Another glorious set from Patty Griffin. What an extraordinary artist she is! If I've counted right, this makes nine studio lps plus live record A Kiss in Time, and the run remains unbroken - every one has been excellent. Many of the words that come to mind in describing Servant of Love are elemental - airy, earthy, (quietly) fiery, pelagic - and its songs have Griffin's usual mixture of delicacy and sturdiness and strength in both construction and execution, including a pleasingly jazzy streak that has woven its way through her discography for years (piano and muted trumpet appearing here and there). While a handful of more upbeat numbers are sprinkled throughout, there's a whole lot of wistful here - which, done with such a lightness of touch and sense of liveliness and spirit, is hitting the mark just fine.
