Strange Conversation is an album by singer/songwriter Kris Delmhorst, released in 2006.

History

Multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Delmhorst takes on setting some works of famous poets to music along with her own original compositions. The lead off track is named after Italian composer Baldassare Galuppi. Inspired by and quoting heavily from the Robert Browning poem A Toccata of Galuppi's, Delmhorst reflects on the composers times and style:

"And the minor third so bitter, the six chord like a sigh,

suspension, solution, asking must we die, must we die must we die?

And the seventh says well fellas, life might not last, but we can try…"

Strange Conversations was recorded at the same time as Delmhorst's follow up CD, Shotgun Singer.

Reception

Critic Joe Viglione of Allmusic called Strange Conversation "an impressive and ambitious work that is evidence of the sophistication enveloping the Kris Delmhorst catalog and one hopes that these important musings get noticed beyond the cult that realizes something very special is happening here."

Personnel

*Kris Delmhorst – vocals, acoustic guitar, fiddle, piano, cello, background vocals

*Kevin Barry – electric and acoustic guitar, lap steel guitar, dobro, piano, background vocals

*Mark Chenevert – clarinet, tenor sax

*Lorne Entress – drums, percussion, background vocals

*Dave Harris – trombone, tuba

*Paul Kochanski – double bass, background vocals

*Mike Peipman – trumpet

*Chris Rival – organ

*Tom West – Hammond organ

Production

* Produced by Kris Delmhorst

* Engineered and mixed by Chris Rival

* Mastered by Dave McNair

* Photography by Megan Summers

*Translation by Coleman Barks

*Artwork and design by Brian Turner

References

Artist/Band Information

Kris Delmhorst is an American singer-songwriter who is part of the Boston folk scene. She was involved in producing 1998's Respond compilation, a fundraiser for domestic violence groups, and it included her song Weatherman. In 1999, she released a live album with The Vinal Avenue String Band, consisting of herself, Sean Staples, and Ry Cavanaugh. She has also recorded five full-length solo albums and two EPs. Delmhorst currently lives in western Massachusetts and is married to fellow singer/songwriter Jeffrey Foucault, with whom she had a daughter, Hazel, on June 25, 2008.Y/H Management. "Jeffrey Foucault Newsletter." Email. 11 Jul. 2006. In 2003, Delmhorst, Foucault, and Peter Mulvey released an album entitled Redbird.

Discography

* 1998 - Appetite

* 1999 - Vinal Avenue String Band - Live at Tir na nÓg

* 2000 - Oddlot (EP)

* 2001 - Five Stories

* 2003 - Redbird (self-released with Peter Mulvey and Jeffrey Foucault)

* 2003 - Songs for a Hurricane

* 2006 - Strange Conversation

* 2008 - Shotgun Singer

* 2008 - Horses Swimming (EP)

Other contributions

*WYEP Live and Direct: Volume 4 - On Air Performances (2002) - "Little Wings"

Notes