Crayons (Flying Fish)
After declaring Elders to be the greatest thing since
sliced
bread, and pleading with the “major” folk labels to pick her up, I’m
now put in
the uncomfortable position of being less than blown away by her debut
for such
a label. I hate to subscribe to that old theory of misery producing the
greatest art, but the shell-shocked daze of Peaceful Existence was much
more compelling than anything here (although I certainly wouldn’t wish
Betty’s
previous bad fortunes on her again). The album is mostly average, with
a few
bright spots. I do appreciate the silliness of “Just to Have You Hum
Along (The
Futon Song),” the anger behind “War Between the Fears,” and the
hopefulness of
the title track, but also keep waiting for something absolutely
riveting, like
Existence‘s “Crack in the Mirror” or “Ballad of Marley Rose
Peyton.” The
gospel of “This Place of My Forgiveness” comes close, but not quite. A
major
problem seems to be the album’s quietness – Elders said she doesn’t
want to be
overshadowed by her brilliant sidemen, but she underutilizes them here.
Based
on her previous work, I expect this is just a minor lull in what will
eventually be a high-profile career. For now, however,Crayons just
doesn’t speak with enough compelling force.
2.5 stars – Lee
Nichols
This article appears in July 14 • 1995 and July 14 • 1995 (Cover).