Folk singer-songwriter, Patty Griffin just released her new song, “Rider of Days” much to the pleasure of anyone propelled into the depths of the human condition. As the first single from her forthcoming record, Servant of Love sings assuredly of an artist still at the top of her game.
“Rider of Days” is every bit as heart-provoking as the title suggests. The rumor-mill has it that Servant of Love is the soul-searching love-letter in response to her break-up with Led Zepplin legend, Robert Plant. Although a thorny scent of resentment and bitter attack on Plant’s album-outing last year might have been expected, “Rider of Days” seems more an indication that loss doesn’t necessarily mean defeat, but rather the essence of growth.
The song gently builds on the texturing of acoustic-guitars swaying in a dream. Griffin sells herself more as the traveller and student of life, than the wounded soldier. With a confident air in her voice and skillful solo-plucking during the bridge, “Rider of Days” proclaims the start of a new chapter in the pages of this artist’s journey.
Acting as a host to many who have covered her work in the past, several top-names include: Linda Ronstadt, Miranda Lambert, Emmylou Harris, and the Dixie Chicks. While those artists may deliver her songs with commercial-flash and show, Griffin’s ability to harbor her own songs in a personally-consummate fashion reveals more sincerity. She actually lives and breathes these songs.
Over twenty-years in the business, Griffin certainly hasn’t had it easy all the time. Once the 2000’s hit, online, downloadable-music shook-up the music-industry and lead to the dissolution of many record-labels, including: A&M, in which Griffin was signed. It took a whopping 13-years until the release of her third album, Silver Bells, recorded with producer, Daniel Lanois at New Orleans’ Kingsway Studio could be released to the public. Although she had experienced minor success with her music in the past, it was in 2007 with the release of her outstanding: Children Running Through, Griffin truly broke-through as an enduring folk artist to mass appeal. The album garnered Griffin her very first Grammy nominations, countless critical-acclaim, and a top-ranking position on the Billboard charts.
Now at the mercy of her own self-imprint, Griffin will be releasing, Servant of Love independently and solely on her own terms. Her personal lyrics connect with audiences during live-performances due to her innate ability to cross-over through genre’s of all kinds and relate.
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