PATTY GRIFFIN ~ Now You Know … (Part 1)

And so I stood there, … in awe of what I was hearing on that Autumn day in the year 2000. I was in my best friend’s living room in upstate NY when I heard the utter rawness of “Every Little Bit”. The song left me wondering what had happened in Patty Griffin’s life to inspire such unrestrained vocals, powerful messaging and unforgiving lyrics. I had to hear more and so we settled in with some hot tea and listened to the entire album, entitled: “Living With Ghosts”.

That afternoon’s listening session changed the role that music played in my life. After hearing this tiny redhead belt out gem after gem, I took my first serious interest in writing songs of my own. Up until that time, I was a content singer and hobbyist who would cover the material of others in casual settings. This woman’s gift for writing pointed me in the direction of an artistic life. Her inspiration was tremendous. Each track seemed to speak to me on a highly personal level. But enough about myself… I have heard MANY others say the same thing.

Talk about resonating with your audience! … the surgical precision with which a Patty Griffin song touches your life is nearly psychic in nature. It’s as if she has been watching your life unfold and truly understands it all. What a comfort! … and what a blessing. There is just no other way to describe what Patty does. I have read comments about her shyness as a new performer many years back. I am so grateful she has gotten over that!!! Time has done the talking (-; … and now? … she has become quite the powerhouse on stage, keeping some very good company and packing gorgeous venues.

Here is a very old video of Patty Griffin. Watch for a little while but then just close your eyes and let yourself “feel” her lyrics:

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~ “I stay unseen by the light, stay untold by the truth, I am sold by your lies”

~ “There was never a moment, (not a moment) … now you know! now you know! now you know! now you know! … you ever got within a hundred million miles of my soul”

*Stay tuned for Part 2 of this tribute series by the Apes For Indie*