Pulse of the Twin Cities

Vol. 3, Issue 28, October 13, 1999

Old Strings & All (LMKANE)

Lisa Kane is a woman of perception, intelligence, and confidence who has plenty to say. It’s how she’s chosen to say it that makes Old Strings & All a captivating piece of work.

Well-known locally for her solo acoustic performances, Kane ventures into more expansive territory with Old Strings. She’s rounded up a dream-team who take turns at fleshing out her creations; especially praiseworthy are Sandy and Randy Gildersleeve, on keys and guitar, respectively. All the supporting musicianship, while lending richness and eloquence, is admirably restrained, leaving Kane’s well-tempered voice to command as much attention as it deserves. This is a strong but not strident album.

It’s a gently persuasive style that Kane wields to express her ideas in song. She urges the listener to reflect on timeless questions: How and where does the individual find balance in a wide and troubled world? Can a line be drawn between passion and tenderness? And, if spiritual quest has led to some acquaintance with the goddess within, how do you keep in touch with the greater, universal one?

Old Strings & All is engaging in its array of moods and styles. "Wings," a sweetly anthemic number, invokes a personal angel’s help to make "singing free" a reality for everyone. The music soars high and bright, as any good prayer must do. Contrastingly, "In Return" is a chain of haunting, intimate recollections and queries, its pensive setting beautifully sketched by Randy Gildersleeve’s guitar. "Sage" serves up a poignant country flavor, and there’s a nice, surprising hit of R&B grind in "Head over Heals."

Lisa Kane grew up as many of us did, playing clarinet from the early grades into high school, then begging her parents for a guitar – an electric guitar. They tried to talk her out of it for awhile, but then, on her 16th birthday, they gave in. Kane proceeded to hook up with a band, traveling a little way down the dirty road of rock, cheap strings & all…. But that era is fast becoming the blurry stuff of memory, as Lisa’s solo work has been her major focus for the past four years.

If you relate best to performers whose appeal lie in brave yet serene delivery and sonic texturing that is subtle rather than flash, Lisa Kane warrants a high place on your must-see/must-hear list.