[ ]   [ ]   [ ]                        [ ]      [ ]   [ ]
Patty Griffin — Sweet Lorraine
Album: Living With Ghosts
Avg rating:
6.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 745









Released: 1996
Length: 5:23
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Sweet Lorraine, a fiery-haired and brown-eyed schemer
Who came from a long line of drinkers and dreamers
Who knew that sunshine don't hold up to dark
Whose businesses fail, who sleep in the park

Lorraine, who spoke of paintings in Paris
And outlandish things to her family just to scare us
Whose heart went poking where it shouldn't ought
Whose mother could only spit at the thought
Lorraine, sweet Lorraine

Her father would tear out like a page of the bible
Then he'd burn down the house to announce his arrival
Her mother was working and never was home
Lorraine carved out a little life of her own

Lorraine started working, Lorraine went to school
Her mother threw stones at her on the day that she moved
Now isn't that a very strange thing to do
For someone who never really wanted you
Lorraine, sweet Lorraine

Her daddy called her a slut and a whore
On the night before her wedding day
The very next morning, oh, at the church
Well, her daddy gave Lorraine away, Lorraine away
Lorraine, sweet Lorraine

In the battle of time, in the battle of will
It's only your hope and your heart that gets killed
And it gets harder and harder, Lorraine, to believe in magic
When what came before you is so very tragic
Lorraine, sweet Lorraine

Sweet Lorraine
Sweet Lorraine
Sweet Lorraine
Sweet Lorraine
Comments (98)add comment
THIS ALBUM. Always a favorite, but then I hear a song from it and get pulled back into listening to the whole damn thing. Thank you, Bill, for being a true fan of Ms. Griffin.
This lady and her voice are a delight.
Crushing lyrics and delivery
Ha!
Not five minutes ago, I finished streaming Patty's eponymous album from 2019. Powerful stuff.
c.
This would make a great music video... starring Sissy Spacek
 bstevens1951 wrote:
The voice and the delivery completely convey the song's meaning. No auto-tune.
 
This is powerful...
Great voice. But she sounds different here, a thinner and different pitch, than on some other tracks. Still, she lives and embodies her songs, if she's often a bit melancholy in them. 
Doesn't sound like other, more recent PG. I wouldn't have guessed it was her. And I don't like it that much, either. She either was even then or became a better singer. And songwriter, too, if this is her work. 
 Ericocean wrote:
That was like listening to a cat howl

 
Indeed :-)
Sweeet Patty!
Me likey like, very much!
{#Meditate} 
The voice and the delivery completely convey the song's meaning. No auto-tune.
That was like listening to a cat howl
Dead On. 

old_shep wrote:
Patty's appeal to me is that I see her experiencing the story of her songs as she sings them.  Heart trumps technical talent.   

 



This older release barely hints at her talent that later emerged....thankfully.
I think I give up. I can't take Patty Griffin. I get her, I just can't listen to her.



Keep Calm

     and

    P S D
{#Sunny} the real deal.....
{#Clap} ...... Pure quality
 Baby_M wrote:

She's overclocking her voice, and the song's probably not quite in the best key for her.  Pull it back, Patty!


 
Your overclocking my patience.  Patty is PERFECT on this one, it doesn't really get much better.
 xkolibuul wrote:

Dude, are you really trying to tell Patty Griffin how to sing?  

 

Well, I tend to agree with Baby_M.  

Thinking that Baby_M probably knows a thing or two about singing. 


 Baby_M wrote:

She's overclocking her voice, and the song's probably not quite in the best key for her.  Pull it back, Patty!

 
Dude, are you really trying to tell Patty Griffin how to sing?  
Patty's appeal to me is that I see her experiencing the story of her songs as she sings them.  Heart trumps technical talent.   
So beautiful what a girl can perform with just her voice and a guitar.
Love!{#Hearteyes}
Strong performance! 
 missquo wrote:
I remember watching Patty perform pretty much everything from this album in Nashville back in 1997.  I've never heard just a person and an acoustic guitar fill up a room like that, and with no PA.  Best $3 I ever spent.
  I've seen her a few times, mostly benefit shows so it's not a full set. Saw a show with Shawn Colvin at the Paramount, a benefit for something-or-other. Needless to say, they were pretty okay.

It's funny how folks outside of Austin are still discovering her, and we've been stunned by her performances for years.


 Baby_M wrote:
She's overclocking her voice, and the song's probably not quite in the best key for her.  Pull it back, Patty!
 
