Happy Birthday, Iris!
As I groggily stumbled into the shower this morning, I turned on the radio (NPR, naturally) to find out that today is Iris Dement’s birthday.
For those unfamiliar with the lovely, talented Ms. Dement, she is one of the finest country/folk singers and performers of our time. I like to think of her as one-third of a holy matriarchal triumvirate of the “alt-country” (whatever that is) genre, alongside Lucinda Williams and Gillian Welch, the only other female artists in the same league (Emmylou doesn’t count—she’s in her own league).
As I stated previously in my “farewell to alt-country” post, I may be weary of that particular genre, generally speaking, but I will never grow tired of the likes of Dement. Besides being a very genuine, likeable person, rooted in a sense of her self and family, besides the thoughtfulness with which she speaks her mind and lives her life, she possesses one of the richest and most deeply felt voices in the business—the kind that’ll draw buckets of tears if you’re not careful. Her body of work is incredibly personal—spend some time with a few of her records and you’ll feel like you really know this sweet little lady from Kansas City.
Last fall, Dement released her fourth album (and first in eight years!), Lifeline, on her own FlariElla imprint, a collection of twelve gospel standards and one original song. Although I have yet to pick it up, after writing this post and being reminded again of just how much I adore her, it seems rather essential that I get it as soon as possible.
Iris Dement graces the cover of the November-December issue of No Depression (back issues available at the web site). Inside, David Cantwell’s feature article traces her path from a tiny town in Arkansas, the youngest of fourteen children, to Lifeline, connecting the dots from an early life centered around the church to the gospel numbers that comprise her latest. A spiritual journey.
There’s those words again. How fitting.
Iris on the new album: "These songs aren't about religion. At least for me they aren't. They're about something bigger than that."
Amen. I hear ya, Iris. I’ll be listening. Happy birthday.
N/P Iris Dement – Infamous Angel
For those unfamiliar with the lovely, talented Ms. Dement, she is one of the finest country/folk singers and performers of our time. I like to think of her as one-third of a holy matriarchal triumvirate of the “alt-country” (whatever that is) genre, alongside Lucinda Williams and Gillian Welch, the only other female artists in the same league (Emmylou doesn’t count—she’s in her own league).
As I stated previously in my “farewell to alt-country” post, I may be weary of that particular genre, generally speaking, but I will never grow tired of the likes of Dement. Besides being a very genuine, likeable person, rooted in a sense of her self and family, besides the thoughtfulness with which she speaks her mind and lives her life, she possesses one of the richest and most deeply felt voices in the business—the kind that’ll draw buckets of tears if you’re not careful. Her body of work is incredibly personal—spend some time with a few of her records and you’ll feel like you really know this sweet little lady from Kansas City.
Last fall, Dement released her fourth album (and first in eight years!), Lifeline, on her own FlariElla imprint, a collection of twelve gospel standards and one original song. Although I have yet to pick it up, after writing this post and being reminded again of just how much I adore her, it seems rather essential that I get it as soon as possible.
Iris Dement graces the cover of the November-December issue of No Depression (back issues available at the web site). Inside, David Cantwell’s feature article traces her path from a tiny town in Arkansas, the youngest of fourteen children, to Lifeline, connecting the dots from an early life centered around the church to the gospel numbers that comprise her latest. A spiritual journey.
There’s those words again. How fitting.
Iris on the new album: "These songs aren't about religion. At least for me they aren't. They're about something bigger than that."
Amen. I hear ya, Iris. I’ll be listening. Happy birthday.
N/P Iris Dement – Infamous Angel
posted by Jonathan Wright at 6:32 PM EMAIL POST
