Curious

Description

Curious is the third album by the American singer and songwriter Jan Krist, released on Silent Planet Records in 1996. The album was produced by Newton Carter and Jim Dickinson.

CCM Magazine named Curious as one of its Top 100 Christian Albums Of All Time. With its organic accompaniments from several members of Vigilantes of Love in addition to keyboardist Randall Bramlett (Traffic, Steve Winwood), it is indeed a brilliant set. Guest vocals provided by Pierce Pettis and Michael Steele. On the title track, Krist wonders “If we send our sons and daughters off to fight our wars / Is there anything left at home worth fighting for?” And in the song “Time” she affirms, “Time changes everything but truth.”

Under the banner of R.E.X.’s now defunct Storyville label, Jan Krist plodded onto the Christian music scene in 1994 mostly unbeknownst to listeners. Her socially probing lyrics and acoustic arrangements won the favor of music critics; unfortunately, Krist never found a mass audience.

Hopefully, ‘Curious’, her third album and first record with a new label, will remedy that. Krist has souped-up her production, adding keyboards, drums, electric and bass guitar lines, percussion and background vocals (primarily hers). The result is lush, musical layers and a slicker sound. However, unlike other artists, this change neither overwhelms nor negates the album’s artistic caliber.

This heightened quality is achieved by players who have racked up some impressive credits: co-producers Newton Carter (formerly a player for Vigilantes of Love) and Jim Dickinson (Rolling Stones, Spin Doctors, Texas Tornadoes); bassist David Labreyere (formerly of VOL); drummer Travis McNabb (formerly of VOL); audio engineer Don McCollister (Indigo Girls, Caedmon’s Call); and keyboardist Randall Bramlett (Traffic, Steve Winwood). Together this cast renders a professional, content-driven project that enhances Krist’s reaching vocals and songwriting.

For example, Bramlett’s pronounced piano line (in the vein of a Bruce Hornsby cut) winds and rips through «Angel Baby», accenting the lyrical description of humanity’s futile attempts at perfection that inevitably fail. On «Time» emphatic drums reinforce Krist’s words as she sings: “Time changes everything but truth.”

Once again, Krist addresses social concerns and issues of the heart. She deftly uses literary devices such as analogy, personification, alliteration and metaphor to paint vivid word pictures of unrequited love: “Guess its the poverty of our hearts/ We practice love but in the dark” (from «Hold on Me»). In «Curious» she explores human failings: “And if all our good intentions simply pave the road to hell/ Are the parking lots there paved with apathetic souls as well?”

No doubt this is still the Jan Krist whose signature voice and intelligent prose swoops and soars and pierces and stirs. ‘Curious’ embodies relationships grasping for breath, pain in search of reason and humanity in the pursuit of mercy. [Lindy Warren, CCM, May 1997]

“Time changes everything, everything, everything / Time changes everything but the truth.” Now, she could’ve simply sung “Time changes everything but the truth,” and it would have been a good line. Nevertheless, thats one of the things that set Jan apart from those who are just good. She squeezes the words in all the right places. Makes them ooze life. The CD contains eleven songs, including «Gravity», an up-close, exposed song with only two acoustic guitars – Jan’s and Pierce Pettis‘. Pierce also lends his terrific voice to this piece.

When I first heard the former members of Vigilantes of Love were going to be working with Jan on this project, I thought I knew what it was going to sound like, and was anticipating its arrival. And what a great sound it is; this project not only gives us a new ‘voice’ for Jan’s work, nut several new “voices.” Elements of jazz on «Widening Sky», and up-beat Bo Diddley goes to Louisiana on «Work of Love», and warm organ through most of the songs. No problem here. The songs are produced, giving her a fuller sound, but you don’t have to search for the artist in the soup. About the only thing I would’ve liked to have heard, is others doing the backup vocal for more flavor (other tha just on «Angel Baby» and «Curious»). Jan does a good job, but I personally like a mix of different voices.

I’d already become familiar with Jan’s powerful lyrics, and her wonderful, sapid, liquid voice. The band not only added a fuller sound, but also played with the rhythms, keeping them varied and paced the CD just right. Great use of dynamics; it’s not just a louder version of Jan. I really like the melody on the chorus of «Jonah and Geppeto» with the interplay of the Alto Melodica. That’s not to say that she doesn’t have good melodies in other places, but I feel this song shows growth in this area. If you’ve enjoyed Jan’s work in the past, this CD is a must. If you’ve never heard her work, this is a great way to meet her. [Ed Englerth, The Cutting Edge, June 1997]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/curious/282400371)

CD tracklist:

01. Time – 4:45
02. Curious – 5:32
03. Works of Love – 3:54
04. Angel Baby – 5:30
05. Mercy – 4:58
06. Widening Sky – 4:01
07. Jonah and Geppeto – 3:12
08. Walking Wounded – 3:47
09. Hold On Me – 5:11
10. Gravity – 2:41
11. Someone – 4:41

Note: Re-issued by Silent Planet in 2000 with two bonus track, “Come On, Come On” and “Curious” (live version), basically featuring the same CD cover artwork, but this time with red rather than white background.

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