Various Artists - Respond

One of the few recognizable names on this two-CD compilation of Boston women songwriters, the ever solid Patty Larkin starts things off with "Angels Wings" from her 1997 Perishable Fruit. Never mind the fame factor, there are some talented ladies stepping up to contribute and benefit Respond Incorporated, a non-profit organization that assists battered women and children. Although Aimee Mann is noticeably absent, check out Jules Verdone, who sounds a good bit like her. Kate Bush fans will appreciate the mandolin-infused jangle of Merrie Amsterburg, while connoisseurs of straight-ahead folk will find friends in Lori McKenna, Jess Klein, and Mary Gauthier. And if Catie Curtis is a favorite, listen closely. Not only does she toss in her own "Do Unto Others," but she also produces and sings with Linda Nawn and with Jenny Reynolds, who pays the favor forward with harmonies behind Respond producer Charan Devereaux. That's the way it goes with much of this album. Jennifer Kimball lends "Veering From the Wave," the title track from her solo debut album, as well as an appearance with Larkin. Perhaps styled after Ani DiFranco, Kris Delmhorst shines on "Weatherman," then sits in on cello and backing vocals for McKenna. Heck, even some of the support musicians can be heard on numerous tracks. Perhaps that helps keep the overall vibe as consistent as it is, though intermingling studio and live recordings makes the compilation's sonic quality a little uneven. To save the calm acoustics from falling into boring, check out "Ghost in the House," a moody piece by Laurie Geltman, "Two Boats," a peppy number driven by the lilting voice of Mary Lou Lord, and "Sad Girl," by the alternatively inclined Jen Trynin. ~ Kelly McCartney, All Music Guide

Name Credits Alan Williams Mixing, Producer, Organ, Production Assistant Alexis Shepard Performer, ? Barbara Kessler Performer, Vocals, ?, Guitar Ben Wisch Mixing Ben Wittman Arranger, Percussion, Producer, Keyboards Bette Warner Producer Billy Conway Percussion, Drums Carol Sharar Vocals (Background) Catie Curtis Shaker, Percussion, Vocals, Drums, ?, Performer, Producer, Guitar, Vocals (Background) Charan Devereaux ? Chris Fogel Mixing Chris Foley Drums Chris Lannon Mixing, Vocals (Background), Engineer, Producer Chris Rival Producer, Guitar (Electric), Percussion, Bass, Guitar, Mixing, Engineer Christopher Williams Vocals (Background) Colleen Sexton Performer Darleen Wilson Mixing David "Goody" Goodrich Guitar (Electric) Dawn Atkinson Executive Producer Deb Pasternak ? Doug Plavin Drums Dow Brain Keyboards Duke Levine Guitar (Electric) Ed Thacker Engineer Ed Valauskas Producer Eric Kilburn Engineer, Mixing, Producer Eric Parker Drums Faith Soloway ?, Performer George Black Drum Programming Greg Porter Guitar (Bass) Jennifer Kimball ?, Guitar (Acoustic), Performer, Vocals (Background), Vocals Jennifer Trynin Performer, ? Jess Klein ?, Performer Jim Ryan Bass Joe Ranieri Drums, Percussion Joe Sublett Sax (Alto) John Sands Drums, Percussion John Sprague Bass John Troy Bass Jonathan Wyner Mastering Jules Verdone Performer, Guitar, Keyboards, ?, Vocals Juliana Hatfield Keyboards, ?, Vocals, Guitar, Performer, Producer Kerri Powers Performer Kris Delmhorst Performer Laurie Geltman Performer, Producer, Guitar (12 String), Guitar (Electric), ?, Vocals Leland Sklar Bass Linda Sharar ?, Performer Lori McKenna Performer, Vocals, Guitar (Acoustic), ? Mark Morelli Photography Mark Tanzer Mixing Martin Sexton Guitar (Electric), Bass Mary Gauthier ?, Guitar (Acoustic), Vocals, Performer Mary Lou Lord Vocals, ?, Performer Matt Leavenworth Violin Melissa Ferrick Guitar (Acoustic), Vocals, Performer Merrie Amsterburg Vocals, ?, Mandolin, Performer Mike Denneen Synthesizer, Engineer, Mixing, Producer Mike Richardson Drums Nick Saloman Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric) Pamela Means Vocals, Performer, ?, Guitar (Acoustic) Patti Barkas Vocals (Background) Patty Larkin ?, Performer, Guitar (Acoustic), Vocals, Producer, Guitar (Electric) Paul Bryan Bass Paul Caruso Producer, Engineer, Mixing Paul David Hager Mixing Peter Adams Organ (Hammond), Piano Peter Linton Vocals, Guitar Richard Gates Bass Rob Laurens Harmonica Rob Schnapf Engineer, Producer, Mixing Roberto Toledo Mixing Assistant, Assistant Engineer Roy Bittan Organ, Producer Sandi Hammond ? Steve Churchyard Engineer Steve Friedman Engineer Tim Pierce Guitar (Electric) Tom Dube Vocals (Background), Mixing, Producer, Engineer, Tambourine Tom Richards Engineer Tom Rothrock Producer, Mixing, Engineer Tom West Organ (Hammond) Tony Levin Guitar (Bass) Wendy Beckerman Vocals (Background) Woody Giessmann Drums