Patty Griffin
Impossible Dream

THE REVIEW

Patty Griffin: "Impossible Dream"

Known in the USA primarily as a songwriter for famous artists (notably Dixie Chicks, Emmylou Harris, Linda Rondstadt, and Joan Osborne), mainly within the country-folk circuit, and as a background vocalist on many of their albums, in 2004 she releases this fifth album, fourth in studio, but second under the independent label ATO by Dave Matthews (after two albums for A&M which hastily "threw her out the window" in 1999 due to poor sales).

"Impossible Dream," yes, an impossible dream, not for her, but for many songwriters who will hardly achieve the emotional intensity that abundantly emerges from listening to such a truly unique gem. Songs that float in time like memories suspended between the "dream" and the reality they narrate; a magnificent and deep voice that soars high to reach the "impossible"; music and melodies that appear simple (folk, country, gospel) but once they seep under your skin, they are hard to remove.

Stories, atmospheres, haunting memories: for those who feel like a stranger in a foreign land and can’t wait to say goodbye to their country or are already traveling without a destination, "Useless Desires" and "Florida" are the fitting soundtracks ("say goodbye to the old street that never cared much for you anyway/ and the different colored doorways you thought would let you in one day… " and "isn't it hard sometimes?/ isn’t it lonely?/ How I still hang around here/ And there’s nothing to hold me… "); for those trying to comfort and help a friend in a difficult moment, you cannot help but see yourself in "When It Don’t Come Easy" ("If you break down/ I'll drive out and find you/ If you forget my love/ I'll try to remind you/ And stay by you when it don’t come easy… "); for those who absolutely need to listen to a masterpiece, just wait until track 10 and immerse yourself in the vastness of "Mother Of God".

Listen to it, it’s not advice, it’s a commandment. At night, alone, in your room, in the dark…