Reunion

“Reunion” by Lucy Kaplansky
Label: Red House Records
Joe H.
Reviewed 2/11/13

Pensive, human, many very personal folks songs (both original and selected covers) reminiscent of the music of her frequent
collaborators Nanci Griffith and Eliza Gilkyson. Autobiographical elements thread through several of the originals.
Kaplansky’s seventh album for this label.

1 – (4:03) Scavenger medium tempo folks, tasty guitar solo
2 – (4:11) The Beauty Way medium tempo autobiographical ballad about her music
3 – (3:21) Mother’s Day simple ballad, acoustic guitar accompaniment, about daughter, beauty of everyday things
4 – (3:50) Life is Beautiful soft singing, pretty vocal harmony on chorus, positive vibe
5 – (3:03) This Morning I Am Born Again bluesy, tell-it-like-it-is, faith-based anthem, nice guitar break
6 – (3:43) Reunion* title track, medium tempo, look back 40 years to passage of time, nostalgic, one of the best cuts on the album
7 – (3:48) Gone, Gone, Gone mild rocker, bidding farewell to false lover, true life
8 – (4:42) I’ll See You Again* soft ballad dealing with parents’ aging, decline, death, touching, another strong cut
9 – (4:14) My Father’s Son* soft-paced song about life and changes, memories, reflection, nicely done
10 – (3:31) I’m Looking Through You upbeat tempo, OK cover of the Beatles original, nice dobro and mandolin solos
11 – (3:25) Sleep Well solo piano accompaniment, slow and dark