Caitlin Rose has been garnering praise for her recently-released album The Stand-In.   We have heard/seen some of her live performances before and have naturally been drawn to her beguiling mix of country, rock and pop music.  She’s a good turn on a Linda Ronstadt motif and shines particularly live.  We were anxious, then, to hear the album from which many of the live songs had sprung.  After giving a good listen to The Stand-In, we continue to tout Rose, her band and compositions.  Unfortunately, the spark that we have heard in these songs live has, to our ears, been smothered by one of the least dynamic, flattest, overburdened production jobs we’ve recently heard (calling all artists: don’t forget the old adage “a fool has himself for a client”).  And that’s a crying shame because the singer and songs warrant better.

To hear what we’re talking about, check out a few sterling live performances below (with stellar pedal-steel and other fine contributions from the band).  We particularly are fond of the song I Was Cruel (here, recorded live for KINK Radio) off the album, in which the protagonist admits he/she (the song was written by album contributor Jeremy Fetzer) wasn’t exactly innocent in a doomed relationship (turns out nobody’s faultless–who knew?).  After, check out Waitin’ from the album and then her cover of Nick Lowe’s Lately I’ve Let Things Slide (sung by Rose on a countrified collection of Nick Lowe covers entitled Lowe Country).  And then go listen to the recorded Stand-In album HERE.  We can’t wait to hear Rose captured on her next album by a producer worthy of her music.  Where is Peter Asher (Ronstadt’s long-time producer) when you need him?