Carrie Elkin
Call It My Garden (Red House)Carrie Elkin revels in being a folkie, and that’s what makes her fourth disc, Call It My Garden, such a bracing listen. Reminiscent of the winsome beauty created by a young Nanci Griffith, the local singer-songwriter creates a space that’s ragged, lively, and warm, with production assistance from the Band of Heathens’ Colin Brooks and her beau, Danny Schmidt. Never resorting to cliché, she manages to travel from a cold, windy “Berlin” to creaky, old “St. Louis,” even managing to lure Sam Baker into joining in on “Dear Sam,” a song ostensibly about the reclusive singer-songwriter. There’s also a cover of Dar Williams’ “Iowa,” which manages to outdo the original, primarily because of Elkin’s vocals, an earthy combination of strength and compassion. It’s telling that the disc begins and ends with audible chuckles. Elkin wants you to love her music as much as she does, and Call It My Garden is easy to love. (Sat., 9pm, Victorian Room at the Driskill)
This article appears in March 18 • 2011.