Patricia Barber - Café Blue (CD)

All Music Guide

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 thoughtprovoking and rather moody set becomes more accessible. The music ranges stylewise from sophisticated pop sensitivities to the avantgarde 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, All Music Guide