best-produced and most well-written entry in Lucy Kaplansky's oeuvre. Crystal clear recording and tasteful arrangements grace these songs in a way not heard on her previous albums. From the heart-breaking honesty and directness of "Song For Molly" to the deceptively uptempo backing that masks the cruel story in "Written On The Back Of His Hand", this album is a many-faceted, highly polished gem. It will be in heavy rotation on my radio show at WFCF for months to come. You may not realize it yet, but if you don't own this album there is a gaping void in your music collection."
Not the Best Lucy
mark munger | Duluth, Minnesota United States | 12/12/2001
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Here's the thing. I love Lucy's voice and most of the songs she and Richard pen. This isn't a bad album, in fact, I like listening to it. The problem is that Lucy has set a standard that is tough to live up to. "Ten Year Night" was a great album, following her two early solos and "Cry, Cry, Cry" with personal, powerful images of life. I just don't get that same feel from this set of songs. Maybe its the more lush, fuller arrangements which are at odds with how I've seen her perform live; solo or with a couple other folkies and their plain ol' guitars. As a Minnesotan, I hope she keeps tabs on her buddy John Gorka who now lives in the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes and puts together either a studio or a live album with John. From the sounds of this work, I'd prefer live. Simple, from the heart but powerful. Just Lucy and her guitar. That's a winning combination."
Maybe Lucy's Best
R. Vosik | Omaha, NE USA | 09/24/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a great album, maybe Lucy's best. It's music has much more texture than Ten Year Night, although the songs don't quite match that albums intimacy.Still, Every Single Day is a great album. The faster, upbeat songs are some of Lucy's best. "Don't Mind Me" is perhaps her most engaging upbeat song. "Broken Things" is a great cover in the mold of Ten Year Night's "Just You Tonight". And "Nowhere" will put you on bed rest for days."
Good, but not her best...
Scott Goodwin | Norwalk, CT United States | 10/12/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I liked this album a lot; I keep it in the car and always find something new to like about it through repeated listening. If you're new to her, though, I'd recommend Ten-Year Night, which is phenomenal; stronger writing, more breadth and depth in the material. Either album, her voice and guitar work are great, passionate and soulful."