k.d.laing suggestions?

Posted by: Paper Plane on 04 January 2017

My other half heard the singer on the radio for the first time recently and was very impressed. Enough to actually mention it, which for her is something.

However, it's her birthday (wife, not kd laing as far as I know) and I thought I would get her a CD to go with Cohen's You Want It Darker. But I don't know laing's output. Rather than take a stab in the dark I wonder if anyone can recommend a good starter. Jean's tastes are wideish, favouring The Shires, Adele, Judas Priest, Bowie and Thunder amongst others.

Thanks if you can help.

steve

Posted on: 04 January 2017 by GraemeH

K.D Lang - Ingenue

G

Posted on: 04 January 2017 by Yetizone

Another vote for Ingénue - superb album.

Posted on: 04 January 2017 by Clive B

Definitely agree with Graeme: Ingénue.

And Yetizone - it is a superb album.

Posted on: 04 January 2017 by Jeff Anderson

I agree with the "Ingenue" recommend and I always enjoy "Watershed" as well.  And the 2016 release "case/lang/veirs" has its moments with k.d. being joined by Laura Veirs and Neko Case.

Posted on: 04 January 2017 by Gianluigi Mazzorana

Posted on: 04 January 2017 by exiled jagsfan

Another vote for Ingénue. One of the very few perfect albums. Top quality writing, running order, production, artwork – the vinyl especially is an audiophile's dream.

Posted on: 04 January 2017 by hungryhalibut

Shadowland would be my recommendation, which I like a lot more than Ingenue. A Wonderful World, her album with Tony Bennett, is also excellent. 

Posted on: 04 January 2017 by GraemeH

If she enjoys that then Natalie Merchant 'Tigerlilly' should be on your shopping list too.

G

Posted on: 04 January 2017 by Redkev

One of my favourite K.D Lang albums is Hymns of the 49th Parallel, it is an album of covers of Canadian songwriters, these include Joni Mitchell Leonard Cohen, Jane Siberry and Neil Young. I think it is excellent.

Posted on: 04 January 2017 by Paper Plane

Thanks for all the above. I have gone with Ingenue, as it got the most votes.

steve

Posted on: 04 January 2017 by lutyens

Ingenue is but one side of her work. The earlier ones, Absolute Torch and Twang etc are more upbeat country and rather fine. Similarly Shadowlands which was produced by Owen Bradley. I like particularly Hymns of the 49th Parallel which his her take on Canadian songwriters.

Posted on: 04 January 2017 by intothevoid
Hungryhalibut posted:

Shadowland  

+1

Posted on: 04 January 2017 by hungryhalibut

Thanks for the reminder of Absolute Torch and Twang. I sold the vinyl but didn't get it on CD. That is now remedied, for the princely sum of 17p plus £1.26 postage. 

I have a few, such as Sing it Loud and Drag, which I never really warmed too, so must give them another go. 

Posted on: 04 January 2017 by Quad 33

This is very good..

Posted on: 04 January 2017 by alan33

Ms Lang, Order of Canada, is a true National Heroine, and deservedly so. Saw her in a country bar in Vancouver while in grad school a million years ago then again a year later, after her woodshedding in Nashville, at a political rally / fundraiser in 1988. She came out in a Nudie suit and dropped jaws belting out Crying in a way Roy would've envied / been proud of / won a Grammy for. Truly the most stunning transformation - from local sensation to international breakout star - I've ever seen. Leonard Cohen famously liked her version of the song he said never needed to be recorded again (Hallelujah), which when re-done at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony (some 20 years after the story above, in 2010) raised hairs on arms and necks from coast to coast. You bought one great album for your wife's birthday, now go buy another and set it aside for a few weeks then give it to her "just because". 

Regards, alan (the sentimental)

Posted on: 04 January 2017 by Bruce Woodhouse

The eponymous case/lang/veirs album (intentionally lower case) from last year is a lovely thing combining Ms Laing with Neko Case and Laura Veirs. Worth seeking out.

I'd also second the Natalie Merchant suggestion.

Bruce

Posted on: 04 January 2017 by joerand
Bruce Woodhouse posted:

Ms Laing

Paper Plane posted:
k.d.laing suggestions?

But I don't know laing's output .....

.....  (wife, not kd laing as far as I know) 

While she may have capitalization issues, k.d.'s surname is spelled "lang" .

Posted on: 05 January 2017 by Hmack
Hungryhalibut posted:

Shadowland would be my recommendation, which I like a lot more than Ingenue. A Wonderful World, her album with Tony Bennett, is also excellent. 

Sorry to come in a bit late, but if you feel that your 'other half' deserves one more album, I would go along with HH's recommendation of "Shadowland". It's an absolutely brilliant album - the first of her's that I heard and in my opinion still the best by quite a bit. Some fantastic 'Western Swing' tracks if that takes your fancy.

I haven't heard the "A Wonderful World" album (off to hear it now on Tidal).

I would also endorse Redkev's recommendation of "Hymns of the 49th Parallel".

Posted on: 05 January 2017 by winkyincanada
Bruce Woodhouse posted:

The eponymous case/lang/veirs album (intentionally lower case) from last year is a lovely thing combining Ms Laing with Neko Case and Laura Veirs. Worth seeking out.

Bruce

We saw the concert that matches this album last year. It was great. The album is highly recommended. k.d. lang is a national treasure. One of the most engaging live performers I've seen. And her music and voice are superb.

Posted on: 05 January 2017 by Paper Plane

Apologies for mis-spelling...

steve

Posted on: 07 January 2017 by Mike Hughes

From k.d. I'd start with Shadowlands and move to Ingenue. Hymns is also good but case/lang/veirs is possibly better. Several duffers on both but only two on the latter.

Not sure I get the Natalie Merchant connection as it's a very different and much less pure voice. I sort of get it from an intimacy perspective but, if that's the case, then avoid Tigerlily and go for either its "reimagining" which is lovely, or, the eponymous album which preceded it.

Posted on: 09 January 2017 by GraemeH

I like 'Absolute Torch & Twang' too...and 'Shadowland' is a staple.

G

Posted on: 09 January 2017 by Nigel 66

My choices would be

Posted on: 10 January 2017 by al9315

So intrigued by all this - never having listened to any of them :-

Just bought Ingenue & Shadowland CDs for £2.66 incl postage !!!

We shall see ?

Posted on: 10 January 2017 by hungryhalibut

Here's another one!