Rest assured she is doing all of those things on purpose. Did Hank Williams sing within his comfort zone? Not hardly: his was the voice of a tortured soul crying out in pain. Those cracks and strained notes evoke emotion, not mere vocal stylings (Aaron Neville comes to mind, but he's not the only perpetrator, just one of the most egregious. And most famous.)

Ms. Griffin is one of the most evocative singers around. She makes her voice sing with emotion, not just notes. It ain't everyone's cuppa tea, I'll grant you that.
this song gives me chills, no matter how many times I hear it. 
 missquo wrote:
I remember watching Patty perform pretty much everything from this album in Nashville back in 1997.  I've never heard just a person and an acoustic guitar fill up a room like that, and with no PA.  Best $3 I ever spent.
 

I hate you.  {#Angel}
I remember watching Patty perform pretty much everything from this album in Nashville back in 1997.  I've never heard just a person and an acoustic guitar fill up a room like that, and with no PA.  Best $3 I ever spent.
Just don't get the non-believers on this tune. It touches deep into the soul with some of the most far reaching lyrics I know. Forget the voice (even though I love it). Couldn't we all pick on Neil Young or Dylan for his voice? I don't get it. Great artist, great album... 
one of my favorites from PG - thank you for digging this one up and dusting it off!
 Baby_M wrote:

She's overclocking her voice, and the song's probably not quite in the best key for her.  Pull it back, Patty!

 
I couldn't disagree more. She knocks it out of the park on this one, as usual. Bring it on, Patty!
 bobcat1963 wrote:
hou op! ik krijg dr koppijn van! {#Think}
 

Welnee joh!

Great song and an outstanding performance!!

9
I find the vocal performance matches the song's lyrical content rather well; its sad, strained, and broken heartfelt.  A striking performance.
 solamenteuna wrote:

can't think of a more gifted lyricist


 
Agreed.

Love it! Love it! Give me chills!

~Lorraine
Not feeling it.
yuk.
Every Patty fan should start with this album.

Patty Griffin and Buddy Miller by Steve Hopson
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stevehopson/

Patty Griffin and Buddy Miller perform at the Old Settler's Music Festival in Driftwood, Texas, April 16, 2010.

© All rights reserved.

.

 rez wrote:

. . . the intonation on her voice is pretty shocking.

 
She's overclocking her voice, and the song's probably not quite in the best key for her.  Pull it back, Patty!

 gForce wrote:
I thought these were a lot of demos, so some rough edges are to be expected?

"Downtown Church" out next week. Already pre-ordered. Can't wait.
 
Heard another cut from it this morning. Outstanding, as usual. I could listen to Ms. Griffin sing a phonebook.

Wow. Tough crowd.

Patty rocks. This is the best song ever in the history of the universe.

Right. 
hou op! ik krijg dr koppijn van! {#Think}

Wow, talk about harsh comments. I think her voice is absolutely lovely. Not feeling the guitar work though {#Eh}
I thought these were a lot of demos, so some rough edges are to be expected?

"Downtown Church" out next week. Already pre-ordered. Can't wait.
 mamerjamer wrote:
I typically like Patti Griffin, but this one got turned down before it was over. Too much howling and too stripped down for my taste.
 
Right. Love many of her songs, but she's trying WAY too hard here.

I love the good Patty. This didn't seem like the good Patty. Painful vocal.

 
cathenley wrote:
One of my top 3 songs that she has done, I LOVE Patty!!
 

I like some PG tracks, but not this one.
One of my top 3 songs that she has done, I LOVE Patty!!

can't think of a more gifted lyricist


gets me every time  {#Sad}
 jnhashmi wrote:
RP turned me on to Patty Griffin, and for that I will be eternally grateful. What a rewarding search and rescue RP sent me on.
  Couldn't have said it better myself. Thank you RP!


need a slitmywrist emoticon. 

No, the music's fine, just not my style AND very depressing.
nunofm wrote:
Great voice, but is she plucking the guitar strings with a fork?! {#Stop} {#Beat}

Are you deaf man ? Nothing wrong with the guitar but the intonation on her voice is pretty shocking.

 nunofm wrote:
Great voice, but is she plucking the guitar strings with a fork?! {#Stop} {#Beat}
 

Huh.  I like the guitar; it's minimalist with conviction.
 jnhashmi wrote:
RP turned me on to Patty Griffin, and for that I will be eternally grateful. What a rewarding search and rescue RP sent me on.
 
