Jen Chapin is the daughter of Harry Chapin, whose mid-seventies
hit “Cats in the Cradle,” was one of my favorite
songs as a kid, and among the first I learned to play on
guitar (Guess I’m dating myself…) But she’s
a talent in her own right, and on Ready she displays
finely crafted work that tend more towards jazz-inspired
numbers than pop or folk, but combine elements of each.
Chapin’s sophisticated voice and imagistic lyrics
at times evoke a similar quality to the works of Alanis
Morrisette or Kate Bush. With its lush collage
of polished musicianship and array of instruments (acoustic
bass, viola, ukulele, clarinet, etc.), Ready is
likely to appeal to the contemplative listener. Her
songs cover social issues and ideas as well as those
relating to self-reflection and personal relationships. While
ballads and upbeat jazz tunes are the bulk, several,
like the big city-themed “NYC” carry a
crossover, mainstream appeal.
Favorite Track: Track 3, “Scream Laugh Cry”