mem@sii.UUCP (Mark Mallett) (09/19/85)
CINDY KALLET; Sep 14 1985 at Passim, Cambridge MA. For several years I have been thrusting occasional reviews and praises of Cindy Kallet onto the computer world (or the one as I know it). All of my comments have been based on listening to her first album and catching a radio interview here and there, or maybe a rebroadcast of some of her live music. At long last I have gotten a chance to see her perform; I suggest that you do too, it was so good I'd almost have to say that it was exquisite. (A friend used to ask me what the best antonym for "exquisite" is. I never knew.) Cindy Kallet is a folk musician originally from Cape Cod. She is possessed of many talents, including a rich voice, excellent technical ability with 6 and 12 string guitars and dulcimer, and stage personality that is warm and witty. She has written many many songs; some light, some political, but most (it seems to me) are thoughtful, introspective or reflective of the way some mood makes her view the world. The world indeed enters into these songs, as she uses a lot of geographical images- many set around the Cape or the ocean; references to elements of nature (snow, sand, water, wildlife) are used very effectively to create songs which can be felt as well as heard and understood. For instance (to the best of a fading memory): Out on the farthest ridge, where the forest meets the sky And the dying sun peeks over to look at where I lie. Up at the marsh the evening blackbird, flying towards the sun Will be far away by the time tomorrow has begun. And me... I'm falling, with the leaves to the ground; As for me, I'm falling all around. Each succeeding verse of this song ends with the same two lines, except that the thing "falling" changes; from leaves to rain to trees, and finally to "my dreams". It, like many of her songs, is a very moody yet beautiful lyrical work. That's not all. Her guitar playing is, in a word, perfect. It is anything but simple (in fact it is quite complex), but it is wonderful to listen to. But this is a concert review. I saw her recently at Passim in Cambridge MA, which is... imagine the reading room in the cellar of your local library, without any books. Passim's is like that; it is a small room - a basement - where people sit in folding chairs and listen to fine music. Cindy Kallet live is better than the telling (above). I get the feeling that she has no plan for the performance, but plays what she feels like as she goes along. She introduces each song in detail-- the introductions alone are worth going for as she speaks with great wit and spontanaiety. It is good to be able to see such talent in a close setting like that, and if you get the chance I recommend it. Cindy appears at Passim fairly often. On the other hand, it seems unfair that this person is in a position where she sells albums at the exit. She has two albums, by the way. My recommendation is that you get the first, "Working on Wings to Fly" if you only get one. The second is just numbered - Cindy Kallet 2 - and unfortunately lacks some of the beauty of the first album. Her music is often filed under "womens music" in the stores, for some reason. Mark Mallett decvax!sii!mem or ittatc!sii!mem