No kidding.  Thanks BillG.  {#Clap}

7 ==> 9

Great voice, but is she plucking the guitar strings with a fork?! {#Stop} {#Beat}
RP turned me on to Patty Griffin, and for that I will be eternally grateful. What a rewarding search and rescue RP sent me on.
 agnes wrote:
Heartbreaking song. I saw her perform with Emmylou Harris, Shawn Colvin, and Buddy Miller last week.

IN-CREDIBLE.
 
With Emmylou! Lucky you!!

Great Title.  :)


That woman can sing anything.  So good!
 lattalo wrote:


I have to ask what is 'caterwauling'?

  From Wiktionary:

To
cry as cats in rutting time; to make a harsh, offensive noise.


Love Love Love Patty. What a gem. She has the uncanny ability to make me tear up when I'm folding clothes or doing dishes, or lost in any number of mundane tasks- completely by surprise.
Hannio wrote:
Gets dangerously close to caterwauling, there towards the end.
I have to ask what is 'caterwauling'?
damn, poor lorraine
Hannio wrote:
Gets dangerously close to caterwauling, there towards the end.
If that is caterwauling then I say let the cats...er ah...wail away all they want to. I LOVE her and this song and her singing are remarkable (like always) I am such a fan.
Heartbreaking song. I saw her perform with Emmylou Harris, Shawn Colvin, and Buddy Miller last week. IN-CREDIBLE.
Listen to the words, genius writing...
This must be the "move your soul" set.
Soulful, basic, country-bluegrass roots ... ah, beautiful!
Is she nekkid in that pickture? Yee Ha! More Cowbell!
I typically like Patti Griffin, but this one got turned down before it was over. Too much howling and too stripped down for my taste.
Gets dangerously close to caterwauling, there towards the end.
Crisp and delightful, like I just sipped a smokey, rich taste of red wine... I keep closing my eyes and swaying my head slightly. This looks most unproductive to office passers-by. Mmm, delicious.
Saw her on Letterman last night. One of the best talk-show/SNL performances I have seen.
hippiechick wrote:
What's with this Sweet Lorraine chick? Everyone rights songs about her.
JANE. Sweet JANE. Close though. xoxox, c.
luminousjune wrote:
wow. I really have to get this album. beautiful.
it's a good one. thanks for the song :-)
What a song. What a voice. One of Ms. Griffin's finest moments. c.
What's with this Sweet Lorraine chick? Everyone rights songs about her.
savoyard wrote:
I thought you were playing the Dixie Chicks!! This song crosses the fine line between good folk music and country. Is Sweet Lorraine some childhood pet? Horrible song..
God forbid someone should like the Chicks...
poor man's house on this album kills me everytime
This song breaks my heart - it reminds me of too many of the girls I met in my rural high school. Just a suggestion, but I think it'd go well in a set with "Girl in the War."
I am so enjoying this strong yet luscious guitar and voice Evocative Album Art! Sweet Lorraine Indeed!
Did she ever move out of the U.S., as she promised?
I'm falling in love with her. lol Thanks for turning me on to her Bill.
Pyro wrote:
Thought it was the Dixie Chicks at first. Her voice sounds a little like Natalie Maines.
As Sirrus said, she opened for them on their "Let Him Fly" tour, which was named after another song on this disk. That tour got her a lot of exposure, too, and the DCs have since recorded a number of her songs on their own disks, especially 3 or 4 (IIRC) on "Home"--to my mind, the best songs on that album were written by Griffin.
wow. I really have to get this album. beautiful.
Nice bit o' strummin'
hippiechick wrote:
What a voice!
Couldn't agree more ...
What a voice!
I thought you were playing the Dixie Chicks!! This song crosses the fine line between good folk music and country. Is Sweet Lorraine some childhood pet? Horrible song..
Pyro wrote:
Thought it was the Dixie Chicks at first. Her voice sounds a little like Natalie Maines.
Same here.
sirrus wrote:
I believe she opened for them on a tour a few years back.
I really like her! Perfect opening act!
After such a brasilian sound it is an excelent bridge.
Pyro wrote:
Thought it was the Dixie Chicks at first. Her voice sounds a little like Natalie Maines.
I believe she opened for them on a tour a few years back.
Great song. Glad to hear it here. I'd love to hear more of this album as well.
Thought it was the Dixie Chicks at first. Her voice sounds a little like Natalie Maines.