Personnel: Patricia Barber (vocals, piano); John McLean (guitar); Michael Arnopol (bass); Mark Walker (drums, percussion).
Recorded at Chicago Recording Company, Studio 5, Chicago, Illinois in June & July 1994. Includes liner notes by Neil Tesser.
Personnel: Patricia Barber (vocals, piano); John McLean (guitar); Mark Walker (drums, percussion).
Liner Note Author: Neil Tesser.
Recording information: Chicago Recording Company, Studio 5, Chicago, IL (1994-06-28&1994-06-29&1994-).
Patricia Barber, who is both a fine keyboardist and an atmospheric singer, contributes roughly half of the material to her Premonition debut. Her dark voice and the generally esoteric program takes awhile to get used to (listeners will have to be patient), but after two or three listens, this thought-provoking and rather moody set becomes more accessible. The music ranges stylewise from sophisticated pop sensitivities to the avant-garde and even touches of minimalism, while not fitting securely into any category. Barber gives a new slant to "The Thrill Is Gone," "Ode to Billy Joe," and even "A Taste of Honey," and her vocals are all quite haunting and contemporary. An added plus to this unusual music is adventurous guitarist John McLean. ~ Scott Yanow
Professional Reviews
Down Beat (12/94, p.50) - 3.5 Stars - Good Plus - "...a jazz singer whose lyricists include Maya Angelou...and Virginia Woolf...Patricia Barber proves to be quite uncommon...smokey, at times studiously sultry voice....The production is successful...excellent work from the band..."
