Karen Almquist - Tracking of time 1996

The debut from northern California-based singer/songwriter Karen Almquist was produced by guitarist Nina Berber, but all comparisons to the late Kate Wolf, Gerber's former musical partner, stop right there. Almquist is mining a completely different musical tradition; with her earthy voice and cutting bottleneck slide work, Almquist is strictly of the country blues school of folk, like Memphis Minnie by way of Bonnie Raitt. (Almquist bears a startling vocal resemblance to Raitt in spots, especially on a plaintive cover of Bobby Charles' "Why Are People Like That.") Although up to nine singers and backing musicians might appear on any given track, Gerber wisely keeps the arrangements light, with the focus remaining on Almquist's powerful voice and passionate playing throughout. Unfortunately, Almquist isn't the most distinctive lyricist, and the covers, particularly a respectful version of Bob Dylan's classic "Buckets of Rain," tend to overshadow her unfailingly pleasant but rather slight originals. Thanks to B. AMG.

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