Language

Lorraine is the equal of not just her esteemed papa but also of such top-drawer wordsmiths as Bob Dorough and Dave Frishberg. Like such masters, she is particularly skilled at observational humor derived from the mundane aspects of everyday life. But Feather’s whip-smart skills aren’t limited to sophisticated witticisms, as here evidenced by a sweet, delicate homage to Billy Strayhorn (‘In Flower’) and a rosy rendering of yuletide Manhattan (‘I Love New York at Christmas’) that is actually a heart-wrenching snapshot of a crumbling relationship.

In this age of press releases and e-mails, not to mention iPods and iTunes, it’s amazing how many compact disks promoting artists new and old still find their way into our mailboxes. Sometimes these arrivals include a true gem. NPR’s special correspondent Susan Stamberg got such a musical delivery the other day …it’s called Language.

‘We’ve struggled offensively,’ I never thought I’d hear that in a song, but of course it has a perfect right to be there in a compendium of sports clichés … [as well as] ‘regrettable away-game incident.’ Wonderfully smart renditions. They do repay study. We’re still enjoying discovering some of the neat words on Lorraine’s earlier releases!

Mellifluous phraseology … chicly utilized clichés … one of Feather’s best attributes is allowing the listener to feel as if they’re having an intimate conversation with her … [her] musicality truly speaks on a visceral level.

Her talent as a lyricist of wit, sarcasm, and keen observations of the American human condition is her true strength…This may very well be Lorraine Feather’s best effort. Bravo, Lorraine.”