Patti Scialfa can't utter a sentence, let alone issue an entire album, without the world scanning it for Bruce Springsteen-related subtext, so on Play It as It Lays--the sharpest, most assured, and best record of her solo career--she gives up. This beautiful, world-weary record, rich in girl-group harmonies, folk-roots rhythms, and clear-eyed lyrics, gets to the heart of what it means to be in a long-term relationship, whether it's with a rock god or a shoe salesman. There are sacrifices ("Like Any Woman Would"), concessions ("Town Called Heartbreak"), thrills ("Rainy Day Man"), and long spells of casting aside wistfulness and scraping up hope ("Looking for Elvis"). Most of all, though, there is honesty. Scialfa, a longtime E-Street band member and mother to the three Springsteen teenagers, sings these songs in the dark, grainy voice that's distinguished her from the start, but here it takes on a weightier, more lived-in quality. She's as comfortable with this material as she was with her backing band for the project--Willie Weeks, Nils Lofgren, Cliff Carter, and Mr. Springsteen himself all piled into a room in her New Jersey farmhouse for the sessions, christening themselves the Whack Brothers along the way--and it shows. Play It as It Lays is Scialfa's Born in the USA; her masterpiece. --Tammy La Gorce
Patti Scialfa Photos
More from Patti Scialfa
23rd Street Lullaby
Rumble Doll
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Tales from the dark side; stories for women:
I had to repost the reviews and response to another reviewer on glide (dot) com on 9.18.07. I'm finally listening to this CD and it's got so many fine tracks, and the lyrics are really astounding when I listen closely. She's quite a poet, really. I will agree that as Scialfa comes into her own, no longer a backup singer, she will really blow our minds. Most admirable effort, especially on Play It As It Lays, Play Around, Bad for You and Black Ladder. These two reviewers say everything I would have said, if... more info
4-1/2 stars -- GOOD for me:
For those that don't know it yet, Patti Scialfa is Bruce Springsteen's partner not only in marriage, but in music as well as a member of the E Street Band. And while her own albums have been critically acclaimed, she took her time releasing them (her solo debut Rumble Doll was released in 1993 but her sophomore set 23rd Street Lullaby didn't come out until 2004). But her latest album, Play It As It Lays, might be her best album yet. Actually, three years off isn't a REAL long time, but it doesn't... more info
Good Shot:
This album goes good w/ her husbands release on the same label, Magic. Both conjure up images of an America gone retro.
Not My Cup of Tea:
I am a big Patti Scialfa fan, and her first album Rumble Doll is among my favorite CDs of all time. I found Play it As it Lays to be disappointing. All the music is heavily rooted in soul, and some people may like that, but I don't. I prefer the straightforward rock of Rumble Doll. None of the songs in my opinion have a memorable hook--they all kind of blend together.
